Preparations concluded for Eid Al Adha, Saudi Arabia says

Read the latest updates on the Hajj pilgrimage here

Saudi Arabia has completed slaughterhouse preparations ahead of Eid Al Adha, which begins on Wednesday.

Authorities have secured all ports of access and entry into the holy city of Makkah, and are prepared to begin the careful examination of livestock.

The Ministry of Environment on Monday said that 2.3 million “heads of cattle were cleared” this week.

Saudi authorities are ensuring cattle are free from disease to preserve the health of residents and pilgrims.

Muslims around the world celebrate the first day of Eid Al Adha with animal sacrifices, most commonly sheep, to honour the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son to God.

Ghaleb Al Saedi, director general of the Waqa Centre Branch in Makkah Region, explained that seven ports have been equipped with emergency teams and a squad to monitor markets and slaughterhouses in the holy city.

Operations at slaughterhouses are overseen by teams from by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture who work to examine livestock, monitor breaches of the agriculture and animal welfare systems, and verify health certificates.

Sixteen teams are working under plans from the National Centre for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases in Makkah for this year's Hajj season.

Officials said strong health measures are in place to control any outbreak and to reduce airborne diseases by monitoring imported livestock to reduce the risk of disease.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Makkah has also approved the work plan for slaughterhouses in Jeddah.

Authorities have been monitoring the development of slaughterhouse facilities, including technical and health requirements, the distribution of labour and butchers, work schedules, equipment, and waste disposal methods.

The ministry has aimed to provide the best services by setting up the Jeddah slaughterhouse to the east of the main motorway and in the south of the governorate.

Only approved slaughterhouses will be able to receive sacrifices during the days of Eid Al Adha and will operate regularly from after fajr prayer until 8pm.

Jeddah slaughterhouses employ nine veterinarians, three veterinary assistants, four supervisors and observers, 275 butchers and 344 other workers.

Licensed kitchens will also be able to slaughter only during the days of Eid Al Adha, provided they have the necessary permits and are in accordance with specific requirements.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the capacity of Jeddah slaughterhouses is 5,000 head per shift.

For those who would prefer not to view the process of live slaughter, the national platform Adahi is available for residents' sacrificial needs.

The project is managed by the Islamic Development Bank and streamlines pilgrims' performance of the Eid Al Adha sacrifice rituals. It also oversees the distribution of the meat to those in need.

The project was launched in 1983 and is supervised by government agencies.

International pilgrims can also use the website to make their sacrifices.

Adahi joined forces with the electronic portal of Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Al Rajhi Bank, the Ehsan platform, Saudi Post, Al Bilad Bank and the Haji and Mutamer’s Gift Association to allow pilgrims as well as Muslims all over the world to make their sacrifices.

The specs: 2018 Maxus T60

Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000

Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder

Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm

Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm

Transmission: Five-speed manual

Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km

Red flags

Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

While you're here

Hussein Ibish: America's attitude to Palestine and Israel has subtly shifted

Con Coughlin: With every missile fired in Israel-Gaza, Biden's clout reduces

Anwar Mhajne: The moral burden of being a Palestinian citizen of Israel

ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand

UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final

Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

THE RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m

Winner: Alnawar, Connor Beasley (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m

Winner: Raniah, Noel Garbutt, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 2,200m

Winner: Saarookh, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez

6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Rated Conditions Dh125,000 1,600m

Winner: RB Torch, Tadhg O’Shea, Eric Lemartinel

7pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh70,000 1,600m

Winner: MH Wari, Antonio Fresu, Elise Jeane

7.30pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m

Winner: Mailshot, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

Company%20profile

%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Tabby%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%20August%202019%3B%20platform%20went%20live%20in%20February%202020%3Cbr%3EFounder%2FCEO%3A%20Hosam%20Arab%2C%20co-founder%3A%20Daniil%20Barkalov%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Payments%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2040-50%20employees%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Arbor%20Ventures%2C%20Mubadala%20Capital%2C%20Wamda%20Capital%2C%20STV%2C%20Raed%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Founders%20Capital%2C%20JIMCO%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20Venture%20Souq%2C%20Outliers%20VC%2C%20MSA%20Capital%2C%20HOF%20and%20AB%20Accelerator.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

MATCH INFO

Qalandars 112-4 (10 ovs)

Banton 53 no

Northern Warriors 46 all out (9 ovs)

Kumara 3-10, Garton 3-10, Jordan 2-2, Prasanna 2-7

Qalandars win by six wickets