Kite Beach at sunset, with a beautifully framed Burj Al Arab, offers a picture-perfect backdrop to a lazy day by the coast Chris Whiteoak / The National
Kite Beach at sunset, with a beautifully framed Burj Al Arab, offers a picture-perfect backdrop to a lazy day by the coast Chris Whiteoak / The National
Kite Beach at sunset, with a beautifully framed Burj Al Arab, offers a picture-perfect backdrop to a lazy day by the coast Chris Whiteoak / The National
Kite Beach at sunset, with a beautifully framed Burj Al Arab, offers a picture-perfect backdrop to a lazy day by the coast Chris Whiteoak / The National

Why a trip to the sea is good for the soul


Selina Denman
  • English
  • Arabic

I grew up surrounded by the sea. I lived in a coastal town on a ­Mediterranean island and, in an age before social media and video games, trips to the beach were one of the few guaranteed methods of keeping kids entertained for extended periods of time. 

Armed with egg sandwiches and limited accoutrements (a towel, mask and snorkel, at best), we would head to a secluded bay on the east coast of ­Cyprus that had yet to be discovered by developers or tourists. My mum would sit on the shore collecting shells as I headed into the depths, chasing rainbow-hued fish, hunting for the remnants of dead sea urchins and fleeing from the odd octopus nestled in the rocks.

My hands and feet would slowly descend in to a prune-like state and my eyes would become sore from the salt water streaming into my ill-fitting mask. As the sun set and local fishermen dragged their nets from the water, I would hear my mum calling for us to go home, but would pretend I hadn’t, so ensconced was I in my underwater realm. It was my happy place.

I recently wrote a story about the allure of waterfront living – I have always longed to live by the sea, but, according a recent report by property consultancy Knight Frank, that particular privilege comes with a premium of up to 90 per cent. Over the course of my research, I came across a book called Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do. Author Wallis J Simpson offers up extensive research that proves being near water has a positive impact on both our bodies and our minds. 

Perhaps it is because our bodies are made up predominantly of H2O, or because the earliest organisms were water-dwelling, or because the planet we inhabit is so dominated by oceans and waterways – as a species, our link to water is undeniable. Simpson describes "blue mind" as "a mildly meditative state characterised by calm, peacefulness, unity and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment". That's certainly the case for me. While some revel in mountainscapes or city skylines, being near the sea always leaves me feeling calm, refreshed and reinvigorated. 

And yet, in spite of all this, I rarely make time to go to the beach in the UAE. Every year, as the weather cools and beach season comes around, I promise to take advantage of the miles of coastline that are a short drive from my house. But I never get around to it.

Last weekend, because it felt like the weather was turning and I was reminded that, soon enough, relaxing on the beach will feel like sitting in an enormous open-air oven and swimming in the sea will be like bathing in a giant bowl of lukewarm soup, I made my way over to Kite Beach. I’m embarrassed to admit that it was my first trip to the beach in more than a year. 

While some revel in mountainscapes or city skylines, being near the sea always leaves me feeling calm, refreshed and reinvigorated. And yet, in spite of all this, I rarely make time to go to the beach in the UAE.

This time around, there were plenty of accoutrements. My friends and I staggered down to the shore weighed down by drinks and snacks, rubber dinghies and doughnuts, beach mats and bats, magazines, novels and foldable chairs. We laughed and splashed and snoozed and made pitiable attempts to play with beach rackets. There was a gentle breeze coming off the sea and the water was ever-so-slightly chilly. 

As evening arrived, we joined the crowds heading over to Salt for burgers and cheesy fries, and were greeted by the sounds of a live musician. As the sunset turned the sky a dusty shade of pink, we walked the beach path alongside families, teenagers and erstwhile joggers, with a beautifully lit Burj Al Arab offering a picture-perfect backdrop. 

I was reminded of the hordes of tourists who pay a fortune to spend a measly fortnight each year soaking up the rays on Dubai’s beaches, and felt guilty that I take that opportunity for granted. I was reminded of the joy of lying on a stretch of sand with my eyes closed, listening to the sound of the waves and feeling the warmth of the sun spread across my vitamin D-deficient skin. And I vowed, all over again, not to leave it too long before I head back. This is still my happy place.

Champions League Last 16

 Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER) 

Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG) 

Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED) 

Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA) 

Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG) 

Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA) 

Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG) 

Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)  

Election pledges on migration

CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections" 

SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom" 

AL%20BOOM
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Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

How it works

Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.

Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.

As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.

A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.

Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Power: 400hp

Torque: 560Nm

Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000

On sale: now

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Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

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Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

About Okadoc

Date started: Okadoc, 2018

Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Healthcare

Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth

Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February

Investors: Undisclosed

The%20specs
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BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

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

Company profile

Company name: Suraasa

Started: 2018

Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker

Based: India, UAE and the UK

Industry: EdTech

Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding

MATCH INFO

Azerbaijan 0

Wales 2 (Moore 10', Wilson 34')

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The Vile

Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah

Director: Majid Al Ansari

Rating: 4/5

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Meydan racecard:

6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres

7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m

7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m

8.15pm: UAE Oaks | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m

8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m

9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

Price: From Dh79,600

On sale: Now

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The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Play-off fixtures

Two-legged ties to be played November 9-11 and November 12-14

 

  • Northern Ireland v Switzerland
  • Croatia v Greece
  • Denmark v Ireland
  • Sweden v Italy
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2a)
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RESULTS

5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000, 2,400m
Winner: Recordman, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000, 2,200m​​​​​​​
Winner: AF Taraha, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m​​​​​​​
Winner: Dhafra, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m​​​​​​​
Winner: Maqam, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000, 1,600m​​​​​​​
Winner: AF Momtaz, Fernando Jara, Musabah Al Muhairi

7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000, 1,600m​​​​​​​
Winner: Optimizm, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi

Oppenheimer
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