With less than a week remaining of Ramadan, many people are starting to make Eid Al Fitr staycation plans.
Eid is likely to begin on March 30 or 31, depending on the sighting of the Moon. With hotels across the country offering special Eid deals, here are some options.
Dubai
Delta Hotels by Marriott Jumeirah Beach
Perched between The Walk, JBR and Dubai Marina, guests at this hotel who book a room or suite (two-, three- or four-bedroom) receive breakfast for four, and children under 12 stay and eat for free. Room guests get 25 per cent off the total bill at outlets, while apartment guests get a 30 per cent discount.
March 28 to April 6; Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai; 04 439 8888
Park Hyatt Dubai
Nestled along the Dubai Creek, the Park Hyatt has a Stay More, Pay Less offer that includes 15 per cent off rooms with a minimum of a three-night stay. There is an adults-only Lagoon Beach and two family swimming pools, as well as the Cave Kids Club, ideal for children aged three to 10. Guests also have free access to mini golf.
Dubai Creek, Dubai; 04 602 1234
Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts
The Polynesian-themed hotel has a Lu’Wow Weekender package that starts at Dh1,199 per night and includes free access to Dubai Parks and Resorts, including MotionGate Dubai, Real Madrid World, Legoland Dubai, Legoland Water Park, Riverland Dubai and Neon Galaxy Indoor Playworld. The hotel will also host an Eid Al Fitr brunch at Kalea Restaurant on April 1, starting at Dh299 per person.
March 31 to April 2; Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai; 04 810 9999
Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City
The hotel has a beach staycation offer that starts at Dh462 and includes complimentary access to the Riva Beach Club at Palm Jumeirah. The package offers one ticket per person, per stay, including children.
Until April 30; Dubai Media City; 04 366 9111
InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Overlooking Dubai Creek, the InterContinental in Dubai Festival City has an Eid offer that includes breakfast and dinner for two at Anise and 25 per cent off dining and spa treatments. The hotel is also next to Dubai Festival City Mall, and parents wanting to shop can drop children at the Planet Trekkers Kids Club to enjoy rock climbing, arts and crafts, and more.
Dubai Festival City; 04 701 1111
Delano Dubai
Delano Dubai, which opened on Bluewaters Island last November, is offering a 20 per cent discount for UAE and GCC residents over the Eid period. With all the style of its Miami equivalent, the hotel offers both pool and beach access for daytime relaxation, and restaurants such as Blue Door and Tutto Passa for evening meals.
Bluewaters Island, Dubai; 04 556 6255
The H Dubai
The hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road has an Eid Al Fitr offer that includes a 20 per cent discount on the best available room rates, plus two children under 12 can stay and dine for free. Complimentary shuttle bus service to Dubai Outlet Mall and Yas Island is available for guests.
Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre 1, Dubai; 04 501 8888
Conrad Dubai
The Conrad Dubai is offering an overnight stay for two in a deluxe room starting from Dh900. It also includes breakfast at Ballaro Restaurant & Terrace, a complimentary upgrade to the next room category, 20 per cent discounts on massage treatments and total bill at select restaurants and early check-in at 11am and late checkout at 4pm. The offer is available for stays from March 30 to April 6.
From March 30 to April 6; Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre 1, Dubai; 04 444 7444
JA Palm Tree Court, JA Lake View Hotel and JA Beach Hotel
The three properties are at Jebel Ali Beach and have special discounts for Eid. This includes 20 per cent savings on rooms and suites, dining, spa and experiences, plus children under 12 stay and dine for free. Hotel guests also get complimentary access to the Eid Traditions & Tastes Market at Palmito Garden on March 30 and 31.
Jebel Ali Beach; Dubai; 04 814 5500
JA Ocean View Hotel Jumeirah Beach
The hotel's “Eid family stay and play” package includes a stay of two nights or more in a sea view room with a balcony, starting from Dh999 per night. It also comes with a complimentary buffet breakfast for two adults, 20 per cent discount on a second room for children, and those aged 12 and below can stay and eat for free. There is also a 15 per cent discount at all dining venues on site.
The Walk, JBR, Dubai; 04 814 5500
Hyde Dubai
Located in Business Bay, Hyde Dubai has an “escape and relax” offer from March 28 to April 5 that starts at Dh1,007 per night. It includes a complimentary massage at the hotel’s spa. The hotel also has an outdoor pool with a view of Burj Khalifa.
March 28 to April 5; Business Bay, Dubai; 04 871 1111
Legoland Dubai
The resort has a “playcation” offer that includes a 30 per cent discount on bookings until the end of March. All stays come with access to the Legoland Dubai Theme Park and the Legoland Water Park. The hotel is within walking distance of other attractions and shopping complexes, including Motiongate, Real Madrid World, Riverland, Neon Galaxy and Dubai Outlet Village. Guests who stay during Eid will also be able to get up to 50 per cent off on select Lego sets. The offer is on until March 31 for stays until February 28, 2026.
Until March 31; Dubai Parks and Resorts; 04 820 3123
QE2
QE2 is offering a package that includes a complimentary upgrade to a sea-view room of the same category and breakfast and dinner buffets for two at Lido, which will have an array of international cuisine and Eid-themed specialities. The hotel will also offer late checkout at 2pm (subject to availability) as well as a 20 per cent discount on food and drinks.
From March 30 to April 3; Bur Dubai, Port Rashid, 600 500400
Abu Dhabi
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
The all-inclusive resort on Saadiyat Island is offering 26 per cent off the best available rates for a minimum two-night stay. The hotel has a private beach and temperature-controlled swimming pools, as well as a wave pool. Children can also stay busy at the Rixy Kids Club, Kids Aqua Park and Teens Club.
Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; 02 492 2222
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
Book more three or more consecutive nights at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, and you can enjoy a 15 per cent discount. The offer includes daily breakfast at Dunes Cafe, and the beachfront hotel is also home to three further restaurants and four bars and lounges, as well as an Chi spa and health club.
From March 24 to April 12, Khor Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi; 02 509 8888
WB Abu Dhabi
The world’s first Warner Bros-themed hotel has a family offer for two adults and two children that includes access to Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi or any other Yas theme park. This includes breakfast at Sidekicks, where WB characters make an appearance. The package starts at Dh3,015, including bed, breakfast and tickets for every registered room guest. Children under the age of 12 can stay, play and eat for free.
Until April 2; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; 02 815 0000
Rosewood Abu Dhabi
The hotel on Al Maryah Island has a special weekend offer that includes a beach retreat package. It comes with daily access to Saadiyat Beach Club as well as complimentary breakfast at Aqua. Guests can also enjoy 20 per cent off culinary offerings at the hotel, beach club and Sense spa using the code “disbeach”.
Every weekend until September; Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi; 02 813 5550
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
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
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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Fighting with My Family
Director: Stephen Merchant
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Florence Pugh, Thomas Whilley, Tori Ellen Ross, Jack Lowden, Olivia Bernstone, Elroy Powell
Four stars
Brief scores
Barcelona 2
Pique 36', Alena 87'
Villarreal 0
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Cagliari v AC Milan (6pm)
Lazio v Napoli (9pm)
Inter Milan v Atalanta (11.45pm)
Sunday
Udinese v Sassuolo (3.30pm)
Sampdoria v Brescia (6pm)
Fiorentina v SPAL (6pm)
Torino v Bologna (6pm)
Verona v Genoa (9pm)
Roma V Juventus (11.45pm)
Parma v Lecce (11.45pm)
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
Who is Ramon Tribulietx?
Born in Spain, Tribulietx took sole charge of Auckland in 2010 and has gone on to lead the club to 14 trophies, including seven successive Oceania Champions League crowns. Has been tipped for the vacant New Zealand national team job following Anthony Hudson's resignation last month. Had previously been considered for the role.
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 2
(Martial 30', McTominay 90 6')
Manchester City 0
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
