President Sheikh Mohamed held a phone call with King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Sunday. UAE Presidential Court
President Sheikh Mohamed held a phone call with King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Sunday. UAE Presidential Court
President Sheikh Mohamed held a phone call with King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Sunday. UAE Presidential Court
President Sheikh Mohamed held a phone call with King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Sunday. UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed congratulates Moroccan king on team making World Cup semi-finals


  • English
  • Arabic

President Sheikh Mohamed held a phone call with King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Sunday, congratulating him and the Moroccan people on the qualification of their football team for the World Cup 2022 semi-finals.

Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed that this historic achievement was the first of its kind for an Arab team, and said it had created an ambience of happiness and joy.

He also expressed his confidence in the ability of the Moroccans to compete in grand championships, commending the exceptional performance of the team, their spirit and discipline, and wishing them further luck and success in their next steps.

Morocco fans around the globe celebrate World Cup win - in pictures

  • Morocco fans celebrate at Souq Waqif in Doha after their country's World Cup win over Portugal. AFP
    Morocco fans celebrate at Souq Waqif in Doha after their country's World Cup win over Portugal. AFP
  • Morocco fans in the Astoria neighbourhood of Queens, New York. Reuters
    Morocco fans in the Astoria neighbourhood of Queens, New York. Reuters
  • Morocco fans in Paris. Reuters
    Morocco fans in Paris. Reuters
  • Morocco fans in Doha. Getty
    Morocco fans in Doha. Getty
  • A Morocco fan celebrates in London. Reuters
    A Morocco fan celebrates in London. Reuters
  • The UK capital was taken over by Moroccans. Reuters
    The UK capital was taken over by Moroccans. Reuters
  • A Moroccan fan on his horse in Casablanca. Reuters
    A Moroccan fan on his horse in Casablanca. Reuters
  • Fans block a bus in Trafalgar Square, London. Reuters
    Fans block a bus in Trafalgar Square, London. Reuters
  • Morocco fans in London celebrate after reaching the semi-final. Reuters
    Morocco fans in London celebrate after reaching the semi-final. Reuters
  • Fans wave their flags in Rabat. EPA
    Fans wave their flags in Rabat. EPA
  • Moroccans in Rabat watching the match. AP Photo
    Moroccans in Rabat watching the match. AP Photo
  • Moroccans beat their drums in Rabat. AP
    Moroccans beat their drums in Rabat. AP
  • This Morroccan fan in Rabat celebrated with cake. AP
    This Morroccan fan in Rabat celebrated with cake. AP
  • Moroccans celebrate in Rabat. AP
    Moroccans celebrate in Rabat. AP
  • Souq Waqif in Doha was taken over by Morocco supporters. AFP
    Souq Waqif in Doha was taken over by Morocco supporters. AFP
  • Mohammed celebrates with a replica World Cup trophy in Rabat, Morocco. AP
    Mohammed celebrates with a replica World Cup trophy in Rabat, Morocco. AP
  • More scenes from Souq Waqif in Doha. AFP
    More scenes from Souq Waqif in Doha. AFP
  • Celebrations in Rabt went on well into the night. AFP
    Celebrations in Rabt went on well into the night. AFP
  • A fan is thrown in the air during Rabat celebrations. AFP
    A fan is thrown in the air during Rabat celebrations. AFP
  • More scenes of joy from the Moroccan capital. AFP
    More scenes of joy from the Moroccan capital. AFP
  • Morocco's supporters celebrate in Rabat. AFP
    Morocco's supporters celebrate in Rabat. AFP

King Mohammed VI expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Sheikh Mohamed, wishing the UAE further progress and prosperity.

Morocco players celebrate with family after World Cup win - in pictures

  • Sofiane Boufal of Morocco with his mother after the World Cup 2022 quarter-final win over Portugal. EPA
    Sofiane Boufal of Morocco with his mother after the World Cup 2022 quarter-final win over Portugal. EPA
  • Head coach Walid Regragui is mobbed by the crowd as he embraces his mother Fatima after the famous win. EPA
    Head coach Walid Regragui is mobbed by the crowd as he embraces his mother Fatima after the famous win. EPA
  • Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi, left, with Romain Saiss and his son. AFP
    Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi, left, with Romain Saiss and his son. AFP
  • Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou's son wears his dad's gloves. Getty
    Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou's son wears his dad's gloves. Getty
  • Hakimi, right, is kissed by his mother after the group game against Belgium. AFP
    Hakimi, right, is kissed by his mother after the group game against Belgium. AFP
  • Boufal with his mother. Morocco's next game is against France in the World Cup semi-finals. EPA
    Boufal with his mother. Morocco's next game is against France in the World Cup semi-finals. EPA
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

SERIES INFO

Schedule:
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
1st ODI, Wed Apr 10
2nd ODI, Fri Apr 12
3rd ODI, Sun Apr 14
4th ODI, Sun Apr 16

UAE squad
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed

Zimbabwe squad
Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura

How to improve Arabic reading in early years

One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient

The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers

Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades

Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic

First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations

Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades

Improve the appearance of textbooks

Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings

Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught

Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters

The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.

 Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.

A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.

The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.

The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.

Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.

Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment

But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Revival
Eminem
Interscope

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

Match info

Deccan Gladiators 87-8

Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16

Maratha Arabians 89-2

Chadwick Walton 51 not out

Arabians won the final by eight wickets

The specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: eight-speed PDK

Power: 630bhp

Torque: 820Nm

Price: Dh683,200

On sale: now

The Buckingham Murders

Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5

Updated: December 12, 2022, 3:32 AM