• Covid-19 social distancing measures in place at The Third Place Cafe, the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Covid-19 social distancing measures in place at The Third Place Cafe, the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • An 'X' reminds people of the need for physical distancing at the Third Place Cafe. Victor Besa / The National
    An 'X' reminds people of the need for physical distancing at the Third Place Cafe. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Third Place Cafe in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    The Third Place Cafe in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Sanitation workers at Haddins Fitness, Zayed Sports City. Victor Besa / The National
    Sanitation workers at Haddins Fitness, Zayed Sports City. Victor Besa / The National
  • Places of worship, such as Shiva temple in Dubai, have been subject to restrictions during the pandemic. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Places of worship, such as Shiva temple in Dubai, have been subject to restrictions during the pandemic. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Fitness buff Natalie Navikova exercises at Cobra Fitness Abu Dhabi at Al Bandar. Victor Besa / The National
    Fitness buff Natalie Navikova exercises at Cobra Fitness Abu Dhabi at Al Bandar. Victor Besa / The National
  • CrossFit class at Vogue Fitness Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    CrossFit class at Vogue Fitness Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A worshipper at Shiva temple in Dubai follows safety precautions. Reem Mohammed / The National
    A worshipper at Shiva temple in Dubai follows safety precautions. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • The floor of the main prayer hall at the Gurunanak Darbar in Jebel Ali, Dubai, is covered with plastic sheets to help tackle the spread of Covid-19. Pawan Singh / The National
    The floor of the main prayer hall at the Gurunanak Darbar in Jebel Ali, Dubai, is covered with plastic sheets to help tackle the spread of Covid-19. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Safe distance marking stickers placed on the floor at Gurunanak Darbar in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Safe distance marking stickers placed on the floor at Gurunanak Darbar in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Midday prayers are performed at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Midday prayers are performed at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Hotel beaches are now open to guests at the Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche after Covid-19 restrictions eased. Victor Besa / The National
    Hotel beaches are now open to guests at the Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche after Covid-19 restrictions eased. Victor Besa / The National
  • Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai has safety measures in place to help protect worshippers. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai has safety measures in place to help protect worshippers. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Shiva temple in Dubai put safety measures in place to protect worshippers. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Shiva temple in Dubai put safety measures in place to protect worshippers. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Covid-19 safety measures are put in place at Mahamevnawa Buddhist Temple in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Covid-19 safety measures are put in place at Mahamevnawa Buddhist Temple in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Residents wear face masks as they walk in Abu Dhabi city centre. Victor Besa / The National
    Residents wear face masks as they walk in Abu Dhabi city centre. Victor Besa / The National
  • People walk along near the Ramada Hotel Abu Dhabi Corniche during the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National
    People walk along near the Ramada Hotel Abu Dhabi Corniche during the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National
  • A visitor wears a protective face mask at Al Shindagha Museum in Dubai. EPA
    A visitor wears a protective face mask at Al Shindagha Museum in Dubai. EPA
  • A man on his e-scooter travels along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi as the sun sets. Victor Besa / The National
    A man on his e-scooter travels along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi as the sun sets. Victor Besa / The National
  • People wear face masks in Al Barsha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    People wear face masks in Al Barsha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Coronavirus: UAE records 1,772 cases and three deaths


  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE recorded 1,772 Covid-19 cases on Monday, bringing its total to 525,567.

Another 1,679 people beat the virus, taking the recovery tally to 506,020.

The death toll now stands at 1,596, following three more fatalities during 24-hour reporting period.

These latest infections were detected as a result of 156,940 tests.

More than 44.6 million PCR nasal swab and DPI laser tests have been conducted since the outbreak began at the end of January 2020.

The number of active cases increased slightly to 17,951.

Daily case numbers have declined in recent months, after hitting a peak of 3,977 infections on February 3.

Daily numbers have remained under 2,000 for the past six days.

Abu Dhabi updates home quarantine rules for arriving passengers and residents

Abu Dhabi authorities announced an update to quarantine rules in the emirate on Sunday.
Vaccinated travellers arriving in Abu Dhabi from countries not on its "green list" will now quarantine for five days instead of 10.

Arrivals from the 23 countries on the green list already do not need to quarantine, under Abu Dhabi's coronavirus regulations.

Officials set out a series of scenarios depending on a traveller's country of origin and Covid-19 vaccine status.

These include a PCR test on arrival and subsequent tests.

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The Book of Collateral Damage

Sinan Antoon

(Yale University Press)

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)

Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)

West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)

Sunday

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)

Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)

Everton v Liverpool (10pm)

Monday

Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Switch%20Foods%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Edward%20Hamod%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Plant-based%20meat%20production%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2034%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%246.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20round%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Based%20in%20US%20and%20across%20Middle%20East%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FIRST TEST SCORES

England 458
South Africa 361 & 119 (36.4 overs)

England won by 211 runs and lead series 1-0

Player of the match: Moeen Ali (England)

 

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Europe’s rearming plan
  • Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
  • Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
  • Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
  • Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
  • Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Full list of brands available for Instagram Checkout

Adidas @adidaswomen

Anastasia Beverly Hills @anastasiabeverlyhills

Balmain @balmain

Burberry @burberry

ColourPop @colourpopcosmetics

Dior @dior

H&M @hm

Huda Beauty @hudabeautyshop

KKW @kkwbeauty

Kylie Cosmetics @kyliecosmetics

MAC Cosmetics @maccosmetics

Michael Kors @michaelkors

NARS @narsissist

Nike @niketraining & @nikewomen

NYX Cosmetics @nyxcosmetics

Oscar de la Renta @oscardelarenta

Ouai Hair @theouai

Outdoor Voices @outdoorvoices

Prada @prada

Revolve @revolve

Uniqlo @uniqlo

Warby Parker @warbyparker

Zara @zara

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 specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S

Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm

Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOlivia%20Newman%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Daisy%20Edgar-Jones%2C%20Taylor%20John%20Smith%2C%20Harris%20Dickinson%2C%20David%20Strathairn%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Arabian Gulf Cup FINAL

Al Nasr 2

(Negredo 1, Tozo 50)

Shabab Al Ahli 1

(Jaber 13)

My Country: A Syrian Memoir

Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury

Sam Smith

Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi

When: Saturday November 24

Rating: 4/5

SUZUME
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Makoto%20Shinkai%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Nanoka%20Hara%2C%20Hokuto%20Matsumura%2C%20Eri%20Fukatsu%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FIGHT INFO

Men’s 60kg Round 1:

Ahmad Shuja Jamal (AFG) beat Krisada Takhiankliang (THA) - points 
Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) beat Akram Alyminee (YEM) - retired Round 1
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Bhanu Pratap Pandit (IND) - TKO Round 1

Men’s 71kg Round 1:
Seyed Kaveh Soleyman (IRI) beat Abedel Rahman (JOR) - RSC round 3.
Amine Al Moatassime (UAE) walk over Ritiz Puri (NEP)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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