Winners of the 19th Unesco-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture named in Paris

The 19th Unesco-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture took place in Paris last night, naming its two latest winners.

Founded in 1998, the Unesco-Sharjah Prize selects two laureates a year for demonstrably supporting and disseminating Arab culture.

One of this year's winners was Kassem Istanbouli from Lebanon, who was recognised for his work rehabilitating historical cinemas across the country. Since 2014 he has restored cinemas that have either been abandoned or destroyed during the civil war, including Stars Cinema in Nabatieh, and Al-Hamra and Rivoli in Tyre.

In 2020, he founded the Arab Culture and Arts Network, to enable people to get involved with a cultural and artistic community, which includes programmes especially aimed at children and youth.

The second winner was Hajer Ben Boubaker, a French-Tunisian independent researcher and sound director, whose work revolves around the analysis of Arab music, in particular the cultural history of the Maghreb community in France and around the world.

In 2018, she launched the Vintage Arab podcast, to explore Arabic musical heritage. She also serves as a producer and documentary director for France Culture. As a researcher, she works with the Arab and Oriental music collections at the National Library of France and has written for scientific journals.

The winners of the prize are chosen by the Director-General of Unesco, who is advised by an international panel. The award is open to all applicants, be it to individuals, groups or institutions, who can demonstrate the promotion of Arabic culture. The prize money of $60,000 is shared between the two winners.

The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe

Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads

Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike

They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users

Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance

They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians

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US versus China

Sulaiman Hakemy: Who really deserves to rule the Arctic?

Ni Jian: Covid-19 origins are a matter for science, not politics

Editorial: Global collaboration for a vaccine is the way to go

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Ed Husain: The far left is trying to hijack Muslim minds in the West

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Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”

Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule

1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele

UAE currency

Episode list:

Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery

Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges

Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic

Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks

Ep5: Travel and tourism

Who is Allegra Stratton?

Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth

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

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France