Following in the footsteps of Beyonce this week is rapper and singer Post Malone, who releases his first country album. Then, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings stars Simu Liu and Awkwafina reunite for a comedy by Paul Feig, who gave us the brilliant Bridesmaids. Here are some of the latest music, movies and shows to stream this week.
New movies to stream
Jackpot! (Prime Video, August 15)
In Feig's latest offering, Awkwafina plays a struggling actor, Katie, who wins the lottery. But this story is set in 2030, when laws have changed, and anyone with a losing ticket is permitted to murder Katie before sunset and claim her win. Besides Liu, the film stars John Cena, rapper MGK and Filipina actress Dolly de Leon who made waves in 2022 for her breakout role in the acclaimed Palme d'Or winner Triangle of Sadness.
The Union (Netflix, August 16)
In this action comedy, a construction worker, played by Mark Wahlberg, is thrust into the world of espionage by an ex-girlfriend from high school (Halle Berry). As the pair set off on a mission to Europe, expect lots of high-octane action and sparks to fly. Julian Farino, best known for directing Entourage, helms this film.
New shows to stream
Bad Monkey (Apple TV, August 14)
Based on the 2013 novel of the same name, Apple TV+'s latest show is black comedy set in Florida about a former police detective, Andrew Yancy, who, following his suspension, is reduced to conducting restaurant inspections. But when a severed arm is found by a tourist, Yancy is pulled into a world of greed and corruption that will threaten the lives of all involved. Vince Vaughn plays Yancy in this 10-episode series alongside Jodie Turner-Smith, Michelle Monaghan and Meredith Hagner.
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures season two (Disney+, August 14)
The first Star Wars series dedicated to young audiences returns for a second season following wide acclaim. Set centuries before the events of the first Star Wars films, this series follows a group of younglings as they learn the way of the Force and everything that comes with it, from compassion to teamwork and patience, on their way to become Jedi Knights.
Bel-Air season three (OSN+, August 15)
An alternate version of Will Smith's sit-com The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, this show was inspired by a fan film, which imagined a darker and more dramatic twist. Premiering in 2022, it's now on its third season and follows Smith's journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated community of Bel-Air. While The Fresh Prince's laugh-a-minute format was a massive hit, Bel-Air's take on hot-button topics including race, cultural clashes and black privilege seem to have struck a chord.
New music to stream
Post Malone's F-1 Trillion (August 16)
With guest appearances from country greats including Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton and Luke Combs, Malone's sixth album is already one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Single I Had Some Help, which he released in May and featuring country singer Morgan Wallen, is already one of the year's biggest hits, signalling another successful country move by a pop act. Will Shawn Mendes follow suite after he released his country-tinged Why Why Why from his forthcoming album?
Tinashe's Quantum Baby (August 16)
The viral Nasty singer returns with her seventh studio album, promising more TikTok-worthy hooks and tunes. Released independently, Quantum Baby is is the second installment of a planned trilogy, following BB/Ang3l, which was released last year. Nasty is the lead single on this eight-track record, followed by Getting No Sleep, which was released a month ago.
“Quantum Baby is about getting to know me on a deeper level,” Tinashe told Variety in June. “It’s about exploring who I am as a person and who I am as an artist. I’ve never been one to be put into a box, so the name Quantum Baby encompasses all the different parts that make up who I am as a creative.”
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Scores
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Results
5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
The Two Popes
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
Four out of five stars
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
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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
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
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"
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
