• Grand Prize, Li Ping, China. Gullies formed by rainwater erosion span out like a tree in Tibet. All photos: TNC Photo Contest 2022 / The photographer
    Grand Prize, Li Ping, China. Gullies formed by rainwater erosion span out like a tree in Tibet. All photos: TNC Photo Contest 2022 / The photographer
  • First Place - Landscape, Francisco Javier Munuera Gonzalez, Spain. Slope of Mount Adi, in Navarra.
    First Place - Landscape, Francisco Javier Munuera Gonzalez, Spain. Slope of Mount Adi, in Navarra.
  • Second Place - Landscape, Hendy Wicaksono, Indonesia. Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is one of the 10 priority tourist destinations in Indonesia.
    Second Place - Landscape, Hendy Wicaksono, Indonesia. Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is one of the 10 priority tourist destinations in Indonesia.
  • Honourable Mention - Landscape, Ivan Pedretti, Italy. Winter in Stokksnes on the beach with black sand and the majestic Vestrahorn mountain.
    Honourable Mention - Landscape, Ivan Pedretti, Italy. Winter in Stokksnes on the beach with black sand and the majestic Vestrahorn mountain.
  • Honourable Mention - Landscape, Waluya Priya Atmaja, Indonesia. East Java at sunset, with mangroves.
    Honourable Mention - Landscape, Waluya Priya Atmaja, Indonesia. East Java at sunset, with mangroves.
  • Honourable Mention - Landscape, Effy Varley, UK.
    Honourable Mention - Landscape, Effy Varley, UK.
  • First Place, People and Nature, Janusz Jurek, Poland. The photo, taken in Greece, of a huge factory that broke into the sea.
    First Place, People and Nature, Janusz Jurek, Poland. The photo, taken in Greece, of a huge factory that broke into the sea.
  • Second Place, People and Nature, Komang Arnawa, Indonesia. A fisherman sorting catches in Kedonganan, Bali.
    Second Place, People and Nature, Komang Arnawa, Indonesia. A fisherman sorting catches in Kedonganan, Bali.
  • Honourable Mention, People and Nature, Francesca Franchini, Mexico. The jungle of the Yucatan Peninsula protects a great biodiversity of species.
    Honourable Mention, People and Nature, Francesca Franchini, Mexico. The jungle of the Yucatan Peninsula protects a great biodiversity of species.
  • Honourable Mention, People and Nature, Giovani Cordioli, Brazil. Storm clouds in Varadero beach, Cuba.
    Honourable Mention, People and Nature, Giovani Cordioli, Brazil. Storm clouds in Varadero beach, Cuba.
  • Honourable Mention, People and Nature, Amish Jain, India.
    Honourable Mention, People and Nature, Amish Jain, India.
  • Honourable Mention, People and Nature, Marvin Mwarangu, Kenya. A veterinarian works quickly to diagnose and treat an elephant calf wound.
    Honourable Mention, People and Nature, Marvin Mwarangu, Kenya. A veterinarian works quickly to diagnose and treat an elephant calf wound.
  • Honourable Mention, People and Nature, Marcelo Paulo Silva, Brazil. A Rio de Janeiro beach on the first day after lockdown was lifted.
    Honourable Mention, People and Nature, Marcelo Paulo Silva, Brazil. A Rio de Janeiro beach on the first day after lockdown was lifted.
  • First Place, Climate, Sandesh Kadur, India. A fan-throated Lizard stands guard over his territory.
    First Place, Climate, Sandesh Kadur, India. A fan-throated Lizard stands guard over his territory.
  • Second Place, Climate, Amish Jain, India. Cleaning the lakes of excessive sea vegetation from hot weather as well as waste dumping.
    Second Place, Climate, Amish Jain, India. Cleaning the lakes of excessive sea vegetation from hot weather as well as waste dumping.
  • Honourable Mention, Climate, Jassen Todorov, US. Wastewater ponds.
    Honourable Mention, Climate, Jassen Todorov, US. Wastewater ponds.
  • Honourable Mention, Climate, Ziaul Huque, Bangladesh. A road construction worker in Bangladesh.
    Honourable Mention, Climate, Ziaul Huque, Bangladesh. A road construction worker in Bangladesh.
  • Honourable Mention, Climate, Marcelo Perez del Carpio, Bolivia. A forest firefighter walks through thick smoke.
    Honourable Mention, Climate, Marcelo Perez del Carpio, Bolivia. A forest firefighter walks through thick smoke.
  • Honourable Mention, Climate, Jassen Todorov, US. The devastation caused by the Dixie fire, California's largest single wildfire.
    Honourable Mention, Climate, Jassen Todorov, US. The devastation caused by the Dixie fire, California's largest single wildfire.
  • Honourable Mention, Climate, Florian Ledoux, Norway. Aerial view of two different types of ice in winter.
    Honourable Mention, Climate, Florian Ledoux, Norway. Aerial view of two different types of ice in winter.
  • First Place, Water, Kristin Wright, US. Brightly coloured sediment paints the Icelandic landscape.
    First Place, Water, Kristin Wright, US. Brightly coloured sediment paints the Icelandic landscape.
  • Second Place, Water, Nick Leopold Sordo, Mexico. Pink water lagoons in Las Coloradas salt mines in Yucatan.
    Second Place, Water, Nick Leopold Sordo, Mexico. Pink water lagoons in Las Coloradas salt mines in Yucatan.
  • Honourable Mention, Water, Dasun Nirmala Malaarachchi, Australia. Bluewater, golden sand and white foam mixed with bright sunlight in New South Wales.
    Honourable Mention, Water, Dasun Nirmala Malaarachchi, Australia. Bluewater, golden sand and white foam mixed with bright sunlight in New South Wales.
  • Honourable Mention, Water, Tom Shlesinger, Israel. A Goliath Grouper fish.
    Honourable Mention, Water, Tom Shlesinger, Israel. A Goliath Grouper fish.
  • Honourable Mention, Water, Tom Fenske, US. The drainpipe of the Pacific, a natural hole in the rock along the Oregon Coast.
    Honourable Mention, Water, Tom Fenske, US. The drainpipe of the Pacific, a natural hole in the rock along the Oregon Coast.
  • First Place, Plants and Fungi, Callie Chee, Australia. Bioluminescent mushrooms or 'ghost mushrooms'.
    First Place, Plants and Fungi, Callie Chee, Australia. Bioluminescent mushrooms or 'ghost mushrooms'.
  • Second Place, Plants and Fungi, Xiaoling Keller, US. Soaptree Yucca in New Mexico.
    Second Place, Plants and Fungi, Xiaoling Keller, US. Soaptree Yucca in New Mexico.
  • Honourable Mention, Plants and Fungi, Tibor Litauszki, Hungary. Crocuses in the twilight.
    Honourable Mention, Plants and Fungi, Tibor Litauszki, Hungary. Crocuses in the twilight.
  • Honourable Mention, Plants and Fungi, Patrick Krohn, US. Dew drops balance on this purple heart flower.
    Honourable Mention, Plants and Fungi, Patrick Krohn, US. Dew drops balance on this purple heart flower.
  • Honorable Mention, Plants and Fungi, Jake Virus, US. A spooky forest in Ba Vi National Park in Vietnam.
    Honorable Mention, Plants and Fungi, Jake Virus, US. A spooky forest in Ba Vi National Park in Vietnam.
  • Honourable Mention, Plants and Fungi, Cristiano Xavier, Brazil. Dragon Blood Trees on Socotra Island.
    Honourable Mention, Plants and Fungi, Cristiano Xavier, Brazil. Dragon Blood Trees on Socotra Island.
  • Honourable Mention, Plants and Fungi, Cristiano Xavier, Brazil. An old tree of Madeira Island light painted in a foggy evening.
    Honourable Mention, Plants and Fungi, Cristiano Xavier, Brazil. An old tree of Madeira Island light painted in a foggy evening.
  • First Place, Wildlife, Anup Shah, UK. Maasai Mara, Kenya.
    First Place, Wildlife, Anup Shah, UK. Maasai Mara, Kenya.
  • Second Place, Wildlife, Panos Laskarakis, Greece. African dust around the supergiant in wild Namibia.
    Second Place, Wildlife, Panos Laskarakis, Greece. African dust around the supergiant in wild Namibia.
  • Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Tibor Litauszki, Hungary. Deer at dawn blue.
    Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Tibor Litauszki, Hungary. Deer at dawn blue.
  • Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Baiju Patil, India.
    Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Baiju Patil, India.
  • Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Torie Hilley, US. Two young bull giraffes fighting in South Africa.
    Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Torie Hilley, US. Two young bull giraffes fighting in South Africa.
  • Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Rick Dowling, US. Eagles fighting for a piece of salmon.
    Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Rick Dowling, US. Eagles fighting for a piece of salmon.
  • Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Masahiro Hiroike, Japan. Nanbu Town, Tottori Prefecture, Japan. Himebotaru fireflies emit short and powerful lights like a flash.
    Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Masahiro Hiroike, Japan. Nanbu Town, Tottori Prefecture, Japan. Himebotaru fireflies emit short and powerful lights like a flash.
  • Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Tibor Litauszki, Hungary. Multi-exposure shot.
    Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Tibor Litauszki, Hungary. Multi-exposure shot.
  • Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Fabio Saltarelli, Argentina. Elephant seal defends her calf from a bird in the Falkland Islands.
    Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Fabio Saltarelli, Argentina. Elephant seal defends her calf from a bird in the Falkland Islands.
  • Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Jenny Zhao, US. Low-angle shot of a giraffe drinking at a waterhole, accompanied by an oxpecker, in South Africa.
    Honourable Mention, Wildlife, Jenny Zhao, US. Low-angle shot of a giraffe drinking at a waterhole, accompanied by an oxpecker, in South Africa.
  • Guest Judge Ami Vitale’s Choice, Shafeeq Mulla, Zambia. A leopard carries the carcass of a vervet monkey, with its baby still hanging on, in Zambia.
    Guest Judge Ami Vitale’s Choice, Shafeeq Mulla, Zambia. A leopard carries the carcass of a vervet monkey, with its baby still hanging on, in Zambia.
  • Celebrity Judge Coyote Peterson’s Choice, Florian Ledoux, Norway. A polar bear and her two cubs in an abandoned Russian settlement, Pyramiden.
    Celebrity Judge Coyote Peterson’s Choice, Florian Ledoux, Norway. A polar bear and her two cubs in an abandoned Russian settlement, Pyramiden.

Culture

Art

Incredible photos of natural landscapes win Nature Conservancy 2022 Photo Contest

Submissions from India are among the award-winning images

Katy Gillett
Katy Gillett

October 12, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Gullies formed by rainwater erosion span out like a tree on either side of a motorway in Tibet. This is the striking image by Li Ping, from China, who won the grand prize for the Nature Conservancy photography award this year.

The photographer slept alone in a roadside car park overnight before using a drone in the early hours of the morning to capture this natural landscape.

Images from all over the world make up the winners list, which is broken down into various categories including judges’ picks, Landscape, People and Nature, Climate, Water, Plants and Fungi, and Wildlife.

The global photography competition this year received more than 100,000 submissions from 196 countries and territories.

In Wildlife, Indian photographer Sandesh Kadur bagged first place, with his image Lizards and Windmills. A fan-throated lizard stands guard over his territory in one of the largest wind farms within the Chalkewadi plateau.

Amish Jain, also from India, came in second place for the same category, for Cleaning the Lakes. It shows a person cleaning lakes of excessive sea vegetation owing to the hot climate, as well as waste being dumped into the waters.

The winning images within the Water category are particularly striking, with Kristin Wright, from the US, taking first place for Braided River, a view of the longest river in Iceland showing brightly coloured sediment painting the landscape as it flows towards the ocean.

Second place went to Nick Leopold Sordo, from Mexico, for Las Coloradas, Yucatan. Pink hues of the salt mines give a beautiful spin on one of the most important salt-generating plants in the country.

Anup Shah, from the UK, won Wildlife with his shot of two lions. The image, called Morani and Friend, shows an older lion next to his youthful companion in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. “The old guy is one of the Four Musketeers that ruled Mara long time ago,” reads the description.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year: winning images revealed — in pictures

  • Under Antarctic ice by Laurent Ballesta, winner of the Portfolio Award category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. All photos: PA
    Under Antarctic ice by Laurent Ballesta, winner of the Portfolio Award category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. All photos: PA
  • Shooting star by Tony Wu, winner of the Underwater category.
    Shooting star by Tony Wu, winner of the Underwater category.
  • Battle stations by Ekaterina Bee, winner of the Young Wildlife Photography of the Year, ages 10 and under category.
    Battle stations by Ekaterina Bee, winner of the Young Wildlife Photography of the Year, ages 10 and under category.
  • New life for the tohora by Richard Robinson, winner of the Oceans: The Bigger Picture category.
    New life for the tohora by Richard Robinson, winner of the Oceans: The Bigger Picture category.
  • The big buzz by Karine Aigner, overall winner and winner of the Behaviour: Invertebrates category.
    The big buzz by Karine Aigner, overall winner and winner of the Behaviour: Invertebrates category.
  • The Cuban connection by Karine Aigner, overall winner and winner of the Photojournalist Story Award category.
    The Cuban connection by Karine Aigner, overall winner and winner of the Photojournalist Story Award category.
  • The beauty of baleen by Katanyou Wuttichaitanakorn, winner of the Young Wildlife Photography of the Year, ages 15-17 category.
    The beauty of baleen by Katanyou Wuttichaitanakorn, winner of the Young Wildlife Photography of the Year, ages 15-17 category.
  • Spectacled bear's slim outlook by Daniel Mideros, winner of the Animals in Their Environment category.
    Spectacled bear's slim outlook by Daniel Mideros, winner of the Animals in Their Environment category.
  • The dying lake by Daniel Nunez, winner of the Wetlands - The Bigger Picture category.
    The dying lake by Daniel Nunez, winner of the Wetlands - The Bigger Picture category.
  • The listening bird by Nick Kanaki, winner of the Behaviour: Birds category.
    The listening bird by Nick Kanaki, winner of the Behaviour: Birds category.
  • The great cliff chase by Anand Nambiar, winner of the Behaviour: Mammals category.
    The great cliff chase by Anand Nambiar, winner of the Behaviour: Mammals category.
  • The magical morels by Agorastos Papatsani, winner of the Plants and Fungi category.
    The magical morels by Agorastos Papatsani, winner of the Plants and Fungi category.
  • Ndakasi's passing by Brent Stirton, winner of the Photojournalism category.
    Ndakasi's passing by Brent Stirton, winner of the Photojournalism category.
  • The bat-snatcher by Fernando Constantino Martinez Belmar, winner of the Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles category.
    The bat-snatcher by Fernando Constantino Martinez Belmar, winner of the Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles category.
  • House of bears by Dmitry Kokh, winner of the Urban Wildlife category.
    House of bears by Dmitry Kokh, winner of the Urban Wildlife category.
  • Puff perfect by Jose Juan Hernandez Martine, winner of the Animal Portraits category.
    Puff perfect by Jose Juan Hernandez Martine, winner of the Animal Portraits category.
  • Out of the fog by Ismael Dominguez Gutierrez, winner of the Young Wildlife Photography, ages 11-14 category.
    Out of the fog by Ismael Dominguez Gutierrez, winner of the Young Wildlife Photography, ages 11-14 category.
  • Heavenly flamingos by Junji Takasago, winner of the Natural Artistry category.
    Heavenly flamingos by Junji Takasago, winner of the Natural Artistry category.
  • A theatre of birds by Mateusz Piesiak, winner of the Rising Star Portfolio Award category.
    A theatre of birds by Mateusz Piesiak, winner of the Rising Star Portfolio Award category.
War on waste
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

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

While you're here
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

WHAT%20ARE%20THE%20PRODUCTS%20WITHIN%20THE%20THREE%20MAJOR%20CATEGORIES%3F
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdvanced%20materials%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20specifically%20engineered%20to%20exhibit%20novel%20or%20enhanced%20properties%2C%20that%20confer%20superior%20performance%20relative%20to%20conventional%20materials%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdvanced%20components%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20includes%20semiconductor%20components%2C%20such%20as%20microprocessors%20and%20other%20computer%20chips%2C%20and%20computer%20vision%20components%20such%20as%20lenses%20and%20image%20sensors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdvanced%20products%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20includes%20personal%20electronics%2C%20smart%20home%20devices%20and%20space%20technologies%2C%20along%20with%20industry-enabling%20products%20such%20as%20robots%2C%203D%20printing%20equipment%20and%20exoskeletons%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Strategy%26amp%3B%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

Dhadak

Director: Shashank Khaitan

Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana

Stars: 3

E-cigarettes report
The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50

Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)

The specs

Price: From Dh180,000 (estimate)

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged in-line four-cylinder

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 320hp @ 5,700rpm

Torque: 400Nm @ 2,200rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.7L / 100km

The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio

Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)

Engine 4.7L V8

Transmission Six-speed automatic

Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm

Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

What's in the deal?

Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024

India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.

India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.

Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments

India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Alnamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMicrofinance%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFamily%20offices%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?

The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.

The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.

He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.

He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.

He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo 

 Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua

 Based: Dubai, UAE

 Number of employees: 28

 Sector: Financial services

 Investment: $9.5m

 Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. 

 

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

 

Transgender report
Updated: October 12, 2022, 2:54 PM
PhotographyArt