The latest Superman film, which stars David Corenswet as the lead, garnered rave reviews from early screenings. Photo: Warner Bros Pictures
The latest Superman film, which stars David Corenswet as the lead, garnered rave reviews from early screenings. Photo: Warner Bros Pictures
The latest Superman film, which stars David Corenswet as the lead, garnered rave reviews from early screenings. Photo: Warner Bros Pictures
The latest Superman film, which stars David Corenswet as the lead, garnered rave reviews from early screenings. Photo: Warner Bros Pictures

Superman is an immigrant: James Gunn's political stance sparks controversy


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Superman director James Gunn has stepped on a hot-button topic in the US after likening the superhero to an immigrant.

Superman is the story of America,” Gunn told The Times over the weekend. “An immigrant who came from another place and populated the country, but for me, it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.”

Gunn's comment courted controversy among right-wing commentators and supporters of US President Donald Trump's sweeping anti-immigration policies, which have sparked nationwide protests.

“We don’t go to the movie theatre to be lectured to and to have somebody throw their ideology on to us,” said Kellyanne Conway, a Fox News host and former campaign manager for Trump.

From left, Nicholas Hoult, David Corenswet and James Gunn on the set of Superman. Photo: Warner Bros Pictures
From left, Nicholas Hoult, David Corenswet and James Gunn on the set of Superman. Photo: Warner Bros Pictures

Meanwhile, Fox News host Laura Ingraham shared a link to the Gunn interview on X and commented: “Another film we won't be seeing".

Created in the US in 1938 by Jewish immigrants, writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Superman is one of the world's most beloved superheroes. His origin story tells of an alien who crash-lands on Earth after his fictional planet is destroyed, and who is adopted by humans. Gunn's latest big-screen take, starring David Corenswet as Superman, delves into that backstory. It has already received rave reviews from early screenings.

The film is scheduled to release across the Middle East on Thursday.

Gunn anticipated the backlash in his Times interview, acknowledging that the film would be interpreted differently across political divides.

“Yes, it's about politics,” he said. “But on another level, it’s about morality. Do you never kill no matter what – which is what Superman believes – or do you have some balance, as Lois believes? It’s really about their relationship and the way different opinions on basic moral beliefs can tear two people apart.”

The film comes out “at a particular time when people are feeling a loss of hope in other people's goodness”, he added.

“I'm telling a story about a guy who is uniquely good, and that feels needed now because there is a meanness that has emerged due to cultural figures being mean online.”

Responding to the controversy on Monday at the film's premiere in Hollywood, Gunn, who is also the co-chairman of DC Studios, told Variety that he didn't have “anything to say to anybody” spreading negativity about the film.

“I’m not here to judge people,” he said. “I think this is a movie about kindness and I think that’s something everyone can relate to.”

Gunn's brother, actor Sean Gunn, who also stars in the film, doubled down on his sibling's earlier comments.

“We love our immigrants. Yes, Superman is an immigrant and, yes, the people we support in this country are immigrants, and if you don’t like that, you’re not American,” Sean, who plays supervillain Maxwell Lord, told Variety. “People who say no to immigrants are against the American way.”

Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

European arms

Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons.  Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.

Afro%20salons
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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

Francesco Totti's bio

Born September 27, 1976

Position Attacking midifelder

Clubs played for (1) - Roma

Total seasons 24

First season 1992/93

Last season 2016/17

Appearances 786

Goals 307

Titles (5) - Serie A 1; Italian Cup 2; Italian Supercup 2

EXPATS
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COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro
Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books 

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

The specs: 2017 Maserati Quattroporte

Price, base / as tested Dh389,000 / Dh559,000

Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V8

Transmission Eight-speed automatic

Power 530hp @ 6,800rpm

Torque 650Nm @ 2,000 rpm

Fuel economy, combined 10.7L / 100km

Updated: July 10, 2025, 5:38 PM