• Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and their daughter, Aaradhya, in a photograph taken at the wedding of Akash Ambani, the son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, in 2019. Reuters
    Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and their daughter, Aaradhya, in a photograph taken at the wedding of Akash Ambani, the son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, in 2019. Reuters
  • Abhishek Bachchan (L) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Raja Bhoj airport in Bhopal, India, 15 February 2020. EPA
    Abhishek Bachchan (L) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Raja Bhoj airport in Bhopal, India, 15 February 2020. EPA
  • Aishwarya Rai presents a creation during the L'Oreal fashion show at the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris, France, 28 September 2019. EPA
    Aishwarya Rai presents a creation during the L'Oreal fashion show at the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris, France, 28 September 2019. EPA
  • Aishwarya Rai arrives for the screening of 'A Hidden Life' during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France, 19 May 2019. EPA
    Aishwarya Rai arrives for the screening of 'A Hidden Life' during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France, 19 May 2019. EPA
  • Abhishek Bachchan (L) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with their daughter Aaradhya pose as they arrive to attend the wedding reception of Akash Ambani in March 2019. EPA
    Abhishek Bachchan (L) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with their daughter Aaradhya pose as they arrive to attend the wedding reception of Akash Ambani in March 2019. EPA
  • Amitabh Bachchan walks out of a hospital holding his grand-daughter along with his daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Mumbai, India, 22 November 2011. EPA
    Amitabh Bachchan walks out of a hospital holding his grand-daughter along with his daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Mumbai, India, 22 November 2011. EPA

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and daughter to quarantine at home after testing positive for Covid-19


Emma Day
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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, 46, and her daughter, Aaradhya, 8, have confirmed they will self-quarantine at home after being diagnosed with the coronavirus.

The Bollywood actress and her daughter were revealed to have tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, July 12, a day after Aishwarya's husband, Abhishek Bachchan, confirmed he had the coronavirus.

Abhishek, 44, and his father, Bollywood screen legend Amitabh Bachchan, 77, both announced that they had tested positive on Saturday, July 11.

Abhishek confirmed that his wife and daughter would stay at home, rather than hospital, on Twitter.

"They will be self-quarantining at home," he wrote. "The BMC [Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation] has been updated of their situation and are doing the needful."

As Aishwarya and her daughter are asymptomatic, they were able to stay at home after signing a declaration that they will isolate.

Abhishek also confirmed that his mother, Jaya Bachchan, had tested negative for Covid-19, but he and his father would remain in hospital for the time being.

"The rest of the family including my mother have tested negative. Thank you all for your wishes and prayers," he added.

"My father and I remain in hospital 'til the doctors decide otherwise. Everyone please remain cautious and safe. Please follow all rules!"

Amitabh is in hospital in an isolation unit, but his symptoms are currently being reported as mild and he is in a stable condition.

"They both voluntarily undertook antigen tests and since the results were positive, they both have been admitted to Nanavati Hospital," Maharashtra state health minister, Rajesh Tope, said in a video statement about Amitabh and Abhishek on Sunday, adding that they both had a mild cough and fever.

Suresh Kakani, commissioner from the BMC said that 16 people from the household have been tested, including those who work there.

Civic authority workers spray sanitiser on the main door of the residence of Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan. AFP
Civic authority workers spray sanitiser on the main door of the residence of Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan. AFP

On Sunday, BMC workers were seen at the Bachchan family home: they were there to sanitise the premises.

Mumbai is among the Indian cities worst hit by the coronavirus. On Monday, the country's virus caseload reached almost 880,000, with 23,187 deaths recorded.

More on 'Big B'

Known as "Big B", Amitabh rose to fame in the early 1970s on the back of roles in hit movies such as Zanjeer and Sholay.

Active in the film industry since 1969, he has worked on more than 200 movies. His films still open to packed cinemas across India, but his new movie – comedy-drama Gulabo Sitabo – was released on Amazon's streaming service due to the coronavirus restrictions.

Amitabh is an active Twitter user, where he has 43 million followers, and his career has branched into television presenting, business and politics, as well as countless commercial endorsements.

  • Amitabh Bachchan in 'Deewaar'. Courtesy Shutterstock
    Amitabh Bachchan in 'Deewaar'. Courtesy Shutterstock
  • Amitabh Bachchan and Raakhee in 'Hindi Love/Kabhi Kabhie'. Courtesy Shutterstock
    Amitabh Bachchan and Raakhee in 'Hindi Love/Kabhi Kabhie'. Courtesy Shutterstock
  • Amitabh Bachchan in 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham'. Courtesy Shutterstock
    Amitabh Bachchan in 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham'. Courtesy Shutterstock
  • Rekha, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan in a scene from 'Silsila'. Courtesy Yash Raj Films
    Rekha, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan in a scene from 'Silsila'. Courtesy Yash Raj Films
  • Rani Mukherjee and Amitabh Bachchan in 'Black'. Courtesy Yash Raj Films
    Rani Mukherjee and Amitabh Bachchan in 'Black'. Courtesy Yash Raj Films
  • Amitabh Bachchan, Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio in 'The Great Gatsby'. Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
    Amitabh Bachchan, Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio in 'The Great Gatsby'. Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
  • Amitabh Bachchan, right, and Dhanush, left, in 'Shamitabh'. Courtesy Hope Productions
    Amitabh Bachchan, right, and Dhanush, left, in 'Shamitabh'. Courtesy Hope Productions
  • Parth Bhalerao and Amitabh Bachchan in 'Bhoothnath Returns'. Courtesy T-Series
    Parth Bhalerao and Amitabh Bachchan in 'Bhoothnath Returns'. Courtesy T-Series
  • From left, Amitabh Bachchan, Irrfan Khan and Deepika Padukone in 'Piku'. Courtesy MSM Motion Pictures
    From left, Amitabh Bachchan, Irrfan Khan and Deepika Padukone in 'Piku'. Courtesy MSM Motion Pictures
  • Amitabh Bachchan in 'Wazir'. Courtesy Reliance Entertainment
    Amitabh Bachchan in 'Wazir'. Courtesy Reliance Entertainment
  • Amitabh Bachchan in a scene from the Bollywood movie 'Pink'. Courtesy Rashmi Sharma Telefilms Limited
    Amitabh Bachchan in a scene from the Bollywood movie 'Pink'. Courtesy Rashmi Sharma Telefilms Limited
  • Amitabh Bachchan in 'Badla'. Courtesy Red Chillies Entertainment
    Amitabh Bachchan in 'Badla'. Courtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Amitabh, who has won multiple awards for his acting, also hosts Kaun Banega Crorepati, India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire – one of the most-watched shows on Indian television for 20 years.

Although the actor lives a healthy lifestyle, he has a history of health issues. He suffered a near-fatal injury during the shooting of an action scene on a film set in 1982 and was critically ill for several months. Thousands gathered outside the hospital and offered prayers daily.

The accident led to the actor to contract the Hepatitis B virus after a blood transfusion from a donor who was carrying it unknowingly. Reports say his liver lost 75 per cent of its function last year due to cirrhosis caused by the virus.

The Bollywood film industry only recently opened for work after a months-long hiatus following the imposition of a nationwide lockdown in India in late March. But actors that are over 65 – who are often most vulnerable to the virus – such as Amitabh, have been told to stay off set amid the pandemic.

Fans of Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan hold posters of the actor while a Hindu priest (right) performs special rituals and prayers for the recovery of the actor as he tested positive for Covid-19, in Kolkata on July 12, 2020. AFP
Fans of Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan hold posters of the actor while a Hindu priest (right) performs special rituals and prayers for the recovery of the actor as he tested positive for Covid-19, in Kolkata on July 12, 2020. AFP

Millions of Indians revere Amitabh like royalty, hanging on his every word, seeking his blessings and congregating outside his Mumbai bungalow every year on October 11, his birthday.

Fellow Bollywood stars left well wishes on social media. Sonam Kapoor tweeted: "Get well soon Amit uncle. All my love and prayers." South Indian superstar Mohanlal tweeted, "Wishing you a quick recovery, prayers" in reply to Abhishek's tweet about his diagnosis.

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Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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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. 

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The Buckingham Murders

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Name: The Protein Bakeshop

Date of start: 2013

Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani

Based: Dubai

Size, number of employees: 12

Funding/investors:  $400,000 (2018) 

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Age: 37

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What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

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When: November 21-24
Where: Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae.

Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.

Based: Riyadh

Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany

Founded: September, 2020

Number of employees: 70

Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions

Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds  

Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

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Game Of Thrones Season Seven: A Bluffers Guide

Want to sound on message about the biggest show on television without actually watching it? Best not to get locked into the labyrinthine tales of revenge and royalty: as Isaac Hempstead Wright put it, all you really need to know from now on is that there’s going to be a huge fight between humans and the armies of undead White Walkers.

The season ended with a dragon captured by the Night King blowing apart the huge wall of ice that separates the human world from its less appealing counterpart. Not that some of the humans in Westeros have been particularly appealing, either.

Anyway, the White Walkers are now free to cause any kind of havoc they wish, and as Liam Cunningham told us: “Westeros may be zombie land after the Night King has finished.” If the various human factions don’t put aside their differences in season 8, we could be looking at The Walking Dead: The Medieval Years

 

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2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE

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Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode

Power: 121hp

Torque: 142Nm

Price: Dh95,900

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