• Gigi Hadid has deactivated her Twitter account following Elon Musk's takeover of the platform, saying 'it's becoming more and more of a cesspool of hate and bigotry with the new leadership'. AFP
    Gigi Hadid has deactivated her Twitter account following Elon Musk's takeover of the platform, saying 'it's becoming more and more of a cesspool of hate and bigotry with the new leadership'. AFP
  • Whoopi Goldberg said she was getting off Twitter because 'it’s so messy'. AP
    Whoopi Goldberg said she was getting off Twitter because 'it’s so messy'. AP
  • Producer Shonda Rhimes quit the platform days after Elon Musk took over. Reuters
    Producer Shonda Rhimes quit the platform days after Elon Musk took over. Reuters
  • Actor and filmmaker Alex Winter's account has also been deactivated. AFP
    Actor and filmmaker Alex Winter's account has also been deactivated. AFP
  • Grammy-winning singer Sara Bareilles said Twitter was no longer for her. AP
    Grammy-winning singer Sara Bareilles said Twitter was no longer for her. AP
  • Actor Amber Heard, who once dated Elon Musk, has also deactivated her account. AP
    Actor Amber Heard, who once dated Elon Musk, has also deactivated her account. AP
  • Singer Toni Braxton, who has also quit, said she was not comfortable with 'hate speech under the veil of free speech'. Alamy Stock Photo
    Singer Toni Braxton, who has also quit, said she was not comfortable with 'hate speech under the veil of free speech'. Alamy Stock Photo
  • Comedian Kathy Griffin's Twitter account was suspended after she changed her name to 'Elon Musk'. GC Images
    Comedian Kathy Griffin's Twitter account was suspended after she changed her name to 'Elon Musk'. GC Images
  • 'Avengers' star Mark Ruffalo has pleaded with Elon Musk to 'get off Twitter and get on with running Tesla and SpaceX'. AP
    'Avengers' star Mark Ruffalo has pleaded with Elon Musk to 'get off Twitter and get on with running Tesla and SpaceX'. AP

Gigi Hadid and other stars quit Twitter following Elon Musk takeover


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Elon Musk's controversial acquisition of Twitter has led to a number of celebrities leaving the platform, with many of them casting concerns over the new owner's stance on hate speech and misinformation.

Model Gigi Hadid is the latest big name to quit, saying: "It's not a place I want to be a part of."

"I deactivated my Twitter account today. For a long time, but especially with its new leadership, it's becoming more and more of a cesspool of hate and bigotry," Hadid posted on Saturday.

On Monday, actress and The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg said on her talk show she was "out".

“I’m getting off today because I just feel like it’s so messy and I’m tired of now having certain kinds of attitudes blocked now getting back on," Goldberg said. "So I’m gonna get out, and if it settles down enough and I feel more comfortable maybe I’ll come back. But as of tonight, I’m done with Twitter.”

Hours later, Goldberg's Twitter account was deactivated, joining a growing list of celebrities which now includes producer Shonda Rhimes, actors Amber Heard and Alex Winter and singer Sara Bareilles.

Musk, the world's richest person, is a self-declared “free speech absolutist” known for courting trouble for his outspoken and controversial tweets.

He has vowed to make sweeping changes to the platform and pledged to reduce content moderation, even tweeting a conspiracy theory last week, a day after his $44 billion takeover. Musk has also teased his plans to lift permanent bans on users, which could pave the way for the return of former US president Donald Trump to the platform.

A tide of slurs and racist memes swelled on the platform hours after Musk's takeover, Bloomberg reported, leading to concerns that the site is entering an era of hateful speech.

Grey's Anatomy creator Rhimes, who has more than 1.9 million followers on Twitter, posted on Saturday that she was “not hanging around for whatever Elon has planned”.

Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Bareilles posted to her more than 2.8 million followers declaring: "I'm out".

“It’s been fun Twitter. See you on other platforms, peeps. Sorry, this one’s just not for me,” she said.

Singer Toni Braxton, who has more than 1.8 million followers, said she was not comfortable with “hate speech under the veil of free speech”.

“I'm shocked and appalled at some of the 'free speech' I've seen on this platform since its acquisition. Hate speech under the veil of 'free speech' is unacceptable; therefore I am choosing to stay off Twitter as it is no longer a safe space for myself, my sons and other people of colour,” she posted.

Musk, who turned up at Twitter's headquarters in San Francisco last week with a kitchen sink, hours before a court-ordered deadline to close his Twitter purchase came into effect, has outlined his plans for the site.

“Twitter will be forming a content moderation council with widely diverse viewpoints. No major content decisions or account reinstatements will happen before that council convenes,” he tweeted to his more than 110 million followers.

Ken Olin, the producer of Emmy-winning show This Is Us, who had earlier said that he would leave Twitter should the Musk takeover became official, has also left the platform.

“Let's keep the faith. Let's try to be kinder. Let's look to find peace in the world,” he said.

The account of film maker Winter, best known for playing Bill in the hit Bill & Ted movie franchise, has been deactivated and so has actor Heard's. The Aquaman star dated Musk for a year in 2017.

“Elon Musk taking over Twitter and making it a private company with less oversight has immediately made the platform more prone to hate speech, targeted attacks, and the spread of disinformation,” Winter said in an email to NBC. "If Twitter returns to being a public company run by rational actors, many of us will return.”

Comedian Josh Gad said he was still debating whether or not to stay on Twitter.

“Large exodus happening on this platform. Not sure if I stay or not. Leaning towards staying, but if today is a sign of things to come, not sure what the point is,” he tweeted, following a surge in hate speech.

“Freedom of speech is great. Hate speech intended to incite harm, (with no consequences) ain’t what I signed up for.”

Avengers star Mark Ruffalo, known for his political activism, pleaded with Musk on Sunday to "get off Twitter".

“Elon. Please — for the love of decency — get off Twitter, hand the keys over to someone who does this as an actual job, and get on with running Tesla and SpaceX,” Ruffalo said. “You are destroying your credibility. It’s just not a good look.”

Actress and comedian Kathy Griffin's account was suspended on Sunday when she changed her display name to "Elon Musk", apparently flouting the platform's rules on impersonation.

"Going forward, any Twitter handles engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying ‘parody’ will be permanently suspended," Musk wrote Sunday night.

Meanwhile, outspoken actor George Takei said he was "not going anywhere" and vowed to "stay in the fight".

"Should this place become more toxic, I pledge to strive even harder to lift up reason, science, compassion and the rule of law. The struggle against fascism, misinformation, and hate requires tough fighters. I hope you stay in the fight, right beside me," the Star Trek star posted.

Last week, the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, issued an open letter demanding Musk "ensure human rights are central to the management of Twitter".

"Twitter is part of a global revolution that has transformed how we communicate. But I write with concern and apprehension about our digital public square and Twitter's role in it," he said.

"Like all companies, Twitter needs to understand the harms associated with its platform and take steps to address them. Respect for our shared human rights should set the guardrails for the platform's use and evolution.

"In short, I urge you to ensure human rights are central to the management of Twitter under your leadership."

  • After months of negotiations, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk finally purchased Twitter on October 27. AFP
    After months of negotiations, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk finally purchased Twitter on October 27. AFP
  • The billionaire took control of microblogging platform and fired its top executives, including chief executive Parag Agrawal, left, as well as the company's chief financial officer and its head of legal policy, trust and safety. AFP
    The billionaire took control of microblogging platform and fired its top executives, including chief executive Parag Agrawal, left, as well as the company's chief financial officer and its head of legal policy, trust and safety. AFP
  • Elon Musk entering Twitter headquarters carrying a sink through the lobby area on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. Musk posted a video Wednesday showing him strolling into Twitter headquarters ahead of a Friday deadline to close his $44 billion deal to buy the company. AP
    Elon Musk entering Twitter headquarters carrying a sink through the lobby area on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. Musk posted a video Wednesday showing him strolling into Twitter headquarters ahead of a Friday deadline to close his $44 billion deal to buy the company. AP
  • Mr Musk and his children Damian, Kai, Saxon and Griffin met Pope Francis in July at the Vatican. AFP
    Mr Musk and his children Damian, Kai, Saxon and Griffin met Pope Francis in July at the Vatican. AFP
  • Mr Musk speaks by video in June to the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha. Bloomberg
    Mr Musk speaks by video in June to the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha. Bloomberg
  • Mr Musk answers questions at the Qatar Economic Forum. Bloomberg
    Mr Musk answers questions at the Qatar Economic Forum. Bloomberg
  • Mr Musk arrives at the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in May. Reuters
    Mr Musk arrives at the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in May. Reuters
  • Mr Musk and his mother Maye Musk arrive at the Met Gala in May. AFP
    Mr Musk and his mother Maye Musk arrive at the Met Gala in May. AFP
  • Mother and son pose and laugh on the Met Gala red carpet. EPA
    Mother and son pose and laugh on the Met Gala red carpet. EPA
  • Mr Musk waves at the Met Gala. Reuters
    Mr Musk waves at the Met Gala. Reuters
  • Mr Musk joins in online at the 'Financial Times' Future of the Car Summit in May. Financial Times
    Mr Musk joins in online at the 'Financial Times' Future of the Car Summit in May. Financial Times
  • Mr Musk attends the opening ceremony of the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, in March. Reuters
    Mr Musk attends the opening ceremony of the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, in March. Reuters
  • Mr Musk at the Tesla factory in Berlin, Germany, in March. AP
    Mr Musk at the Tesla factory in Berlin, Germany, in March. AP
  • Mr Musk speaks at SpaceX's Starbase centre in South Texas in February. AFP
    Mr Musk speaks at SpaceX's Starbase centre in South Texas in February. AFP
  • The entrepreneur shakes hands with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in Porto Feliz, Brazil, in May. AP
    The entrepreneur shakes hands with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in Porto Feliz, Brazil, in May. AP
  • Mr Bolsonaro and Mr Musk greet each other in Sao Paulo. Reuters
    Mr Bolsonaro and Mr Musk greet each other in Sao Paulo. Reuters
  • Indonesian President Joko Widodo meets Mr Musk at the SpaceX launch site in Boca Chica, Texas, in May. Reuters
    Indonesian President Joko Widodo meets Mr Musk at the SpaceX launch site in Boca Chica, Texas, in May. Reuters
  • Mr Musk shows Mr Widodo his mobile phone during a tour of the SpaceX launch site in Texas. Reuters
    Mr Musk shows Mr Widodo his mobile phone during a tour of the SpaceX launch site in Texas. Reuters
Euro 2020

Group A: Italy, Switzerland, Wales, Turkey 

Group B: Belgium, Russia, Denmark, Finland

Group C: Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria, 
Georgia/Kosovo/Belarus/North Macedonia

Group D: England, Croatia, Czech Republic, 
Scotland/Israel/Norway/Serbia

Group E: Spain, Poland, Sweden, 
N.Ireland/Bosnia/Slovakia/Ireland

Group F: Germany, France, Portugal, 
Iceland/Romania/Bulgaria/Hungary

Sreesanth's India bowling career

Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40

ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55

T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

The Africa Institute 101

Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction. 

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

MATCH INFO

Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')

Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')

The bio

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France

Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines

Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.

Favourite Author: My father for sure

Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst

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

UAE%20ILT20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMarquee%20players%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMoeen%20Ali%2C%20Andre%20Russell%2C%20Dawid%20Malan%2C%20Wanindu%20Hasiranga%2C%20Sunil%20Narine%2C%20Evin%20Lewis%2C%20Colin%20Munro%2C%20Fabien%20Allen%2C%20Sam%20Billings%2C%20Tom%20Curran%2C%20Alex%20Hales%2C%20Dushmantha%20Chameera%2C%20Shimron%20Hetmyer%2C%20Akeal%20Hosein%2C%20Chris%20Jordan%2C%20Tom%20Banton%2C%20Sandeep%20Lamichhane%2C%20Chris%20Lynn%2C%20Rovman%20Powell%2C%20Bhanuka%20Rajapaksa%2C%20Mujeeb%20Ul%20Rahman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInternational%20players%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ELahiru%20Kumara%2C%20Seekugge%20Prassanna%2C%20Charith%20Asalanka%2C%20Colin%20Ingram%2C%20Paul%20Stirling%2C%20Kennar%20Lewis%2C%20Ali%20Khan%2C%20Brandon%20Glover%2C%20Ravi%20Rampaul%2C%20Raymon%20Reifer%2C%20Isuru%20Udana%2C%20Blessing%20Muzarabani%2C%20Niroshan%20Dickwella%2C%20Hazaratullah%20Zazai%2C%20Frederick%20Klassen%2C%20Sikandar%20Raja%2C%20George%20Munsey%2C%20Dan%20Lawrence%2C%20Dominic%20Drakes%2C%20Jamie%20Overton%2C%20Liam%20Dawson%2C%20David%20Wiese%2C%20Qais%20Ahmed%2C%20Richard%20Gleeson%2C%20James%20Vince%2C%20Noor%20Ahmed%2C%20Rahmanullah%20Gurbaz%2C%20Navin%20Ul%20Haq%2C%20Sherfane%20Rutherford%2C%20Saqib%20Mahmood%2C%20Ben%20Duckett%2C%20Benny%20Howell%2C%20Ruben%20Trumpelman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

The specs

Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Kerb weight: 1580kg

Price: From Dh750k

On sale: via special order

New UK refugee system

 

  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
  • Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds

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 

 

Updated: November 08, 2022, 1:40 PM