Kuwaiti comic Abdulhussain Abdulredha and Egyptian actress Soad Hosny are being honoured on the small screen. The National and YouTube
Kuwaiti comic Abdulhussain Abdulredha and Egyptian actress Soad Hosny are being honoured on the small screen. The National and YouTube
Kuwaiti comic Abdulhussain Abdulredha and Egyptian actress Soad Hosny are being honoured on the small screen. The National and YouTube
Kuwaiti comic Abdulhussain Abdulredha and Egyptian actress Soad Hosny are being honoured on the small screen. The National and YouTube

The National

Watch classic films and plays starring Soad Hosny and Abdulhussain Abdulredha

Much-loved works by the Egyptian and Kuwaiti stars are being streamed online

Saeed Saeed
Saeed Saeed
Abu Dhabi

August 15, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Two titans of the Arabic screen and stage are being honoured by streaming platforms.

The Egyptian actress Soad Hosny and Kuwaiti comic giant Abdulhussain Abdulredha are having many of their key works streamed on OSN and Shahid, respectively.

Hosny, who passed away in 2001 at the age of 58 and was dubbed the “Cinderella of Arabic cinema” will receive her own pop-up channel on OSN, featuring up to 35 of her films.

Running until Friday, September 4, the channel features some of her most popular works, including 1966's Saghira Ala El Hob (Too Young to Love), a comedy musical in which she plays an aspiring actress who pretends to be 13 years old to win a coveted television role.

Also available is the 1972 romantic drama Khaly Balak Men Zouzou (Take Care of Zouzou) in which Hosny plays the title role of a student involved in a love triangle involving her professor, played by Hussein Fahmy.

For a more intense Hosny performance, check out 1967's Al Zawga Al Thaneya' (The Second Wife), a drama set in a village ruled by a corrupt and ruthless mayor.

Kuwaiti comedy with a message

For those looking for some of the best of Gulf theatre and drama, look no further than the work of Abdulredha.

Streaming on MBC’s Shahid online platform, under its paid subscription tier Shahid VIP, over 30 of the comic actor's key plays and series will be shown indefinitely.

In 1982's Bye Bye London, Abdulredha plays a Gulf tourist  who on a trip to London is stunned by the excitement and liberal nature of the city. Also available is his last major performance, the 2014 television series Al Afour. The Ramadan comedy is a zany look at a large Kuwait family and the challenges caused by personality clashes and societal expectations.

For more details go to www.osn.com and shahid.mbc.net

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

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Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

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