On a recent Monday afternoon, inside the Tiffany & Co shop on Fifth Avenue in New York City, Michelle Harper tried on engagement rings with her fiancé Richard. They came all the way from Lake County, Indiana, to make the special purchase at the jeweller’s popular flagship store in Manhattan.
"This is my grand, romantic Breakfast at Tiffany's moment, a trip that we have been planning for a year," mused Harper, 26, as she walked out of the store holding onto Richard, but sans ring.
“Our big moment has been ruined by that devil,” she explained.
She was referring to the man who lives 600 feet above Tiffany: Donald Trump, who will take office as the 45th President of the United States of America on January 20. The Tiffany boutique is located on the ground floor of Trump Tower, the skyscraper that houses 38 floors of residences, 13 of commercial offices, seven of retail space and three penthouse floors that serve as Trump’s residence.
Harper, who voted for Hillary Clinton during the US presidential election, had always fantasised about getting engaged at Tiffany’s New York branch since she was a teenager. But she has now decided to make the purchase at the jeweller’s store back in Indiana. “I’m not going to allow that monster to taint the memory of such an important occasion in my life,” she said, walking out onto Fifth Avenue and past multiple security checkpoints on the block.
For many New York residents, Trump has not only spoiled a romantic dream, he has disrupted their daily routine. As security measures are ramped up in the area surrounding Trump Tower, traffic has clogged in Midtown Manhattan. Police officers roam the sidewalks with a phalanx of bomb-sniffing dogs. Pedestrians are regularly stopped and questioned, and their bags searched. Heavy-weapons teams are stationed nearby.
"It looks like a war zone out there," New York City council member Dan Garodnick recently told the press, lamenting that the security arrangements have intimidated shoppers and caused a drop in sales for retailers in the area. While Tiffany declined to tell The National its sales figures since Trump's election, business owners have told Garodnick they have taken a 30 per cent hit in profits in recent weeks. Most clerks and the security guards at nearby stores Louis Vuitton, Armani and Bulgari told The National they were ordered not to talk to the press about matters concerning Trump.
During his year-long campaign for the presidency that took him across the US, Trump flew back to New York on his private jet almost every day so he could sleep in his own bed in Trump Tower. Since winning the election, the building’s 26th floor has served as the office of the forthcoming government, where he has been hosting meetings with dignitaries and interviewing potential members of his cabinet. The US press has dubbed Trump Tower “White House North”.
Upon taking office on January 20, it remains unclear how much time Trump will actually spend in the White House in Washington. According to multiple reports, he has told his advisers that he would like to spend time in New York as much as he can. His wife Melania is apparently adamant about remaining in Trump Tower, at least until their 10-year-old son, Barron, finishes his current school year in New York.
The situation has been a source of annoyance for many New Yorkers who live and work in Midtown Manhattan, a high-density neighbourhood home to hundreds of retail stores, hotels, restaurants and corporate offices, and criss-crossed by multiple train and bus routes. Arthur, a 24-year-old cashier at the Abercrombie & Fitch store located across the street from Trump Tower, said he and his co-workers have had to come to work earlier than usual to take into account the traffic and security checkpoints that they have to go through to get to work.
He has also noticed a significant drop in foot traffic inside the store. “What increased are the number of protesters,” he said, pointing to a crowd of anti-Trump demonstrators standing outside Abercrombie & Fitch. “They often come inside when it gets cold out. They don’t even pretend to shop, they just hang around here, chatting. It’s very irritating.”
Liliana Martinez, 34, was one of about 60 people protesting that afternoon. She held a sign that read “Not My President”. Martinez, a housewife who volunteered for Democractic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders during the primaries, said: “The secret to getting a spot here is, when the police ask you what you’re doing in Fifth Avenue, just tell them you’re shopping. ‘I’m going to Tiffany, officer. I’m going to Gucci’, and they’ll let you through with no questions.” Martinez hails from Queens, the New York City borough where Trump was also born and raised. “And I am ashamed about that fact,” she said. “Queens has disowned him. New York has disowned him.”
Martinez, whose family moved to the US from Mexico when she was a child, said she was protesting against Trump’s stances, particularly on immigration, minorities and health care. “He believes in many things that I find despicable. I am here to practise my rights and show the world that no, most of us Americans do not support this disturbing orange man-child.”
Trump may have won the electoral vote, but Clinton won the popular vote by three million more ballots. In Manhattan, Clinton received 86.3 per cent of the votes, compared withTrump’s 9.8 per cent. Martinez protested for three hours before having to fetch her two children from school.
Inside Trump Tower, the mood towards its landlord was predictably more positive. In the marble lobby, about a dozen people pottered around a boutique selling Trump merchandise, including a cologne named Success (on sale at 60 per cent off) and “Make America Great Again” hats, which are a bestseller.
Several camera-wielding gawkers took selfies by the entrance, where the word TRUMP is written in big, bold gold lettering. A handful of reporters and cameramen lingered by the elevators, craning their necks to spot a VIP, a Trump aide or adviser, or even Trump himself.
At Trump Grill, a steakhouse in the lobby, all tables were occupied for lunch by what looked like a mix of tourists and businessmen. They dined on cheeseburgers, steaks, calamari and a dish called "Ivanka's Salad" (named after Trump's daughter), a version of a Greek salad. "The allure of Trump's restaurant, like the candidate, is that it seems like a cheap version of rich," wrote Vanity Fair magazine in a review last month headlined "Trump Grill Could Be the Worst Restaurant in America".
A server at Trump Grill, who declined to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media about his employer, said business has boomed at the steakhouse since Trump’s win. “It’s a great time to be working here, in terms of tips,” he said. “Plus you get to see all the politicians.”
Last month, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio formally asked the US government to reimburse the city for the cost of providing security for a man who prefers to live in his glass tower. The cost is estimated to reach US$35 million (Dh128.5m) by Trump’s inauguration next week, or about $500,000 per day. In his letter to Congress, De Blasio called the round-the-clock security operation “profoundly challenging”.
Despite the congestion, street closures and protests, De Blasio, a Democrat, says New York will soldier on, preparing for the prospect that the new president will be a regular presence in the city during his four-year term.
“I will not tell you that Gucci and Tiffany are my central concerns in life, but I will say the traffic situation is a very real problem,” De Blasio said in a news conference in front of Trump Tower. “We are devoted to making sure the city will keep moving.”
James Gabrillo is a former arts editor at The National and a regular contributor to The Review.
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
NEW ARRIVALS
Benjamin Mendy (Monaco) - £51.75m (Dh247.94m)
Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur) - £45.9m
Bernardo Silva (Monaco) - £45m
Ederson Moraes (Benfica) - £36m
Danilo (Real Madrid) - £27m
Douglas Luiz (Vasco de Gama) - £10.8m
Green ambitions
- Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
- Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
- Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
- Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
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Ligue 1: Appearances - 29, Goals - 15, Assists - 8
UCL: Appearances - 9, Goals - 6
French Cup: Appearances - 3, Goals - 3
France U19: Appearances - 5, Goals - 5, Assists - 1
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 715bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh1,289,376
On sale: now
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
MATCH INFO
Southampton 0
Manchester City 1 (Sterling 16')
Man of the match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
UAE and Russia in numbers
UAE-Russia ties stretch back 48 years
Trade between the UAE and Russia reached Dh12.5 bn in 2018
More than 3,000 Russian companies are registered in the UAE
Around 40,000 Russians live in the UAE
The number of Russian tourists travelling to the UAE will increase to 12 percent to reach 1.6 million in 2023
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
