Pamela Anderson delivers lunch to Julian Assange at Embassy of Ecuador. Ben A. Pruchnie / Getty Images
Pamela Anderson delivers lunch to Julian Assange at Embassy of Ecuador. Ben A. Pruchnie / Getty Images
Pamela Anderson delivers lunch to Julian Assange at Embassy of Ecuador. Ben A. Pruchnie / Getty Images
Pamela Anderson delivers lunch to Julian Assange at Embassy of Ecuador. Ben A. Pruchnie / Getty Images

Holly to Bolly: Pamela Anderson supplies food to Julian Assange, Affleck’s The Accountant tops box office and more


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Former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson has brought WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange food to his base at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London and expressed concern for his health. The 49-year-old actress told Britain's Press Association that she delivered Assange "a nice vegan lunch and some vegan snacks". Assange has sought refuge at the Ecuadorean Embassy for more than four years to avoid returning to Sweden, which is seeking his extradition in a rape investigation. Assange denies the allegation and says he fears being extradited to the United States to face espionage charges if he leaves. Anderson joked that Assange wasn't pleased with her choice of a meal, saying: "He said I tortured him with bringing him vegan food". The Canadian star added that she supports Assange and is worried about his health and family. — AP

JJ Valaya & Alpana-Neeraj close India Fashion Week

Celebrated Indian couturier JJ Valaya and designer duo Alpana-Neeraj put their talents together for the grand finale of Amazon India Fashion Week in New Delhi on Sunday. The show began with a classical Kathak dance performance followed by music from Rajasthani folk singers. “The theme was India — modern and festive,” says Alpana. “Though we pulled through, it was quite a challenge.” The collection, which blended a trio of themes into one, comprised ensembles, lehngas, long modern dresses and capes with lot a of zari and Swarovski beadwork. “This collection was about maximalism, using any and every technique but in a very controlled manner,” says Valaya. “We segregated it into three collections. First, in a very royal and antique look, second in metallic and mirror work and third, going into a nomadic look.” - IANS

Keerthy Suresh and Saravanan Sivakumar to join forces

Indian film actress Keerthy Suresh has signed up to play the female protagonist in actor and producer Saravanan Sivakumar’s upcoming Tamil thriller Thaana Serntha Kootam. Marking the first time the duo will have paired up on the big screen, the action film’s team confirmed the news on the 23-year-old Suresh’s birthday on Monday, October 17. The movie, produced by Studio Green and directed by Vignesh Shivan, is slated to hit floors next month. Anirudh Ravichander will reportedly compose the musical score to the film. — IANS

Ben Affleck’s The Accountant tops box office

Ben Affleck's film The Accountant was the movie of choice with cinema-goers in North America during its opening weekend. The 44-year-old actor and producer's film exceeded expectations netting $US24.7 million. Comedy concert film Kevin Hart: What Now? delivered about half of The Accountant's numbers and the sci-fi adventure Max Steel clocked up a disappointing $2.1 million. Affleck portrays an autistic maths savant and weapons expert in the film who cooks the books for criminal organisations. Gavin O'Connor directs from a script by Bill Dubuque while Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons and John Lithgow also star. — Reuters

Bollywood pays tribute to musician Kersi Lord

Bollywood singers and musicians are expressing their condolences following the death of multi-instrumentalist Kersi Lord. The 81-year-old veteran of the Indian film industry is best known for having contributed to scores from Dum maaro dum and Chura liya hai tumne to Roop Tera Mastana. "What a loss! He was a genuine pioneer, and responsible for so much of the film music we all grew up to! Unsung hero Kersi Lord. RIP," Tweeted composer Vishal Dadlani. Hindi film musician Salim Merchant also shared his sadness by saying: "We've lost one of finest musicians of our Indian film industry. He was and will always be an inspiration. RIP Kersi baba". – IANS

Anoop Scoop to play the baddie in new film

Television actor Thakur Anoop Singh, who is currently busy shooting for producer Saravanan Sivakumar's Tamil action film S3, will make his Telugu debut as the antagonist in the upcoming film Winner. Directed by Gopichand Malineni, the project is expected to hit the screens worldwide on February 24 next year. "Anoop is playing the baddie," says Malineni. "Although I can't divulge more information I can assure it will be a very interesting role." The film will feature actor Sai Dharam Tej in the role of a fashion magazine editor and leading lady Rakul Preet Singh will play an athlete. — IANS

Geri Horner’s baby news reunites Spice Girls

Singer Melanie Chisholm says that the announcement of former Spice Girl Geri Horner’s (née Halliwell) pregnancy has gone some way to healing the rift within the pop group. The band reportedly divided into two camps after Mel C and Victoria Beckham refused to join Melanie Brown, Horner and Emma Bunton in a reunion to celebrate the group’s 20th anniversary. Mel C says that discovering Horner, and her husband Christian, are expecting a baby made them come to their senses. “This is what’s really important,” says Chisolm. “Let’s face it, we are all in our 40s, we are all mothers, we all have partners, we all have careers.” – IANS

Bombshell

Director: Jay Roach

Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie 

Four out of five stars 

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
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.

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%20train%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20and%20synchronous%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E800hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E950Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEight-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E25.7kWh%20lithium-ion%3Cbr%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%203.4sec%3Cbr%3E0-200km%2Fh%3A%2011.4sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E312km%2Fh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20electric-only%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2060km%20(claimed)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Q3%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1.2m%20(estimate)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Power: 575bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: Dh554,000

On sale: now

The specs

Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre

Power: 325hp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh189,700

On sale: now

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

The Indoor Cricket World Cup

When: September 16-23

Where: Insportz, Dubai

Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE fixtures:
Men

Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final

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Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog

Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah

Date of birth: 15 November, 1951

Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”

Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry

The specs: 2018 Bentley Bentayga V8

Price, base: Dh853,226

Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 550hp @ 6,000pm

Torque: 770Nm @ 1,960rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L / 100km

WWE Super ShowDown results

Seth Rollins beat Baron Corbin to retain his WWE Universal title

Finn Balor defeated Andrade to stay WWE Intercontinental Championship

Shane McMahon defeated Roman Reigns

Lars Sullivan won by disqualification against Lucha House Party

Randy Orton beats Triple H

Braun Strowman beats Bobby Lashley

Kofi Kingston wins against Dolph Zigggler to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

Mansoor Al Shehail won the 50-man Battle Royal

The Undertaker beat Goldberg

 

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

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills