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
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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
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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
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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
More coverage from the Future Forum
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