• Dan Himbrechts / EPA
    Dan Himbrechts / EPA

Holly to Bolly: Robbie Williams could reunite with former Take That bandmates, Madonna holds Clinton concert, and more


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Robbie Williams could reunite with former Take That bandmates

Pop star Robbie Williams has said he would join his former Take That bandmates for a reunion "at some point". Williams left the chart-topping five-member boy band — known for hits such as Relight My Fire and Everything Changes — in 1995, embarking on a hugely successful solo career. The group disbanded in 1996 and reunited a decade later as a foursome. Williams joined them for the 2010 album Progress. Take That will tour Britain next year and, when asked at a news conference if he could join them as a surprise when they play in Manchester, the city where they formed in 1990, Williams said: "It might happen, who knows, but right now I don't think so. Reunion at some point definitely but we just couldn't get our diaries to work in the next 12 months." - Reuters

Madonna holds Clinton concert

Madonna treated people in the United States city of New York to a surprise outdoor concert in support of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. About 300 people jammed into Washington Square Park, in the heart of Manhattan, to watch the superstar singer perform Express Yourself, Don't Tell Me, Imagine, Like a Prayer and If I Had a Hammer while they sang along. Madonna opened the 30-minute performance by urging the crowd to vote for Clinton. This is a concert that is about unifying us, and it's about keeping America great, not making America great again," Madonna said. "Tomorrow we're going to keep America great. We're going to elect a president that does not discriminate." - AP

Lady Gaga to play role of Donatella Versace

Singer Lady Gaga will be playing fashion designer Donatella Versace in the upcoming third season of American Crime Story. The 10-episode instalment of the drama focuses on the murder of designer Gianni Versace at his Miami Beach home by serial killer Andrew Cunanan in July 1997. Versace/Cunanan: American Crime Story will air after the second season of the anthology, set to focus on Hurricane Katrina. Both seasons will begin filming early next year. American Crime Story is executive produced by Ryan Murphy, for whom Gaga's given a Golden Globe-winning performance on American Horror Story: Hotel. She is also featured on the current series of that programme, which is subtitled Roanoke. Murphy hinted at the casting during a panel in late October. When the panel moderator suggested that Gaga would be "the perfect Donatella", Murphy said: "Ya think?" with a grin. — IANS

Anubhav Sinha hopes to team up with Sanjay Dutt again

Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, who directed Sanjay Dutt in Dus and Tathastu, hopes to reunite with the actor for another project. "I met Sanju (Dutt) and we spoke about films. Even when he came back (from jail), he had called me and we had a chat. He was like, 'Let's make films when I come back'. I am very fond of him and he is very fond of me. There is a story I have in mind which I will write and that's something I will make with him." Sanjay was released from Yerwada Central Jail in Pune on February 25 after serving a 42-month prison term in a March 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. The actor was sentenced to undergo five years of rigorous imprisonment for illegal possession of arms. Sinha last directed Sanjay Dutt in the 2006 released film Tathastu. He says Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay are his favourites. "Sanju and Shah Rukh are two of my most favourite people and actors. Every time I start writing something, I have to think of Sanju and Shah Rukh. Then halfway through, I realise that sometime it's not big enough and not good enough, so it has not happened." - IANS

Demi Lovato to take part in India’s Global Citizen fest

Demi Lovato is among the string of international stars to participate in the Global Citizen Festival India, set to take place in Mumbai on November 19. Jay Z, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Freida Pinto, Vidya Balan and Vivek Oberoi are all among the celebrities who have joined the Global Citizen India movement, which aims to end extreme poverty by 2030. British band Coldplay will also making their debut performance in India at the inaugural event. In its first year, the Global Citizen India movement is focusing on three major issues integral to eradicating extreme poverty — quality education, gender equality and water, sanitation and hygiene. Expressing her excitement for Global Citizen India, Lovato tweeted: “Change begins with me, #ShuruaatHoonMain on November 19th in Mumbai”. Hugh Evans, CEO, Global Citizen, said: “We are thrilled to announce powerful advocates for this issue joining the all-star line-up of the Global Citizen India Festival.” “As Global Citizens we must all raise our voices to our leaders to be the start of this change,” added Bhavya Bishnoi, Global Citizen India spokesperson. — IANS

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

THURSDAY FIXTURES

4.15pm: Italy v Spain (Group A)
5.30pm: Egypt v Mexico (Group B)
6.45pm: UAE v Japan (Group A)
8pm: Iran v Russia (Group B)

Results

57kg quarter-finals

Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.

60kg quarter-finals

Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.

63.5kg quarter-finals

Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.

67kg quarter-finals

Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.

71kg quarter-finals

Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.

Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.

81kg quarter-finals

Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0

In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein
By Fiona Sampson
Profile

Company%20profile
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

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 
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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

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Turkish Ladies

Various artists, Sony Music Turkey 

The biog

Name: Abeer Al Shahi

Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan

Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.

Favourite activities: Bungee jumping

Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.