Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech Ring, by Laura Knight, 1943, part of Fashion on the Ration. Imperial War Museum
Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech Ring, by Laura Knight, 1943, part of Fashion on the Ration. Imperial War Museum
Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech Ring, by Laura Knight, 1943, part of Fashion on the Ration. Imperial War Museum
Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech Ring, by Laura Knight, 1943, part of Fashion on the Ration. Imperial War Museum

Our top international exhibitions this week: how fashion thrived during World War II and more

Plus: a solo exhibition from one of the leading lights of China's avant garde and a retrospective of a Canadian artist who forged an independent path.

  • English
  • Arabic

Solo show for leading light of avant-garde China

The Stars were one of the first avant-garde artistic groups in China. They emerged in the 1970s and organised protests against galleries that refused to show their work. One of the group's leading lights, Beijing-born Zhao Gang, now has a solo exhibition in the Chinese capital, which is named after Austrian economist Friedrich von Hayek's 1944 work on the perils of a planned economy. This exhibition details China's early 20th-century intelligentsia and the homes that they lived in. Zhao Gang: The Road to Serfdom runs at the Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art in Beijing until May 31. For more information visit

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A Canadian artist who valued his independence

During his long and glittering career, Alex Colville forged his own independent path despite at times dividing the critics. The Canadian artist served during the Second World War, being made a war artist and documenting the horrors of the concentration camps. Post-war he didn't devote his career to abstraction, unlike most of his colleagues, focusing instead on scenes of everyday Canadian life. In this exhibition in Ottawa, we see the full extent of his range, across 100 paintings in addition to early student works, selected prints and drawings. Alex Colville runs at the National Gallery of Canada until September 7. For more information visit

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How fashion flourished in a time of war

Britain during wartime was a world of rationing, shortages and austerity. But these restrictions actually ushered in a time of innovation in fashion - even during the Second World War, people still wanted to look good. This exhibition in London explores how women and men devised new ways to dress fashionably, from "onesies" to wear in air raid shelters, to jewellery crafted from old airplane parts. It also explores how clothes and accessories served a dual purpose, such as an elegant handbag designed to also hold a gas mask. Fashion on the Ration: 1940s Street Style runs at the Imperial War Museum until August 31. For more information visit

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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

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England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Results

1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000

2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000

3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000

While you're here

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes. 

The trip

From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.

War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

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