When TikTok was arguing for its survival in the US in front of a US appeals court, the topic of Palestine took centre stage as TikTok's lawyer and circuit court judges went back and forth about the future of the social media platform.
“What about the case involving the Palestine Information Office, are you familiar with that case?” asked DC Circuit Court Judge Neomi Rao, one of three judges hearing TikTok's argument against a law passed by US congress that could lead to a potential ban in the country.
“I don't think I am [familiar], unfortunately, I apologise your honour,” said TikTok's lawyer Andrew Pincus.
Judge Rao is referring to case from 1987 known as Palestine Information Office v Shultz.
“There, this court said the fact that the Palestine Information Office, which was an entity in the US, could be shut down by the State Department, in part because of it's affiliation as a foreign mission to the PLO, which is a designated terrorist organisation,” said Judge Rao.
“Our court seemed to suggest very strongly that the control or the relationship itself was part of the strong justification for what the government did,” she explained to Mr Pincus, who seemed to be on the defensive for much of the hearing.
“I'm not familiar with that case your honour, I'm happy to address it in a supplemental brief,” Mr Pincus told the judge, trying to pivot to his overall arguments against the legislation passed by US Congress that seeks to force Beijing-based ByteDance to sell TikTok.
It is not yet clear if TikTok's lawyer being unfamiliar with Palestine Information Office v Shultz will impact his overall argument, but one thing is for certain, given that it was one of the first topics brought up by one of the three appeals court judges, the case's precedent is definitely being tested to some extent.
Palestine Information Office versus Shultz origins
The case of PIO v Shultz stretches back to 1987, when then US Secretary of State George Shultz, and ultimately the US State Department, ordered the closure of the Palestine Information Office in Washington DC.
That decision stemmed from a US law passed in 1982 known as the Foreign Missions Act, which caused tighter regulation with regard to foreign missions inside the US.
More specifically, it sought to “protect the US public from abuses and privileges and immunities by members of foreign missions”, while also seeking to regulate “the activities of foreign missions in the US in a manner that protects the foreign policy and national security interests of the US”.
Since the US classified the Palestine Liberation Organisation as a terrorist group, it applied the Foreign Missions Act to the Palestine Information Office as well, claiming that the office operated in association with the PLO.
In response, the PIO sued Mr Schultz, alleging that the organisation's freedom of speech and association was being violated.
The US government, however, told the circuit court that closing the PIO was well within the State Department's responsibility to conduct foreign affairs.
In the end, the circuit court upheld the State Department's decision to close the PIO office.
“Having found that the Secretary's determination that the PIO is a 'foreign mission' representing the PLO was proper, the court concludes that the plaintiff's constitutional claims … do not rise to the level necessary to implicate First Amendment concerns,” the court wrote, dismissing the case and the idea that the PIO's free speech was being violated.
Thirty-seven years after the gavel slammed in on that particular case, it appears that decision may be weighing heavily on the outcome of TikTok's fight against US Attorney General Merrick Garland, and for that matter, the legislation that could potentially ban TikTok from operating in the US.
TikTok's argument
Back in April, US President Joe Biden signed HR 7521, also known as the 'protecting Americans from foreign adversary controlled applications act.'
That legislation singled out ByteDance, the Beijing-based parent company of TikTok, and essentially accused it of being under control of China, therefore making it a threat to US national security.
The bill requires that ByteDance divest from TikTok for the app to continue operating for millions of users in the US.
TikTok came out swinging against the legislation, urging users to call legislators and insist that the platform's free speech was being violated.
After passing both houses of US Congress and ultimately receiving a signature from Joe Biden, TikTok decided to sue the US government.
During his argument before the US appeals court, Mr Pincus disagreed with US government's claim that ByteDance was based out of China, and stated that it's technically a holding company registered in the Cayman Islands.
In response, Sri Srinivasan, one of three judges at the hearing, told Mr Pincus that company was ultimately “subject to Chinese control”, seeming to echoing the legislative concerns that data from the app could fall into the hands of Chinese government officials.
TikTok's lawyer, however, kept refocusing on his main arguments.
“This law imposes extraordinary speech prohibition based on indeterminate future risks,” he explained.
“For the first time in history, Congress has expressly targeted a specific US speaker, banning its speech and the speech of 170 million Americans.”
He also told the judges that mere foreign ownership of companies should not necessarily negate the exercise of free speech, listing several US media companies that he said were owned by foreign entities.
“We have lots of publications owned by foreign entities and to say your foreign ownership casts your First Amendment in doubt … would fundamentally change the first amendment,” he added.
“Mere foreign ownership can't possibly be a justification because it would throw the First Amendment on its head.”
It remains to be seen when the court will make its much-anticipated decision regarding the TikTok's future, but it is likely to do so before the January 19 divestment deadline codified in the legislation signed by US President Joe Biden.
The biog
Simon Nadim has completed 7,000 dives.
The hardest dive in the UAE is the German U-boat 110m down off the Fujairah coast.
As a child, he loved the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau
He also led a team that discovered the long-lost portion of the Ines oil tanker.
If you are interested in diving, he runs the XR Hub Dive Centre in Fujairah
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
The five pillars of Islam
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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 SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
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THE DRAFT
The final phase of player recruitment for the T10 League has taken place, with UAE and Indian players being drafted to each of the eight teams.
Bengal Tigers
UAE players: Chirag Suri, Mohammed Usman
Indian: Zaheer Khan
Karachians
UAE players: Ahmed Raza, Ghulam Shabber
Indian: Pravin Tambe
Kerala Kings
UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Abdul Shakoor
Indian: RS Sodhi
Maratha Arabians
UAE players: Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
Indian: S Badrinath
Northern Warriors
UAE players: Imran Haider, Rahul Bhatia
Indian: Amitoze Singh
Pakhtoons
UAE players: Hafiz Kaleem, Sheer Walli
Indian: RP Singh
Punjabi Legends
UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Sandy Singh
Indian: Praveen Kumar
Rajputs
UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed
Indian: Munaf Patel
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
