• Jessica Biel attends the Louis Vuitton menswear spring/summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 23, 2022 in Paris, France. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    Jessica Biel attends the Louis Vuitton menswear spring/summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 23, 2022 in Paris, France. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • Justin Timberlake attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    Justin Timberlake attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • Emirati twins Mohammed and Humaid Habdan attend the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    Emirati twins Mohammed and Humaid Habdan attend the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • Indian model and influencer Rahi Chadda attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    Indian model and influencer Rahi Chadda attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • Filipino fashion blogger Bryan Grey Yambao attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    Filipino fashion blogger Bryan Grey Yambao attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • US model and designer Ella Emhoff attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    US model and designer Ella Emhoff attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • Model Chanel Iman and American footballer Davon Godchaux attend the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    Model Chanel Iman and American footballer Davon Godchaux attend the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • French actor Omar Sy and daughter Selly Sy attend the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    French actor Omar Sy and daughter Selly Sy attend the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • Japanese singer Nissy attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    Japanese singer Nissy attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • US basketball player Jalen Green attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    US basketball player Jalen Green attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • French chef Mory Sacko attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    French chef Mory Sacko attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • French-Algerian actor Tahar Rahim attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    French-Algerian actor Tahar Rahim attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • US basketball players Nina Westbrook and Russell Westbrook attend the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    US basketball players Nina Westbrook and Russell Westbrook attend the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • British model Naomi Campbell attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    British model Naomi Campbell attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • Colombian singer J Balvin and Argentine model Valentina Ferrer attend the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    Colombian singer J Balvin and Argentine model Valentina Ferrer attend the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • Us rapper Tyga attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    Us rapper Tyga attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • Moroccan actor Sayyid El Alami attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
    Moroccan actor Sayyid El Alami attends the Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
  • US singer-model Lourdes Leon, Madonna's daughter, presents a creation by Marine Serre during the menswear ready-to-wear spring/summer 2023 Fashion Week in Paris on June 25, 2022. AFP
    US singer-model Lourdes Leon, Madonna's daughter, presents a creation by Marine Serre during the menswear ready-to-wear spring/summer 2023 Fashion Week in Paris on June 25, 2022. AFP
  • French actor and musician JoeyStarr presents a creation by Marine Serre. AFP
    French actor and musician JoeyStarr presents a creation by Marine Serre. AFP
  • French-Algerian rapper Sofiane Zermani and actor Shain Boumedine attend the Hermes menswear spring/summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week, on June 25, 2022. Getty Images
    French-Algerian rapper Sofiane Zermani and actor Shain Boumedine attend the Hermes menswear spring/summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week, on June 25, 2022. Getty Images
  • Journalist and fashion entrepreneur Alexandra Golovanoff attends the Hermes show. Getty Images
    Journalist and fashion entrepreneur Alexandra Golovanoff attends the Hermes show. Getty Images
  • US actor Gary Dourdan attends the Hermes show. Getty Images
    US actor Gary Dourdan attends the Hermes show. Getty Images
  • TikTok star Nic Kaufmann arrives to attend the Givenchy menswear spring/summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week, on June 22, 2022. AFP
    TikTok star Nic Kaufmann arrives to attend the Givenchy menswear spring/summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week, on June 22, 2022. AFP
  • US rapper Tyga arrives to attend the Givenchy show. AFP
    US rapper Tyga arrives to attend the Givenchy show. AFP
  • The Emirati Hadban twins arrive to attend the Givenchy show. AFP
    The Emirati Hadban twins arrive to attend the Givenchy show. AFP
  • Australian model Shanina Shaik arrives to attend the Givenchy show. AFP
    Australian model Shanina Shaik arrives to attend the Givenchy show. AFP
  • Colombian singer J Balvin, right, and Argentine model Valentina Ferrer arrive to attend the Givenchy show. AFP
    Colombian singer J Balvin, right, and Argentine model Valentina Ferrer arrive to attend the Givenchy show. AFP
  • US rapper Westside Gunn arrives to attend the Givenchy show. AFP
    US rapper Westside Gunn arrives to attend the Givenchy show. AFP
  • US socialite and reality star Jordyn Woods and Dominican-American basketball player Karl-Anthony Towns attend the Dior Homme photocall at Paris Fashion Week's menswear spring/summer 2023 show, on June 24, 2022. Getty Images For Christian Dior
    US socialite and reality star Jordyn Woods and Dominican-American basketball player Karl-Anthony Towns attend the Dior Homme photocall at Paris Fashion Week's menswear spring/summer 2023 show, on June 24, 2022. Getty Images For Christian Dior
  • Welsh actor Taron Egerton attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
    Welsh actor Taron Egerton attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
  • US model, make-up artist, recording artist and reality television personality Miss Fame attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
    US model, make-up artist, recording artist and reality television personality Miss Fame attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
  • Indian model and influencer Rahi Chadda attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
    Indian model and influencer Rahi Chadda attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
  • The Emirati Hadban twins attend the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
    The Emirati Hadban twins attend the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
  • Nigerian singer-songwriter Wizkid attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
    Nigerian singer-songwriter Wizkid attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
  • Japanese actor and model Ryusei Yokohama attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
    Japanese actor and model Ryusei Yokohama attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
  • British model Naomi Campbell attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
    British model Naomi Campbell attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
  • Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake attend the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
    Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake attend the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
  • French fashion designer Olivier Rousteing attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
    French fashion designer Olivier Rousteing attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
  • French filmmaker Farida Khelfa attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
    French filmmaker Farida Khelfa attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
  • US basketball players Russell and Nina Westbrook attend the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
    US basketball players Russell and Nina Westbrook attend the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
  • Colombian singer J Balvin attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
    Colombian singer J Balvin attends the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
  • David Beckham, right, and son Cruz Beckham attend the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior
    David Beckham, right, and son Cruz Beckham attend the Dior Homme photocall. Getty Images For Christian Dior

Arab, Indian and Filipino stars join world's celebrities at Paris Fashion Week


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

The front rows of Paris Fashion Week shows are awash with celebrities this week, as the world's stars head out to see brands' latest menswear collections for spring/summer 2023.

Big names from film, music, fashion, sports and even food have been spotted lining the runways at various locations across the French capital.

Two of the most star-studded outings were Louis Vuitton and Dior, which took place on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

Dior's English countryside-inspired show attracted a gathering of high-profile names, including David Beckham and son Cruz, Naomi Campbell, J Balvin, Taron Egerton, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, who were among the front row guests staring out across the petals and tufts of grass.

Mohammed and Humaid Habdan attend the Louis Vuitton show at Paris Fashion Week. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton
Mohammed and Humaid Habdan attend the Louis Vuitton show at Paris Fashion Week. Getty Images For Louis Vuitton

Designers Olivier Rousteing of Balmain and Matthew Williams from Givenchy were also in attendance, along with a number of influencers including Emirati twins, Mohammed and Humaid Hadban, in their signature matching look.

Franco-Malian chef Mory Sacko was also there, as was French-Algerian filmmaker and former model Farida Khelfa, wearing a bright pink outfit, and Nigerian musician Wizkid, who also sported the hot hue.

The Hadbans could also be seen at Louis Vuitton's show, which cranked up the volume with Florida's famous Marching 100 band, as the luxury house displayed its latest line-up of colourful menswear styles in the heart of the Louvre — in honour of the label's popular, late designer Virgil Abloh.

Kendrick Lamar was seated next to model Campbell on a bright yellow runway.

Biel and Timberlake were there again, as was Colombian singer J Balvin with his partner, Argentine model Valentina Ferrer, and Ella Emhoff, US Vice President Kamala Harris's stepdaughter, as well as French-Algerian actor Tahar Rahim, of The Serpent fame, and Moroccan actor Sayyid El Alami.

Indian supermodel and beauty entrepreneur Rahi Chadda, who lives between London, India and the Middle East, made an appearance at both shows, while Filipino fashion influencer Bryan Grey Yambao, also known as Bryanboy, was spotted at Louis Vuitton.

The Hadban twins, who have been making the rounds at Europe's fashion weeks, were also at Givenchy earlier this week, rubbing shoulders with stars such as J Balvin, American rapper Tyga, German social media sensation Nic Kaufmann and Australian model Shanina Shaik, who is of Lithuanian, Saudi and Pakistani heritage.

Stars could be seen on the runway, too, such as during Marine Serre's sports-inspired show on Saturday, where Madonna's daughter Lourdes Leon walked alongside former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse and French actor JoeyStarr.

Several Japanese stars have been spotted at the event, too, including singer and actor Takahiro Nishijima, better known as Nissy, and actor and model Ryusei Yokohama.

Paris Fashion Week ends on Sunday, rounded off by Celine's outing.

Paris Men's Fashion Week 2022 style highlights — in pictures

  • A close-up of a look from the spring/summer 2022-2023 men's collection show by British designer Jonathan William Anderson for Loewe fashion house, during the Paris Fashion Week, on June 25, 2022. EPA
    A close-up of a look from the spring/summer 2022-2023 men's collection show by British designer Jonathan William Anderson for Loewe fashion house, during the Paris Fashion Week, on June 25, 2022. EPA
  • Models present creations by Loewe at Paris Fashion Week. EPA
    Models present creations by Loewe at Paris Fashion Week. EPA
  • The Loewe collection tells of a dystopian future. EPA
    The Loewe collection tells of a dystopian future. EPA
  • Models present creations by Marine Serre during the menswear ready-to-wear spring/summer 2023 at Fashion Week in Paris on June 25, 2022. AFP
    Models present creations by Marine Serre during the menswear ready-to-wear spring/summer 2023 at Fashion Week in Paris on June 25, 2022. AFP
  • Marine Serre's sports-inspired collection. AFP
    Marine Serre's sports-inspired collection. AFP
  • US singer-model Lourdes Leon, Madonna's daughter, presents a creation by Marine Serre. AFP
    US singer-model Lourdes Leon, Madonna's daughter, presents a creation by Marine Serre. AFP
  • French actor and musician JoeyStarr presents a creation by Marine Serre. AFP
    French actor and musician JoeyStarr presents a creation by Marine Serre. AFP
  • Former French football player Djibril Cisse, second left, presents a creation by Marine Serre. AFP
    Former French football player Djibril Cisse, second left, presents a creation by Marine Serre. AFP
  • A model at Craig Green's menswear spring/summer 2023 show during Paris Fashion Week. Getty Images
    A model at Craig Green's menswear spring/summer 2023 show during Paris Fashion Week. Getty Images
  • Craig Green brought his utilitarian-edged wares from London back to the Paris runway for an inventive, fashion-forward take on uniforms. Getty Images
    Craig Green brought his utilitarian-edged wares from London back to the Paris runway for an inventive, fashion-forward take on uniforms. Getty Images
  • A model walks the runway during the Craig Green show in Paris. Getty Images
    A model walks the runway during the Craig Green show in Paris. Getty Images
  • Craig Green's show had dangling stirrups, straps, pockets and accessories, plus equestrian and fencing wear in pastel shades, deconstructed with a transgressive or even an aggressive edge. Getty Images
    Craig Green's show had dangling stirrups, straps, pockets and accessories, plus equestrian and fencing wear in pastel shades, deconstructed with a transgressive or even an aggressive edge. Getty Images
  • A model walks the runway during the Hermes menswear spring/summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 25, 2022. Getty Images
    A model walks the runway during the Hermes menswear spring/summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 25, 2022. Getty Images
  • Gentle geometry and loose proportions paraded down the cobbled stones of the Gobelins Manufactory, a historic tapestry factory in Paris’ chic Left Bank, as part of Hermes' show. Getty Images
    Gentle geometry and loose proportions paraded down the cobbled stones of the Gobelins Manufactory, a historic tapestry factory in Paris’ chic Left Bank, as part of Hermes' show. Getty Images
  • It was a more relaxed affair than usual for Hermes, with contemporary takes on Roman sandals and boxy, comfy baggy shorts. Getty Images
    It was a more relaxed affair than usual for Hermes, with contemporary takes on Roman sandals and boxy, comfy baggy shorts. Getty Images
  • Models walk the runway during the Hermes show. Getty Images
    Models walk the runway during the Hermes show. Getty Images
  • A model wears a creation as part of the Louis Vuitton men's spring/summer 2023 collection in Paris, France, on June 23, 2022. AP Photo
    A model wears a creation as part of the Louis Vuitton men's spring/summer 2023 collection in Paris, France, on June 23, 2022. AP Photo
  • Louis Vuitton cranked up the volume at Paris Fashion Week on Thursday, spiriting Florida's famous Marching 100 band into the heart of the Louvre to kick off a show for its latest line-up of colourful menswear styles. Getty Images
    Louis Vuitton cranked up the volume at Paris Fashion Week on Thursday, spiriting Florida's famous Marching 100 band into the heart of the Louvre to kick off a show for its latest line-up of colourful menswear styles. Getty Images
  • Louis Vuitton's show was in honour of the label's popular, late designer Virgil Abloh. Getty Images
    Louis Vuitton's show was in honour of the label's popular, late designer Virgil Abloh. Getty Images
  • Louis Vuitton's show took place in the Cour Carree du Louvre. AFP
    Louis Vuitton's show took place in the Cour Carree du Louvre. AFP
  • Models present a creation by US fashion designer Matthew Williams during the Givenchy menswear spring/summer 2023 at Paris Fashion Week, on June 22, 2022. AFP
    Models present a creation by US fashion designer Matthew Williams during the Givenchy menswear spring/summer 2023 at Paris Fashion Week, on June 22, 2022. AFP
  • For the first major collection of Paris Fashion Week’s menswear season, Givenchy’s models walked on water. AFP
    For the first major collection of Paris Fashion Week’s menswear season, Givenchy’s models walked on water. AFP
  • A giant font filled with milky-white water and frothing mist in the courtyard of the Ecole Militaire served as a fluid runway where models stomped and splashed towards a blinding set light for Givenchy. AFP
    A giant font filled with milky-white water and frothing mist in the courtyard of the Ecole Militaire served as a fluid runway where models stomped and splashed towards a blinding set light for Givenchy. AFP
  • Matthew M Williams clearly wanted to make a splash in his first standalone menswear show, since being appointed at Givenchy in 2020. AFP
    Matthew M Williams clearly wanted to make a splash in his first standalone menswear show, since being appointed at Givenchy in 2020. AFP
  • Williams’s vision is urban, sports-infused and pared down. AFP
    Williams’s vision is urban, sports-infused and pared down. AFP
RESULTS

Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.

Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.

Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.

Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.

Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.

Catchweight 80kg​​​​​​​
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.

Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.

Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.

Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.

Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.

Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.

Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier

Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman

The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August

 

Group A

Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar

Group B

UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia

 

UAE group fixtures

Sunday Feb 23, 9.30am, v Iran

Monday Feb 25, 1pm, v Kuwait

Tuesday Feb 26, 9.30am, v Saudi

 

UAE squad

Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa, Alishan Sharafu, Ansh Tandon, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Ayaz, Zahoor Khan, Chirag Suri, Sultan Ahmed

Contracted list

Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Matt Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye.

Crazy Rich Asians

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan

Four stars

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher:  Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5

Mountain%20Boy
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Super Bowl LIII schedule

What Super Bowl LIII

Who is playing New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams

Where Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States

When Sunday (start time is 3.30am on Monday UAE time)

 

The five new places of worship

Church of South Indian Parish

St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch

St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch

St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais

Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais

 

Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
  3. Keep an open mind
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League quarter-final (first-leg score):

Juventus (1) v Ajax (1), Tuesday, 11pm UAE

Match will be shown on BeIN Sports

Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.

As it stands in Pool A

1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14

2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11

3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5

Remaining fixtures

Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am

Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm

Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm

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

'Champions'

Director: Manuel Calvo
Stars: Yassir Al Saggaf and Fatima Al Banawi
Rating: 2/5
 

Gertrude Bell's life in focus

A feature film

At one point, two feature films were in the works, but only German director Werner Herzog’s project starring Nicole Kidman would be made. While there were high hopes he would do a worthy job of directing the biopic, when Queen of the Desert arrived in 2015 it was a disappointment. Critics panned the film, in which Herzog largely glossed over Bell’s political work in favour of her ill-fated romances.

A documentary

A project that did do justice to Bell arrived the next year: Sabine Krayenbuhl and Zeva Oelbaum’s Letters from Baghdad: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Gertrude Bell. Drawing on more than 1,000 pieces of archival footage, 1,700 documents and 1,600 letters, the filmmakers painstakingly pieced together a compelling narrative that managed to convey both the depth of Bell’s experience and her tortured love life.

Books, letters and archives

Two biographies have been written about Bell, and both are worth reading: Georgina Howell’s 2006 book Queen of the Desert and Janet Wallach’s 1996 effort Desert Queen. Bell published several books documenting her travels and there are also several volumes of her letters, although they are hard to find in print. Original documents are housed at the Gertrude Bell Archive at the University of Newcastle, which has an online catalogue.
 

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Updated: June 26, 2022, 12:09 PM