Prominent Egyptian journalist and presenter Wael El Ebrashy.
Prominent Egyptian journalist and presenter Wael El Ebrashy.
Prominent Egyptian journalist and presenter Wael El Ebrashy.
Prominent Egyptian journalist and presenter Wael El Ebrashy.

MENA

Veteran Egyptian talk show host Wael El Ebrashy dies of Covid-19

Journalist suffered for months from complications after contracting coronavirus in 2020

Kamal Tabikha
Kamal Tabikha
Cairo

January 09, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Veteran Egyptian journalist Wael El Ebrashy died on Sunday after suffering for months from complications caused by Covid-19. He was 58.

A funeral for El Ebrashy is set to take place in his hometown of Sherbeen in the Nile Delta province of Daqahliya on Monday, his family told local media.

The TV host had a serious bout of Covid-19 diagnosed in 2020 after which he was admitted to an intensive care unit at a local hospital where he remained until March last year.

El Ebrashy reportedly received regular treatments at home for pulmonary fibrosis brought on by his illness.

He insisted his health was on the mend but remained off the air, leaving the millions of viewers who tuned into his show Al Tasea (“9 o'clock”) on national TV in doubt over the real state of his health.

In November, a rumour circulated that he had died. But El Ebrashy quickly issued a statement saying he was receiving treatment to get back to work.

At the time, a prominent health ministry official confirmed on Facebook that the journalist was on the mend, and that he would be returning to screens soon.

El Ebrashy’s stellar career began at one of Egypt’s most famed publications, Rose Al Youssef, where he stayed for several years before moving on to another of the country’s foremost papers, Sout El Oma, until his resignation in 2010.

He then made his move into TV when he began hosting Al Tasea after the late news segment on state television.

He also hosted other prominent talk shows for private networks, including Al Ashera Masaan (“10pm”), Kol Youm (“Every Day”) and Al Haqiqa (“The Truth”).

El Ebrashy was born in 1963.

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A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.

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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

While you're here
Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Updated: January 10, 2022, 7:37 AM
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