• Residents of a Nile island in greater Cairo say that officials have been taking measurements of their houses - a final step before enforcing demolition orders. All photos: AFP
    Residents of a Nile island in greater Cairo say that officials have been taking measurements of their houses - a final step before enforcing demolition orders. All photos: AFP
  • This picture taken on August 31, 2022 shows a view of a building next to farmland near the "Tahya Masr" (Long Live Egypt) overpass in the Nile island of Warraq, which connects Egypt's capital Cairo to Giza province opposite. - Residents of a Nile island in northern Cairo woke up recently to find officials taking measurements of their houses -- a final step before enforcing demolition orders. Since then, people from Warraq -- some of whom have been on the working-class agricultural island for generations -- have been opposing a mega development project that would see their homes razed and the island's character erased. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)
    This picture taken on August 31, 2022 shows a view of a building next to farmland near the "Tahya Masr" (Long Live Egypt) overpass in the Nile island of Warraq, which connects Egypt's capital Cairo to Giza province opposite. - Residents of a Nile island in northern Cairo woke up recently to find officials taking measurements of their houses -- a final step before enforcing demolition orders. Since then, people from Warraq -- some of whom have been on the working-class agricultural island for generations -- have been opposing a mega development project that would see their homes razed and the island's character erased. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)
  • With its green fields, red-brick buildings, irrigation canals and livestock farming, Warraq - located in Giza governorate and home to about 100,000 people - is only a ferry ride away from Cairo's traffic-choked streets.
    With its green fields, red-brick buildings, irrigation canals and livestock farming, Warraq - located in Giza governorate and home to about 100,000 people - is only a ferry ride away from Cairo's traffic-choked streets.
  • The Egyptian government unveiled an almost billion-dollar plan for the six-square-kilometre island's redevelopment in July, featuring skyscrapers and marinas.
    The Egyptian government unveiled an almost billion-dollar plan for the six-square-kilometre island's redevelopment in July, featuring skyscrapers and marinas.
  • "We pay our taxes, our water and power bills, why can't we benefit from the development of our island?" said a resident. Authorities "gave some residents four days to leave their homes" in late July.
    "We pay our taxes, our water and power bills, why can't we benefit from the development of our island?" said a resident. Authorities "gave some residents four days to leave their homes" in late July.
  • The project for the capital's largest island was reactivated under President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
    The project for the capital's largest island was reactivated under President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
  • In 2017, authorities moved to demolish "illegal" buildings on Warraq. The operation triggered clashes between residents and security forces, during which at least one person was killed.
    In 2017, authorities moved to demolish "illegal" buildings on Warraq. The operation triggered clashes between residents and security forces, during which at least one person was killed.
  • Some residents are not against relocating but demanded fair compensation, saying that a recent government offer was too low. "They proposed 1,400 Egyptian pounds ($73) per square metre," one said. "You can't buy anything off the island with that."
    Some residents are not against relocating but demanded fair compensation, saying that a recent government offer was too low. "They proposed 1,400 Egyptian pounds ($73) per square metre," one said. "You can't buy anything off the island with that."
  • Residents of other islands fear the Warraq project is just the beginning.
    Residents of other islands fear the Warraq project is just the beginning.
  • This year, 17 Nile islands including Warraq were handed over to the authorities.
    This year, 17 Nile islands including Warraq were handed over to the authorities.

MENA

Nile islanders face eviction - in pictures

Residents have opposed an Egyptian development project that they say would change the island's character

The National

September 05, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Evicted residents of Egyptian Nile island given ample compensation, minister says

Egypt faces backlash over eviction of Nile island residents

Egypt's housing ministry promises to turn 35% of Al Warraq into public green spaces

Huge fire at Nile nature reserve to be investigated by Egyptian prosecutors

For Cairo's forgotten fisherwomen, life on the Nile is not an easy one

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

Results:

First Test: New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15

Second Test: New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24

Third Test: New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15

THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm

Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: L/100km

Price: Dh306,495

On sale: now

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

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Updated: September 05, 2022, 11:52 AM
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