Follow the latest news on the earthquake in Turkey and Syria
Mexico has sent its renowned Los Topos de Tlatelolco — The Moles of Tlatelolco — to help in the search for survivors of the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday.
At least 6,957 were killed in Turkey, where the earthquake struck Kahramanmaras district, with the toll between the two countries now exceeding 11,200 people.
The focus since the disaster struck has been on finding survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
Governments and international aid organisations quickly sent personnel, funds and equipment to help the rescue efforts.
Among them, a Mexican Air Force jet that arrived on Wednesday with rescue teams and specialists, according to Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Secretary.
Reputation in rescue
Some of Mexico's rescue dogs became national heroes in 2017 following the country's earthquake when they saved several lives. Frida, the most famous of all, was credited with finding at least 41 bodies and a dozen people alive.
More famous than the dogs, however, are the professional non-profit search and rescue group Los Topos — formally known as Rescue Brigade Topos Tlatelolco.
The group formed in response to an 8.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Mexico City in 1985, which destroyed 30,000 buildings and killed an estimated 10,000 people
Los Topos were local volunteers who quickly earned a daredevil reputation for burrowing deep into the rubble of toppled buildings.
Originally from the impoverished neighbourhood of Tlatelolco, the Moles began by digging with their bare hands, looking for signs of life and pulling people out, helping the overwhelmed emergency services.
Founders said they were driven by a passion for finding survivors and the camaraderie among the group led to the creation of a permanent volunteer service.
In October 1986, members travelled to San Salvador for their first foreign rescue mission when the city was hit by a 5.7-magnitude quake.
The group has since been formally recognised by Mexican authorities and members receive special training, co-operating with the Mexican fire and health services, as well as international search and rescue organisations.
Los Topos, with the help of rescue dogs, have participated in 70 search and rescue missions including the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US in 2001 to the collapse of a mine in Chile, as well as numerous earthquakes such as the Haiti disaster in 2010.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
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
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
