Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani lashed out on Monday at the international community for not stopping the month-long Israel-Gaza war, calling it a “genocide” against the Palestinian people.
“We say it clearly, that the international community has failed in fulfilling their duties and commitments,” Mr Al Sudani told a joint press conference with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran.
More than 10,000 people have been killed in Israel's bombardment of Gaza since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, that killed 1,400 people.
Meanwhile, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah and its allies in southern Lebanon, as well as drone and missile attacks by Iran's proxies against US troops in Iraq and Syria, have raised concerns about a regional spillover of the Gaza war.
The US has warned regional players not to take advantage of the conflict to attack its troops and interests, or Israel, and has strengthened its presence in the region with aircraft carrier groups.
“Anyone who wants to contain this conflict and to prevent its spillover in the region should exert pressure on the authorities of the occupation to stop this aggression and the devastating and systematic killing,” Mr Al Sudani said.
“The decision to draw the region into an all-out war that threatens both regional and global peace and security lies with the party that engages in aggression and targets the people of Gaza.”
Mr Raisi accused the US of “encouraging” Israel to kill and carry out “cruel acts” against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
“The aid from the United States to the Zionist regime [Israel] is encouraging them to kill and commit cruel acts of neglect against the Palestinian people,” Mr Raisi said.
“We believe that the bombings must stop as soon as possible, that a ceasefire must be declared immediately and that aid be provided to the oppressed and proud people of Gaza.
“These horrible crimes against humanity are a genocide, which is carried out by the Zionist regime [Israel] with the support of the United States and certain European countries.”
Earlier on Monday, Mr Al Sudani's adviser Husham Al Rikabi said the Prime Minister would visit a “number of brotherly and friendly countries” in the region as "part of Iraq’s efforts to stop the aggression against the Palestinian people”. He did not name the countries.
Mr Al Sudani returned to Baghdad from Tehran on Monday afternoon, the official Iraq News Agency reported.
US Iraq warning
Mr Al Sudani met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Baghdad on Sunday evening, with the American official warning that his country would take every step necessary to protect its troops in Iraq and Syria from attacks by Iran-backed Shiite militias.
“I made very clear that attacks or threats coming from militias that are aligned with Iran are totally unacceptable, and we will take every necessary step to protect our people,” Mr Blinken told reporters accompanying him after the meeting, according to AFP.
The State Department said he urged Mr Al Sudani to “hold accountable those responsible for continuing attacks on US personnel in Iraq and fulfil Iraq’s commitments to protect all installations hosting US personnel at the invitation of the Iraqi government”.
“Secretary Blinken made clear that the US will defend its interests and personnel,” it said.
Days after Hamas fighters killed more than 1,400 people in Israel on October 7, Iraqi Shiite militias resumed attacks against US troops in Iraq and Syria.
Dozens of drone and missile attacks have been claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a network of Iran-allied groups, due to Washington's support for Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
Among the targets were the Ain Al Asad base in Anbar province, a military site near Baghdad's international airport, and Harir airbase, in the northern city of Erbil.
Attacks have also been launched against US bases in Syria, with militias also recently claiming responsibility for hitting Israeli targets in the Dead Sea region.
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 1 Manchester City 2
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Man City: Agüero (47' pen), Sterling (84')
Man of the match: Christopher Schindler (Huddersfield Town)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
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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
All about the Sevens
Cape Town Sevens on Saturday and Sunday: Pools A – South Africa, Kenya, France, Russia; B – New Zealand, Australia, Spain, United States; C – England, Scotland, Argentina, Uganda; D – Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Wales
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Race card
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
