Iraqi activists are calling on the international community to intervene and protect civilians following the attempted killing of a journalist and the assassination of activist Ihab Al Wazni.
Both attacks have occurred in the last 24 hours.
Outrage has spread across the country’s civil society groups as reporter Ahmed Hassan is currently in a critical condition, after being shot. On Sunday, Al Wazni was shot dead in the holy city of Karbala.
Anyone who speaks out against the militias will be killed instantly
The country’s protest movement took to the streets to vent their frustration, demanding an end to the bloodshed and what is widely perceived as official impunity.
"There must be a way to protect civilians, the international community must intervene to save Iraqis. We are being killed one by one," Inas Jabbar, a human rights activist, told The National.
Ms Jabbar said officials must be held accountable for the amount of people being targeted and killed.
“The attempted assassination of Ahmed Hassan is unacceptable, this needs to stop, we cannot keep losing lives. When will the government wake up? How many lives will it take to stop?” she said.
Mr Hassan was shot several times by an assailant as he arrived home at night near Diwaniyah. Images of his shooting were captured on a surveillance camera, as has been the case in a string of previous attacks.
He had to be transported to a hospital in the capital that specialises in neurological surgery.
Local reports said that he had undergone brain surgery and remains in critical condition.
Al Wazni, who was killed less than 24 hrs before assailants targeted Mr Hassan, was known as the Hero of Karbala for his support for the protest movement. He killed by gunmen near his home.
His death has sparked outrage at the lack of action taken by authorities to protect civilians and provide them with basic public services.
Activists claim that Iranian backed militias are responsible for the killings, intimidation and targeting of civilians.
"Anyone who speaks out against the militias will be killed instantly," Ahmed Al Hashimi, a rights activist from Baghdad, told The National.
“Their actions will not stop us from fighting for our rights,” he said, adding that there must be a better system to ensure accountability and protection for Iraqis.
“We will all be killed if this continues, we need outside assistance,” Mr Al Hashimi said.
The targeted killings are the result of the absence of accountability and a culture of impunity, Ali Al Bayati, a member of the semi-official Iraqi Human Rights Commission said.
"The government must stop from only criticising some unlawful groups and launch some real steps to bring them to accountability and help the judiciary open investigations," Mr Al Bayati told The National.
“It is unbelievable that in each city we have more than five branches of security forces and no one is capable of stopping such crimes,” he said.
Iraq’s security system “must bear responsibility when such violence does not stop,” Mr Al Bayati said.
In October 2019, widespread rallies erupted across Baghdad and the south against a government seen as corrupt, inept and beholden to neighboring Iran.
Protest-related violence left at least 550 dead and thousands more injured, while hundreds were detained.
Some protesters were shot dead while walking home from demonstrations.
Others were kidnapped, assaulted and threatened.
Around 30 activists have died in targeted killings and dozens of others have been abducted since October 2019.
“We cannot stop, we must continue to fight for justice and for those who have been killed,” Ms Jabbar said.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
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
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
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Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
• Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.
• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
• Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.
• Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.
• Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.
• Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.
