• A cloud of smoke and dust rises after part of the grain silos at Beirut's port collapsed on Sunday, days before the country marked the second anniversary of a deadly explosion at the site. AFP
    A cloud of smoke and dust rises after part of the grain silos at Beirut's port collapsed on Sunday, days before the country marked the second anniversary of a deadly explosion at the site. AFP
  • The collapse was due to a fire that has been burning since the beginning of July. AP
    The collapse was due to a fire that has been burning since the beginning of July. AP
  • The grain silos were severely damaged in the 2020 explosion at the port that killed at least 190 people. EPA
    The grain silos were severely damaged in the 2020 explosion at the port that killed at least 190 people. EPA
  • There were no reports of deaths or injuries after the partial collapse. EPA
    There were no reports of deaths or injuries after the partial collapse. EPA
  • Other parts of the silos that remain standing are at risk of collapsing. Reuters
    Other parts of the silos that remain standing are at risk of collapsing. Reuters
  • Lebanese activists confront soldiers guarding the entrance of the country's parliament building during a demonstration in Beirut on Thursday. AFP
    Lebanese activists confront soldiers guarding the entrance of the country's parliament building during a demonstration in Beirut on Thursday. AFP
  • An activist raises her hands during a protest in Beirut on Thursday. EPA
    An activist raises her hands during a protest in Beirut on Thursday. EPA
  • Relatives of the victims of the deadly 2020 Beirut port explosion mark the second anniversary of the blast in Beirut, Lebanon. AP
    Relatives of the victims of the deadly 2020 Beirut port explosion mark the second anniversary of the blast in Beirut, Lebanon. AP
  • Protesters and relatives of the victims of the blast hold up Lebanese flags as they march in Beirut's port area on Thursday. AFP
    Protesters and relatives of the victims of the blast hold up Lebanese flags as they march in Beirut's port area on Thursday. AFP
  • Demonstrators gather as Lebanon marks the second anniversary of the Beirut port explosion. Reuters
    Demonstrators gather as Lebanon marks the second anniversary of the Beirut port explosion. Reuters
  • People hold the Lebanese flag during a march to the Beirut port. EPA
    People hold the Lebanese flag during a march to the Beirut port. EPA
  • People hold portraits of loved ones who died in the explosion. AP
    People hold portraits of loved ones who died in the explosion. AP
  • Activists and relatives of the victims raise a national flag smeared with red paint during the protest. AFP
    Activists and relatives of the victims raise a national flag smeared with red paint during the protest. AFP
  • Activists and relatives of the victims carry makeshift coffins as they march in Beirut. AFP
    Activists and relatives of the victims carry makeshift coffins as they march in Beirut. AFP
  • On August 4, 2020, the dockside blast of haphazardly stored ammonium nitrate killed more than 200 people. AFP
    On August 4, 2020, the dockside blast of haphazardly stored ammonium nitrate killed more than 200 people. AFP
  • Lebanese national flags fly at half-mast outside the presidential palace as Lebanon marks the two-year anniversary of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion, in Baabda, Lebanon. Reuters
    Lebanese national flags fly at half-mast outside the presidential palace as Lebanon marks the two-year anniversary of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion, in Baabda, Lebanon. Reuters
  • Families of victims of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion attend a mass held by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai as Lebanon marks the two-year anniversary of the explosion, in Beirut Lebanon. Reuters
    Families of victims of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion attend a mass held by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai as Lebanon marks the two-year anniversary of the explosion, in Beirut Lebanon. Reuters
  • Families of victims of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion attend a mass held by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai as Lebanon marks the two-year anniversary of the explosion, in Beirut Lebanon. Reuters
    Families of victims of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion attend a mass held by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai as Lebanon marks the two-year anniversary of the explosion, in Beirut Lebanon. Reuters

Beirut blast investigator charges Lebanon's public prosecutor


Jamie Prentis
  • English
  • Arabic

The Lebanese judge investigating the 2020 Beirut port blast has charged Lebanon's top public prosecutor and three other judges in connection with the explosion, judicial sources said on Tuesday.

Judge Tarek Bitar, who resumed the inquiry on Monday after being impeded by high-level political resistance, charged Prosecutor General Ghassan Oweidat over the explosion, which killed 220 people, Reuters reported.

But the stand-off in Lebanon's heavily politicised judiciary took a fresh turn when Mr Oweidat informed Mr Bitar via letter on Tuesday that the investigation remains suspended. The letter, which a judicial source with knowledge of the situation told The National was authentic, was shared online. Mr Oweidat told The National that Mr Bitar had not informed him of anything, later telling AFP that he had only learned of Mr Bitar's decision "through the media".

Mr Bitar has also charged Hassan Diab, prime minister at the time of the blast, and two other former ministers with homicide with probable intent, court summons stated.

He reopened the investigation on Monday, citing legal studies that challenged its suspension. The investigation has been blocked since late 2021 amid legal challenges from top politicians Mr Bitar wanted to question over the explosion.

Mr Bitar has also charged two high-ranking security officials — the head of General Security Gen Abbas Ibrahim and the head of State Security Gen Tony Saliba.

Mr Bitar has set interrogation sessions for February. Those wanted for questioning also include Jean Kahwaji, the army commander between 2008 and 2017.

On Monday, Mr Bitar ordered the release of five detained suspects.

Mr Bitar has been derided by his critics, including Iran-backed Hezbollah, as politically motivated and close to the US ― although they have not offered evidence to back up this claim. But supporters of the judge, including many of the families of the victims, want him to continue on in the push for justice.

"We've been waiting for this for maybe one year and two months," said Mariana Foudalian, referring to Mr Bitar resuming the investigation. Ms Foudalian lost her 29-year-old sister Gaia in the 2020 explosion. "We all know they were trying to do everything to stop the judge from working," she told The National.

"It's very important that the judge continues. But we will never stop, we will never get afraid, we will continue until the end, until we get justice."

The blast, which injured thousands and levelled or damaged much of the city centre, came after a stockpile of ammonium nitrate — which had been stored at the port for years — caught fire.

The explosion is regarded as a result of decades of mismanagement and corruption in Lebanon, currently grappling with one of the worst economic collapses in modern times.

While numerous officials have admitted to knowing about the ammonium, they claim they requested other officials remove it or make it safe with no clear indication of where final responsibility lay.

"We, in the international community have made it clear since the explosion that we support and urge Lebanese authorities to complete a swift and transparent investigation into the horrific explosion at the Port of Beirut," said Ned Price, US State Department spokesman, on Monday.

"The victims of this explosion in August of 2020 deserve justice. Those responsible must be held accountable."

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

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The specs

Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo

Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed

Power: 271 and 409 horsepower

Torque: 385 and 650Nm

Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Letstango.com

Started: June 2013

Founder: Alex Tchablakian

Based: Dubai

Industry: e-commerce

Initial investment: Dh10 million

Investors: Self-funded

Total customers: 300,000 unique customers every month

The distance learning plan

Spring break will be from March 8 - 19

Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm

Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19

Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning

Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
The bio

Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions

School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira

Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk

Dream City: San Francisco

Hometown: Dubai

City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala

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

Essentials

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours. 

The package

Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.

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If you go...

Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.

Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50

The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Price, base: Dh1.2 million

Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm

Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm

Fuel economy, combined:  12.3L / 100km (estimate)

THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

Updated: January 26, 2023, 7:07 AM