US President Donald Trump is to meet Syrian counterpart Ahmad Al Shara as hopes rise of an imminent Washington-brokered security deal between the new Syrian authorities and Israel.
The two leaders will hold "an official meeting soon", after Mr Trump met Mr Al Shara briefly in New York this week, Syrian Foreign Ministry official Qutaiba Idlibi said. They discussed bilateral ties and Mr Shara was introduced to Melania Trump, the US President's wife, Mr Idlibi told Al Araby TV channel. The official Syrian news agency Sana said the meeting took place at a reception hosted by Mr Trump.
The anticipated deal would be the most important diplomatic development in Syria since the downfall of former president Bashar Al Assad, who had abided by a 1974 armistice with Israel.
A Syrian source said Mr Al Shara had travelled to New York "knowing that he has no choice" but to proceed with the security deal, given the need for US support for reconstruction funding and full removal of American sanctions.
"The Americans didn't give Al Shara a visa just to address the UN," the source said. "Trump would not meet him officially again if there is no security deal."
Israel's intervention in July prevented an armed government takeover of the mostly Druze-populated Sweida province in southern Syria to subdue its defiant spiritual leader. In the past two years, Israel has struck hundreds of Syrian military targets, belonging to the old regime, which was an ally of Iran, and the new authorities, dominated by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, a splinter group of Al Qaeda.
Mr Al Shara is participating in the UN General Assembly this week, maintaining his visibility on the world stage, which was boosted by his first meeting with Mr Trump, in Riyadh in May. It started a process of establishing diplomatic relations aimed at bringing Syria into a US anti-terrorism alliance and convincing Mr Al Shara to sign the Abraham Accords.
Syria's President has been forging ties with countries in the region, Europe and even with his old foes Iraq, Russia and China.
The US push was stepped up after the Israeli attacks to defend the Druze of Sweida killed scores of Syrian government troops and allied militia members. One of the Israeli targets was the Syrian army headquarters in central Damascus, which drew loud protests from Turkey, the main backer of the current Syrian government.
Addressing the Concordia summit in New York this week, Mr Al Shara said he hopes that recent Israeli-Syrian talks "will lead us to an agreement that will keep the sovereignty of Syria and also resolve some of the security fears of Israel".
Israel has occupied the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967. Its attacks on Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian militia in Syria in the last two years of the previous regime weakened Mr Al Assad considerably and contributed to the swift advance into Damascus by Mr Al Shara and his rebel group at the end of last year.
The US welcomed the collapse of the Assad regime and sent senior diplomats to meet Mr Al Shara less than two weeks after he toppled the former dictator.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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 Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The%20specs
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'Cheb%20Khaled'
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SPAIN SQUAD
Goalkeepers Simon (Athletic Bilbao), De Gea (Manchester United), Sanchez (Brighton)
Defenders Gaya (Valencia), Alba (Barcelona), P Torres (Villarreal), Laporte (Manchester City), Garcia (Manchester City), D Llorente (Leeds), Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
Midfielders Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Thiago (Liverpool), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Ruiz (Napoli), M Llorente (Atletico Madrid)
Forwards: Olmo (RB Leipzig), Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Morata (Juventus), Moreno (Villarreal), F Torres (Manchester City), Traore (Wolves), Sarabia (PSG)
Major honours
ARSENAL
BARCELONA
- La Liga - 2013
- Copa del Rey - 2012
- Fifa Club World Cup - 2011
CHELSEA
- Premier League - 2015, 2017
- FA Cup - 2018
- League Cup - 2015
SPAIN
- World Cup - 2010
- European Championship - 2008, 2012
European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Champions parade (UAE timings)
7pm Gates open
8pm Deansgate stage showing starts
9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral
9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street
10pm City players on stage
11pm event ends
MATCH INFO
Liverpool v Manchester City, Sunday, 8.30pm UAE
