Republican backlash mounted on Friday against US President Joe Biden over a potential halt on ammunitions transfers to Israel amid its expanding operations in Rafah, with a resolution of condemnation and even threats of impeachment.
Mr Biden this week issued his strongest warnings yet against Israel, telling CNN that he would block the delivery of weapons that could be used in Rafah.
The Pentagon confirmed that it has delayed a shipment of “high-payload munitions” to Israel, saying it must do more to protect civilians in the southern Gaza city.
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell joined dozens of Senate Republicans, alongside ranking member of the Armed Services Committee Roger Wicker, in a resolution that condemns an ammunition shipment pause and demands the Biden administration fulfil Israel's military aid requests.
Israel's assault on Gaza has killed nearly 35,000 Palestinians and wounded about 80,000, most of them civilians, according to local health authorities.
Despite Hamas accepting a ceasefire proposal, Israel is continuing its incursion into Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have sought shelter, and has taken control of the Gaza side of the border crossing.
The move has sent shock waves throughout Washington.
The Republican Senate resolution also comes after a far-right congressman in the House of Representatives, Cory Mills, drafted an impeachment article against Mr Biden over his remarks.
Mr Mills is accusing the US President of forcing Israel into a “quid pro quo” by leveraging aid against the Israeli government's actions in Gaza.
“The House has no choice but to impeach President ‘Quid Pro Joe’ Biden,” Mr Mills said in a Thursday statement.
That accusation is a jab at congressional Democrats, who impeached former president Donald Trump over accusations that he had attempted to engage in a “quid pro quo” deal with Ukraine to get compromising information on the Biden family.
That case is markedly different from Mr Biden's actions on Israel, however.
Mr Trump was impeached on accusations of scheming to benefit himself politically, while Mr Biden is withholding the aid out of concern over Israel's conduct in the Gaza Strip and an invasion he has repeatedly warned against.
Some Republicans claim, however, that Mr Biden's policy shift is a bid to win back pro-ceasefire voters, who have mounted a substantial protest against US support for Israel through the “vote uncommitted” movement.
Senator Susan Collins, a more centrist Republican, had earlier charged that the “unilateral” decision by the administration was in defiance of Congress, which recently passed billions more in funding for the Israeli military.
US support for Israel has, with the help of far-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, become increasingly politicised throughout the war in Gaza.
Republicans have been unified and vocal in their unfettered support of Israel, including amid this week's developments in Rafah.
There is a small but growing number of pro-ceasefire Democratic voices in Congress, though the party is still largely pro-Israel.
A majority of the caucus votes in favour of pro-Israel policies, including the $26 billion in extra funds passed recently by Congress.
But Mr Netanyahu has helped to deepen partisan divisions, even speaking exclusively to Republicans in a closed-door virtual lunch earlier this year.
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
'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
The biog
Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.
Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.
Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.
Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
Favourite food: Dim sum
Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
More on Quran memorisation:
The years Ramadan fell in May
More from Aya Iskandarani
The%20specs
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