American actor and major supporter of the Democratic Party George Clooney has called on Joe Biden to end his bid for re-election and step aside, in another high-profile loss for the US President.
The US celebrity recently co-hosted “the single largest fund-raiser supporting any Democratic candidate ever” for Mr Biden - but he said that played a part in his decision.
“We are not going to win in November with this president. On top of that, we won’t win the House, and we’re going to lose the Senate. This isn’t only my opinion; this is the opinion of every senator and Congress member and governor that I’ve spoken with in private,” Clooney said on Wednesday.
Though he said it was “devastating” to admit it, the President was not the same man he had met in 2010.
This isn’t only my opinion; this is the opinion of every senator and Congress member and governor that I’ve spoken with in private
George Clooney
“He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate,” Clooney wrote in a New York Times op-ed.
The June fund-raiser featured Democratic and celebrity powerhouses, including former president Barack Obama, actress Julia Roberts and comedian Jimmy Kimmel.
US media reported that the event raised more than $30 million for Mr Biden and his campaign.
Clooney joins a small but growing number of powerful Democrats both in and outside Washington who are pleading with the President to step aside after, by his own admission, almost “falling asleep” on the debate stage, where he faced off against Donald Trump.
On Wednesday evening, Democratic Senator Peter Welch said Mr Biden should end his bid for re-election, writing in an op-ed in The Washington Post that he was asking the President to step aside "for the good of the country".
So far, eight members of Congress have publicly called on Mr Biden to step aside, and many more have expressed concerns and doubts about what his candidacy could mean for the election.
But Mr Biden has so far refused to step aside and party leadership appears to be rallying behind him – though there are signs of significant dissent.
Former speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi also suggested her confidence in Mr Biden's re-election odds may be waning.
“It’s up to the President to decide if he is going to run. We’re all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short,” Ms Pelosi told MSNBC.
Despite party leadership declaring on Tuesday that they are “riding with Biden”, dissent from Democrats continues to grow on Capitol Hill.
Congressional Black Caucus member Ritchie Torres told CNN on Wednesday: “If we are going on a political suicide mission, then we should at least be honest about it.”
Michael Bennett, a Colorado senator, told the network on Tuesday night that “Donald Trump is on track to win this election”.
“I think we could lose the whole thing and it's staggering to me,” he said.
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
More coverage from the Future Forum
PROFILE OF CURE.FIT
Started: July 2016
Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
Size: 500 employees
Investment: $250 million
Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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