US President Donald Trump signs an executive order on his first day back in office, in Washington. Bloomberg
US President Donald Trump signs an executive order on his first day back in office, in Washington. Bloomberg
US President Donald Trump signs an executive order on his first day back in office, in Washington. Bloomberg
US President Donald Trump signs an executive order on his first day back in office, in Washington. Bloomberg

Donald Trump withdraws US from Paris Climate Agreement for second time


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Live updates: Follow the latest on Donald Trump’s inauguration

President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the Paris Climate Agreement on Monday, hours after he officially entered office.

In front of a large crowd during the inaugural parade, which was moved indoors due to extreme cold, Mr Trump signed an executive order ending US participation in the "unfair, one-sided Paris Climate Accord rip-off".

"The United States will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity," he said, claiming that the country had the cleanest air and water during his previous administration.

Mr Trump has also promised to pursue increased US energy independence through a policy summarised by "drill, baby, drill" – or drilling for oil and natural gas at an accelerated rate.

The Paris Agreement, also known as the Paris Accords or Paris Climate Accords, is an international treaty on climate change signed in 2015.

Organisers of the COP21, including French President Francois Hollande, UN general-secretary Ban Ki-moon, UN Climate Change chief Christiana Figueres, and France's Foreign Minister and COP President Laurent Fabius announce the final draft of the Paris Climate Accords in 2015. Reuters
Organisers of the COP21, including French President Francois Hollande, UN general-secretary Ban Ki-moon, UN Climate Change chief Christiana Figueres, and France's Foreign Minister and COP President Laurent Fabius announce the final draft of the Paris Climate Accords in 2015. Reuters

The treaty covers climate change mitigation, adaptation and finance. It is aimed at limiting long-term global temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

The agreement is voluntary and allows nations to provide targets to cut their own emissions of greenhouse gases from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas. Those targets are supposed to become more stringent over time, with countries facing a February deadline for new individual plans.

Mr Trump has long been a critic of the plan. The Republican President also withdrew from the accords during his first term in office. Joe Biden re-entered the agreement after he took office in 2020.

Iran, Libya and Yemen are the only countries that have not ratified the agreement.

After the announcement, the UN released a statement in which it said: "The last 10 years have been the hottest in recorded history. We have to look no further than Los Angeles to see this human, ecological and economic disaster play out. The collective efforts under the Paris Agreement have made a difference but we need to go much further and faster together."

It added that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres hoped individual US cities, states and businesses would continue to pursue lowering carbon emissions.

  • Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington. AP
    Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington. AP
  • Mr Trump takes part in a signing ceremony in the President's Room at the US Capitol. AP
    Mr Trump takes part in a signing ceremony in the President's Room at the US Capitol. AP
  • Pro-Trump supporters gather at the National Mall in Washington. AFP
    Pro-Trump supporters gather at the National Mall in Washington. AFP
  • Mr Trump speaks from Emancipation Hall at the US Capitol. AP
    Mr Trump speaks from Emancipation Hall at the US Capitol. AP
  • Supporters of Mr Trump celebrate in Miami, Florida. AFP
    Supporters of Mr Trump celebrate in Miami, Florida. AFP
  • Elon Musk arrives to speak during an inauguration event at Capital One Arena in Washington. AFP
    Elon Musk arrives to speak during an inauguration event at Capital One Arena in Washington. AFP
  • Mr Trump speaks in the Rotunda as his second presidency begins in Washington. AP
    Mr Trump speaks in the Rotunda as his second presidency begins in Washington. AP
  • Mr Trump with his family in the Rotunda immediately after taking the oath of office. AP
    Mr Trump with his family in the Rotunda immediately after taking the oath of office. AP
  • Mr Trump enters the Rotunda to a fanfare before his inauguration as the 47th President of the US. AFP
    Mr Trump enters the Rotunda to a fanfare before his inauguration as the 47th President of the US. AFP
  • Guests attend the inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol. AFP
    Guests attend the inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol. AFP
  • Mr Trump and vice president-elect JD Vance arrive in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington. AP
    Mr Trump and vice president-elect JD Vance arrive in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington. AP
  • Former US president Barack Obama in the Rotunda. Bloomberg
    Former US president Barack Obama in the Rotunda. Bloomberg
  • US President Joe Biden, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat from Minnesota, and Mr Trump leave the White House for the US Capitol in Washington. AFP
    US President Joe Biden, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat from Minnesota, and Mr Trump leave the White House for the US Capitol in Washington. AFP
  • Former US presidents George W Bush, left, and Bill Clinton arrive. Reuters
    Former US presidents George W Bush, left, and Bill Clinton arrive. Reuters
  • Mr Musk, centre, arrives at the US Capitol in Washington. EPA
    Mr Musk, centre, arrives at the US Capitol in Washington. EPA
  • Mr Trump and wife Melania are greeted by President Joe Biden and his wife Jill on their arrival at the White House. AP
    Mr Trump and wife Melania are greeted by President Joe Biden and his wife Jill on their arrival at the White House. AP
  • Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff greet vice president-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance as they arrive at the White House. AFP
    Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff greet vice president-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance as they arrive at the White House. AFP
  • A Trump supporter poses for a picture inside Capital One arena. Reuters
    A Trump supporter poses for a picture inside Capital One arena. Reuters
  • President-elect Donald Trump arrives for mass at St John's Church in Washington before the 60th presidential inauguration. Bloomberg
    President-elect Donald Trump arrives for mass at St John's Church in Washington before the 60th presidential inauguration. Bloomberg
  • Staff prepare for the inauguration in the US Capitol. AFP
    Staff prepare for the inauguration in the US Capitol. AFP
  • Mr Trump and his wife Melania arrive for a service at St John's Episcopal Church. Reuters
    Mr Trump and his wife Melania arrive for a service at St John's Episcopal Church. Reuters
  • Guests begin to arrive for the relocated parade at the Capitol One Arena in Washington. EPA
    Guests begin to arrive for the relocated parade at the Capitol One Arena in Washington. EPA
  • Mr Trump speaks with vice president-elect JD Vance during a church service at St John's. AFP
    Mr Trump speaks with vice president-elect JD Vance during a church service at St John's. AFP
  • Ivanka Trump, daughter of Mr Trump, arrives with her family for the church service. AFP
    Ivanka Trump, daughter of Mr Trump, arrives with her family for the church service. AFP
  • Supporters from Arkansas make their way through the line at Capital One Arena. AFP
    Supporters from Arkansas make their way through the line at Capital One Arena. AFP
Brief scores:

Manchester City 3

Bernardo Silva 16', Sterling 57', Gundogan 79'

Bournemouth 1

Wilson 44'

Man of the match: Leroy Sane (Manchester City)

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

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

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 specs

Engine: 5.2-litre V10

Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm

Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: From Dh1 million

On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022 

The Details

Kabir Singh

Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series

Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa

Rating: 2.5/5 

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Honeymoonish
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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go

The flights

There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.

The trip

Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.

The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.

 

57%20Seconds
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CABINET%20OF%20CURIOSITIES%20EPISODE%201%3A%20LOT%2036
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGuillermo%20del%20Toro%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tim%20Blake%20Nelson%2C%20Sebastian%20Roche%2C%20Elpidia%20Carrillo%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

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 

Racecard
%3Cp%3E6pm%3A%20The%20Madjani%20Stakes%20%E2%80%93%20Group%202%20(PA)%20Dh97%2C500%20(Dirt)%201%2C900m%3Cbr%3E6.35pm%3A%20Graduate%20Stakes%20%E2%80%93%20Conditions%20(TB)%20Dh100%2C000%20(D)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3E7.10pm%3A%20Longines%20Dolcevita%20Collection%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh82%2C500%20(D)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3E7.45pm%3A%20Longines%20Legend%20Driver%20Collection%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh82%2C500%20(D)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3E8.20pm%3A%20Longines%20Master%20Collection%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh105%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%3Cbr%3E8.55pm%3A%20Longines%20Record%20Collection%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh87%2C500%20(D)%202%2C200m%3Cbr%3E9.30pm%3A%20Longines%20Spirit%20Collection%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh87%2C500%20(D)%201%2C600m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Updated: January 21, 2025, 10:42 AM