Joe Biden is loved for his decency, for his moral compass. Here is a man who used the Irish poet Seamus Heaney’s words during his campaign as balm for a bruised country: “Once in a lifetime, the longed for tidal wave of justice can rise up and hope and history rhyme”. Mr Biden is a man who suffered – like many Americans in this Covid period – excruciating personal losses. He grieved, but he did not break.
Many people love that Mr Biden is a veteran politician who knows the White House and Congress. He can make bipartisan deals; he can concede – but also smooth rather than inflame. He’s a deal-maker. He will need this skill. If the Republicans keep the Senate, Mitch McConnell, the Majority leader, can and will make his life hell.
Mr Biden is a pragmatic centrist. He’s not unlike Lyndon B Johnson, the 36th US President, renowned for twisting arms with a wide smile when he wanted to get something done. He’s likable: an average guy, who one childhood friend recalled could strike up a conversation with everyone and anyone.
For the first time in four years, many Americans have hope. There are ambitious plans already being discussed in Mr Biden’s teams and a diverse Cabinet being drawn up. There’s talk of ending the Muslim travel ban imposed by Donald Trump. There’ s talk of restarting the Paris Climate Agreement.
That’s part of the euphoria we are all feeling with the win. But the flip side is this: what Mr Biden will inherit is terrifying. The total of coronavirus cases in the US surpassed 10 million on Sunday. Experts say the virus is spreading out of control and could grow worse before the President elect takes office. The magnitude of Mr Biden’s task is vast.
US President-elect Joe Biden with his wife Jill Biden, salute the crowd on stage after being declared the winner of the US presidential election. AFP
Then there is the damage that can be done even before he enters the White House.
To start, Mr Trump remains in control of the pandemic – which he doesn’t even believe in – for the next 72 days. He is at war with his coronavirus advisors, including Dr Anthony S Fauci. Ahead are the Thanksgiving holidays, when traditionally Americans gather their tribes, the Christmas holidays and ending of college semesters. All mean close proximity of families gatherings indoors, and a potential surge of the virus.
Dr Ashish K Jha from Brown University told National Public Radio that all Mr Biden can do during this potentially catastrophic period is wield “moral and social power”. Dr Jha predicted that by the time Mr Trump leaves office, 100,000 more people could be dead.
If he wants to, Mr Trump could use his Executive Orders to roll back regulations. He could pardon his cronies: Steve Bannon, Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn.
There is the risk of civil unrest could occur if the militias, the White Supremacists, the armed factions are so inclined. There are 71 million people who voted for Mr Trump and are disappointed by the Biden win. Mr Trump could invoke their support.
There are historical examples of past fiascos; but none seems as potentially dangerous as this one. In 1801, John Adams, the second President of the US and another sore loser, refused to hand over office to his rival, Thomas Jefferson.
Adams refused to attend the event to see Jefferson sworn in. Adams appointed dozens of last-minute judges, including a Chief Justice, before Jefferson arrived. Remember Amy Coney Barrett?
Adams refused to leave until his former White House staff literally moved the office from around him – taking his belongings away and cutting their communication with Adams.
US President-elect Joe Biden and wife Jill Biden gesture to the audience during an election event. Bloomberg
In November, 1932, at the height of The Great Depression when millions of Americans were out of work and struggling to feed their families, Herbert Hoover lost to a Democrat, Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The banking system was on the verge of complete collapse. Hoover, a Republican, opposed federal assistance and refused to intervene even as the Federal Reserve begged him to declare a bank holiday. Hoover kept repeating that the economy would recover at any moment. “The Depression is over!” he said, blaming the economic crisis on FDR: a bit like Trump’s belief that the virus is “turning a corner.”
For the first time in four years, many Americans have hope
But these are all worse-case scenarios; my conjecture. One hopes there will be a peaceful transition, that Mr Trump will come to his senses. If he follows protocol, shakes Mr Biden’s hand, declares his loss, we have a chance.
If all goes well, what should happen, from now until January 20, is the standard transition: the Secret Service divides its attention between the incumbent and the incoming President, and the CIA begins briefing both. White House staff prepare to re-do the house, and by mid-day on January 20, Mr Trump’s belongings should be gone. Dr Jill Biden replaces Melania Trump. The power organs – the Pentagon, the CIA, FBI and the Attorney General – cut communication with Mr Trump. Finally, Air Force One and the Beast automobile will salute Mr Trump for the last time.
But Mr Trump’s reign in the White House was never marked by tradition. And while the euphoria of Mr Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’s rousing speeches from a Wilmington Delaware drive-in cinema calmed an anxious nation, there is still an angry man looming in the background.
And for the next 72 days, that man, Donald J Trump, is still the Commander in Chief.
Janine di Giovanni is a Senior Fellow at Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs and a columnist for The National
Company Profile
Name: Thndr Started: 2019 Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr Sector: FinTech Headquarters: Egypt UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi Current number of staff: More than 150 Funds raised: $22 million
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Sole survivors
Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
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
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm) Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm) Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm) Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1 Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm) Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.
A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.
Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.
Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.
Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.
From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.
Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.
Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.
RACE SCHEDULE
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
