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Last Wednesday, Mustafa Al Kadhimi became Iraq’s sixth prime minister since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003. In addition to making history as the first former journalist and head of intelligence to lead the government in Iraq, Mr Al Kadhimi has inherited a historic list of challenges – from fighting a global pandemic with a broken healthcare system to stewarding an economy that is expected to contract by almost 10 per cent with low oil prices.
He faces those challenges, moreover, having been able to pass only 15 of his cabinet picks, leaving critical posts like Oil Minister and Justice Minister vacant.
A scan of the resumes of those who did make it into the cabinet shows a competent and largely apolitical group. Several ministers, such as those responsible for electricity and health, have been working in their portfolios for decades, ensuring they are familiar with the actual problems they are now mandated to fix.
Mr Al Kadhimi has also brought in effective ministers for defence and interior, each of whom has a track record in the security sector, affording a greater chance of reining in some of the militias operating in the country.
However, the prime minister’s opponents both within Parliament and outside it, primarily those fearing that their vested interests are under threat, will make his government’s job much harder than it already is. A standoff is inevitable, but how it will play out remains to be seen.
In under a week, Mr Al Kadhimi has taken a number of significant steps to demonstrate a seriousness and resolve that have been missing from Iraqi governments for years. His decision to reinstate counter-terrorism commander Abdul Wahab Al Saadi was vital both in the fight against ISIS and in heeding the calls of protesters.
Furthermore, his announcement of a thorough investigation into the killing of hundreds of protesters is important, but only if there is real follow-through. The announcement preceded a dawn raid on the Basrah offices of Thar Allah, a militant group, after evidence showed it was behind a number of attacks against protesters.
Mr Al Kadhimi’s first formal outing after being sworn in was to the state pensions authority. His choice to visit one of the most bureaucratic and cumbersome institutions in Iraq is a testament to his knowledge of the concerns of ordinary Iraqis.
While young people are on the streets demanding jobs, some of those who have served Iraq for decades have not been paid for months. Reversing an earlier decision to freeze pension payments, Mr Al Kadhimi said he was committed to securing their rights. The prime minister will need to continue building such popular support in addition to a strong political coalition in order to overcome the challenges ahead.
News reports have insinuated that Mr Al Kadhimi was only able to secure power after an endorsement from Hezbollah in Lebanon. Such reports are false. Meanwhile, Hezbollah affiliates in Iraq and Iranian-backed Shia politicians have been briefing journalists that Tehran is the kingmaker of Mr Al Kadhimi’s government. In reality, however, Iran’s acceptance of this government and that of its Iraqi allies only came as they ran out of other options.
Another voice that has been absent from the public political jostling thus far is that of the Shiite leader in Iraq, Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani. Since the Covid-19 outbreak, Mr Al Sistani has kept his doors both figuratively and physically shut. His clients, too, were forced to compromise and allow Mr Al Kadhimi’s government to form, as economic woes and fragmentation amongst Iranian-backed groups set in.
While there is much international interest in how Mr Al Kadhimi will balance relations with Iran and the United States and what his foreign policy will look like, the success or failure of his tenure will depend much more on internal dynamics.
A standoff is inevitable, but how it will play out remains to be seen
Iran has great influence inside Iraq today, but it largely exerts that influence through local proxies. And while ardent Iran supporters like former Iraqi prime minister Nouri Al Maliki and leader of Asaib Ahl Al Haq Qais Al Khazali, have declared their opposition to Mr Al Kadhimi, others from Iranian-backed groups are manoeuvring to secure their interests and avoid a direct confrontation. Some may bide their time, hoping that the prime minister’s tenure is short. Elections are expected to take place within the next 18 months. A lot can happen in 18 months, but not enough to turn Iraq around.
Having no political party and having never run for office, it is not yet clear if Mr Al Kadhimi will run in the next elections. He has little time to implement his ambitious reform programme and many grievances to deal with.
On Saturday, as Iraqis were sharing news of the decisions that came out of the new prime minister’s first cabinet meeting, a solemn announcement was made. Princess Badiya bint Ali, aunt to the former monarch, King Faisal II, passed away in London at the age of 100. She was the last living link to Iraq’s monarchy and an era filled with promise for what the future could bring.
Mr Al Kadhimi expressed his own sorrow at Princess Badiya’s death in a tweet: ‘With the passing of Princess Badiya bint Ali, a bright and important chapter of Iraq’s modern history ends. She was part of a political and societal era that represented Iraq in the best of ways’.
Here is hoping that Mr Al Kadhimi can begin a new chapter – one that represents Iraq in the best of ways after years of the worst.
Mina Al-Oraibi is editor-in-chief at The National
Why are you, you?
Why are you, you?
From this question, a new beginning.
From this question, a new destiny.
For you are a world, and a meeting of worlds.
Our dream is to unite that which has been
separated by history.
To return the many to the one.
A great story unites us all,
beyond colour and creed and gender.
The lightning flash of art
And the music of the heart.
We reflect all cultures, all ways.
We are a twenty first century wonder.
Universal ideals, visions of art and truth.
Now is the turning point of cultures and hopes.
Come with questions, leave with visions.
We are the link between the past and the future.
Here, through art, new possibilities are born. And
new answers are given wings.
Why are you, you?
Because we are mirrors of each other.
Because together we create new worlds.
Together we are more powerful than we know.
We connect, we inspire, we multiply illuminations
with the unique light of art.
Ben Okri,
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
Representing%20UAE%20overseas
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PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
More coverage from the Future Forum
The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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