Ordinarily, news of a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate halt to a war and backing a viable peace plan would be greeted with relief. This would be particularly true for a conflict as brutal as the one in Gaza, where reports of Israeli military massacres, mass graves and starving civilians emerge almost daily. But the global reaction to the news coming out of New York has been muted, to say the least. There is little sense that a halt to the violence is imminent. On the contrary, the suffering goes on, including that of the remaining Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners of war
When it comes to Gaza there are two parallel worlds: what’s discussed behind closed doors by diplomats and mediators, and the brutal realities on the ground. Nevertheless, with the war entering its ninth month, US President Joe Biden’s three-phase ceasefire plan remains the only initiative his government, Israel’s main backer, supports – and that quality alone might lend it an air of achievability. It is not perfect, but it is something to work with.
Nonetheless, questions remain and, if the proposal is to be converted into concrete action, they cannot be ignored for long. Key among these is whether Israel is truly on board with Mr Biden’s plan. According to the text of the resolution, Israel has already accepted the terms. They include, as Mr Biden described them in a speech on May 31, a ceasefire pending negotiations for at least six weeks, during which time mediators would help secure the release of “a number of hostages”, Israeli forces would withdraw from populated areas and Palestinian civilians would receive aid. Successful negotiations, covering “a number of details”, would enable a move to phase two, which is a “cessation of hostilities permanently”.
But in the Security Council chamber on Monday, Israel’s representative to the UN, Reut Shapir Ben Naftaly, said the war would continue “until all of the hostages are returned and until Hamas’ military and governing capabilities are dismantled”.
This runs counter to Mr Biden’s speech, which made no mention of eradicating Hamas. Mr Biden instead said Israel had already “devastated Hamas forces”, leaving the militants unable to carry out another October 7-type attack. He went on to say an “indefinite war in pursuit of an unidentified notion of ‘total victory’” would not secure the release of Israeli hostages, nor bring “an enduring defeat of Hamas”.
Questions also remain about the enforcement of this Security Council resolution. The Council’s resolutions are legally binding, but that means little if its members are unwilling to give force to their demands through sanctions or other punitive measures. It has become routine for countries, including Israel, to ignore the Council’s resolutions without consequence. Although the UN remains an invaluable global institution, the distance between its processes and the reality playing out in conflict zones such as Gaza appears only to be growing. Without an effective implementation mechanism, the value of UN resolutions is reduced dramatically.
Indeed, in this other parallel world of violence and displacement, priorities are very different. Yesterday saw a major international conference take place in Jordan, focused on dealing with Gaza’s immense humanitarian catastrophe, where more than 200 people lost their lives in just one night during the Israeli raid to rescue four hostages. Meanwhile, hunger continues to stalk the land as the World Food Programme said it would halt deliveries that rely on a US-built pier on security grounds.
As this catastrophe plays out, and Israel’s political leadership appears to be in disarray, the need for diplomatic solutions has never been greater. But at some point, these parallel worlds will have to come together.
Greatest Royal Rumble match listing
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
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Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
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
What to watch out for:
Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways
The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof
The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history
Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure
Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used
What is Diwali?
The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.
According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.
In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Racecard
6.35pm: The Madjani Stakes – Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.10pm: Evidenza – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,200m
7.45pm: The Longines Conquest – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,000m
8.20: The Longines Elegant – Conditions (TB) Dh82,500 (D)
8.35pm: The Dubai Creek Mile – Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m
9.30pm: Mirdif Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,400m
10.05pm: The Longines Record – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,900m
