A little more than a week ago, US President Donald Trump addressed hundreds of officials and diplomats from around the world at the UN General Assembly in New York. In his speech, Mr Trump said he had ended seven wars since returning to office in January. “What I care about is not winning prizes,” he stated, “it’s saving lives.”
Immediately afterwards, this newspaper argued that the US President was in the unique position of being able to end one war in particular, that raging in Gaza. On Monday, that possibility took one step closer to reality with Mr Trump unveiling a detailed plan to halt the fighting, redevelop the Palestinian enclave and set the Middle East on the path for what he promised could be “eternal peace”.
There is much in the 20-point plan to recommend it, including core principles that many in the Arab and Muslim world have supported since the war began almost two years ago. These include a lasting ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages, access for a UN-led aid mission as well as a new administration that can restore critical services and lead reconstruction. But we have been here before; various plans and glimmers of hope fell through in the past two years.
But there is good reason to believe that we are seeing a rare case of alignment that could change things for the better. On Tuesday, foreign ministers from several countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and Turkey issued a joint statement welcoming Mr Trump’s “sincere efforts to end the war in Gaza”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to agree with the White House plan and one of his fiercest political rivals, high-profile former army general Benny Gantz, is reportedly willing to prop up Mr Netanyahu’s government should far-right members of the Cabinet step down in opposition to Mr Trump’s plan.
Palestinians should no longer be caught between a vengeful Israeli government, the militarists of Hamas or imposed solutions that lack domestic legitimacy
Most importantly, however, is the role of Mr Trump himself. Among the plan’s proposals is an international transitional body called the Board of Peace that would have oversight powers over Gaza. This would be led and chaired by the US President. Political will is vital to make deals stick and Mr Trump’s personal involvement would lend this body the necessary leverage to get things done.
The devil though is in the details and there are plenty of caveats. Hamas has yet to give its verdict on the plan, which does not refer to the occupied West Bank. In addition, question marks hang over the implementation of some of its key provisions, such as Hamas decommissioning – a process that, even if agreed upon, could take months or years to complete.
Amid this uncertainty, the main consideration must be the surviving civilian population of Gaza – those thousands upon thousands of people who have been starved, displaced, injured or traumatised by almost 24 months of collective punishment. Hamas too has hard questions to answer; after its deadly gamble on October 7, 2023 – during which the militants committed many war crimes of their own – what is to be gained by further armed struggle?
One thing is vital: Palestinians must have agency in this process and their political rights must be respected. Palestinians should no longer be caught between a vengeful Israeli government, the militarists of Hamas or imposed solutions that lack domestic legitimacy. This requires pragmatism and compromise.
There is no such thing as a perfect deal or a perfect peace but there is one indisputable fact: without a ceasefire, more Palestinians will die today, tomorrow and the next day. Anything that can head off that outcome must be studied in good faith and, if agreed to, be given a chance to work. The peaceful future of the Middle East as a whole depends on it.
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
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,470,000 (est)
Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 626bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,350rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km
SERIES INFO
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series
All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Test series
1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March
Play starts at 9.30am
T20 series
1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March
TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
Racecard
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
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Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
8pm – Richard Ashcroft
9.30pm – Chris Wright
10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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
