The US state of Arizona is probably most popularly known for two things: One, its Wild West roots, a southwestern frontier land that owes its modern origins to the pioneers and cowboys who made their way west in America in the 1800s. The second thing the Mexico-bordering state is known for is basically being a giant desert, with large swathes of its territory dotted only by an abundance of cactuses.
Arizona is also one of two places to host baseball’s annual spring training pre-season period, along with Florida. Appropriately, the Arizona spring competition is known as the ‘Cactus League’.
One pitcher on the Milwaukee Brewers, unfortunately, kicked off his Cactus League season a bit too literally.
Francisco Rodriguez, who burst onto the scene as an electrifying rookie with the then-Anaheim Angels way back in 2002, injured his foot by stepping onto a cactus.
The Milwaukee Brewers reliever was, according to the Associated Press, set to make his spring debut on Thursday after visa issues kept the Venezuelan from reporting to camp on time.
Then he arrived in Arizona and found himself in a, well, thorny situation.
“He took out a lot of the thorns, but there some more in there,” Brewers manager Ron Roenicke told the AP. “I don’t think it’s that big of a setback, but I imagine he’s pretty sore today.”
Rodriguez signed with Milwaukee as a free agent in 2011 and pitched for the Brewers until July of last year, when he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles to help solidify their bullpen as they competed for a play-off spot.
He returned to the Brewers this off-season, signing a one-year, $3.25 million (Dh11.9m) deal.
“He may come in today and say, ‘I’m pitching.”’ Roenicke said. “The way he is. It’s tough to keep him back, so he may end up pitching tomorrow. I just have to talk to him and see how he’s doing.”
Rodriguez posted a sterling 1.09 ERA in 24 2/3 innings for the Brewers last season before the trade, then disappointed a bit in Baltimore with a 4.50 ERA in 22 innings. Overall, he had a 2.70 ERA, 10 saves and 54 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings for the 2013 season.
He has a career 2.70 ERA in 767 1/3 innings since 2002, with 304 career saves.
Nicknamed ‘K-Rod’, Rodriguez’s brush with a cactus is only the latest in a line of weird Brewers injuries. According the to AP, pitcher Zack Greinke began the 2011 season on the disabled list after getting hurt during a pickup basketball game, and general manager Doug Melvin was bit by a scorpion last year. In 1994, pitcher Steve Sparks separated a shoulder trying to tear a phone book in half.
The 2014 Major League Baseball season will begin for real with an international opening series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks in Sydney, Australia from March 22-23. Then the Dodgers will return to the States to face the San Diego Padres for MLB’s opening night on March 30.
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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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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
More from Janine di Giovanni
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
