The T20 World Cup begins in Dallas, Texas, tonight but all eyes will be on the big showdown between India and Pakistan in a little over a week.
The Indian team has already set up base in New York where they will play their opening match of the tournament against Ireland at the purpose-built Nassau International Stadium on Wednesday. Then, their focus will shift to the all-important face-off against neighbours Pakistan on Sunday.
The team in green landed in Dallas on Saturday after a tough T20 series defeat in England. They will have to hit the ground running straight away as they face hosts USA on Thursday in Texas before travelling to New York for the India match.
The build-up to the showpiece T20 event has been fairly subdued, especially in North America. However, the expectation is that there will be enough buzz once the matches begin.
The India v Pakistan match is being seen as crucial in the mission to raise the popularity of the sport in the vast American market. However, the game has also brought in some unwanted attention that has resulted in New York boosting security for the World Cup.
"In preparation for the World Cup, my team has been working with federal & local law enforcement to keep attendees safe," Governor Kathy Hochul wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "While there is no credible threat at this time, I’ve directed NY police to elevate security measures & we’ll continue to monitor as the event nears."
ABC News cited a New York City police department bulletin saying the tournament and its related events in the city could be on the radar of extremists.
Nassau County police commissioner Patrick Ryder said the World Cup received a threat in April and more specifically the India v Pakistan match.
For now, the tournament is preparing for a relatively calm kick-off, with hosts USA taking on Canada in Dallas's Grand Prairie Stadium.
The game is significant because it will be the first World Cup match in the country and is also a nod to the first ever recorded international cricket match, which was a three-day game between USA and Canada in 1844.
USA vice-captain Aaron Jones says his team will be looking to play "fearless" cricket in front of home fans.
"Fearless cricket, positive cricket, smart cricket. I think that's what we're really and truly trying to do," Jones said.
"We don't want to regret anything. We want to leave everything out there on the park. And then, obviously, if we come out on top, it's great. If we don't come out on top, that's how cricket goes sometimes. But we don't want to regret anything."
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
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
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
'Cheb%20Khaled'
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
The biog
Name: Dr Lalia Al Helaly
Education: PhD in Sociology from Cairo
Favourite authors: Elif Shafaq and Nizar Qabbani.
Favourite music: classical Arabic music such as Um Khalthoum and Abdul Wahab,
She loves the beach and advises her clients to go for meditation.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
