• France's Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick during their Euro 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar in Nice on November 18, 2023. France won the game 14-0 - a record in European Championship qualifying. AP
    France's Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick during their Euro 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar in Nice on November 18, 2023. France won the game 14-0 - a record in European Championship qualifying. AP
  • France's Kylian Mbappe on the attack against Gibraltar. AP
    France's Kylian Mbappe on the attack against Gibraltar. AP
  • France's Kingsley Coman scores his side's ninth goal. AP
    France's Kingsley Coman scores his side's ninth goal. AP
  • France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring against Gibraltar. AP
    France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring against Gibraltar. AP
  • France forward Marcus Thuram scores the opening goal against Gibraltar. AP
    France forward Marcus Thuram scores the opening goal against Gibraltar. AP
  • France's Kylian Mbappe, centre, in action. AP
    France's Kylian Mbappe, centre, in action. AP
  • France's Kylian Mbappe scores from the penalty spot. AFP
    France's Kylian Mbappe scores from the penalty spot. AFP
  • France's Kingsley Coman celebrates with Marcus Thuram. AP
    France's Kingsley Coman celebrates with Marcus Thuram. AP
  • France midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery scores the third goal before going off injured. AFP
    France midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery scores the third goal before going off injured. AFP
  • France's Marcus Thuram, centre, about to take a shot against Gibraltar. AP
    France's Marcus Thuram, centre, about to take a shot against Gibraltar. AP
  • France's Adrien Rabiot, centre, adds his name to the scoresheet. AFP
    France's Adrien Rabiot, centre, adds his name to the scoresheet. AFP
  • France's Ousmane Dembele, right, was another goalscorer against Gibraltar. AFP
    France's Ousmane Dembele, right, was another goalscorer against Gibraltar. AFP
  • France substitute Olivier Giroud rounds off the scoring. AFP
    France substitute Olivier Giroud rounds off the scoring. AFP

Euro 2024, Group D guide: French hopes rest on Real Madrid-bound Mbappe


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Poland

Manager: Michal Probierz

Captain: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)

One to watch: Piotr Zielinski (Napoli)

Squad: Goalkeepers: Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus), Lukasz Skorupski (Bologna), Marcin Bulka (Nice)

Defenders: Jan Bednarek (Southampton), Bartosz Bereszynski (Empoli), Jakub Kiwior (Arsenal), Tymoteusz Puchacz (Kaiserlsuatern), Bartosz Salamon (Lech Poznan), Pawel Dawidowicz (Verona), Sebastian Walukiewicz (Empoli)

Midfielders: Kamil Grosicki (Pogon Szczecin), Piotr Zielenski (Napoli), Przemyslaw Frankowski (Lens), Sebastian Szymanski (Fenerbahce), Jakub Moder (Brighton), Damian Szymanski (AEK Athens), Nicola Zalewksi (Roma), Bartosz Slisz (Atlanta United), Michal Skoras (Club Brugge), Jakub Piotrowksi (Ludogorets Razgrad), Taras Romanczuk (Jagiellonia Bialystok), Kacper Urbanski (Bologna)

Forwards: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Karol Swiderksi (Verona), Krzysztof Piatek (Istanbul Basaksehir), Adam Buksa (Antalyaspor)

Poland's Robert Lewandowski after picking up an injury during the friendly against Turkey in Warsaw June 10, 2024. The striker will now miss Poland's opening game of the tournament against the Netherlands
Poland's Robert Lewandowski after picking up an injury during the friendly against Turkey in Warsaw June 10, 2024. The striker will now miss Poland's opening game of the tournament against the Netherlands

Highest Euro finish: Quarter-finals, 2016.

Fifa ranking: 28

Group D fixtures: June 16 Poland vs Netherlands (Hamburg, 5pm UAE) June 21 Poland vs Austria (Berlin, 8pm) June 25 France vs Poland (Dortmund, 8pm)

Overview

The finals in Germany could mean the end of an era for Polish football with veteran forward Robert Lewandowski set to lead the line in what is likely to be his last major tournament.

Lewandowski has endured a lean season – by his high standards – for Barcelona with the 35-year-old finishing with 26 goals across competitions, his lowest tally since his first campaign at Bayern Munich in 2014/15.

When Michal Probierz took over the Poland job in March, some suggested that as part of a shake-up he should ease Lewandowski off the national team. Others argued that he should bench the striker, or at least strip him of the captain's armband.

Probierz did not take any of this advice, and made a strong statement by backing his star player when Lewandowski was going through a difficult time at Barcelona. “We cannot afford to give up a player of this class, he is an example of professionalism for the younger generation,” he insisted.

But Probierz and Lewandowski's plans for Germany have taken a hit with the former Bayern Munich striker now ruled out of their opening game against the Netherlands.

Lewandowski picked up a thigh problem during Poland's 2-1 friendly win over Turkey on Monday and the aim of medical staff is to make sure the veteran if fit for the second match of the campaign against Austria on June 21.

Poland had to stamp their ticket for this summer's finals the hard way after finishing third in Group E behind the Czech Republic and unlikely table-toppers Albania. It meant they had to navigate their way through the play-offs where they defeated Estonia 5-1 and then Wales on penalties after the final finished goalless after extra time.

Austria

Manager: Ralf Rangnick

Captain: To be decided

One to watch: Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund)

Squad: Goalkeepers: Patrick Pentz (Brondby), Heinz Lindner (Union Saint-Gilloise), Niklas Hedl (Rapid Wien).

Defenders: Stefan Posch (Bologna), Max Wober (Borussia Monchengladbach), Philipp Lienhart (Freiburg), Kevin Danso (Lens), Phillipp Mwene (Mainz), Flavius Daniliuc (Red Bull Salzburg), Gernot Trauner (Feyenoord), Leopold Querfeld (Rapid Wien)

Midfielders: Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Grillitsch (Hoffenheim), Christoph Baumgartner (RB Leipzig), Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich), Florian Kainz (Cologne), Nicolas Seiwald (RB Leipzig), Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen), Alexander Prass (Sturm Graz), Matthias Seidl (Rapid Vienna)

Forwards: Marko Arnautovic (Inter Milan), Michael Gregoritsch (Freiburg), Andreas Weimann (West Brom), Patrick Wimmer (Wolfsburg), Marco Grull (Rapid Wien), Maximilian Entrup (TSV Hartberg).

Highest Euro finish: Last 16, 2016.

Fifa ranking: 25

Group D fixtures: June 17 Austria vs France (Dusseldorf, 11pm) June 21 Poland vs Austria (Berlin, 8pm) June 25 Netherlands vs Austria (Berlin, 8pm)

Overview

Austria should be heading into the tournament on a high having negotiated their way through a tricky qualifying group and then seeing manager Ralf Rangnick turn down the opportunity of becoming Bayern Munich coach.

“I am the Austrian team boss with all my heart,” said the 65-year-old, whose Austria contract expires in 2026, after making the call. “I would like to expressly emphasise that this is not a rejection of FC Bayern, but rather a decision for my team and our common goals.”

But Rangnick's plans have taken a battering due to injuries, with captain David Alaba missing out on the tournament after failing to recover in time from a serious knee injury sustained last December. But the Real Madrid defender will accompany the team to Germany and support from the sidelines as a "non-playing captain".

First-choice goalkeeper Alexander Schlager and midfielder Xaver Schlager and striker Sasa Kalajdzic will all be missing due to knee problems.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer is a key hope for the team,, heading to the Euros after a stellar run with his club that resulted in a Champions League final against Real Madrid, though the German side lost the Wembley showpiece 2-0.

Austria qualified second in their Euro 2024 qualifying group, just one point behind Belgium and ahead of Sweden, Azerbaijan and Estonia. They also defeated Slovakia 2-0 – when midfielder Christoph Baumgartner scored the fastest recorded goal in international football six seconds after kick off – and Turkey 6-1 in their March friendlies.

Netherlands

Manager: Ronald Koeman

Captain: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

One to watch: Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund)

Squad: Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Mark Flekken (Brentford), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton).

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Girona), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan), Ian Maatsen (Borussia Dortmund).

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Jerdy Schouten (PSV), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Joey Veerman (PSV), Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq).

Forwards: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Atletico Madrid), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Wout Weghorst (Hoffenheim).

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk during training ahead of their pre-Euro 2024 friendly match against Finland. AFP
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk during training ahead of their pre-Euro 2024 friendly match against Finland. AFP

Highest Euro finish: Winners 1988

Fifa ranking: Seventh

Group C fixtures: June 16 Poland vs Netherlands (Hamburg, 5pm) June 21 Netherlands vs France (Leipzig, 11pm) June 25 Netherlands vs Austria (Berlin, 8pm)

Overview

The plans of Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman have been given a late shake-up with midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners both ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

De Jong was a doubt for the tournament with an ankle injury even before Koeman's squad met up earlier this month. The Barcelona playmaker's last appearance was in a Spanish Liga defeat to Real Madrid in April. Atalanta midfielder Koopmeiners was injured while warming up for their friendly match against Iceland on Monday.

Borussia Dortmund defender Ian Maatsen has been called-up and should go into the tournament in good form having helped the German club reach the Champions League final.

The Oranje start their Euro campaign against Poland on Sunday and then play favourites France followed by Austria in Group D.

The Netherlands secured an emphatic 4-0 win over Iceland in their final warm-up match. But news of De Jong's absence took the shine off the victory that saw Xavi Simons, Virgil van Dijk, Donyell Malen and Wout Weghorst find the target against a team that had just beaten England at Wembley Stadium.

De Jong’s diagnosis was made public immediately after the game but Koeman said he knew about it some four hours before kick-off and had told the players.

“Tests have shown that he cannot yet do what he should be able to do. He gets a reaction from his ankle every time after training,” Koeman told Dutch television, before Koopmeiners' absence was also confirmed.

“Then you have to conclude that he will not be 100 per cent fit for the next three weeks. I already thought that playing against Poland would be difficult.”

France

Manager: Didier Deschamps

Captain: Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid from July 1)

One to watch: Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)

Squad: Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens).

Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Marseille), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), N'Golo Kante (Al Ittihad), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain).

Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).

Highest Euro finish: Winners 1984, 2000

Fifa ranking: Second

Group C fixtures: June 17 Austria vs France (Dusseldorf, 11pm) June 21 Netherlands vs France (Leipzig, 11pm) June 25 France vs Poland (Dortmund, 8pm)

Overview

French hopes of a third Euro crown will once again be spearheaded by a certain Kylian Mbappe, buoyed from his imminent move to “club of my dreams” Real Madrid and fresh from another prolific goalscoring season at PSG.

The striker, 25, broke the 40-goal barrier for the third time in four campaigns and secured a seventh Ligue 1 title for his trophy cabinet but the Champions League crown still alludes Mbappe, who will be aiming to put that right at his new club.

Mbappe has already won the World Cup (in 2018) but even a hat-trick in the Qatar 2022 final was not enough to stop Lionel Messi and Argentina becoming champions. At the last Euros, France were knocked out in the last 16 by Switzerland on penalties, a failure they will want to put behind them in Germany.

“I didn't win the Euro as a coach but a lot of coaches didn't win it. After the World Cup, there's nothing bigger than the Euros. We're going to approach the next one with ambition but also with a clear head,” said Deschamps, whose team finished unbeaten at the top of their qualifying group.

“I'm well aware that with everything we've done, expectations are getting higher and higher. But experience also reminds us that in a competition, there are stages to go through. That we're one of the favourites, like other teams, after all, there's a certain logic.”

With Aurelien Tchouameni recovering from a foot injury, Deschamps also recalled N'Golo Kante, who had not featured for France since June 2022.

“He's back to full fitness and with all his experience, I'm convinced that the French team will be stronger with N'Golo Kante,” added Deschamps.

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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

WISH
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The biog

Hometown: Cairo

Age: 37

Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror

Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing

Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition

Company%20profile
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UAE squad

Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.

UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Company%20profile
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Secret Pigeon Service: Operation Colomba, Resistance and the Struggle to Liberate Europe
Gordon Corera, Harper Collins

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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Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.

Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.

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Updated: June 12, 2024, 4:14 AM