Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young, left, celebrates with John Collins after Collins hit a three pointer in the final minute against the Washington Wizards. AP
Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young, left, celebrates with John Collins after Collins hit a three pointer in the final minute against the Washington Wizards. AP
Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young, left, celebrates with John Collins after Collins hit a three pointer in the final minute against the Washington Wizards. AP
Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young, left, celebrates with John Collins after Collins hit a three pointer in the final minute against the Washington Wizards. AP

Trae Young inspires Hawks to play-off berth with dramatic win against Wizards


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The Atlanta Hawks clinched their first play-off berth since 2017 with a thrilling 120-116 home win over the Washington Wizards.

Trae Young scored 33 points, Bogdan Bogdanovic 20, and John Collins finished with 18, including the three-pointer that gave Atlanta the lead with 24 seconds left.

The Hawks post-season berth comes after a 25-11 win-loss ratio under interim coach Nate McMillan.

Russell Westbrook had 34 points, 15 assists but only five rebounds for Washington, two nights after breaking Oscar Roberson's record with his 182nd career triple-double.

James Harden had 18 points and 11 assists in his comeback after an 18-game absence to help the Brooklyn Nets defeat the San Antonio Spurs 128-116.

Harden also had seven rebounds after missing more than a month with a strained hamstring, while Landry Shamet had 21 points and Nicolas Claxton 18 for the home side.

DeMar DeRozan had 21 points for the Spurs, who missed a chance to secure a spot in the play-in tournament.

Luka Doncic scored 33 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 125-107 win over the visiting New Orleans Pelicans.

Kristaps Porzingis scored 19 on his return from injury in a win which means Dallas can clinch at least the sixth seed in the Western Conference play-offs by winning one of their two remaining fixtures.

The undermanned Pelicans, restricted by injuries to only four regular starters, were led by Eric Bledsoe and Jaxson Hayes with 15 points each as they were eliminated from post-season contention.

Elsewhere, the Portland Trail Blazers upset the Utah Jazz 105-98 in Salt Lake City, the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the visiting Boston Celtics 102-94 and the Los Angeles Lakers edged past the visiting Houston Rockets 124-122.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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

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.

 

 

Disability on screen

Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues

24: Legacy — PTSD;

Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound

Taken and This Is Us — cancer

Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)

Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg

Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety

Switched at Birth — deafness

One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy

Dragons — double amputee

Company%20profile
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Copa del Rey final

Sevilla v Barcelona, Saturday, 11.30pm (UAE), match on Bein Sports

Mrs%20Chatterjee%20Vs%20Norway
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