Live updates: Follow latest on Israel-Gaza
Aegean Airlines has become the latest carrier to cancel flights to Lebanon amid rising tensions in the region.
The national airline of Greece has grounded all flights to and from Beirut airport until at least Thursday citing “the current situation in the Middle East”.
Air France has also cancelled flights between Paris and the Lebanese capital after Israel vowed retaliation following an attack on Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Several countries have also issued travel warnings following the incident. On Monday, the British Embassy in Beirut said on X that it was “advising British nationals to leave Lebanon and not to travel to the country”.
US travellers faced similar advice via the US embassy in Lebanon, which reminded citizens to reconsider travel to the country at this time, and to be aware that flight itineraries could change with little warning.
On Monday, some airlines cancelled or delayed flights to and from Beirut airport.
Swiss International Air Lines, Eurowings and Lufthansa were among the first to suspend flights to and from Lebanon as tensions in the region escalated.
“Due to the current developments in the Middle East, the airlines of the Lufthansa Group have decided to suspend their flights to Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport up to and including August 5,” the German airline group said.
“A total of five rotations will be removed from the flight programme.”
Lebanon's Middle East Airlines announced changes to its flight schedule, citing that disruptions were related to “insurance risks”. Flights from Dubai, London, Doha, Kuwait and Jeddah were impacted on Tuesday.
On Monday, 12 Middle East Airlines flights to and from Beirut airport were delayed including to destinations in France, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt and Iraq.
“Due to technical reasons related to the distribution of insurance risks for aircraft between Lebanon and other destinations, Middle East Airlines also announces additional changes to some of its flights on July 29,” the airline said on Monday.
The disruptions come after the Lebanese airline delayed evening flights scheduled to land at the airport on Sunday, rescheduling them to land on Monday morning instead.
Return flights from London, Copenhagen, Doha, Dammam, Dubai and Jeddah were impacted, with travellers booked on the flights able to change their bookings free of charge.
UAE airlines operating Beirut flights as normal
UAE airlines continue to operate flights to Lebanon as normal.
“Our flights to Beirut are operating to schedule,” a flydubai representative said on Monday morning. A representative for Etihad Airways also confirmed to The National that flights to Lebanon from Abu Dhabi are flying as scheduled.
The rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday has escalated concerns of a wider spread war in the region.
Earlier this month, Lufthansa suspended night flights to and from Beirut, citing “current developments” in the Middle East.
Last month, several countries called for citizens to leave Lebanon, amid rising tensions between the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and Israel, raising fears of a war.
Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, North Macedonia and Kuwait have all issued advice urging citizens to leave the country.
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Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Cologne v Hoffenheim (11.30pm)
Saturday
Hertha Berlin v RB Leipzig (6.30pm)
Schalke v Fortuna Dusseldof (6.30pm)
Mainz v Union Berlin (6.30pm)
Paderborn v Augsburg (6.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund (9.30pm)
Sunday
Borussia Monchengladbach v Werder Bremen (4.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Bayer Leverkusen (6.30pm)
SC Freiburg v Eintracht Frankfurt (9on)
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
if you go
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The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
RIDE%20ON
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
