The five-star escape is designed as a refuge for nature lovers. Photo: Anantara
The five-star escape is designed as a refuge for nature lovers. Photo: Anantara
The five-star escape is designed as a refuge for nature lovers. Photo: Anantara
The five-star escape is designed as a refuge for nature lovers. Photo: Anantara

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Hotels

Anantara to make debut in South America with new luxury eco-resort in Brazil

Set to open in 2025, the Anantara Mamucabo Bahia Resort will be one of the largest protected sandbank reserves in the country

Hayley Skirka
Hayley Skirka

July 20, 2022

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Anantara will open a new luxury eco-resort in Brazil, marking the hotel group’s foray into South America.

Anantara Mamucabo Bahia Resort is set to launch in Baixo, a region on the north coast of Bahia, the birthplace of samba and capoeira.

Designed as a refuge for nature lovers, the sustainably focused resort will open with 116 guest rooms, suites and pool villas that overlook crystal lagoons and lush foliage.

The Anantara resort in Bahia will have 116 guest rooms, suites and pool villas overlooking crystal lagoons and lush foliage
The Anantara resort in Bahia will have 116 guest rooms, suites and pool villas overlooking crystal lagoons and lush foliage

The five-star escape will be spread across 500,000 square metres and feature a design inspired by the surrounding natural beauty on what is one of the largest protected sandbanks in Brazil.

Vast landscaped gardens will be home to two outdoor swimming pools, a beach club and a water sports area. The main pool will have a multi-level waterfall design so that guests can choose whether they want to be in a more relaxed space, or sunbathe closer to the swimming pool.

Sports enthusiasts can work up a sweat on tennis and padel courts or get flexible on the yoga terrace and relaxation area. Children will be well looked after in the Anantara kids club which has its own play space set in a large open-air wooded area.

The resort will feature a design inspired by the surrounding natural beauty on what is one of the largest protected sandbanks in Brazil
The resort will feature a design inspired by the surrounding natural beauty on what is one of the largest protected sandbanks in Brazil

The Anantara Spa will offer a range of treatments delivered in a space that evokes the tranquil character of the resort's small fishing village setting.

Guests checking in will be able to dine in three restaurants, with regional cuisine from Bahia, international fare and Brazilian dishes on the menus. A signature Asian restaurant is to take centre stage and offer fantastic views over the nearby Mamucabo river.

Set among 500,000 square metres of landscaped gardens, Anantara Mamucabo Bahia will offer sustainable luxury stays
Set among 500,000 square metres of landscaped gardens, Anantara Mamucabo Bahia will offer sustainable luxury stays

“We are excited to announce the development of this future Anantara in Brazil, which will represent the brand’s debut on the South American continent. It is a part of the world we have been keen to expand Anantara’s footprint into and this exciting project represents the perfect opportunity,” said Dillip Rajakarier, chief executive of Minor Hotels, the parent company of Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas.

Construction on the resort is scheduled to begin next year with guests welcome for overnight stays in 2025.

Qasr Al Sarab: Inside the luxury Abu Dhabi retreat where the cast of 'Dune' stayed - in pictures

  • Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara will reopen to guest in August with upgraded facilities and a Go Safe certification. Courtesy Anantara
    Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara will reopen to guest in August with upgraded facilities and a Go Safe certification. Courtesy Anantara
  • Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara lies in the sprawling Empty Quarter on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.
    Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara lies in the sprawling Empty Quarter on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.
  • Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara was last year named the world's most Instagrammable hotel. Anantara Qasr Al Sarab / Instagram
    Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara was last year named the world's most Instagrammable hotel. Anantara Qasr Al Sarab / Instagram
  • Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara at dusk
    Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara at dusk
  • The pool at Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara
    The pool at Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara
  • Design details at Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara
    Design details at Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara
  • The five-star Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is in the Empty Quarter
    The five-star Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is in the Empty Quarter
HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

Farage on Muslim Brotherhood

Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.

THE SPECS

Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic

Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8

Transmission: six-speed manual

Power: 518bhp

Torque: 625Nm

Speed: 0-100kmh 5.3 seconds

Price: Dh633,435

On sale: now

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

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

'The Sky is Everywhere'

Director:Josephine Decker

Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon

Rating:2/5

Fixtures and results:

Wed, Aug 29:

  • Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
  • Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
  • UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs

Thu, Aug 30: UAE v Nepal; Hong Kong v Singapore; Malaysia v Oman

Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal

Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore

Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu, Sep 6: Final

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ovasave%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Majd%20Abu%20Zant%20and%20Torkia%20Mahloul%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Healthtech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Three%20employees%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24400%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tomorrow 2021
The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

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The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder

Transmission: seven-speed auto

Power: 400hp

Torque: 500Nm

Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)

On sale: 2022 

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The%20Beekeeper
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UAE tour of the Netherlands

UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match

Fireball

Moscow claimed it hit the largest military fuel storage facility in Ukraine, triggering a huge fireball at the site.

A plume of black smoke rose from a fuel storage facility in the village of Kalynivka outside Kyiv on Friday after Russia said it had destroyed the military site with Kalibr cruise missiles.

"On the evening of March 24, Kalibr high-precision sea-based cruise missiles attacked a fuel base in the village of Kalynivka near Kyiv," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.

Ukraine confirmed the strike, saying the village some 40 kilometres south-west of Kyiv was targeted.

Soldier F

“I was in complete disgust at the fact that only one person was to be charged for Bloody Sunday.

“Somebody later said to me, 'you just watch - they'll drop the charge against him'. And sure enough, the charges against Soldier F would go on to be dropped.

“It's pretty hard to think that 50 years on, the State is still covering up for what happened on Bloody Sunday.”

Jimmy Duddy, nephew of John Johnson

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
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

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MOST%20POLLUTED%20COUNTRIES%20IN%20THE%20WORLD
%3Cp%3E1.%20Chad%3Cbr%3E2.%20Iraq%3Cbr%3E3.%20Pakistan%3Cbr%3E4.%20Bahrain%3Cbr%3E5.%20Bangladesh%3Cbr%3E6.%20Burkina%20Faso%3Cbr%3E7.%20Kuwait%3Cbr%3E8.%20India%3Cbr%3E9.%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E10.%20Tajikistan%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%202022%20World%20Air%20Quality%20Report%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: July 20, 2022, 2:34 PM
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