• Students of the Ballet Academy prepare to perform during the school annual ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, April 1, 2022. (AP Photo / Hadi Mizban)
    Students of the Ballet Academy prepare to perform during the school annual ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, April 1, 2022. (AP Photo / Hadi Mizban)
  • A young man reads the Quran during the first morning prayers of Ramadan at Al Khayle Mosque, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    A young man reads the Quran during the first morning prayers of Ramadan at Al Khayle Mosque, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Icelandic stallions play in the snow at a stud farm in Wehrheim, near Frankfurt, Germany. AP Photo
    Icelandic stallions play in the snow at a stud farm in Wehrheim, near Frankfurt, Germany. AP Photo
  • Pope Francis prays aboard the plane on his way to Malta International Airport. EPA
    Pope Francis prays aboard the plane on his way to Malta International Airport. EPA
  • Residents watch big waves crashing on to the rocks at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. AFP
    Residents watch big waves crashing on to the rocks at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. AFP
  • Members of the National Guard block migrants in Tapachula, Mexico, as they try to walk en masse to the capital to gain residency status. AFP
    Members of the National Guard block migrants in Tapachula, Mexico, as they try to walk en masse to the capital to gain residency status. AFP
  • A boy performs traditional Indian malkhamb gymnastics during the Gudi Padwa festival, which celebrates the beginning of the new year for Maharashtrians, in Mumbai, India. Reuters
    A boy performs traditional Indian malkhamb gymnastics during the Gudi Padwa festival, which celebrates the beginning of the new year for Maharashtrians, in Mumbai, India. Reuters
  • Candles illuminate crosses on a field in Pilar, Argentina, during an event to remember the Argentine soldiers who died during the Falklands or Malvinas War. AP Photo
    Candles illuminate crosses on a field in Pilar, Argentina, during an event to remember the Argentine soldiers who died during the Falklands or Malvinas War. AP Photo
  • A woman poses for pictures next to a mural of Liverpool and Egypt football star Mohamed Salah outside the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England. EPA
    A woman poses for pictures next to a mural of Liverpool and Egypt football star Mohamed Salah outside the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England. EPA
  • Window cleaners hang from the side of an office building in Beijing. AP Photo
    Window cleaners hang from the side of an office building in Beijing. AP Photo

World

Today's best photos: from Iraqi ballet dancers to Beijing window cleaners

‘The National’ picks the most striking images from around the world

The National

April 02, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Friday's best photos: from Sri Lankan unrest to the Walla Walla aurora - in pictures

Thursday's best photos: from the Las Vegas Grand Prix to pet portraits

Wednesday's best photos: form a rocket launch to a skateboard jump

Tuesday's best photos: from an orange tank to pink campaigners

Monday's best photos: from bees to blossom

Sunday's best photos: from fire-breathing at a carnival to a Bhangra performance

Saturday's best photos: from a 'Terminator' sculpture in Kyiv to student protests in Santiago

While you're here
Ant-Man%20and%20the%20Wasp%3A%20Quantumania
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPeyton%20Reed%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Paul%20Rudd%2C%20Evangeline%20Lilly%2C%20Jonathan%20Majors%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Alistair Burt
While you're here
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

World politics
Getting%20there%20and%20where%20to%20stay
%3Cp%3EFly%20with%20Etihad%20Airways%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi%20to%20New%20York%E2%80%99s%20JFK.%20There's%2011%20flights%20a%20week%20and%20economy%20fares%20start%20at%20around%20Dh5%2C000.%3Cbr%3EStay%20at%20The%20Mark%20Hotel%20on%20the%20city%E2%80%99s%20Upper%20East%20Side.%20Overnight%20stays%20start%20from%20%241395%20per%20night.%3Cbr%3EVisit%20NYC%20Go%2C%20the%20official%20destination%20resource%20for%20New%20York%20City%20for%20all%20the%20latest%20events%2C%20activites%20and%20openings.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who are the Soroptimists?

The first Soroptimists club was founded in Oakland, California in 1921. The name comes from the Latin word soror which means sister, combined with optima, meaning the best.

The organisation said its name is best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.

Since then the group has grown exponentially around the world and is officially affiliated with the United Nations. The organisation also counts Queen Mathilde of Belgium among its ranks.

Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60

Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000

Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder

Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm

Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm

Transmission: Five-speed manual

Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Essentials

The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September. 
 

Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Company Profile 

Founder: Omar Onsi

Launched: 2018

Employees: 35

Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)

Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners

Updated: April 02, 2022, 12:02 PM
Photography