• A reveller from Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school performs during the second night of the carnival parade at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil February 21, 2023. REUTERS / Ricardo Moraes TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
    A reveller from Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school performs during the second night of the carnival parade at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil February 21, 2023. REUTERS / Ricardo Moraes TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
  • The annual Carnival de Binche, one of Europe's oldest street festivals, gets under way in the town of Binche in Belgium. EPA
    The annual Carnival de Binche, one of Europe's oldest street festivals, gets under way in the town of Binche in Belgium. EPA
  • This long exposure photo captures street lights in Frankfurt, Germany. AP
    This long exposure photo captures street lights in Frankfurt, Germany. AP
  • More than 1,000 Michigan State University students protest at the Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, one week after a gunman killed three students and injured five others. AP
    More than 1,000 Michigan State University students protest at the Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, one week after a gunman killed three students and injured five others. AP
  • People lay flowers at the Bangladesh Central Language Martyrs' Memorial in Dhaka, in homage to students that were killed during the Bengali language movement demonstrations of 1952. AFP
    People lay flowers at the Bangladesh Central Language Martyrs' Memorial in Dhaka, in homage to students that were killed during the Bengali language movement demonstrations of 1952. AFP
  • Tourists watch the sunrise on Xianggong Mountain, on the west bank of Li River in Yangshuo city, in southern China's Guangxi province. AFP
    Tourists watch the sunrise on Xianggong Mountain, on the west bank of Li River in Yangshuo city, in southern China's Guangxi province. AFP
  • Supporters of the All Progressive Congress gather inside the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos ahead of the Nigerian presidential election scheduled for February 25. AFP
    Supporters of the All Progressive Congress gather inside the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos ahead of the Nigerian presidential election scheduled for February 25. AFP
  • Hatmaker Youssef Akiki inspects some of his traditional 'Labbadeh' hats at his workshop in the mountain town of Hrajel in Lebanon. AFP
    Hatmaker Youssef Akiki inspects some of his traditional 'Labbadeh' hats at his workshop in the mountain town of Hrajel in Lebanon. AFP
  • Ragpickers scout for re-usable materials at Pirana landfill on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India. AFP
    Ragpickers scout for re-usable materials at Pirana landfill on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India. AFP
  • An actress prepares herself before performing in a Chinese Opera during the celebrations of God Tou Tei in Macau, China. AFP
    An actress prepares herself before performing in a Chinese Opera during the celebrations of God Tou Tei in Macau, China. AFP
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on a screen during his annual address to the Federal Assembly in Sevastopol, Crimea. Reuters
    Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on a screen during his annual address to the Federal Assembly in Sevastopol, Crimea. Reuters
  • Dressed revellers wait for the traditional carnival parade in Duesseldorf, Germany - the higlight of the country's carnival season. AP
    Dressed revellers wait for the traditional carnival parade in Duesseldorf, Germany - the higlight of the country's carnival season. AP
  • US President Joe Biden took a nearly 10-hour train ride from Poland into Kyiv to visit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. AFP
    US President Joe Biden took a nearly 10-hour train ride from Poland into Kyiv to visit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. AFP
  • A local resident carries her belongings as she leaves her home in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine. AP
    A local resident carries her belongings as she leaves her home in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine. AP
  • Carnival revellers take the metro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP
    Carnival revellers take the metro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP
  • A woman walks her dog under Kawazu-zakura cherry trees in bloom in Kawazu, Japan. Getty Images
    A woman walks her dog under Kawazu-zakura cherry trees in bloom in Kawazu, Japan. Getty Images

Today's best photos: from Rio Carnival fever to cherry trees in Japan


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More from The National:

Monday's best photos: from the 'Battle of the Oranges' to 'straw men' in Switzerland

Sunday's best photos: from a celebratory high-dive to a concert in a reservoir

Saturday's best photos: from London Fashion Week to Sao Paulo carnival

Friday's best photos: from the 65th Vienna Opera Ball to a rubber glove factory

Thursday's best photos: from burning coca plants to protests in Beirut

Wednesday's best photos: from the Taj Mahal to a sink hole in Poland

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The biog

Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi

Age: 23

How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them

Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need

Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman

Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs 

Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing

Disposing of non-recycleable masks
    Use your ‘black bag’ bin at home Do not put them in a recycling bin Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
  • No need to bag the mask
THE SPECS

BMW X7 xDrive 50i

Engine: 4.4-litre V8

Transmission: Eight-speed Steptronic transmission

Power: 462hp

Torque: 650Nm

Price: Dh600,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Power: 400hp

Torque: 560Nm

Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000

On sale: now

Naga
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Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

Results

5pm: Reem Island – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Farasah, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi

5.30pm: Sir Baniyas Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: SSR Ghazwan, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Astral Del Sol, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6.30pm: Al Maryah Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Toumadher, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar

7pm: Yas Island – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Saadiyat Island – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,400m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Gary Sanchez, Ismail Mohammed

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

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

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Captain Marvel

Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law,  Ben Mendelsohn

4/5 stars

'Skin'

Dir: Guy Nattiv

Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

The Ashes

Results
First Test, Brisbane: Australia won by 10 wickets
Second Test, Adelaide: Australia won by 120 runs
Third Test, Perth: Australia won by an innings and 41 runs
Fourth Test: Melbourne: Drawn
Fifth Test: Australia won by an innings and 123 runs

if you go

The flights 

Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning. 

The trains

Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.

The hotels

Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.

MATCH INFO

Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')

Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)

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Updated: February 21, 2023, 5:17 PM