Ahmad Massou and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo hold up a portrait of late Afghan commander Ahmad Shah Massoud. Courtesy Office of Paris Mayor
Ahmad Massou and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo hold up a portrait of late Afghan commander Ahmad Shah Massoud. Courtesy Office of Paris Mayor
Ahmad Massou and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo hold up a portrait of late Afghan commander Ahmad Shah Massoud. Courtesy Office of Paris Mayor
Ahmad Massou and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo hold up a portrait of late Afghan commander Ahmad Shah Massoud. Courtesy Office of Paris Mayor

Paris mayor leads tribute to slain Afghan commander


Arthur Scott-Geddes
  • English
  • Arabic

The city of Paris paid tribute to an Afghan commander who was assassinated by Al Qaeda days before the 9/11 attacks 20 years ago.

Mayor Anne Hidalgo on Saturday named a pathway in the Champs-Elysees gardens after Ahmad Shah Massoud, Afghanistan’s national hero.

Commander Massoud’s son, Ahmad Massoud, visited Paris and was the guest of honour for the unveiling ceremony that was attended by other senior Afghan politics figures – including former president Hamid Karzai and Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah.

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai also attended the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in honour of the late anti-Taliban commander. EPA
Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai also attended the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in honour of the late anti-Taliban commander. EPA

The event marked the 20th anniversary of his father's visit to France – his only trip to the West.

Addressing the event on Saturday, Ahmad Massoud said his father was "the symbol of fraternity between Afghanistan and France".

The younger Massoud’s high-profile visit played out while Afghan government and Taliban officials attempted to reach an agreement on the country’s future.

Talks in the Qatari capital, Doha, have made little progress, despite a plan for the United States to withdraw the last of its troops by the beginning of May.

Mr Abdullah is the man likely to lead the forthcoming peace talks with the Taliban.

The Taliban on Wednesday rejected a proposal by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to hold elections later this year.

The commander's son recently voiced concerns for the future of his country and for the success of the Doha peace talks with the extremist group against which his father fought.

"I was one of the very few who was very sceptical of the talks in Doha," Mr Massoud told the AFP news agency.

"From the very beginning I was pretty sure it was a complete mistake and it was not going to work," he said. A "rushed decision" for the deal between the US and Taliban, he said, had "destroyed the balance of negotiation".

"The peace talks and laughter, and hugs and handshakes between Americans and the Taliban, it doesn't mean that it is peace for Afghanistan," he said.

"Those handshakes, those hugs and laughter must be between Afghans as well."

A guerrilla leader who fought against Soviet forces for a decade following the invasion in 1979, the elder Massoud was killed in a suicide bombing on September 9, 2001.

Ahmad Shah Massoud shares a private moment with his eight-year old son Ahmed, on August 21, 1997, in his house in the Panjshir Valley. AFP
Ahmad Shah Massoud shares a private moment with his eight-year old son Ahmed, on August 21, 1997, in his house in the Panjshir Valley. AFP

Mr Karzai, then Afghan president, declared the fallen commander a national hero, with Massoud Day observed on the day of his assassination.

Known as the Lion of Panjshir after he successfully defended the Panjshir valley from Soviet forces, Massoud was often likened to other revolutionary fighters such as Che Guevara and Ho Chi Minh.

Like Che Guevara, the life of Afghanistan’s national hero continues to inspire devotion beyond his country’s borders.

UAE-based luxury perfume maker Al Ghazal Perfumes last week unveiled a new scent in tribute to the guerrilla fighter.

The fragrance, which comes in a bottle emblazoned with an image of Commander Massoud, combines the scent of bergamot with woody, aromatic and citrus base notes.

The Sharjah-based company said it had created the fragrance “solely for the purpose of honouring his achievements, his loyalty and love for his country”.

RESULTS

5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m

Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)

5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m

Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

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Company name: Blah

Started: 2018

Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri

Based: Dubai

Industry: Technology and talent management

Initial investment: Dh20,000

Investors: Self-funded

Total customers: 40

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Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Rating: 2/5
 
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

Mobile phone packages comparison

THE SPECS

Touareg Highline

Engine: 3.0-litre, V6

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Power: 340hp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: Dh239,312

Barbie
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From this question, a new beginning.
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separated by history.
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Why are you, you?
Because we are mirrors of each other.
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Together we are more powerful than we know.
We connect, we inspire, we multiply illuminations
with the unique light of art.

 Ben Okri,

((Disclaimer))

The Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG (“Bank”) assumes no liability or guarantee for the accuracy, balance, or completeness of the information in this publication. The content may change at any time due to given circumstances, and the Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG is under no obligation to update information once it has been published. This publication is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, a recommendation or an invitation by, or on behalf of, Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch), Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG, or any of its group affiliates to make any investments or obtain services. This publication has not been reviewed, disapproved or approved by the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) Central Bank, Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”) or any other relevant licensing authorities in the UAE. It may not be relied upon by or distributed to retail clients. Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch) is regulated by the DFSA and this advertorial is intended for Professional Clients (as defined by the DFSA) who have sufficient financial experience and understanding of financial markets, products or transactions and any associated risks.

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The biog

Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns

Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins

Food of choice: Sushi  

Favourite colour: Orange

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SPAIN SQUAD

Goalkeepers Simon (Athletic Bilbao), De Gea (Manchester United), Sanchez (Brighton)

Defenders Gaya (Valencia), Alba (Barcelona), P Torres (Villarreal), Laporte (Manchester City), Garcia (Manchester City), D Llorente (Leeds), Azpilicueta (Chelsea)

Midfielders Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Thiago (Liverpool), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Ruiz (Napoli), M Llorente (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Olmo (RB Leipzig), Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Morata (Juventus), Moreno (Villarreal), F Torres (Manchester City), Traore (Wolves), Sarabia (PSG)

SPECS

Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now

Water waste

In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.

Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.

A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.

The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Biography

Favourite drink: Must have karak chai and Chinese tea every day

Favourite non-Chinese food: Arabic sweets and Indian puri, small round bread of wheat flour

Favourite Chinese dish: Spicy boiled fish or anything cooked by her mother because of its flavour

Best vacation: Returning home to China

Music interests: Enjoys playing the zheng, a string musical instrument

Enjoys reading: Chinese novels, romantic comedies, reading up on business trends, government policy changes

Favourite book: Chairman Mao Zedong’s poems

'Midnights'
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Company%C2%A0profile
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The Gandhi Murder
  • 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
  • 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
  • 7 - million dollars, the film's budget