The construction of the new walkways will take to 40 the total number of bridges over the Seine in Paris. Ian Langsdon / EPA
The construction of the new walkways will take to 40 the total number of bridges over the Seine in Paris. Ian Langsdon / EPA
The construction of the new walkways will take to 40 the total number of bridges over the Seine in Paris. Ian Langsdon / EPA
The construction of the new walkways will take to 40 the total number of bridges over the Seine in Paris. Ian Langsdon / EPA

Paris to build three new futuristic bridges over Seine


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There are already 37 bridges between the Rive Gauche (Left Bank) and Rive Droite (Right Bank) in Paris, but three more are in the pipeline – and based on plans being proposed by the city authorities, these will be no ordinary bridges.

According to The Local, Paris City Hall is envisioning three new futuristic bridges over the River Seine which would completely transform the look of the historic river banks in the French capital.

Cars would be strictly banned – the bridges would be exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists.

There are also ambitious ideas to include gardens, shops, cafes and other activities on the new walkways.

Given the limited amount of spare land to build on, the proposals, spearheaded by Mayor Anne Hidalgo, offer an innovative way to reinvent the city and add new public zones.

There are no constructions on such a scale anywhere else in the world, The Local reports.

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One of the bridges would cross the River Seine near the André-Citroën Park, in the west of the city, between the 15th and 16th arrondissements.

The other two would be between the 12th and 13th arrondissements in what will be the new district of Bercy-Charenton and between the fourth and fifth arrondissements, near the Tino Rossi Garden in the city centre.

It is not the first ambitious plan to spring from Paris City Hall.

Last year, 22 projects were unveiled as part of Ms Hidalgo’s Reinvent Paris project, in a bid to propel the capital into a city of the future. The goal was to revamp various sites in order to “make Paris even more attractive, accessible and environmentally friendly”.

And in July, the “Reinvent the Seine” project was announced, which will transform areas along the river banks, turning 13 abandoned spaces in the greater Paris region of Ile-de-France into meeting spots, co-working spaces, hotels or places to go out.

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

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

The specs

The specs: 2019 Audi Q8
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 340hp @ 3,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
 

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