• Giant Galapagos tortoise Hugo at the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
    Giant Galapagos tortoise Hugo at the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
  • A pair of baby elephants with their mother at the Minneriya National Park, north-east of Colombo in Sri Lanka. AFP
    A pair of baby elephants with their mother at the Minneriya National Park, north-east of Colombo in Sri Lanka. AFP
  • Orphaned grizzly bear cubs play at the Greater Vancouver Zoo, in Aldergrove, BC, Canada. The Canadian Press via AP
    Orphaned grizzly bear cubs play at the Greater Vancouver Zoo, in Aldergrove, BC, Canada. The Canadian Press via AP
  • A moose crosses the road on Muddy Pass near Vail, Colorado, USA. Vail Daily via AP
    A moose crosses the road on Muddy Pass near Vail, Colorado, USA. Vail Daily via AP
  • A Parma wallaby is seen in its enclosure in the Budapest Zoo, Hungary. EPA
    A Parma wallaby is seen in its enclosure in the Budapest Zoo, Hungary. EPA
  • A macaque rests after a splash in a rainwater puddle formed on the tarpaulin of a roadside stall in Dharmsala, India. AP Photo
    A macaque rests after a splash in a rainwater puddle formed on the tarpaulin of a roadside stall in Dharmsala, India. AP Photo
  • A polar bear rests in the entrance of its enclosure in the Zoo in Berlin, Germany. AP Photo
    A polar bear rests in the entrance of its enclosure in the Zoo in Berlin, Germany. AP Photo
  • A sea lion yawns as it rest in its enclosure in the Zoo in Berlin, Germany. AP Photo
    A sea lion yawns as it rest in its enclosure in the Zoo in Berlin, Germany. AP Photo
  • A baby panda sleeps in an enclosure at the Zoo Berlin, Germany. EPA
    A baby panda sleeps in an enclosure at the Zoo Berlin, Germany. EPA
  • A deer feeds next to a bikeway in the Yosemite National Park, California, USA. AFP
    A deer feeds next to a bikeway in the Yosemite National Park, California, USA. AFP
  • A European Hamster, a species now listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, looks out of a hole. IUCN via AP
    A European Hamster, a species now listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, looks out of a hole. IUCN via AP
  • A Humboldt penguin at the The Maritime Museum in Klaipeda, Lithuania. EPA
    A Humboldt penguin at the The Maritime Museum in Klaipeda, Lithuania. EPA
  • An Andean bear cools off in a pool at the Philadelphia Zoo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP
    An Andean bear cools off in a pool at the Philadelphia Zoo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP
  • A group of Temminck's Red Colobus sits on a tree. IUCN via AP
    A group of Temminck's Red Colobus sits on a tree. IUCN via AP
  • A Przewalski's horse drives flies off the face of another horse with its tail in an enclosure in K'nigsbrunn, Germany. dpa via AP
    A Przewalski's horse drives flies off the face of another horse with its tail in an enclosure in K'nigsbrunn, Germany. dpa via AP
  • Male koala Alfie eats leaves at Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Australia. EPA
    Male koala Alfie eats leaves at Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Australia. EPA
  • A loggerhead sea turtle swims in the Oceonografic aquarium in Valencia, Spain. EPA
    A loggerhead sea turtle swims in the Oceonografic aquarium in Valencia, Spain. EPA
  • Flamingos gather at Dubai Creek in Dubai. AFP
    Flamingos gather at Dubai Creek in Dubai. AFP
  • Flamingos stand together in their enclosure at the Hellabrunn zoo in Munich, southern Germany. AFP
    Flamingos stand together in their enclosure at the Hellabrunn zoo in Munich, southern Germany. AFP
  • Gulls interact on the pond near the village of Vyazyn, in Belarus. AP Photo
    Gulls interact on the pond near the village of Vyazyn, in Belarus. AP Photo
  • White rhino Tanda and its two-month-old female calf Ushindi are seen at the Lewa Savanne enclosure at Zoo Zurich in Switzerland. Reuters
    White rhino Tanda and its two-month-old female calf Ushindi are seen at the Lewa Savanne enclosure at Zoo Zurich in Switzerland. Reuters
  • An insect collects pollen from the flower of a thistle in Unna, western Germany. AFP
    An insect collects pollen from the flower of a thistle in Unna, western Germany. AFP
  • A young goldfinch sits on a thistle in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany. dpa via AP
    A young goldfinch sits on a thistle in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany. dpa via AP
  • A herd of American bison grazes near Wright, Wyoming, USA. EPA
    A herd of American bison grazes near Wright, Wyoming, USA. EPA
  • Zebras graze under the bridge of the Standard Gauge Railway line, inside the Nairobi National Park in Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters
    Zebras graze under the bridge of the Standard Gauge Railway line, inside the Nairobi National Park in Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters

This week in wildlife - the best pictures of animals around the world


  • English
  • Arabic

More wildlife and environment stories from The National:

Botswana's president urged to better investigate Okavango elephant deaths

Rare 100-year-old tree discovered in eastern Abu Dhabi

UAE plans early warning system to spot locust swarms

Animal traffickers passing off lion parts as tiger, says UN

PRISCILLA
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Sofia%20Coppola%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Cailee%20Spaeny%2C%20Jacob%20Elordi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

The Energy Research Centre

Founded 50 years ago as a nuclear research institute, scientists at the centre believed nuclear would be the “solution for everything”.
Although they still do, they discovered in 1955 that the Netherlands had a lot of natural gas. “We still had the idea that, by 2000, it would all be nuclear,” said Harm Jeeninga, director of business and programme development at the centre.
"In the 1990s, we found out about global warming so we focused on energy savings and tackling the greenhouse gas effect.”
The energy centre’s research focuses on biomass, energy efficiency, the environment, wind and solar, as well as energy engineering and socio-economic research.

Fight Night

FIGHT NIGHT

Four title fights:

Amir Khan v Billy Dib - WBC International title
Hughie Fury v Samuel Peter - Heavyweight co-main event  
Dave Penalosa v Lerato Dlamini - WBC Silver title
Prince Patel v Michell Banquiz - IBO World title

Six undercard bouts:

Michael Hennessy Jr v Abdul Julaidan Fatah
Amandeep Singh v Shakhobidin Zoirov
Zuhayr Al Qahtani v Farhad Hazratzada
Lolito Sonsona v Isack Junior
Rodrigo Caraballo v Sajid Abid
Ali Kiydin v Hemi Ahio

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Khaldoon%20Bushnaq%20and%20Tariq%20Seksek%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20100%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20to%20date%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2415%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
pakistan Test squad

Azhar Ali (capt), Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Yasir Shah, Usman Shinwari

ASHES SCHEDULE

First Test
November 23-27 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Second Test
December 2-6 (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Third Test
December 14-18 (Waca Ground, Perth)
Fourth Test
December 26-30 (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
Fifth Test
January 4-8, 2018 (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)

Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
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'My Son'

Director: Christian Carion

Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis

Rating: 2/5

The%20Color%20Purple
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Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company