Rishi Sunak, left, visits the construction site of Teesside Freeport on a visit with local Conservative Party mayor Ben Houchen. AFP
Rishi Sunak, left, visits the construction site of Teesside Freeport on a visit with local Conservative Party mayor Ben Houchen. AFP
Rishi Sunak, left, visits the construction site of Teesside Freeport on a visit with local Conservative Party mayor Ben Houchen. AFP
Rishi Sunak, left, visits the construction site of Teesside Freeport on a visit with local Conservative Party mayor Ben Houchen. AFP

Rishi Sunak accuses Liz Truss of 'copy and pasting' his free port plans


Tim Stickings
  • English
  • Arabic

Accusations of "copy and pasting" have emerged in the race to be Britain's next prime minister as Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss both claim credit for championing low-tax free ports.

The idea of business-friendly zones with low taxes and regulation is favoured by many Conservative MPs as a way to boost growth and make the best of Brexit.

Mr Sunak talks up the fact that he announced the creation of the first eight last year, when he was chancellor, and has promised to bring more to Wales and Northern Ireland if he wins the Tory race.

In a recent hustings, he went as far as to say that "I came up with the idea of free ports", which raised eyebrows because the Conservatives called for them as long ago as the 1983 election when Mr Sunak was three years old.

Ms Truss, meanwhile, sought to outflank him by promising new investment zones, or "full-fat free ports" as she calls them. She said these would come with new "model towns" such as the Victorian-era chocolate maker's home of Bournville.

Visiting the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Saturday, Ms Truss promised investments in regional transport and heralded her support among prominent Conservatives in areas that might stand to benefit.

"Liz Truss understands that our regions represent a potential gold mine of growth, the West Midlands especially," said Andy Street, the Tory mayor of that region. "Her plan for investment zones, for instance, will give us a powerful tool for unlocking new investment, jobs, and growth."

Liz Truss speaks at a football ground in Solihull, England, at a campaign stop on Saturday. AP
Liz Truss speaks at a football ground in Solihull, England, at a campaign stop on Saturday. AP

The Sunak campaign hit back by saying Ms Truss was borrowing policies already introduced by the government or promised by Mr Sunak if he wins the contest.

"Not only are Team Truss copy and pasting policies put in place by Rishi himself, but they are also re-announcing two-year-old government policies," a spokesman for Mr Sunak said.

"Imitation is the best form of flattery, as the saying goes."

Another piece of evidence called in aid by the Sunak campaign is that their man wrote a paper in 2016 called The Free Ports Opportunity, setting out one of the possible benefits of Brexit.

But this history did not go unchallenged. Daniel Korski, a former Downing Street aide, unearthed a photo showing that both candidates had co-chaired the first meeting of a free port advisory panel in 2019. Ms Truss was trade secretary and Mr Sunak a junior treasury minister at the time.

"[The] truth is they were a great double-act," said Mr Korski, who also ran Tom Tugendhat's leadership campaign earlier in the contest. However, Mr Korski said it was fair to say that Mr Sunak had "reinvigorated discussions" about free ports.

Mr Sunak's team also questioned the comparison to Bournville. They posed the somewhat tongue-in-cheek question of whether this would involve companies owning their workers' homes as the Cadbury company did for its employees.

But a Ms Truss supporter, northern MP Jake Berry, said the foreign secretary was the candidate to deliver on flagship Conservative promises to "level up" Britain's north-south divide.

"Politicians in Westminster have often sung a good song about addressing regional inequality, with varying degrees of success," Mr Berry said. "I firmly believe that Liz’s plan for levelling up will deliver a bright future for the north, and the entire United Kingdom."

Ms Truss opposed Brexit at the time of the referendum in 2016, but now says she has converted to the cause and has promised to slash regulations inherited from the EU.

Both candidates are promising plans for growth as Britain faces increasing economic woes amid runaway inflation and predictions of a looming recession.

The two candidates clashed in Eastbourne, on the south coast of England, on Friday in the fourth out of 12 official hustings before a new Conservative leader is announced on September 5.

That person will replace Boris Johnson as prime minister the following day.

Conservative leadership race - in pictures

  • Candidates Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss at the Conservative Party leadership election hustings at Wembley Arena, London. This was the final hustings attended by Tory Party members who will vote for the new leader and next prime minister. EPA
    Candidates Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss at the Conservative Party leadership election hustings at Wembley Arena, London. This was the final hustings attended by Tory Party members who will vote for the new leader and next prime minister. EPA
  • Liz Truss addresses Conservative Party members at Wembley Arena. AP
    Liz Truss addresses Conservative Party members at Wembley Arena. AP
  • Mr Sunak puts forward his case to be leader while speaking at Wembley Arena. Bloomberg
    Mr Sunak puts forward his case to be leader while speaking at Wembley Arena. Bloomberg
  • Mr Sunak visits his family's old business, Bassett Pharmacy in Southampton, while on the campaign trail. Reuters
    Mr Sunak visits his family's old business, Bassett Pharmacy in Southampton, while on the campaign trail. Reuters
  • Ms Truss speaks to staff at Condimentum Ltd at the Food Enterprise Park in Norwich. Getty Images
    Ms Truss speaks to staff at Condimentum Ltd at the Food Enterprise Park in Norwich. Getty Images
  • A Rishi Sunak supporter at a hustings event in Norfolk. PA
    A Rishi Sunak supporter at a hustings event in Norfolk. PA
  • Mr Sunak greets people at a leadership hustings in Manchester. Bloomberg
    Mr Sunak greets people at a leadership hustings in Manchester. Bloomberg
  • Ms Truss poses for a selfie with a supporter as she arrives for the event in Manchester. Getty
    Ms Truss poses for a selfie with a supporter as she arrives for the event in Manchester. Getty
  • Rishi Sunak looks through the sights of an anti-tank missile launcher, supplied to Ukraine, during a visit to the Thales Defence System plant in Belfast, Northern Ireland. AP
    Rishi Sunak looks through the sights of an anti-tank missile launcher, supplied to Ukraine, during a visit to the Thales Defence System plant in Belfast, Northern Ireland. AP
  • Liz Truss at a Conservative Party leadership campaign event in Belfast. Getty
    Liz Truss at a Conservative Party leadership campaign event in Belfast. Getty
  • Liz Truss meets supporters before a hustings in Perth, Scotland. Getty
    Liz Truss meets supporters before a hustings in Perth, Scotland. Getty
  • Rishi Sunak speaks during a campaign visit to Cluny Castle in Inverurie, Scotland. Getty
    Rishi Sunak speaks during a campaign visit to Cluny Castle in Inverurie, Scotland. Getty
  • Police hold back protesters outside Perth Concert Hall, Scotland, where Conservative leadership candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak were speaking. PA
    Police hold back protesters outside Perth Concert Hall, Scotland, where Conservative leadership candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak were speaking. PA
  • A mural showing the two leadership contestants appears on a wall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. AP
    A mural showing the two leadership contestants appears on a wall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. AP
  • Rishi Sunak during a visit to St John's Wood Synagogue, north London. PA
    Rishi Sunak during a visit to St John's Wood Synagogue, north London. PA
  • Liz Truss at the Conservative Party leadership election hustings in Cheltenham. EPA
    Liz Truss at the Conservative Party leadership election hustings in Cheltenham. EPA
  • Rishi Sunak during a hustings event in Cheltenham. Reuters
    Rishi Sunak during a hustings event in Cheltenham. Reuters
  • Liz Truss speaks to scientists during a campaign visit to a life sciences laboratory at Alderley Park in Manchester. PA
    Liz Truss speaks to scientists during a campaign visit to a life sciences laboratory at Alderley Park in Manchester. PA
  • Rishi Sunak during a campaign hustings in Darlington, England. Bloomberg
    Rishi Sunak during a campaign hustings in Darlington, England. Bloomberg
  • Liz Truss meets party members before she speaks at the Darlington campaign hustings. Getty
    Liz Truss meets party members before she speaks at the Darlington campaign hustings. Getty
  • Rishi Sunak arrives for the Darlington hustings. Getty
    Rishi Sunak arrives for the Darlington hustings. Getty
  • Liz Truss plays pool during a visit to the Onside Future Youth Zone in London. Reuters
    Liz Truss plays pool during a visit to the Onside Future Youth Zone in London. Reuters
  • Rishi Sunak looks at a book with Teddy Openshaw, 4, as his father, Henry, looks on after a Conservative leadership campaign event in Ribble Valley, Lancashire, England. Getty
    Rishi Sunak looks at a book with Teddy Openshaw, 4, as his father, Henry, looks on after a Conservative leadership campaign event in Ribble Valley, Lancashire, England. Getty
  • Liz Truss plays table tennis with former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith during a visit to the Onside Future Youth Zone in London. Reuters
    Liz Truss plays table tennis with former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith during a visit to the Onside Future Youth Zone in London. Reuters
  • Liz Truss with supporters at a campaign event in Solihull, England. Reuters
    Liz Truss with supporters at a campaign event in Solihull, England. Reuters
  • Rishi Sunak attends a campaign event held by his party in Bexhill, England. Reuters
    Rishi Sunak attends a campaign event held by his party in Bexhill, England. Reuters
  • A protester is removed as Ms Truss speaks during the Conservative Party leadership hustings in Eastbourne. Bloomberg
    A protester is removed as Ms Truss speaks during the Conservative Party leadership hustings in Eastbourne. Bloomberg
  • Mr Sunak speaks at an event in Edinburgh. PA
    Mr Sunak speaks at an event in Edinburgh. PA
  • Ms Truss leaves the hall in Exeter, south-west England, after her speech to a Conservative Party membership hustings. Getty
    Ms Truss leaves the hall in Exeter, south-west England, after her speech to a Conservative Party membership hustings. Getty
  • Mr Sunak speaks at the University of Exeter in south-west England. AP
    Mr Sunak speaks at the University of Exeter in south-west England. AP
  • A supporter of Ms Truss at a Conservative Party hustings in Exeter, south-west England. Getty
    A supporter of Ms Truss at a Conservative Party hustings in Exeter, south-west England. Getty
  • Ms Truss at a hustings event at the Pavilion conference centre at Elland Road in Leeds. PA
    Ms Truss at a hustings event at the Pavilion conference centre at Elland Road in Leeds. PA
  • Mr Sunak in Salisbury watching a screening of the Uefa Women's Euro 2022 final between England and Germany at Wembley stadium. England won 2-1 in extra time. PA
    Mr Sunak in Salisbury watching a screening of the Uefa Women's Euro 2022 final between England and Germany at Wembley stadium. England won 2-1 in extra time. PA
  • Ms Truss before the Uefa Women's Euro 2022 final at Wembley stadium in London. AFP
    Ms Truss before the Uefa Women's Euro 2022 final at Wembley stadium in London. AFP
  • Mr Sunak meets Tory members at Fontwell Park Racecourse. Reuters
    Mr Sunak meets Tory members at Fontwell Park Racecourse. Reuters
  • Ms Truss at an event in Dereham, Norfolk. AFP
    Ms Truss at an event in Dereham, Norfolk. AFP
  • Mr Sunak in Ropley, near Winchester, Hampshire. PA
    Mr Sunak in Ropley, near Winchester, Hampshire. PA
  • Ms Truss speaks as Conservative Member of Parliament Tom Tugendhat looks on at a Conservative Party leadership campaign event at Biggin Hill Airport. Getty
    Ms Truss speaks as Conservative Member of Parliament Tom Tugendhat looks on at a Conservative Party leadership campaign event at Biggin Hill Airport. Getty
  • Ms Truss on the campaign trail in Woodford Green, on the outskirts of London. Reuters
    Ms Truss on the campaign trail in Woodford Green, on the outskirts of London. Reuters
  • Mr Sunak at a Conservative Party hustings event in Leeds. AFP
    Mr Sunak at a Conservative Party hustings event in Leeds. AFP
  • Ms Truss speaks at the hustings event in Leeds. AFP
    Ms Truss speaks at the hustings event in Leeds. AFP
  • Sunak and Truss-themed souvenirs at a stand during the Leeds hustings event. Reuters
    Sunak and Truss-themed souvenirs at a stand during the Leeds hustings event. Reuters
  • Ms Truss, and her mother, Patricia, arrive for the hustings event. Getty
    Ms Truss, and her mother, Patricia, arrive for the hustings event. Getty
  • Ms Truss poses with supporters in Morley, England. Getty
    Ms Truss poses with supporters in Morley, England. Getty
  • Mr Sunak delivers a speech during a campaign event in Newmarket. AFP
    Mr Sunak delivers a speech during a campaign event in Newmarket. AFP
  • Ms Truss and Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, during a visit to a broadband interchange company in Leeds. PA
    Ms Truss and Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, during a visit to a broadband interchange company in Leeds. PA
  • Mr Sunak answers questions as he takes part in the hustings in Leeds. AFP
    Mr Sunak answers questions as he takes part in the hustings in Leeds. AFP
  • Ms Truss speaks at an event at a private house with members of the Conservative Party in Woodford Green. PA
    Ms Truss speaks at an event at a private house with members of the Conservative Party in Woodford Green. PA
  • Ms Truss and Mr Sunak pose for a picture before a BBC leadership debate at Victoria Hall in Hanley. Getty
    Ms Truss and Mr Sunak pose for a picture before a BBC leadership debate at Victoria Hall in Hanley. Getty
  • Ms Truss addresses Mr Sunak during the televised debate. Getty
    Ms Truss addresses Mr Sunak during the televised debate. Getty
  • Mr Sunak, with daughters Krishna and Anushka, and wife Akshata Murthy, during a visit to Vaculug tyre specialists at Gonerby Hill Foot, Grantham. PA
    Mr Sunak, with daughters Krishna and Anushka, and wife Akshata Murthy, during a visit to Vaculug tyre specialists at Gonerby Hill Foot, Grantham. PA
  • Ms Truss speaks to people while campaigning in Marden. Getty
    Ms Truss speaks to people while campaigning in Marden. Getty
  • Ms Truss celebrates after being named, along with Mr Sunak, one of the final two candidates in the race to become the UK's next prime minister. PA
    Ms Truss celebrates after being named, along with Mr Sunak, one of the final two candidates in the race to become the UK's next prime minister. PA
  • Mr Sunak outside his campaign office in central London. EPA
    Mr Sunak outside his campaign office in central London. EPA
  • Ms Truss outside Downing Street in London. Reuters
    Ms Truss outside Downing Street in London. Reuters
  • Rishi Sunak meets Conservative Party members and activists, in Teesport, Redcar. Reuters
    Rishi Sunak meets Conservative Party members and activists, in Teesport, Redcar. Reuters
  • Conservative leadership candidates Mr Sunak, Ms Truss, Kemi Badenoch, presenter Julie Etchingham, Tom Tugendhat and Penny Mordaunt during 'Britain's Next Prime Minister: The ITV Debate' in London. EPA
    Conservative leadership candidates Mr Sunak, Ms Truss, Kemi Badenoch, presenter Julie Etchingham, Tom Tugendhat and Penny Mordaunt during 'Britain's Next Prime Minister: The ITV Debate' in London. EPA
  • Ms Badenoch arrives at Here East studios in Stratford, east London, before a live television debate. PA
    Ms Badenoch arrives at Here East studios in Stratford, east London, before a live television debate. PA
  • Mr Sunak arrives at a London event to launch his campaign to be the next Conservative Party leader and UK prime minister. Reuters
    Mr Sunak arrives at a London event to launch his campaign to be the next Conservative Party leader and UK prime minister. Reuters
  • Mr Tugendhat appears on the BBC One current affairs programme, 'Sunday Morning'. PA
    Mr Tugendhat appears on the BBC One current affairs programme, 'Sunday Morning'. PA
  • Ms Badenoch, Ms Mordaunt, Mr Sunak, Ms Truss and Mr Tugendhat before the live television debate. PA
    Ms Badenoch, Ms Mordaunt, Mr Sunak, Ms Truss and Mr Tugendhat before the live television debate. PA
  • Ms Mordaunt arrives for the launch of her Conservative leadership campaign at the Cinnamon Club in Westminster. PA
    Ms Mordaunt arrives for the launch of her Conservative leadership campaign at the Cinnamon Club in Westminster. PA
  • Ms Truss speaks at the launch event for her campaign to become the next leader of the Tory Party and Britain's prime minister, in London. EPA
    Ms Truss speaks at the launch event for her campaign to become the next leader of the Tory Party and Britain's prime minister, in London. EPA
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi, one of the candidates who has been knocked out of the race, giving a speech at the Churchill War Rooms. PA
    Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi, one of the candidates who has been knocked out of the race, giving a speech at the Churchill War Rooms. PA
  • Former leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt appearing on the BBC One current affairs programme, 'Sunday Morning'. PA
    Former leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt appearing on the BBC One current affairs programme, 'Sunday Morning'. PA
  • Sajid Javid attending the launch of his campaign to be Conservative Party leader and prime minister, at the Cinnamon Club in London. He has since been knocked out of the contest. PA
    Sajid Javid attending the launch of his campaign to be Conservative Party leader and prime minister, at the Cinnamon Club in London. He has since been knocked out of the contest. PA
  • Rehman Chishti is interviewed after announcing his bid to become the next prime minister. Mr Chishti is no longer in the race. Getty
    Rehman Chishti is interviewed after announcing his bid to become the next prime minister. Mr Chishti is no longer in the race. Getty
  • Mr Tugendhat speaking at the launch of his campaign. PA
    Mr Tugendhat speaking at the launch of his campaign. PA
  • Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries and Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith arrive for the Truss campaign launch event. Getty
    Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries and Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith arrive for the Truss campaign launch event. Getty
  • Former leadership candidate Attorney General Suella Braverman at the Churchill War Rooms in central London. PA
    Former leadership candidate Attorney General Suella Braverman at the Churchill War Rooms in central London. PA
  • Supporters of Mr Sunak wait for his arrival ahead of the campaign launch. Bloomberg
    Supporters of Mr Sunak wait for his arrival ahead of the campaign launch. Bloomberg
  • Mr Tugendhat makes a speech at the launch of his campaign. PA
    Mr Tugendhat makes a speech at the launch of his campaign. PA
  • Mr Javid mops his brow while launching his campaign. Getty
    Mr Javid mops his brow while launching his campaign. Getty
  • Ms Truss leaves for work after her announcement that she would be running for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Getty
    Ms Truss leaves for work after her announcement that she would be running for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Getty

THE SPECS

Engine: 3-litre V6

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 424hp

Torque: 580 Nm

Price: From Dh399,000

On sale: Now

MORE FROM CON COUGHLIN
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
  • George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
  • Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
  • Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
  • Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills. 
Hunting park to luxury living
  • Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
  • The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
  • Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds

 

The specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: nine-speed

Power: 542bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: Dh848,000

On sale: now

The smuggler

Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. 
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.

Khouli conviction

Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.

For sale

A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.

- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico

- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000

- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950

What went into the film

25 visual effects (VFX) studios

2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots

1,000 VFX artists

3,000 technicians

10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers

New sound technology, named 4D SRL

 

The biog

Hometown: Cairo

Age: 37

Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror

Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing

Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Q&A with Dash Berlin

Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.

You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.

You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.

Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.

 

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

Sleep Well Beast
The National
4AD

65
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EScott%20Beck%2C%20Bryan%20Woods%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAdam%20Driver%2C%20Ariana%20Greenblatt%2C%20Chloe%20Coleman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Scoreline

Swansea 2

Grimes 20' (pen), Celina, 29'

Man City 3

Silva 69', Nordfeldt 78' (og), Aguero 88'

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

INDIA SQUADS

India squad for third Test against Sri Lanka
Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Vijay Shankar

India squad for ODI series against Sri Lanka
Rohit Sharma (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed 

Updated: August 07, 2022, 10:53 PM