• A person holds a sign reading "Women Will Die" as activists gather at the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC. AFP
    A person holds a sign reading "Women Will Die" as activists gather at the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC. AFP
  • An anti-abortion protester speaks outside the US Supreme Court after the leak of a draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito preparing for the court to overturn the Roe v Wade abortion rights decision later this year. Reuters
    An anti-abortion protester speaks outside the US Supreme Court after the leak of a draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito preparing for the court to overturn the Roe v Wade abortion rights decision later this year. Reuters
  • A protester holds a sign for the pro-choice Planned Parenthood organisation. AFP
    A protester holds a sign for the pro-choice Planned Parenthood organisation. AFP
  • The Roe v Wade decision recognised that the right to personal privacy under the US Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy. Getty Images
    The Roe v Wade decision recognised that the right to personal privacy under the US Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy. Getty Images
  • A demonstrator outside the court. AFP
    A demonstrator outside the court. AFP
  • A woman cries during the protests. AFP
    A woman cries during the protests. AFP
  • Demonstrators place candles outside the court. AFP
    Demonstrators place candles outside the court. AFP
  • Protesters chant slogans. Reuters
    Protesters chant slogans. Reuters
  • Police installed metal barricades to prevent protesters from entering the court building. AFP
    Police installed metal barricades to prevent protesters from entering the court building. AFP
  • Demonstrators use candlelight during the evening protest. AFP
    Demonstrators use candlelight during the evening protest. AFP
  • US Senator Elizabeth Warren joined abortion rights activists outside the US Supreme Court on Tuesday. Photo: Public Domain
    US Senator Elizabeth Warren joined abortion rights activists outside the US Supreme Court on Tuesday. Photo: Public Domain

World

US

Joe Biden vows to protect Roe v Wade abortion rights following leaked Supreme Court draft

Document has sent Democrats and pro-choice advocates scrambling

Holly Aguirre
Holly Aguirre

May 03, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

A leaked US Supreme Court draft that suggests it may overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling that legalised abortion sent Democrats scrambling on Tuesday, with members of Congress and activists looking for some way to mitigate the effects of such a decision.

The court confirmed that the document was authentic and emphasised "it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case", after Politico released the draft as part of a news report on Monday evening.

Chief Justice John Roberts ordered an investigation into the leak as part of the court's statement.

The White House released a statement from President Joe Biden outlining his intention of protecting Roe v Wade.

“I believe that a woman’s right to choose is fundamental. Roe has been the law of the land for almost 50 years and basic fairness and the stability of our law demand that it not be overturned,” read Mr Biden’s statement.

The White House said that it will be ready should there be a ruling issued and added that preparations for such an eventuality began when the state of Texas signed a restrictive abortion bill into law.

“Shortly after the enactment of Texas law SB 8 and other laws restricting women’s reproductive rights, I directed my Gender Policy Council and White House Counsel’s Office to prepare options for an administration response to the continued attack on abortion and reproductive rights, under a variety of possible outcomes in the cases pending before the Supreme Court,” Mr Biden’s statement said.

Were it to be overturned, Mr Biden said that protecting a woman’s choice will fall on nationally elected officials and voters.

“At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law,” Mr Biden said.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said that his state would propose an amendment in the state's constitution to “enshrine the right to choose".

“We can't trust [the court] to protect the right to abortion, so we’ll do it ourselves,” Mr Newsom said on Twitter.

A bill that would have protected the right to abortion nationally died in Congress early this year as Democrats' razor-thin majority was not enough to overcome Senate rules requiring a supermajority to agree on most legislation.

In the absence of federal action, states have passed a series of abortion-related laws. Republican-led states have moved swiftly, with new restrictions passed in six states this year.

Three Democratic-led states have passed measures aimed at protecting abortion rights.

Abortion is one of the most divisive issues in US politics, with a 2021 poll by the Pew Research Centre finding that 59 per cent of American adults believe it should be legal in all or most cases and 39 per cent thinking it should be illegal in all or most cases.

  • Scarlett Johansson attends the Women’s March in Washington, DC. Theo Wargo / Getty Images / AFP
    Scarlett Johansson attends the Women’s March in Washington, DC. Theo Wargo / Getty Images / AFP
  • Charlize Theron attends the Women’s March on Main Street Park City on in Park City, Utah. Gustavo Caballero / Getty Images / AFP
    Charlize Theron attends the Women’s March on Main Street Park City on in Park City, Utah. Gustavo Caballero / Getty Images / AFP
  • Comedian Amy Schumer speaks to the crowd during the Women’s March rally in Washington. Jose Luis Magana / AP photo
    Comedian Amy Schumer speaks to the crowd during the Women’s March rally in Washington. Jose Luis Magana / AP photo
  • Actress Alfre Woodard speaks onstage at the women’s march in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
    Actress Alfre Woodard speaks onstage at the women’s march in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
  • Madonna performs on stage during the women’s march rally in Washington. Jose Luis Magana / AP photo
    Madonna performs on stage during the women’s march rally in Washington. Jose Luis Magana / AP photo
  • Musician Demi Lovato speaks onstage at the women’s march in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
    Musician Demi Lovato speaks onstage at the women’s march in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
  • Actress Barbra Streisand speaks onstage at the women’s march in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
    Actress Barbra Streisand speaks onstage at the women’s march in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
  • Actress Jane Fonda, left, and actor James Franco attend the women’s march in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
    Actress Jane Fonda, left, and actor James Franco attend the women’s march in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
  • Actress Natalie Portman speaks onstage at the women’s march in Los Angeles. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
    Actress Natalie Portman speaks onstage at the women’s march in Los Angeles. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
  • Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus speaks onstage at the women’s march in in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
    Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus speaks onstage at the women’s march in in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
  • Film director Michael Moore speaks to the crowd during the women’s march rally in Washington. Jose Luis Magana / AP photo
    Film director Michael Moore speaks to the crowd during the women’s march rally in Washington. Jose Luis Magana / AP photo
  • Musician The Edge, left, and Juliette Lewis perform onstage at the women’s march in Los Angeles on January 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
    Musician The Edge, left, and Juliette Lewis perform onstage at the women’s march in Los Angeles on January 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
  • Actress Jane Fonda attends the women’s march in Los Angeles. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
    Actress Jane Fonda attends the women’s march in Los Angeles. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
  • Actors Tracee Ellis Ross, left, and Yara Shahidi attend the women’s march in Los Angeles on January 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
    Actors Tracee Ellis Ross, left, and Yara Shahidi attend the women’s march in Los Angeles on January 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
  • Singer Miley Cyrus attends the women’s march in Los Angeles. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
    Singer Miley Cyrus attends the women’s march in Los Angeles. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
  • Actress Jessica Biel attends the women’s march in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
    Actress Jessica Biel attends the women’s march in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre / Getty Images / AFP
  • Actress America Ferrera speak to the crowd during the Women’s March on Washington. Jose Luis Magana / AP photo
    Actress America Ferrera speak to the crowd during the Women’s March on Washington. Jose Luis Magana / AP photo
  • Actress Emma Watson sits in the crowd during the Women’s March on Washington. Jose Luis Magana / AP photo
    Actress Emma Watson sits in the crowd during the Women’s March on Washington. Jose Luis Magana / AP photo
  • Jessica Chastain attends the Women’s March in Washington, DC. Theo Wargo / Getty Images / AFP
    Jessica Chastain attends the Women’s March in Washington, DC. Theo Wargo / Getty Images / AFP
  • Chloe Grace Moretz attends the Women’s March in Washington, DC. Theo Wargo / Getty Images / AFP
    Chloe Grace Moretz attends the Women’s March in Washington, DC. Theo Wargo / Getty Images / AFP
  • From left: actress Marcia Gay Harden, singer Miley Cyrus and Jane Fonda march during the Women’s March Los Angeles, California. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
    From left: actress Marcia Gay Harden, singer Miley Cyrus and Jane Fonda march during the Women’s March Los Angeles, California. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
  • Actor Jake Gyllenhaal listens to speakers at the Women’s March in Washington DC. Shannon Stapleton / Reuters
    Actor Jake Gyllenhaal listens to speakers at the Women’s March in Washington DC. Shannon Stapleton / Reuters

Reuters contributed to this report

While you're here
COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: SimpliFi

Started: August 2021

Founder: Ali Sattar

Based: UAE

Industry: Finance, technology

Investors: 4DX, Rally Cap, Raed, Global Founders, Sukna and individuals

While you're here
Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
TOUCH RULES

Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.

Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.

Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.

A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.

After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.

At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.

A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.

Why your domicile status is important

Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.

Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born. 

UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.

A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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

 

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

The Saudi Cup race card

1 The Jockey Club Local Handicap (TB) 1,800m (Dirt) $500,000

2 The Riyadh Dirt Sprint (TB) 1,200m (D) $1.500,000

3 The 1351 Turf Sprint 1,351m (Turf) $1,000,000

4 The Saudi Derby (TB) 1600m (D) $800,000

5 The Neom Turf Cup (TB) 2,100m (T) $1,000,000

6 The Obaiya Arabian Classic (PB) 2,000m (D) $1,900,000

7 The Red Sea Turf Handicap (TB) 3,000m (T) $2,500,000

8 The Saudi Cup (TB) 1,800m (D) $20,000,000

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

While you're here
Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

UAE’s revised Cricket World Cup League Two schedule

August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland

Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE

December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman

February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG

June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland

September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal

February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal

Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
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The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.5-litre%20V12%20and%20three%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C015hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C500Nm%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Early%202024%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh2%20million%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

Updated: May 04, 2022, 3:50 PM
Supreme CourtWomen's rightsJoe Biden