• Ukrainian Army soldiers pose for a photo as they gather to celebrate a Day of Unity in Odessa, Ukraine. AP Photo
    Ukrainian Army soldiers pose for a photo as they gather to celebrate a Day of Unity in Odessa, Ukraine. AP Photo
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy listens to his country's national anthem as he takes part in celebrations in Kiev. AP Photo
    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy listens to his country's national anthem as he takes part in celebrations in Kiev. AP Photo
  • A child walks under a large Ukrainian flag carried by people in Sievierodonetsk, the Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine. AP Photo
    A child walks under a large Ukrainian flag carried by people in Sievierodonetsk, the Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine. AP Photo
  • People wave Ukrainian national flags in Kramatorsk. AP Photo
    People wave Ukrainian national flags in Kramatorsk. AP Photo
  • A large Ukrainian flag is carried through Sievierodonetsk. AP Photo
    A large Ukrainian flag is carried through Sievierodonetsk. AP Photo
  • People carry a giant flag at a stadium to mark the 'Day of Unity' in Kiev. AFP
    People carry a giant flag at a stadium to mark the 'Day of Unity' in Kiev. AFP
  • Ukrainians carry the flag around Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev. EPA
    Ukrainians carry the flag around Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev. EPA
  • Soldiers pose for a group photo in Odessa. AP Photo
    Soldiers pose for a group photo in Odessa. AP Photo

Third US citizen fighting in Ukraine reported missing


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The US on Thursday said it was aware of reports that a third American citizen has gone missing after travelling to Ukraine, after two former soldiers from Alabama were reported missing earlier this week.

“There are reports of one additional American whose whereabouts are unknown … Our understanding was that this individual had travelled to Ukraine to take up arms,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

Officials confirmed that they have not yet asked Moscow about the other two Americans reportedly captured after going to the country to fight against Russian forces.

Relatives of veterans Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh and Alexander Drueke, both from Alabama, have been in contact with both Senate and House offices seeking information about the men's whereabouts, press aides said.

Robert Aderholt, a congressman from Alabama, said Mr Huynh had volunteered to fight with the Ukrainian military against Russia, but relatives have not heard from him since June 8, when he was in the Kharkiv region of north-eastern Ukraine, near the Russian border.

Mr Huynh and Mr Drueke were travelling together, an aide to Mr Aderholt said.

“As you can imagine, his loved ones are very concerned about him,” Mr Aderholt said in a statement. “My office has placed inquires with both the United States Department of State and the Federal Bureau of Investigation trying to get any information possible.”

Alexander Drueke has been missing for more than a week. Photo: Twitter
Alexander Drueke has been missing for more than a week. Photo: Twitter

Terri Sewell, another Alabama representative, said Mr Drueke's mother had reached out to her office earlier this week after she lost contact with her son.

The US State Department said it was looking into reports that Russian or Russian-backed separatist forces in Ukraine had captured at least two American citizens. If confirmed, they would be the first Americans fighting for Ukraine known to have been captured since the war began on February 24.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and are in contact with Ukrainian authorities,” the department said in a statement emailed to reporters. It declined further comment, citing privacy considerations.

John Kirby, a national security spokesman at the White House, said on Wednesday that the administration was not able to confirm the reports about missing Americans.

“We’ll do the best we can to monitor this and see what we can learn about it,” he said.

Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh enlisted in the US Marine Corps when he was 19. Photo: Joy Black
Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh enlisted in the US Marine Corps when he was 19. Photo: Joy Black

However, he reiterated his warnings against Americans going to Ukraine.

“Ukraine is not the place for Americans to be travelling,” he said. “If you feel passionate about supporting Ukraine, there’s any number of ways to do that that are safer and just as effective.”

A court in Donetsk, under separatist control, sentenced two Britons and a Moroccan man to death last week.

Mr Huynh's fiancee, Joy Black, posted publicly on Facebook that his family was in contact with the Drueke family and government officials and that nothing had been confirmed other than that the two were missing.

“Please keep Andy and Alex and all of their loved ones in prayer. We just want them to come home,” she wrote.

Adam Kinzinger, a representative from Illinois, tweeted that the Americans “have enlisted in the Ukrainian army, and thus are afforded legal combatant protections”.

“As such, we expect members of the Legion to be treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions,” he said.

It was unclear whether Mr Kinzinger had any further information about the men.

He was commenting on a tweet sent earlier on Wednesday by Task Force Baguette, a group of former US and French servicemen, saying that two Americans fighting with them had been captured a week ago. The group said Ukrainian intelligence had confirmed the information.

Early in the war, Ukraine created the International Legion for foreign citizens who wanted to help defend against the Russian invasion.

Mr Huynh spoke to his local newspaper, The Decatur Daily, shortly before flying to Eastern Europe in April.

He explained that he was studying robotics at Calhoun Community College but couldn’t stop thinking about Russia’s invasion.

  • Newlyweds Maria and David during their wedding ceremony in Oak Park, Illinois. Maria, who asked to be referred to only by her first name over fears for her family's safety, plans to fly to Poland then make her way to the Ukrainian border, ultimately aiming to volunteer to fight for her home country. AP
    Newlyweds Maria and David during their wedding ceremony in Oak Park, Illinois. Maria, who asked to be referred to only by her first name over fears for her family's safety, plans to fly to Poland then make her way to the Ukrainian border, ultimately aiming to volunteer to fight for her home country. AP
  • Sergey Korenev says goodbye to his two daughters in Portland, Oregon, before travelling to Ukraine to help in the war effort. He has gathered about $50,000 in donated medical aid which he plans to take to Ukraine before joining the fight. Getty Images / AFP
    Sergey Korenev says goodbye to his two daughters in Portland, Oregon, before travelling to Ukraine to help in the war effort. He has gathered about $50,000 in donated medical aid which he plans to take to Ukraine before joining the fight. Getty Images / AFP
  • Sergey Korenev says goodbye to his two daughters. Getty Images / AFP
    Sergey Korenev says goodbye to his two daughters. Getty Images / AFP
  • A foreign fighter from the UK prepares to depart to the front line in the east of Ukraine. Reuters
    A foreign fighter from the UK prepares to depart to the front line in the east of Ukraine. Reuters
  • Belarusian volunteers receive military training at the Belarusian Company base in Kyiv, Ukraine. Hundreds of Belarusians have arrived in Ukraine to help the Ukrainian army fight against the Russians. AP
    Belarusian volunteers receive military training at the Belarusian Company base in Kyiv, Ukraine. Hundreds of Belarusians have arrived in Ukraine to help the Ukrainian army fight against the Russians. AP
  • 'Alex' from the UK arrives at the Polish-Ukrainian border looking for transport to Lviv to join the fight. Getty Images
    'Alex' from the UK arrives at the Polish-Ukrainian border looking for transport to Lviv to join the fight. Getty Images
  • In a report issued by the Ukrainian military, Ukraine's President Voldymyr Zelenskyy appealed to foreigners to join his army in the fight against Russia. Getty Images
    In a report issued by the Ukrainian military, Ukraine's President Voldymyr Zelenskyy appealed to foreigners to join his army in the fight against Russia. Getty Images
  • 'Ian' from a town near Liverpool in the UK prepares to enter Ukraine from Poland to join the fight against the Russian army. Getty Images
    'Ian' from a town near Liverpool in the UK prepares to enter Ukraine from Poland to join the fight against the Russian army. Getty Images

“I know it wasn’t my problem, but there was that gut feeling that I felt I had to do something,” Mr Huynh told the newspaper.

“Two weeks after the war began, it kept eating me up inside and it just felt wrong. I was losing sleep. … All I could think about was the situation in Ukraine.”

He said he decided to fly out once he learnt that young Ukrainians were being drafted into service.

The newspaper reported that Mr Huynh enlisted in the Marines when he was 19 and served for four years, though he did not see combat.

Agencies contributed to this report

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Sun jukebox

Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)

This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.

Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)

The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.

Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)

Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.

Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)

Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.

Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)

An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.

Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)

Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.

The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience

by David Gilmour

Allen Lane

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Pad Man

Dir: R Balki

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte

Three-and-a-half stars

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

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

At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020

Launched: 2008

Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools

Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)

Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13

 

Impact in numbers

335 million people positively impacted by projects

430,000 jobs created

10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water

50 million homes powered by renewable energy

6.5 billion litres of water saved

26 million school children given solar lighting

TUESDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY

Centre Court

Starting at 2pm:

Elina Svitolina (UKR) [3] v Jennifer Brady (USA)

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) v Belinda Bencic (SUI [4]

Not before 7pm:

Sofia Kenin (USA) [5] v Elena Rybakina (KAZ)

Maria Sakkari (GRE) v Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) [7]

 

Court One

Starting at midday:

Karolina Muchova (CZE) v Katerina Siniakova (CZE)

Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) v Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR)

Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) v Dayana Yastermska (UKR)

Petra Martic (CRO) [8] v Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE)

Sorana Cirstea (ROU) v Anett Kontaveit (EST)

Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

THE DETAILS

Deadpool 2

Dir: David Leitch

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Justin Dennison, Zazie Beetz

Four stars

Updated: June 16, 2022, 10:11 PM