Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, centre, attends a bipartisan candlelight vigil at the US Capitol to mark one month since the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. AFP
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, centre, attends a bipartisan candlelight vigil at the US Capitol to mark one month since the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. AFP
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, centre, attends a bipartisan candlelight vigil at the US Capitol to mark one month since the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. AFP
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, centre, attends a bipartisan candlelight vigil at the US Capitol to mark one month since the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. AFP

Rashida Tlaib: What does a censure mean?


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Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, this week became the 26th member of the House of Representatives to be censured.

The formal reprimand from her colleagues was made after she repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza and spoke out against Israel's attacks on the Palestinian territory.

Here is a look at the process of a censure and what it means:

What does it mean to censure someone in Congress?

While the censure of a politician carries no practical effect, it amounts to a severe reproach from colleagues. Lawmakers who are censured are usually asked to stand in the well of the House as the resolution against them is read aloud.

But the resolution against Ms Tlaib did not call for a public admonishment.

Who is Rashida Tlaib?

As a Democrat in the House of Representatives, Ms Tlaib represents a district in Detroit, Michigan.

Ms Tlaib is the sole Palestinian American in Congress. Her grandmother lives in a village in the occupied West Bank, territory Israel captured in the 1967 war.

“My perspective is needed more than ever” amid the continuing conflict, she said.

She has been criticised for not doing enough to denounce the Hamas attacks and has been pressured to dial back her calls for a ceasefire.

“Palestinian people are not disposable,” Ms Tlaib said.

According to local authorities, more than 10,500 people have been killed in Gaza.

Why was she censured?

The legislation to censure her accused Ms Tlaib of “promoting false narratives regarding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and for calling for the destruction of the state of Israel”.

The measure specifically cited a video she published on social media containing the phrase “from the river to the sea”, a pro-Palestinian rallying cry that is viewed by many Jews as calling for Israel's eradication.

She also enraged many fellow Democrats on Friday when she posted a video accusing President Joe Biden of supporting “the genocide of the Palestinian people”. US ally Israel vehemently rejects accusations of genocide.

Ms Tlaib said that she was not guilty of anti-Semitism during a speech on the House floor on Tuesday.

“My criticism has always been of the Israeli government and [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's actions … The idea that criticising the government of Israel is anti-Semitic sets a very dangerous precedent.”

Who supported censuring Rashida Tlaib?

The resolution was put forward by a member of the Republican majority and passed 234-188.

Twenty-two Democrats voted in favour. Four Republicans voted against the measure.

The vote total as the House votes to censure Representative Rashida Tlaib for her rhetoric about the Israel-Gaza war. AP
The vote total as the House votes to censure Representative Rashida Tlaib for her rhetoric about the Israel-Gaza war. AP

What about the censure of other members?

House Democrats withdrew a measure to censure Republican Brian Mast for a comment in which he said all Palestinians were not “innocent”.

“I would encourage the other side to not so lightly throw around the idea of innocent Palestinian civilians, as is frequently said.” he said.

“I don’t think we would so lightly throw around the term innocent Nazi civilians during World War II.”

How common is censuring someone in Congress?

Although it was previously a rare measure used against members, it has become increasingly common in recent years.

Ms Tlaib is the 26th person to ever be censured by the chamber and the second just this year.

In June, Republicans voted to censure Democrat Adam Schiff of California for comments he made several years ago about investigations into former president Donald Trump’s ties to Russia.

When the House was under Democratic control, Republican Paul Gosar of Arizona was censured in 2021 for tweeting an animated video that depicted him striking Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with a sword. And Democrat Charlie Rangel of New York was censured in 2010 over serious financial and campaign misconduct.

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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.

Three tips from La Perle's performers

1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.

2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.

3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.

MATCH INFO

Manchester United 2 (Heaton (og) 42', Lindelof 64')

Aston Villa 2 (Grealish 11', Mings 66')

Episode list:

Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery 

Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges 

Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic 

Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks 

Ep5: Travel and tourism 

Cracks in the Wall

Ben White, Pluto Press 

'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

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 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 three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

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

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

Jordan cabinet changes

In

  • Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
  • Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
  • Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
  • Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
  • Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
  • Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
  • Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
  • Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
  • Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth

Out

  • Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
  • Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
  • Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
  • Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
  • Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
  • Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
  • Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
  • Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
  • Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
  • Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
  • Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
  • Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
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Director: James Gray

Stars: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones

Five out of five stars 

Updated: November 08, 2023, 7:55 PM