• A job fair is held at Shandong University in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. Reuters
    A job fair is held at Shandong University in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. Reuters
  • North Korean defectors fly balloons that carry 50,000 anti-North Korean government propaganda leaflets, along with US dollar notes, into North Korea, near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Paju in Gyeonggi-do Province. South Korean president Park Geun-hye recently warned that North Korea’s provocations will eventually lead to the regime’s collapse, as she increased pressure on the reclusive regime to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. EPA
    North Korean defectors fly balloons that carry 50,000 anti-North Korean government propaganda leaflets, along with US dollar notes, into North Korea, near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Paju in Gyeonggi-do Province. South Korean president Park Geun-hye recently warned that North Korea’s provocations will eventually lead to the regime’s collapse, as she increased pressure on the reclusive regime to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. EPA
  • A worker collects oil on the shore spilled from a Taiwanese container ship owned by the shipping company T.S. Lines off the shore of Shimen, New Taipei City, Taiwan. The 15,487-ton ship ran aground in a storm about 300 metres from the shore while it was sailing from Hong Kong to Keelung Port in Taiwan on 10 March. The ship carries about 407 tons of fuel and FW40 tons of kerosene, about half of which has been pumped out. In the past days, pumping has been hampered by stormy weather, and oil has begun to leak and some containers have tumbled into the sea. Pumping oil was stopped on 25 March when the ship broke into two parts and rescue boats could not reach it. As the site it near a fishing port and a nuclear power plant, environmentalists warned that if the spill is not contained in time, its damage on the ecosystem could last for two to three years. EPA
    A worker collects oil on the shore spilled from a Taiwanese container ship owned by the shipping company T.S. Lines off the shore of Shimen, New Taipei City, Taiwan. The 15,487-ton ship ran aground in a storm about 300 metres from the shore while it was sailing from Hong Kong to Keelung Port in Taiwan on 10 March. The ship carries about 407 tons of fuel and FW40 tons of kerosene, about half of which has been pumped out. In the past days, pumping has been hampered by stormy weather, and oil has begun to leak and some containers have tumbled into the sea. Pumping oil was stopped on 25 March when the ship broke into two parts and rescue boats could not reach it. As the site it near a fishing port and a nuclear power plant, environmentalists warned that if the spill is not contained in time, its damage on the ecosystem could last for two to three years. EPA
  • A young Palestinian trains at the Palestinian Circus School in the village of Bir Zeit, in the Israeli occupied West Bank near Ramallah on March 22, 2016, as they continue to perform in support of their trainer Muhammad Abu Sakha who is in an Israeli jail under administrative detention. Circus performers around the world are mobilising in support of Sakha, the Palestinian clown and teacher, held by Israel without trial for more than three months on unspecified grounds. AFP
    A young Palestinian trains at the Palestinian Circus School in the village of Bir Zeit, in the Israeli occupied West Bank near Ramallah on March 22, 2016, as they continue to perform in support of their trainer Muhammad Abu Sakha who is in an Israeli jail under administrative detention. Circus performers around the world are mobilising in support of Sakha, the Palestinian clown and teacher, held by Israel without trial for more than three months on unspecified grounds. AFP
  • Afghanistan’s captain Asghar Stanikzai catches a ball as he takes part in a training session at The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Afghanistan plays their World T20 cricket tournament match against West Indies on March 27 in Nagpur. AFP
    Afghanistan’s captain Asghar Stanikzai catches a ball as he takes part in a training session at The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Afghanistan plays their World T20 cricket tournament match against West Indies on March 27 in Nagpur. AFP
  • Stationmaster of Shin-hakodate-hokuto station sees off the first shinkansen bullet train leaving the station in Hokuto, Hokkaido. Japan commenced regular bullet train passenger service to the the northen island of Hokkaido for the first time, marking a landmark extension of the iconic superfast transportation network. AFP
    Stationmaster of Shin-hakodate-hokuto station sees off the first shinkansen bullet train leaving the station in Hokuto, Hokkaido. Japan commenced regular bullet train passenger service to the the northen island of Hokkaido for the first time, marking a landmark extension of the iconic superfast transportation network. AFP

World in focus – best photos for March 26, 2016


  • English
  • Arabic

A look at the best photos from around the world.

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

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

PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP

Men’s: 
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)

Women's: 
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)

THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Brandt%20Andersen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOmar%20Sy%2C%20Jason%20Beghe%2C%20Angeliki%20Papoulia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
PAKISTAN v SRI LANKA

Twenty20 International series
Thu Oct 26, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
Fri Oct 27, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
Sun Oct 29, 3rd T20I, Lahore

Tickets are available at www.q-tickets.com

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre, six-cylinder

Transmission: six-speed manual

Power: 395bhp

Torque: 420Nm

Price: from Dh321,200

On sale: now

The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2-litre%204-cylinder%20mild%20hybrid%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20S%20tronic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E265hp%20%2F%20195kW%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20370Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh260%2C000%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
About Okadoc

Date started: Okadoc, 2018

Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Healthcare

Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth

Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February

Investors: Undisclosed

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X

Price, as tested: Dh84,000

Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: Six-speed auto

Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km

Leaderboard

63 - Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA)

64 - Rory McIlroy (NIR)

66 - Jon Rahm (ESP)

67 - Tom Lewis (ENG), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)

68 - Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP), Marcus Kinhult (SWE)

69 - Justin Rose (ENG), Thomas Detry (BEL), Francesco Molinari (ITA), Danny Willett (ENG), Li Haotong (CHN), Matthias Schwab (AUT)

The specs: 2018 Kia Picanto

Price: From Dh39,500

Engine: 1.2L inline four-cylinder

Transmission: Four-speed auto

Power: 86hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 122Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.0L / 100km

The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S

Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900

Engine: 937cc

Transmission: Six-speed gearbox

Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm

Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km