Follow the latest news on the 2024 Paris Olympics
In what is becoming another established Olympics tradition, Google has started releasing its latest series of Doodles marking various sports throughout the Paris Games.
These are the seventh Games celebrated by Google, having started with Sydney 2000.
In addition to the sport-specific themes, expect to see other aspects of the competition highlighted from notable milestones to those celebrating the Olympic humanitarian and egalitarian values.
The Paris Olympics run until August 11. Here are all of this year's Google Doodles released so far.
July 26: Paris Olympics begin
Google’s first Olympics-themed doodle during this year's event pays homage to the grand sporting competition and host city. The image has five birds showcasing different Olympic sports on the Seine, in homage to athletes' floating parade as part of the opening ceremony.
July 27: Skateboarding
For the first day of the competition after the opening ceremony, Google highlighted the skateboarding event taking place at Place de La Concorde.
The Doodle highlights the acrobatic twists and turns of the sport, which made its debut at Tokyo 2020, which took place in 2021 due to Covid-19.
July 28: Football
With football one of the few competitions kicking off before the opening ceremony, the popular sport shined with its own Doodle of two birds playing the game on a Parisian street corner.
July 29 to 30: Artistic gymnastics
To mark one of the most fierce competitions of the Games, an animated Doodle has a bird doing a flawless axle jump on a windowsill. As for the judge, a sophisticated house cat, the routine was rated a perfect 10.
July 31: French cultural figures and Olympic sports
Google launched the latest update of its Most Searched Playground, a game in which users try to spot as many features of Paris and the Olympics in a park. These include the city's landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Seine as well as the gymnastics and water polo.
August 1: Surfing
After making its debut as part of Tokyo 2020, surfing is back. However, this time, the competition is being held on the beaches of Tahiti in French Polynesia. The Doodle features a sea turtle, a venerated animal in Tahitian mythology and considered a sign of good fortune and longevity.
August 1: Olympic diver Sammy Lee
The Doodle celebrates the career of diver Sammy Lee, who became the first Asian-American man to win a gold medal for Team USA (at the 1948 Olympics in London). He repeated the feat four years later at the Helsinki Games. Sammy Lee died in 2016 aged 96.
August 2 to 3: Sailing
Sailing has been part of the Olympics since the inaugural competition in 1896. For this year's Games, the event takes place at the Marseille Marina in southern France. Running until August 8, this year's competitions include the men's and women's single-handed dinghy and the mixed-foiling catamaran races.
August 4: Rings
Depicting the reverse butterfly, one of the most challenging moves on the rings at the artistic gymnastics competition, the animation pays tribute to the Olympic sport taking place at the Bercy Arena. The rings have been part of the Olympics since the inaugural games in 1896 in Athens.
August 5 to 6: Artistic swimming
With three birds dancing in synchronised form in a water fountain in a Parisian park, the Google Doodle pays tribute to the artistic swimming competition. It is a combination of water acrobatics and music. Contested in both duet and team formats, the panel of judges base their scores on several criteria, including the level of difficulty, artistry, synchronisation and execution.
August 7 to 8: Climbing
With the Google bird valiant striving to overcome a statue of its own image, the latest Doodle celebrates climbing. Returning for the second time, medals will be rewarded for competitions including speed climbing.
August 9 to 10: Breaking
A bird executing one of the main breakdancing moves "down rock" to a blaring boombox celebrates the new Olympic sport of breaking. Making its debut in Paris, the competition will take place on August 9 and 10 at outdoor venue La Concord and feature dancers from countries such as the US and Papua New Guinea.
August 11: Closing Ceremony
The conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympics and its closing ceremony is being marked with a special Doodle. Set at the Stade de France, amid celebrations and fireworks, the doodle features the now-familiar bird standing on the highest of three podiums, merrily leaping and flailing its wings in victory. The two birds standing beside it on shorter pillars are less animated, but seem no less jovial, holding up bouquets. Other birds are cheering from the nearby rooftops and the Eiffel Tower looms in the background. The Doodle is a fun way to say au revoir to Paris Olympics, at least until the Paralympics begin at the end of the month.
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
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
Key developments in maritime dispute
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Results
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
UAE SQUAD
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan
'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra
Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa
Rating: 4/5
