It has been two years since the Beirut Port explosion, and the Lebanese people are still looking for justice and accountability.
The blast was the largest non-nuclear explosion recorded in history, yet some high-placed politicians succeeded in halting the investigation for two years to avoid holding accountable officials found to be suspects in this horrible crime.
Judge Fadi Sawan, who led the investigation, was removed in December 2020 due to pressure from former ministers Ali Hassan Khalil and Ghazi Zeitar. When Judge Tarek Bitar, who took over the probe, sought to question senior government officials, including Mr Khalil, Mr Zeitar and Maj Gen Abbas Ibrahim, he was threatened and the investigation came to a halt.
I condemn the constant suppression of the truth by the Hezbollah-backed government. I call on the UN to look into who was responsible for the explosion and hold these individuals responsible. Lives were lost, people were injured, and houses were destroyed.
With respect to the victims, I call for accountability.
Zoya Fakhoury, New Hampshire, US
Is Kabul sheltering Al Qaeda operatives?
I write in reference to Sulaiman Hakemy's report Afghans stunned to learn terror leader Al Zawahiri was living in central Kabul (August 2): I am not surprised to read that ordinary Afghans have reacted to the news of Al Zawahiri's killing with "uncertainty" and "trepidation". After all, authorities in Kabul have been tight-lipped about the US government's attack. Ever since the Taliban takeover almost a year ago, there have been fears that Afghanistan will once again become a terrorist haven. People will wonder whether the regime is providing sanctuary to Al Qaeda leaders and operatives, like it did when it was previously in power. They will be nervous about the fallout of the assassination. In these circumstances, it's hard to expect peace and stability to return to Afghanistan anytime soon.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
Stop executions in Myanmar
With regard to the article Myanmar junta executes four pro-democracy activists (July 25): it broke my heart to learn about the executions. These activists were not terrorists; they were freedom fighters. Organisations such as the UN and the Association of South-East Asian Nations, and the international community more broadly, need to act quickly to prevent more such executions.
Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani, Kuala Lumpur
Recognising the UAE's nurses
I write in reference to Ramola Talwar Badam's article UAE nurses and frontline workers 'thrilled' over surprise golden visa upgrade (July 8): my mother is due to retire soon. After having worked as a nurse in the UAE for four decades, her expected return to India had left us all feeling bittersweet. She had wanted to stay on in Al Ain, particularly after some of her colleagues had received the Golden Visa in April. Not having received one at the time, however, she had mentally prepared herself to bid goodbye to the Emirates.
But last month, on her 61st birthday no less, she received the Golden Visa. "It is the best gift one can get upon a painful retirement," she told me. She was overwhelmed. And I understood straightaway how much this meant to her. As authorities in the UAE have often said, "nurses are the health sector heroes". I couldn't agree more, although I would add that my mother is to some of us a "family hero", too.
The UAE government's move to reward these heroes is truly laudable.
Daniel Varghese, Konigswinter, Germany
Hotel Data Cloud profile
Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg:
Juventus 1 Ajax 2
Ajax advance 3-2 on aggregate
Fighting with My Family
Director: Stephen MerchantÂ
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Florence Pugh, Thomas Whilley, Tori Ellen Ross, Jack Lowden, Olivia Bernstone, Elroy Powell    Â
Four stars
'Cheb%20Khaled'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EArtist%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKhaled%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELabel%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBelieve%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Profile
Company name: Jaib
Started: January 2018
Co-founders:Â Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour
Based: Jordan
Sector: FinTech
Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018
Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Qalandars 112-4 (10 ovs)
Banton 53 no
Northern Warriors 46 all out (9 ovs)
Kumara 3-10, Garton 3-10, Jordan 2-2, Prasanna 2-7
Qalandars win by six wickets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)
Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
Coal Black Mornings
Brett Anderson
Little Brown Book GroupÂ
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