Queen Elizabeth II receives General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, during an audience in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle. PA
Queen Elizabeth II receives General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, during an audience in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle. PA
Queen Elizabeth II receives General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, during an audience in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle. PA
Queen Elizabeth II receives General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, during an audience in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle. PA

UK's Queen seen standing after missing Remembrance service with bad back


Neil Murphy
  • English
  • Arabic

Queen Elizabeth II, 95, has carried out her first official engagement after missing the Remembrance Sunday service as she met the head of the military in a face-to-face audience.

She welcomed Gen Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, to Windsor Castle on Wednesday, as he prepares to step down from his role at the end of the month.

The queen, who pulled out of the Cenotaph service three days ago due to a sprained back, was pictured standing as she greeted Gen Sir Nick in the castle’s Oak Room.

Dressed in a green, orange and white floral dress and wearing a string of pearls, the monarch smiled and shook hands with Gen Sir Nick as they began chatting.

The Oak Room is the queen’s sitting room where she spends much of her time. It also doubles as her office.

It is the first time in nearly a month that the monarch has been pictured carrying out an in-person engagement since she hosted a reception at Windsor on October 19.

She held a face to face audience with Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week but was not pictured doing so.

The Queen at 95 — in pictures

  • Queen Elizabeth II meeting attendees during a reception for delegates of the Global Investment Conference at Windsor Castle in October 2021. PA
    Queen Elizabeth II meeting attendees during a reception for delegates of the Global Investment Conference at Windsor Castle in October 2021. PA
  • Queen Elizabeth during her annual Commonwealth Day Message in St George's Hall at Windsor in March 2021. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth during her annual Commonwealth Day Message in St George's Hall at Windsor in March 2021. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth speaks with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in July 2018. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth speaks with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in July 2018. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth II tours Queen Mother Square in October 2016 in Poundbury, Dorset. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth II tours Queen Mother Square in October 2016 in Poundbury, Dorset. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth watches the Trooping the Colour to mark her 90th Birthday in 2016 with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William, Prince Harry, and Prince Philip. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth watches the Trooping the Colour to mark her 90th Birthday in 2016 with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William, Prince Harry, and Prince Philip. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave to guests attending "The Patron's Lunch" celebrations for The Queen's 90th birthday on The Mall in June 2016. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave to guests attending "The Patron's Lunch" celebrations for The Queen's 90th birthday on The Mall in June 2016. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth is pictured next to a floral exhibit at Chelsea Flower Show in 2016. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth is pictured next to a floral exhibit at Chelsea Flower Show in 2016. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth makes a speech during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth makes a speech during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth stands with US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during their visit to the UK in 2011. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth stands with US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during their visit to the UK in 2011. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth is escorted by her grandson Prince William during a visit to RAF Valley where Prince William was stationed in 2011. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth is escorted by her grandson Prince William during a visit to RAF Valley where Prince William was stationed in 2011. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth looks on as she opens the refurbished East Wing of Somerset House in 2011. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth looks on as she opens the refurbished East Wing of Somerset House in 2011. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth sits in the Regency Room at Buckingham Palace as she looks at some of the cards which have been sent to her for her 80th birthday in 2006. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth sits in the Regency Room at Buckingham Palace as she looks at some of the cards which have been sent to her for her 80th birthday in 2006. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth meets the Spice Girls at The Victoria Palace Theatre in 1997. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth meets the Spice Girls at The Victoria Palace Theatre in 1997. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip review tributes to the late Princess Diana outside Buckingham Palace in 1997. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip review tributes to the late Princess Diana outside Buckingham Palace in 1997. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth celebrates the Queen Mother's 90th birthday with Prince Edward, Princess Diana, Prince Charles And Princess Margaret outside Clarence House in 1990. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth celebrates the Queen Mother's 90th birthday with Prince Edward, Princess Diana, Prince Charles And Princess Margaret outside Clarence House in 1990. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth sits with Princess Diana after Prince William's christening ceremony in 1982. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth sits with Princess Diana after Prince William's christening ceremony in 1982. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth sits with US President Ronald Reagan at a gala dinner at Windsor Castle in 1982. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth sits with US President Ronald Reagan at a gala dinner at Windsor Castle in 1982. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth greets the crowds outside St Paul's Cathedral during her Silver Jubilee in 1977. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth greets the crowds outside St Paul's Cathedral during her Silver Jubilee in 1977. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visit a farm on the Balmoral estate in Scotland, during their Silver Wedding anniversary year, in 1972. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visit a farm on the Balmoral estate in Scotland, during their Silver Wedding anniversary year, in 1972. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles travel in an open top car in Avignon during a state visit to France, in 1972. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles travel in an open top car in Avignon during a state visit to France, in 1972. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth smiles during a picture-taking session in the salon at Sandringham House in 1970. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth smiles during a picture-taking session in the salon at Sandringham House in 1970. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth during a visit to New Zealand in 1970. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth during a visit to New Zealand in 1970. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth is surrounded by school children at a children's playground in Sydney during a Commonwealth visit to Australia in 1963. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth is surrounded by school children at a children's playground in Sydney during a Commonwealth visit to Australia in 1963. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother with a young Prince Charles at Princess Margaret's wedding at Westminster Abbey in 1960. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother with a young Prince Charles at Princess Margaret's wedding at Westminster Abbey in 1960. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth while watching Prince Philip play cricket in Hampshire in 1958. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth while watching Prince Philip play cricket in Hampshire in 1958. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth during her coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey in June 1953. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth during her coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey in June 1953. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wearing formal dress as they attend a concert at Festival Hall in 1951. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wearing formal dress as they attend a concert at Festival Hall in 1951. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth at Epsom Downs Racecourse with King George VI, the Queen Mother and Bernard Fitzalan-Howard, 16th Duke of Norfolk, in 1948. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth at Epsom Downs Racecourse with King George VI, the Queen Mother and Bernard Fitzalan-Howard, 16th Duke of Norfolk, in 1948. Getty Images
  • Members of the British royal family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in November 1947. Getty Images
    Members of the British royal family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in November 1947. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth as 'Prince Florziel' posing with another actress in the Christmas production of 'Cinderella' at Windsor Castle in 1941. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth as 'Prince Florziel' posing with another actress in the Christmas production of 'Cinderella' at Windsor Castle in 1941. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth makes her first broadcast, accompanied by her younger sister Princess Margaret, in 1940. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth makes her first broadcast, accompanied by her younger sister Princess Margaret, in 1940. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret standing together on the train platform as they see off their parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother, at Waterloo Station in 1939. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret standing together on the train platform as they see off their parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother, at Waterloo Station in 1939. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth seated between her grandfather King George V and grandmother Queen Mary of Teck as they ride in a carriage back to Balmoral Castle in 1935. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth seated between her grandfather King George V and grandmother Queen Mary of Teck as they ride in a carriage back to Balmoral Castle in 1935. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth watches members of a pipe band play in the grounds of Glamis Castle in 1929. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth watches members of a pipe band play in the grounds of Glamis Castle in 1929. Getty Images
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

Brief scores:

Southampton 2

Armstrong 13', Soares 20'

Manchester United 2

Lukaku 33', Herrera 39'

Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

Playing position: Winger

Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda

Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017

Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free

Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)

Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)

Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)

THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

Unresolved crisis

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly president was ousted, Moscow annexed Crimea and then backed a separatist insurgency in the east.

Fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces has killed more than 14,000 people. In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, that ended large-scale hostilities but failed to bring a political settlement of the conflict.

The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

Essentials

The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.

RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3E1.45pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Green%20Oasis%20Trading%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh50%2C000%20(Dirt)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Meeqat%2C%20Saif%20Al%20Balushi%20(jockey)%2C%20Khalifa%20Al%20Neyadi%20(trainer)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E2.15pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAl%20Shafar%20Investment%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh60%2C000%20(D)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Flying%20Hunter%2C%20Ray%20Dawson%2C%20Ahmad%20bin%20Harmash%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E2.45pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EThe%20Union%2051%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh84%2C000%20(D)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ibra%20Attack%2C%20Adrie%20de%20Vries%2C%20Ahmed%20Al%20Shemaili%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E3.15pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20ASCANA%20Thakaful%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh60%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Onda%20Ruggente%2C%20Royston%20Ffrench%2C%20Salem%20bin%20Ghadayer%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E3.45pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECommercial%20Bank%20of%20Dubai%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh76%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Dignity%20Joy%2C%20Antonio%20Fresu%2C%20Musabah%20Al%20Muhairi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E4.15pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20Real%20Estate%20Centre%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh76%2C000%20(D)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tolmount%2C%20Xavier%20Ziani%2C%20Salem%20bin%20Ghadayer%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E4.45pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJebel%20Ali%20Racecourse%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh84%2C000%20(D)%201%2C950m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERakeez%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Bhupat%20Seemar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Laal Kaptaan'

Director: Navdeep Singh

Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal, Zoya Hussain

Rating: 2/5

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo

Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm

Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: from Dh209,000 

On sale: now

The Abu Dhabi Awards explained:

What are the awards? They honour anyone who has made a contribution to life in Abu Dhabi.

Are they open to only Emiratis? The awards are open to anyone, regardless of age or nationality, living anywhere in the world.

When do nominations close? The process concludes on December 31.

How do I nominate someone? Through the website.

When is the ceremony? The awards event will take place early next year.

Updated: November 17, 2021, 2:12 PM