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As Temperatures Rise, So Does Innovation: Why Expo City Dubai Might Be Our Best Response to Climate Realities

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  With rising temperatures already trending across social media and summer knocking like it owns the place, conversations are heating up—literally and figuratively. From “how to sleep through a heatwave” hacks to air conditioning memes that hit a little too close to home, people are feeling the burn in more ways than one. But while we crank up the AC and complain into our iced coffees, one place is flipping the script on how we deal with extreme heat and the climate crisis: Expo City Dubai. Once the glittering host of Expo 2020, this space could’ve gone the way of most mega-event venues: fading into obsolescence, fondly remembered on postcards and forgotten Google Calendar invites. Instead, Expo City is transforming into something bold, necessary, and quietly revolutionary—a living, breathing prototype for climate-conscious urban planning. It’s not just another city development. It’s a climate-era blueprint. Let’s be real: sustainable living has long been the stuff of keyno...
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When Trump Brings Gifts: Accounting for Parcel Politics in Your Year-End Audit

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  When Trump Brings Gifts: Accounting for Parcel Politics in Your Year-End Audit Well, grab your balance sheets and secure your paperclips, because post‑tariff Carnival is officially in full swing—and you’re invited whether you like it or not. President Trump’s May 2025 surprise cut—chopping duties on sub‑$800 parcels from China and Hong Kong from a punishing 120% down to a (still-palatable) 54%, and striking that dreaded $200 levy from existence—has sent ripples across supply‑chain spreadsheets, CFO groupchats, and yes, the humble expense‑approval inbox. Here’s how the next few accounting periods are shaping up: 1. The COGS Conundrum: Margin Mirage or Volume Victory? The first domino to topple is Cost of Goods Sold. With import taxes now 66 percentage points lighter, your landed cost calculation needs a major reset. If you’re an online retailer or boutique importer, suddenly your widget that cost you $100 to get through customs might only set you back $54—or less, if freight ne...
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The Silent Engine: How Arab Mothers are Shaping the Arabic Economy

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  By Tamer AlDeeb | EQCPA In recent years, the Arab world has experienced a dynamic shift in economic structures, demographic trends, and societal values. Amidst these transitions, one of the most powerful, though often underacknowledged, forces shaping the Arabic economy is the cultural and economic influence of Arab mothers. Their pivotal role in household decision-making, education, entrepreneurship, and cultural preservation has become a cornerstone of economic development strategies across the region. As the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) navigate diversification away from oil dependency, the cultural values and economic behaviors embedded within Arab maternal traditions are increasingly becoming tools for sustainable growth and social stability.   Household Consumption and Economic Influence At the microeconomic level, Arab mothers act as primary decision-makers in household consumption. Studies across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries indicate that...
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Why Tourism Businesses Need a Strong Audit Firm to Safeguard Their Internal Control Systems

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Article by Tamer AlDeeB – EQCPA -  17 March 2024 WWW.EQCPA.COM info@eqcpa.com In today’s dynamic tourism industry, success is built not only on guest satisfaction and breathtaking destinations — it also relies on a solid foundation of trust, transparency, and operational control . With tourism revenues reaching record highs globally and markets like the UAE spearheading growth, the stakes have never been higher. Yet, behind the glamorous front of luxury hotels, bustling travel agencies, and vibrant resorts lies a complex network of financial transactions, vendor relationships, customer data, and operational risks. This is exactly where a strong audit firm becomes an essential strategic partner. 🔵 1. Enhancing Financial Integrity Tourism businesses deal with high volumes of transactions daily — from room bookings and online payments to foreign exchange handling and third-party commissions. Without a strong internal control system, errors, misappropriations, or even ...
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AI in Auditing and Accounting: Innovation or Impossibility?

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As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries, the auditing and accounting professions stand at a fascinating — and challenging — crossroads. On the surface, it seems logical that these fields, which rely heavily on data, could benefit immensely from AI’s speed and analytical power. AI excels at automating repetitive tasks, detecting anomalies, and processing vast amounts of financial information. Tools powered by AI are already assisting firms in areas like fraud detection, risk assessment, compliance monitoring, and data reconciliation. However, while the technology holds great promise, full adoption of AI in auditing and accounting will not be easy. Unlike other sectors where automation has quickly replaced human roles, auditing and accounting demand something AI struggles to replicate: professional judgment, ethical reasoning, and emotional intelligence. Auditors and accountants are not just processors of data; they are critical thinkers who must interpret finan...
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