I refer to the article Forget parallel parking, the new way to store your car is vertical (April 13).
I don't think it is necessary to introduce robotics into the simple process of parking a car.
But it would be great if planners could at least ensure that new buildings, whether big or small, have some floors below or above for parking.
The biggest problem in the capital is that most high-rises do not have parking facilities inside the building.
Mohammad Fuad Mustafa, Abu Dhabi
Eagles show good but not great
The Eagles Live show landed well in my heart (Crowd of 20,000 'take it easy' with The Eagles in Dubai, April 13).
On a 10-point scale, this show was a 7.5, I think. Don Henley cost them some points for his cold and characterless mug.
Also I was puzzled by the lack of even a hint of a mention of Dubai in the welcome address, the interludes, or at the end of the show.
Finally, I can't accept the fact that I wasn't able to carry home a souvenir, such as the concert ticket or a wrist band with Eagles branding and the date. We could take away only a band from Hard Rock Café, a sponsor; I threw mine away.
Reuben Smile, Dubai
India and Pakistan can get along
It is extremely pleasing to see India and Pakistan coming closer together, as we saw in the visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to India (Lunch meeting provides food for thought on India-Pakistan ties, April 9).
Good sense now seems to have prevailed. It has now dawned on leaders of these neighbours that the future of the 1.4 billion people cannot be held hostage to the contentious issues of Kashmir and terrorism.
They have decided to increase trade and ease visa restrictions to make business trips easier. Good relations and trust can eventually lead to the resolution of all the issues that have afflicted them for decades.
Muneer Ahmad, Abu Dhabi
We can do more about safety
The improvement reported in Traffic accidents 'cost nearly 3% of GDP' (April 11) is good.
It is possible to reduce the number of traffic deaths and injuries by 50 per cent in the next five years.
To prevent and reduce the number of road crashes, innovative strategic approaches are a must. This requires additional sustainable funding, an action plan, training, a road-safety audit and special efforts to deal with particularly dangerous "black spots".
Kailash Tiwari, Australia
Base schooling in Arab values
Teachers say mistrust slowing down education reform (April 11) was an excellent report.
There is conflict inherent in the ideas of centralised decision-making and a more inclusive decision-making approach.
Adec and its sponsors want control to ensure that everyone is in on the "same page". Experts, mainly western expatriates, may protest but do see their mission as inculcating the western way of education, in which teachers provide leadership, and parent/teacher engagement is stressed.
But the ancient Arab culture is thousands of years old, and has value. Education policy should start with including Arab values.
Tom Pattillo, Canada
Europe is bossy on plane emissions
It's interesting to see how much trouble Europe's sanctimonious approach to CO emissions is causing - for Europe itself (India warns EU it may shun talks on climate, April 12).
Despite all the lessons of the postcolonial era, Europe still thinks it can dictate to the world. Maybe in 1912 but not now.
The sooner Europe gives up its arbitrary tax on the world's airlines, the less harm it will do.
M Belhassan, Dubai
Restraint yes, but not punishment
I was sorry to read the point of view expressed in the letter Is Norway's killer crazy or not? (April 12).
If Anders Breivik is psychotic or otherwise seriously disturbed (not the insulting word "crazy", please) then he may very well need to be restrained in the public interest. But that is not the same as "deserving" to be "punished".
Mental illness is illness. I don't know enough to have an opinion about this case but some killers who commit crimes are not "guilty" and don't deserve to be "punished" any more than a lightning strike is "guilty" if it starts a fire.
Jamal Gharbi, Norway
Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
%3Cp%3E1984%20-%20Apple%20unveiled%20the%20Macintosh%20on%20January%2024%3Cbr%3E1985%20-%20Steve%20Jobs%20departed%20from%20Apple%20and%20established%20NeXT%3Cbr%3E1986%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20Macintosh%20Plus%2C%20featuring%20enhanced%20memory%3Cbr%3E1987%20-%20Apple%20launched%20the%20Macintosh%20II%2C%20equipped%20with%20colour%20capabilities%3Cbr%3E1989%20-%20The%20widely%20acclaimed%20Macintosh%20SE%2F30%20made%20its%20debut%3Cbr%3E1994%20-%20Apple%20presented%20the%20Power%20Macintosh%3Cbr%3E1996%20-%20The%20Macintosh%20System%20Software%20OS%20underwent%20a%20rebranding%20as%20Mac%20OS%3Cbr%3E2001%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20Mac%20OS%20X%2C%20marrying%20Unix%20stability%20with%20a%20user-friendly%20interface%3Cbr%3E2006%20-%20Apple%20adopted%20Intel%20processors%20in%20MacBook%20Pro%20laptops%3Cbr%3E2008%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20MacBook%20Air%2C%20a%20lightweight%20laptop%3Cbr%3E2012%20-%20Apple%20launched%20the%20MacBook%20Pro%20with%20a%20retina%20display%3Cbr%3E2016%20-%20The%20Mac%20operating%20system%20underwent%20rebranding%20as%20macOS%3Cbr%3E2020%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20M1%20chip%20for%20Macs%2C%20combining%20high%20performance%20and%20energy%20efficiency%3Cbr%3E2022%20-%20The%20M2%20chip%20was%20announced%3Cbr%3E2023%20-The%20M3%20line-up%20of%20chip%20was%20announced%20to%20improve%20performance%20and%20add%20new%20capabilities%20for%20Mac.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS
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
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
