Ban on mining will hit hard in Goa
Mining in Goa a rogue industry (September 30) was interesting.
The government action to ban mining due to illegal activity will affect many people who are working in that industry.
Apart from tourism, the world-famous destination's largest revenue earner is iron ore.
Many people in Goa will have a tough time until this situation is resolved.
K Ragavan, India
Welfare must have strings attached
I agree with the comments by John Adams (Danger in sense of entitlement, October 2). Welfare without responsibility is never good.
It would not be hard to draw a line between this and the article about young men involved in sword crimes (A growing threat of sword violence? An explanation is at hand, October 2).
I despair at the lack of motivation among some young people who seem to believe that they are too good for some jobs.
Not everyone is going to be a CEO straight away, and many a CEO started with a "lowly" job. There should be pride in a job well done, no matter what it is.
Lee-Avinne O'Farrell, Abu Dhabi
What I think kids are missing today are the after-school or weekend jobs that were around when I was a teenager.
Even if it was just a few hours once or twice a week, it helped when you had to go out into the workforce permanently.
A Jamieson, Dubai
Elderly deserve respect from us all
This week saw the observation of International Day for Older Persons, which had the theme "Longevity: shaping the future".
To me the issue of serious concern is whether young people are dedicated enough to the task of taking care of their elders.
The lack of careful attention to elderly people can lead to great upheavals in society.
In this context, it would be appropriate to look at the life of women living in Vrindavan, known as the "city of widows", in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
Hundreds of elderly women from different parts of India come to this place every year. They are forced to go there by their families, who are denying them their basic rights.
These women receive no support from the government or any help to improve their living conditions.
Please, let's not abandon our elders, because their well-being is our responsibility.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman
Good news at last for troubled maid
The circumstances referred to in Suicide bid maid is released from prison with readers' help (October 2) are very sad.
Clearly, the fine should be imposed on the employer and the holder of the maid's visa. Only then will this kind of abuse stop.
James Magee, Dubai
Who reigns, and where, in Spain?
Thank you for Catalonia split prospects add to Spanish woes (September 29).
However, I think you should note that Prof Francesc de Carreras's opinions are not shared by many other professors from Catalan universities.
We Catalans need to explain the current circumstances in our country to the world, so we are better understood.
Spain is a melting pot of cultures, and we feel that not all those cultures are being taken into account.
There have been many attempts to make Spain a real plurinational country, but all we get is complete misunderstanding.
Other nations in Spain, such as the Basque country and Galicia, have the same problem.
Xavi Romeu, Spain
Ikea advertising is tailored to market
I am writing in reference to Ikea's latest product: the airbrush (October 2).
All companies adopt advertisements to suit the cultural environments of different countries.
Faisal Abdullah, Saudi Arabia
I think this has nothing to do with Ikea; it's more about the country of Saudi Arabia.
If you are going to do business there, you have to follow the rules.
Olga Mamizheva, Dubai
Take a tablet, I'll see you tomorrow
I was not surprised to read Strong sales as Gitex pushes the right buttons (October 2).
Apparently none of us can now live without products, such as tablet computers, that didn't even exist a few years ago.
While I understand others' appreciation of their toys, I'm holding out until I can buy a flying car.
T Holt, Dubai
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
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.
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
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THE SPECS
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode
Power: 121hp
Torque: 142Nm
Price: Dh95,900
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
The five pillars of Islam
