• German Shepherd Gunther VI chases a tennis ball thrown by handler Stacey Marino outside a house owned by pop star Madonna on November 15, 2021, in Miami. Gunther VI is estimated to have a net worth of about $500 million, thanks to inheritance as well as investments. AP Photo
    German Shepherd Gunther VI chases a tennis ball thrown by handler Stacey Marino outside a house owned by pop star Madonna on November 15, 2021, in Miami. Gunther VI is estimated to have a net worth of about $500 million, thanks to inheritance as well as investments. AP Photo
  • Nala the Cat, a Siamese-tabby mix, has a reported wealth of $100m and 4.3 million Instagram followers. Getty Images via AFP
    Nala the Cat, a Siamese-tabby mix, has a reported wealth of $100m and 4.3 million Instagram followers. Getty Images via AFP
  • Singer Taylor Swift with her cat Scottish fold Olivia Benson, which has an estimated net worth of $97m. Raymond Hall / GC Images
    Singer Taylor Swift with her cat Scottish fold Olivia Benson, which has an estimated net worth of $97m. Raymond Hall / GC Images
  • Oprah Winfrey walking her dogs. Each has its own trust fund and as a collective are set to inherit $30m when Oprah dies. Photo: Instagram / @oprah
    Oprah Winfrey walking her dogs. Each has its own trust fund and as a collective are set to inherit $30m when Oprah dies. Photo: Instagram / @oprah
  • Jiffpom has 9.8 million followers on Instagram. The tiny Pomeranian is worth $25m and rakes in $32,906 per Instagram post. Getty Images via AFP
    Jiffpom has 9.8 million followers on Instagram. The tiny Pomeranian is worth $25m and rakes in $32,906 per Instagram post. Getty Images via AFP
  • Choupette Lagerfeld has 233,000 Instagram followers and a $13m fortune. Photo: Instagram / @choupetteofficiel
    Choupette Lagerfeld has 233,000 Instagram followers and a $13m fortune. Photo: Instagram / @choupetteofficiel
  • The late actress and comedienne Betty White's golden retriever Pontiac has a $5m fortune. Photo: Instagram / @bettymwhite
    The late actress and comedienne Betty White's golden retriever Pontiac has a $5m fortune. Photo: Instagram / @bettymwhite
  • Social media influencer Doug the Pug has an estimated net worth of $1.5m. Getty Images via AFP
    Social media influencer Doug the Pug has an estimated net worth of $1.5m. Getty Images via AFP
  • YouTube star Tucker Budzyn, a golden retriever, has a net worth of $1.5m. Photo: Instagram / @tuckerbudzyn
    YouTube star Tucker Budzyn, a golden retriever, has a net worth of $1.5m. Photo: Instagram / @tuckerbudzyn
  • Marutaro, the shiba inu from Japan with 2.2 million Instagram followers, has a fortune of $1.5m. AP Photo
    Marutaro, the shiba inu from Japan with 2.2 million Instagram followers, has a fortune of $1.5m. AP Photo

The top 10 richest pets in the world revealed: which one has a net worth of $500 million?


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

Choupette, Doug the Pug and Nala Cat are some of the world’s most famous pets but which one reigns supreme when it comes to wealth?

A list created by the blog All About Cats using social data and Instagram earnings has now revealed the highest-earning and most influential pets. So, who tops the list?

Gunther VI, a German shepherd owned by The Gunther Corporation, is estimated to have a worth of about $500 million, thanks to inheritance as well as investments.

The pampered pooch inherited his fortune from German Countess Karlotta Leibenstein, who died in 1992 and left $80m to his grandfather, Gunther III. Over the years, that money has been used for investments around the world, resulting in the amassed fortune.

Next on the list is Nala Cat, with a reported wealth of $100m. The Siamese-tabby mix, who is slightly cross-eyed, has found fame on Instagram and currently has 4.3 million followers. According to CNN, her owners said that sponsored content deals with brands on the platform start at $8,000, while estimates suggest the feline makes $14,419 per post.

She is followed by Olivia Benson, the best friend and companion of pop star Taylor Swift. The Scottish fold has made cameo appearances in music videos as well as on Swift’s social media. The cat has an estimated net worth of $97m.

At number four are Sadie, Sunny, Lauren, Layla, and Luke, Oprah Winfrey’s pet dogs, each of whom has their own trust fund and as a collective are set to inherit $30m when Oprah dies.

Next up is Jiffpom, who is also the most influential pet, with 9.8 million followers on Instagram. The tiny Pomeranian is worth $25m and rakes in $32,906 per Instagram post. He has two Guinness World Records and also appeared in Katy Perry’s music video for Dark Horse.

Rounding out the top 10 includes Karl Lagerfeld's famed companion and inspiration Choupette ($13m), Betty White's golden retriever Pontiac ($5m), influencer Doug the Pug ($1.5m), who reportedly makes $12,890 per Instagram post, YouTube star Tucker Budzyn ($1.5m), who has 4.38 million subscribers on the platform, and Marutaro ($1.5m), the shiba inu from Japan with 2.2 million Instagram followers.

The top 10 richest pets in the world

  1. Gunther VI, $500m
  2. Nala Cat, $100m
  3. Olivia Benson, $97m
  4. Sadie, Sunny, Lauren, Layla and Luke, $30m
  5. Jiffpom, $25m
  6. Choupette, $13m
  7. Pontiac, $5m
  8. Doug the Pug, $1.5m
  9. Tucker Budzyn, $1.5m
  10. Marutaro, $1.5m
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

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'The Sky is Everywhere'

Director:Josephine Decker

Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon

Rating:2/5

Q&A with Dash Berlin

Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.

You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.

You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.

Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.

 

Naga
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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

Medicus AI

Started: 2016

Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh

Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai

Sector: Health Tech

Staff: 119

Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)

 

'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 OF INVYGO

Started: 2018

Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo

Based: Dubai

Sector: Transport

Size: 9 employees

Investment: $1,275,000

Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri

Results

2.15pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Arrab, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).

2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Mahaleel, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.

3.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum handicap (TB) Dh200,000 2,000m; Winner: Dolmen, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

3.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Amang Alawda, Sandro Paiva, Bakhit Al Ketbi.

4.15pm: The Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m; Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

4.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m; Winner: Al Jazi, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.

Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

The%20Woman%20King%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Gina%20Prince-Bythewood%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Viola%20Davis%2C%20Thuso%20Mbedu%2C%20Sheila%20Atim%2C%20Lashana%20Lynch%2C%20John%20Boyega%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

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%3Cp%3EDeveloper%3A%20Aspyr%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Aspyr%0D%3Cbr%3EConsole%3A%20Nintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20series%20X%2FS%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Europe’s rearming plan
  • Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
  • Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
  • Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
  • Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
  • Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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RESULTS

Time; race; prize; distance

4pm: Maiden; (D) Dh150,000; 1,200m
Winner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)

4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Travis County, Adrie de Vries, Ismail Mohammed

5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200m
Winner: Scrutineer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson

6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600m
Winner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

7.30pm: Handicap (D); Dh150,000; 2,200m
Winner: Grand Dauphin, Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Al Shemaili

8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800m
Winner: Good Trip, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

While you're here

SPECS

Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman

Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 306hp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500

THE SPECS

      

 

Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

Power: 110 horsepower 

 

Torque: 147Nm 

 

Price: From Dh59,700 

 

On sale: now  

 
Updated: March 01, 2022, 10:03 AM