Since January 1, I have noticed I am using my debit and credit cards to pay for transactions a lot more than before and I am really watching what I'm spending. I did a big shop at the supermarket on the last day of December and went to my local store to buy a few items yesterday. The difference in price was clearly noticeable. I don't think I will be eating out as much either in 2018.
Gill Dow, Abu Dhabi
A lot of shops are charging VAT on things, but I don't know if they are meant to have the tax added to them or not. I would like to see a comprehensive list published of what items attract VAT or not.
Imran Khan, Dubai
Since the introduction of the tax I notice I have been spending less. The arrival of VAT has given me a chance to revisit my finances and eliminate some recurring expenses. My plan is to reduce my expenditure by 10 to 15 per cent.
Saleem Karrar, Abu Dhabi
Please put more coins back into circulation
In reference to you story Bulk buys beat rounding up on VAT for small items (January 7). The Department of Economic Department has said shops can round up the cost of items by up to 20 fils, due to the scarcity of small denomination coins. May I please ask that more small coins are put into circulation.
It is wonderful surprise when one travels in the US and UK, that shopkeepers are able to return the exact change down to the last penny or cent. Similarly, when I worked in Africa, I noticed that all denominations of coinage were available freely. On studying the matter closely, I realised that some of the coins cost more to make and procure than was the value imprinted on them. However, the government absorbed this expenditure to facilitate the transactions of lower-income people who spend money on daily necessities such as bread and milk.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
Trump doesn't need to play by the book over new revelations
In reference to your story Trump's fire and fury reaction in trying to block an explosive new book is unprecedented (January 7). Donald Trump can do what he wants. He was voted in because the same old status quo wasn't working and an unprecedented political candidate carried the ballot.
Frank Johansen, Dubai
Water dispute could trigger a broader political crisis in Africa
In reference to Robin Mills's column Will the Nile bring Egypt to the brink of another political crisis, this time with Sudan? (January 8). Who is Egypt to have a first claim on our natural and domestic natural resources?
Haile Gebretsadik, Ethiopia
The view from The National
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Diriyah project at a glance
- Diriyah’s 1.9km King Salman Boulevard, a Parisian Champs-Elysees-inspired avenue, is scheduled for completion in 2028
- The Royal Diriyah Opera House is expected to be completed in four years
- Diriyah’s first of 42 hotels, the Bab Samhan hotel, will open in the first quarter of 2024
- On completion in 2030, the Diriyah project is forecast to accommodate more than 100,000 people
- The $63.2 billion Diriyah project will contribute $7.2 billion to the kingdom’s GDP
- It will create more than 178,000 jobs and aims to attract more than 50 million visits a year
- About 2,000 people work for the Diriyah Company, with more than 86 per cent being Saudi citizens
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
What you as a drone operator need to know
A permit and licence is required to fly a drone legally in Dubai.
Sanad Academy is the United Arab Emirate’s first RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) training and certification specialists endorsed by the Dubai Civil Aviation authority.
It is responsible to train, test and certify drone operators and drones in UAE with DCAA Endorsement.
“We are teaching people how to fly in accordance with the laws of the UAE,” said Ahmad Al Hamadi, a trainer at Sanad.
“We can show how the aircraft work and how they are operated. They are relatively easy to use, but they need responsible pilots.
“Pilots have to be mature. They are given a map of where they can and can’t fly in the UAE and we make these points clear in the lectures we give.
“You cannot fly a drone without registration under any circumstances.”
Larger drones are harder to fly, and have a different response to location control. There are no brakes in the air, so the larger drones have more power.
The Sanad Academy has a designated area to fly off the Al Ain Road near Skydive Dubai to show pilots how to fly responsibly.
“As UAS technology becomes mainstream, it is important to build wider awareness on how to integrate it into commerce and our personal lives,” said Major General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief, Dubai Police.
“Operators must undergo proper training and certification to ensure safety and compliance.
“Dubai’s airspace will undoubtedly experience increased traffic as UAS innovations become commonplace, the Forum allows commercial users to learn of best practice applications to implement UAS safely and legally, while benefitting a whole range of industries.”
Getting there and where to stay
Etihad Airways operates seasonal flights from Abu Dhabi to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport. Services depart the UAE on Wednesdays and Sundays with outbound flights stopping briefly in Rome, return flights are non-stop. Fares start from Dh3,315, flights operate until September 18, 2022.
The Radisson Blu Hotel Nice offers a western location right on Promenade des Anglais with rooms overlooking the Bay of Angels. Stays are priced from €101 ($114), including taxes.
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
TWISTERS
Director:+Lee+Isaac+Chung
Starring:+Glen+Powell,+Daisy+Edgar-Jones,+Anthony+Ramos
Rating:+2.5/5
UAE squad
Rohan Mustafa (captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan
