I refer to Justin Thomas's opinion article Why do so many expatriates stay here for so long? (April 11). I'm from Sao Paulo, where it is impossible to feel safe. I love my country, but there's no way I would like to live there because of corruption, violence and lack of education and infrastructure. I would rather live in this country, where I can walk alone in the streets without any fear.
Fernanda Troy Rios, Dubai
Financial stability is the only reason we are here. Yes we have a great life and generally the weather is fantastic, but my family is in the UK and I shall eventually return.
Carol Goodey, Abu Dhabi
Money is a major factor, but the quality of life for many is far better than back home, particularly for white-collar workers.
When you come from a city where you have to constantly think if it’s safe to stay out late and whether you will get robbed, you appreciate the safety and sense of community this country offers.
Ian Dolan, Dubai
Blame it on control tower
I refer to the news report Russian investigators release first FlyDubai crash report (April 9). It's the control tower's responsibility to clear aircraft for take-off and landing. The tower should have diverted the FlyDubai plane to another airport. Leaving it up to the pilot wasn't wise.
A Russian Aeroflot pilot used his experience in the area to decide to go to another airport. He was flying by the seat of his pants knowing, probably, that the tower wasn’t equipped with Doppler radar.
With heavy rainfall, you expect heavy wind downdraft. The Doppler radar can see through and detect the dangerous downdraft, or microburst. That would explain the 600kph vertical speed impact.
On April 10, 2010, a Polish presidential plane crashed in similar circumstances in the city of Smolensk, Russia.
FlyDubai pilots were repeatedly asking for a weather report? Only lack of technology would necessitate that.
Yasser Al Chamli, Dubai
Let couples live their own lives
Regarding Rym Ghazal's opinion article To shield or not to shield? Only couples can decide (March 30), what is wrong with a man trying to protect his wife from evil eyes? And why is it anyone's business? If she was unhappy she could get a divorce; her husband was just being protective.
I like my man to protect me, shield me. It’s a husband loving his wife.
Nicola Mundie, Dubai
Lebanese party is not pro-Assad
Free Patriotic Movement is not "allied" with Bashar Al Assad as the article, Blowback from ISIL could hit Lebanon hard (April 6), suggests. Just because the party doesn't approve of bloodthirsty ISIL doesn't mean that it's allied with the Syrian dictator.
This party is the one that led a peaceful resistance movement against the Syrian occupation up to 2005.
It’s the one to reject the Syrian manipulation into settling Syrian refugees in Lebanon. It’s a Lebanese party so it’s pro-Lebanon. Why assign it to another country?
Name withheld by request
Regulating rents will be wise
Not regulating rents for commercial units is extremely unfair (Uncertainty among Abu Dhabi shopkeepers as rents rise up to 150 per cent, April 11). Many people put their entire life's savings into their businesses. Imagine what they go through when they are compelled to close those establishments because of their inability to afford the rent.
An unregulated rental market is also harmful for the economy, as people will be scared to invest. Small and medium-sized businesses are the heart of the economy, so they should be protected.
Wise Ahmad Ghaznavid, Sharjah
The Government must support small- and medium-sized enterprises that are facing a difficult time. Many of these businesses have grown with this country. They can’t be replaced by big companies.
Hassan Kiani, Abu Dhabi
How to book
Call DHA on 800342
Once you are registered, you will receive a confirmation text message
Present the SMS and your Emirates ID at the centre
DHA medical personnel will take a nasal swab
Check results within 48 hours on the DHA app under ‘Lab Results’ and then ‘Patient Services’
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
On sale: now
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Stage result
1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34
2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe
3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco
5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo
6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team
8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate
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%3Cp%3EYe%20%E2%80%94%20the%20rapper%20formerly%20known%20as%20Kanye%20West%20%E2%80%94%20has%20seen%20his%20net%20worth%20fall%20to%20%24400%20million%20in%20recent%20weeks.%20That%E2%80%99s%20a%20precipitous%20drop%20from%20Bloomberg%E2%80%99s%20estimates%20of%20%246.8%20billion%20at%20the%20end%20of%202021.%3Cbr%3EYe%E2%80%99s%20wealth%20plunged%20after%20business%20partners%2C%20including%20Adidas%2C%20severed%20ties%20with%20him%20on%20the%20back%20of%20anti-Semitic%20remarks%20earlier%20this%20year.%3Cbr%3EWest%E2%80%99s%20present%20net%20worth%20derives%20from%20cash%2C%20his%20music%2C%20real%20estate%20and%20a%20stake%20in%20former%20wife%20Kim%20Kardashian%E2%80%99s%20shapewear%20firm%2C%20Skims.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
More on Quran memorisation:
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
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
The Specs:
The Specs:
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 444bhp
Torque: 600Nm
Price: AED 356,580 incl VAT
On sale: now.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
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