Novak Djokovic acknowledges the crowd after his win against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Novak Djokovic acknowledges the crowd after his win against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Novak Djokovic acknowledges the crowd after his win against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Novak Djokovic acknowledges the crowd after his win against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Sports Update: French Open, Qatar cash and Al Wasl


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There are never any shortage of talking points among the day's sporting headlines - so here is your handy guide to the big news stories of the day.

The National's deputy sports editor Kevin Affleck (@affers1178) offers his take on the latest big spending in football, Novak Djokovic's Grand Slam bid and what's happening at Al Wasl.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.

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

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Singham Again

Director: Rohit Shetty

Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone

Rating: 3/5