I have a Standard Chartered credit card with a balance of Dh3,000. Due to my pregnancy and not having a job for some time, we have paid a very minimal amount every month. We have also faced a lot of financial problems. Now I have decided to close the card and pay the balance off. I paid Dh3,000 via the ATM and called the bank to ask about the balance. To my surprise, the bank representative called me back and informed me that my balance payable is Dh20,084. Please advise me on how can I settle such a big amount. I can only afford to pay for the principal amount as I have less salary and am supporting my son. - LG Dubai
I referred the matter to Standard Chartered, which has been discussing the issue with LG. A spokesperson for the bank said: "Our customer-care unit has finally managed to get in touch with the customer and agreed with her on a settlement plan, which the customer has agreed to settle on the 22nd of November. We would like to thank The National newspaper for bringing this issue to our attention." The bank explained that the charges levied on her card were due to the non-settlement of an outstanding balance since 2008. This led to an accumulation of interest and service charges, which have been explained to LG. LG confirmed that she has agreed to a settlement amount with the bank and that it is lower than initially advised.
I left the UAE last June and my visa was cancelled by my employer. I was recently offered another job in the UAE, but when my prospective employer went to the immigration department to get me an entry permit, they were told that I already had a valid visa. I'm not sure how this is possible. When I called immigration, they told me that I would have to visit them in person and that they could not tell me who the sponsor on my visa was over the phone. I am currently in New York. I left my account with Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank open when I left the UAE in June and I'm wondering if that is what's causing the problem. Was I required to cancel the account when my visa was cancelled? RM New York
There should be no issue with someone keeping a bank account in the UAE, even if they are not a resident. However, the bank will require updated contact details and will most likely cancel any linked credit cards. This should not have any bearing on the visa situation unless the account holder had unpaid debts and the bank had opened a police case against them, which is not the case here. It sounds as if the previous employer had not cancelled the visa properly or there was an error in the system. Either way, the company PRO should be able to sort that out quite quickly.
I had an interview with a company and they then told me to go home to Pakistan. They said they will send me an offer letter and also a visa. They have taken all scanned copies of all documents and also my original degree certificate for verification. After five months of waiting, they have not sent me my visa, although they have sent me an offer letter and I returned it to them after signing. The company is just saying that it is in process. I have checked my status on the Ministry of Labour website, which shows that they have just paid the bank fee and not processed it further. What can I do? NZ Pakistan
NZ needs to contact the potential employer and ask them when he will be starting the job. There could be many reasons for the delay, but he will not find out unless he asks them. If the employer has paid the fees, then that implies that they wish to proceed. He could also contact the Ministry of Labour to find out if a specific item is holding up the visa application as it may be something that he can assist with.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com
onyourside@thenational.ae
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Armies of Sand
By Kenneth Pollack (Oxford University Press)
Asia Cup Qualifier
Final
UAE v Hong Kong
Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am
Spec%20sheet
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Company%20Profile
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Company%20Profile
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Result
UAE (S. Tagliabue 90 1') 1-2 Uzbekistan (Shokhruz Norkhonov 48', 86')
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
Kill%20Bill%20Volume%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Quentin%20Tarantino%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Uma%20Thurman%2C%20David%20Carradine%20and%20Michael%20Madsen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%204.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
