I write in reference to your article Customers urged to demand VAT receipt and curb tax-dodging (March 19): I wholeheartedly agree. Lots of small groceries take advantage of VAT to cheat people. For instance, if the tax pushes up the price of an item by 25 fils, they will make sure to round it up to one dirham.
Nabirye Patience, Abu Dhabi
Don’t be too quick to point the finger at Russia
I write in reference to your article Russia retaliates by expelling 23 British diplomats (March 18): As they should. There are valid concerns about the claims being made by UK Prime Minister Theresa May and her Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.
There is no clear Russian motive for this attack, but there are numerous reasons for the UK to blame it on Russia: to disrupt the Russia World Cup, bolster public support for war, improve Ms May’s ratings, ramp up UK defence spending, further discredit opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn and try to impact Russian elections.
Name withheld by request
Theresa May and her cronies are now judge and jury, with no evidence or motive.
Wadad de Marco, Sydney
Dinesh Karthik has a place in the hearts of all Indians
I write in reference to your article Dinesh Karthik emulates MS Dhoni by propelling India to last-ball win over Bangladesh and win Nidahas Trophy (March 19). By hitting a six with the last ball of the last over of the tournament, Karthik bounced himself into the heart of every Indian across the world.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
Obesity is a global scourge that needs to be addressed
Please refer to your article New study challenges 'healthy but obese' theory (March 16). The European Heart Journal study and the mixed reactions in the profession about what it means to be healthy are fascinating. The fact remains that obese people are more likely to face cardiovascular disease. Obesity is a global challenge; we should all take care of ourselves to avoid it.
K Ragavan, Benagluru
ISIL do not represent Islam but use it for their cruel ends
I refer to your article ISIL sleeper cells mounting attacks in northern Iraq (March 15). ISIL are awful, cruel individuals. They are not real Muslims, but seek power, oil, territories and domination. Though they use Islam for their political ends, these cruel people do not practice the religion.
Asyah E Meel, Abu Dhabi
Sharjah-Istanbul plane crash victims had much to live for
I refer to your article Emotions run high at funerals of Sharjah-Istanbul plane crash victims in Turkey (March 15): what a terrible tragedy. These girls had so much to look forward to and so much to live for. The poor parents could not say goodbye. May their souls rest in peace.
Kanchana Latha, Malaysia
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.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eco%20Way%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20December%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Kroshnyi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Electric%20vehicles%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bootstrapped%20with%20undisclosed%20funding.%20Looking%20to%20raise%20funds%20from%20outside%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
Name: Colm McLoughlin
Country: Galway, Ireland
Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free
Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah
How%20to%20avoid%20getting%20scammed
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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.
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
What is double taxation?
- Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
- The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
- Unlike most countries, the US follows a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that Americans must file taxes annually, even if they do not earn any income in the US.
Naga
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