I suppose Dh5 isn't very much, compared to security fees charged at airports in other countries.
But your story (Dh5 security tax on air passengers, July 18) will not help the UAE's image. Freedom from annoying taxes and fees is part of this country's appeal as a place for tourism and investment.
James Cherry, Abu Dhabi
The new airport fee is not going to be a big problem for most people, because if you can afford a flight ticket you can afford Dh5 more.
But I find it depressing to think of how much is being spent on airport security, all around the world - and also how many passenger man-hours are wasted standing in line to take off your shoes - just because a few fanatics have chosen to hold the world's transport system hostage to serve their hatred.
Michael McDonald, Abu Dhabi
Solar panels need local customers
I refer to Challenge ahead for solar power in the Gulf (July 17).
The failure of this solar panel factory to really pursue customers locally in the UAE is truly regrettable.
This region has so much potential to use solar power as a renewable energy source but sadly we are letting opportunities slip by.
Ahmet Kianin, Dubai
Let's keep the city clean together
I refer to your article Recycling gets a second chance (July 17). I would like to thank Ahmed Al Murer of Abu Dhabi Municipality, who recently took action on my complaint about dirty open rubbish bins in the Tourist Club area.
He assured me that very soon I would see a positive change around our city. Such confidence gave me the hope to continue with my existing tenancy contract; otherwise I would have moved to another location in no time.
It seems to me that it is partly everyone's duty to keep the city clean. A quote from a Hindi movie rightly fits here: "No country is perfect; you have to make it perfect".
I call upon the public to join hands and address any issues. The Government is surely here to help.
Tasneem Murtuza, Abu Dhabi
So long, Otto von Habsburg
Thank you for reporting on the funeral of Otto Von Habsburg (Oldest son of Austria's last emperor buried with pomp, July 18).
To many people, the Habsburg Austro-Hungarian Empire is just a historical curiosity, remembered for waltzes, pastry, suppression of ethnic minorities and an ineffectual military.
But I believe that the Habsburg emperors and their officials managed better than many people realise. In any case there is a deep reserve of affection for the family in Austria (though perhaps not in Hungary).
Johann Stadion, Abu Dhabi
China's pressures are relentless
China is certainly relentless in trying to make the Dalai Lama into an "un-person" on the world stage (China calls US visit of Dalai Lama interference, July 18).
The Dalai Lama is a moral hero and a peaceful spokesman for his oppressed people. China's continuing pressure on other countries to sideline him suggests, to me at least, that this ruthless government is unwilling to defend its treatment of Tibetans in the court of world opinion. No wonder.
Simon Young, Qatar
Happy birthday Nelson Mandela
Thank you for reporting on the love letters to a great man (Long Live Nelson Mandela, July 18) at a mall in Abu Dhabi.
The whole world should be in awe of this heroic man's sacrifices and his wisdom.
Gert Malan, Dubai
The aftermath of a scandal
I am astounded by how rapidly the News of the World scandal is
spreading through the highest circles in the United Kingdom (London's police chief quits over scandal, July 18).
Rebekah Brooks arrested, the police chief out, hard questions for David Cameron, the prime minister, Rupert Murdoch reviled in all quarters.
And now there are problems for his companies in America.
Neville Greene, Abu Dhabi
Check your air conditioners
Your story Keeping cool in UAE can have health costs (July 4) is on a very interesting topic.
People should pay more attention to what's going on around them and be more concerned.
Many health issues are raised through air conditioning systems if they are not checked regularly and watched carefully.
Hend Alameri, Abu Dhabi
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
You might also like to read
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
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.
Company%20Profile
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
The%20specs
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Company%20Profile
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More on Quran memorisation:
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Venom
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed
Rating: 1.5/5
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
The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
Who are the Sacklers?
The Sackler family is a transatlantic dynasty that owns Purdue Pharma, which manufactures and markets OxyContin, one of the drugs at the centre of America's opioids crisis. The family is well known for their generous philanthropy towards the world's top cultural institutions, including Guggenheim Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, Tate in Britain, Yale University and the Serpentine Gallery, to name a few. Two branches of the family control Purdue Pharma.
Isaac Sackler and Sophie Greenberg were Jewish immigrants who arrived in New York before the First World War. They had three sons. The first, Arthur, died before OxyContin was invented. The second, Mortimer, who died aged 93 in 2010, was a former chief executive of Purdue Pharma. The third, Raymond, died aged 97 in 2017 and was also a former chief executive of Purdue Pharma.
It was Arthur, a psychiatrist and pharmaceutical marketeer, who started the family business dynasty. He and his brothers bought a small company called Purdue Frederick; among their first products were laxatives and prescription earwax remover.
Arthur's branch of the family has not been involved in Purdue for many years and his daughter, Elizabeth, has spoken out against it, saying the company's role in America's drugs crisis is "morally abhorrent".
The lawsuits that were brought by the attorneys general of New York and Massachussetts named eight Sacklers. This includes Kathe, Mortimer, Richard, Jonathan and Ilene Sackler Lefcourt, who are all the children of either Mortimer or Raymond. Then there's Theresa Sackler, who is Mortimer senior's widow; Beverly, Raymond's widow; and David Sackler, Raymond's grandson.
Members of the Sackler family are rarely seen in public.
The Specs
Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 503bhp
Torque 443Nm
On sale now
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
Australia tour of Pakistan
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi
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.
