In reference to your story Modi unveils pre-election budget in bid to woo voters by Samanth Subramanian (February 1), the finance minister has presented the 2019 election manifesto of the ruling BJP party in the guise of the financial budget for 2018/19.
The new tax on long-term equity gains is entirely regressive. The stocks market was one of the few segments which was ambling along well. However the new tax of 10 per cent on equity gains will dampen growth of the market. India is keen to lure foreign investors. The new levy will act as a dampener.
The middle classes in India are also severely indignant about the tax on equity gains. Many salaried citizens invest in stocks to provide for their later years. Now their old age funds stand depleted by 10 per cent. Investing in high-return stocks is an investment decision requiring some acumen. The government has decided to take 10 per cent of the gains, for no reason whatsoever.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
The UAE might be small but its contributions to the world are immense
Referring to your article Mayor Bloomberg: UAE's impact much larger than its size (February 1), the collaboration in healthcare between the UAE and Johns Hopkins Hospital to launch the Sheikh Khalifa Stroke Institute in Baltimore and Abu Dhabi is a heartening development. The UAE merits the praise lavished on it by former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. The UAE might be small but its contributions to the world are immense. It has established a reputation on the global stage for its philanthropy.
K Ragavan, India
Pricing is a problem when it comes to VAT
I refer to your article VAT in the UAE: tax now a routine part of life, say traders (February 1): the biggest problem is pricing. Suppose an item costs Dh18.37 and you are carrying Dh20, the shop can only give you Dh1.50 in coins. Who pockets the extra 13 fils? The shop does. With high volume sales at coffee shops and other places, businesses are making extra income on top at the expense of the consumer.
Name withheld by request
New checks will enhance the UAE's security
In response to your article New security checks for UAE expats come into effect (February 3), on the one hand, it's an additional hassle to produce an additional document. But on the other, it will definitely enhance the safety we enjoy in this country. Therefore the new checks are worth any extra hassle. Well done.
Nicola Siotto, Dubai
Will Mueller be allowed to continue his investigation?
In reference to your article Fact-checking the disputed Republican memo on the Russia probe (February 2), firing special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russia's interference in the US election, for conflict of interest would automatically be a guilty verdict for US president Donald Trump. The fact that the Democrats are doing everything they can to stop the memo from coming is perhaps proof that they are innocent and the memo is fake.
Roshan Coelho, Muscat
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERemedy%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Microsoft%20Game%20Studios%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%204%20%26amp%3B%205%2C%20Xbox%3A%20360%20%26amp%3B%20One%20%26amp%3B%20Series%20X%2FS%20and%20Nintendo%20Switch%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
The biog
Name: Salem Alkarbi
Age: 32
Favourite Al Wasl player: Alexandre Oliveira
First started supporting Al Wasl: 7
Biggest rival: Al Nasr
The biog
Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents
Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University
As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families
Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)
Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
more from Janine di Giovanni
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
THE DETAILS
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Dir: Ron Howard
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson
3/5
