In reference to the upcoming VAT changes in the UAE, detailed in your story VAT in the UAE: a big change is on the way and it makes economic sense (December 5), I am very disappointed to see many businesses announcing a price increase as a result. While some increases are understandable in some cases, many businesses did not pass on the discount to the consumers. Some British retailers were selling items at double the price at which they sold them abroad. Other retail outlets have been passing the discount to the consumer with prices cheaper than the UK price, although that is rare. For this reason I shop abroad instead of in this country. I recently ordered two electrical appliances from the UK, which saved me more than Dhs2,000 (including custom charges). I would prefer to shop within the country to support the local economy and for increased convenience. However, if shops are going to pass on the VAT to the consumers, this should be reduced to a minimum.
DM, UAE
The decision to cut the cost of medicines is laudable
I refer to your article Ministry of Health announces 24 per cent price cut on some medicines (December 23). The decision of the Ministry of Health to offer price cuts on medicines is good news. Long-term treatment for cancer, diabetes and joint pains, and the provision of cheaper medicines for bacterial infections and other disorders, will help patients. Medicines are expensive all over the world and this move by the UAE government to help its people is laudable.
K Ragavan, India
Trump's conduct over Jerusalem was un-presidential
In reference to your op-ed Trump said he didn't care about the Jerusalem fallout.Turns out he cares a great deal (December 23), the US president and his proxies threw a hissy fit, telling everyone they were "taking names".
Erik Wilgenhof Plante
Oman could be made even more beautiful
In response to your article Oman opens sprawling oryx reserve to tourists (December 23), Oman could be made to look even greener with the help of irrigation. Within two years, Oman would be landscaped, which would attract an additional number of tourists.
Victor Rodin, Ukraine
Getting away for Christmas is tough
In response to your story Fog disrupts Christmas Eve flights at Dubai airport (December 24), we were lucky to fly last Thursday.
Violeta Amet, UAE
Enforcing judgments in financial matters
In reference to your story Investor wins reimbursement for Dubai housing project that was never built (December 23), one wonders how to go about enforcing a judgement here. Will the investor have to wait another 10 years and hire lawyers or can he freeze a bank account to get his money?
Suzanne Arruda-Wessel, Abu Dhabi
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
Final results:
Open men
Australia 94 (4) beat New Zealand 48 (0)
Plate men
England 85 (3) beat India 81 (1)
Open women
Australia 121 (4) beat South Africa 52 (0)
Under 22 men
Australia 68 (2) beat New Zealand 66 (2)
Under 22 women
Australia 92 (3) beat New Zealand 54 (1)
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENetflix%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKris%20Fade%2C%20Ebraheem%20Al%20Samadi%2C%20Zeina%20Khoury%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
