India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has eased lockdown measures. AFP
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has eased lockdown measures. AFP

I am glad India is finally easing its lockdown



I write to you in reference to your article India to ease world's biggest lockdown as coronavirus cases rise (May 30). This piece about the Indian government's proposal for easing the lockdown despite the recent increase in coronavirus cases in the country was interesting but unsurprising. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also decided to meet low-income workers and others who have been impacted by the economic downturn from the coronavirus, a good public relations move. On the one hand people should thank the Indian government for easing restrictions and allowing them to make a living, but on the other hand people should not take this for granted and must continue to follow social distancing rules.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

Dubai's most iconic restaurant is making it through the pandemic

I write to you in reference to Janice Rodrigues's article A Satwa institution: Ravi owner on keeping restaurant afloat amid pandemic (May 31). Ravi has amazing food, hopefully the restaurant will only grow stronger and maybe, one day, open a branch here in Al Ain City.

Shaheen Naryabi, Al Ain

This is my favorite restaurant in Dubai! I wish the very he best for them.

Lore Loredana, Dubai

Physical distancing is not yet part of our culture

I write to you in reference to Gillian Duncan's piece Coronavirus restrictions: what Dubai and Abu Dhabi residents can and can't do (May 26).  Every time I go to the supermarket, if I try to implement social distancing while waiting in the queue, someone will just cut in front of me.

Dulce Veludo Peinado, Dubai

During lockdown, she took the time to pamper her rescue cats

I write to you in reference to Evelyn Lau's article Building a 'catio': Why I spent Dh3,000 on an outside space for my four rescue cats (May 30). Well done, this is a great way to treat your pets.

Malinda Smalberger, Dubai

Good job Evelyn.

Feda Jarad, Abu Dhabi

Will the pandemic be the end of self-service buffets?

I write to you in reference to Janic Rodrigues' article Goodbye, buffets: Could self-service meals become a thing of the past in the UAE? (May 29). How sad, this was my number one thing to do once restrictions are lifted here.

Abdul Hannan Sadiq, Abu Dhabi

UAE brunches were legendary, but unfortunately quite wasteful. Hopefully, restaurant owners will find a better way to host brunches after this all winds down.

Cheryl Murray, Abu Dhabi

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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.

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Stamp duty timeline

December 2014: Former UK finance minister George Osbourne reforms stamp duty, replacing the slab system with a blended rate scheme, with the top rate increasing to 12 per cent from 10 per cent:
Up to £125,000 - 0%; £125,000 to £250,000 – 2%; £250,000 to £925,000 – 5%; £925,000 to £1.5m: 10%; Over £1.5m – 12%

April 2016: New 3% surcharge applied to any buy-to-let properties or additional homes purchased.

July 2020: Rishi Sunak unveils SDLT holiday, with no tax to pay on the first £500,000, with buyers saving up to £15,000.

March 2021: Mr Sunak decides the fate of SDLT holiday at his March 3 budget, with expectations he will extend the perk unti June.

April 2021: 2% SDLT surcharge added to property transactions made by overseas buyers.

Ticket prices
  • Golden circle - Dh995
  • Floor Standing - Dh495
  • Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
  • Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
  • Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
  • Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
  • Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
  • Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
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.
The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
​​​​​​​Bloomsbury Academic

Company%20Profile
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SPAIN SQUAD

Goalkeepers Simon (Athletic Bilbao), De Gea (Manchester United), Sanchez (Brighton)

Defenders Gaya (Valencia), Alba (Barcelona), P Torres (Villarreal), Laporte (Manchester City), Garcia (Manchester City), D Llorente (Leeds), Azpilicueta (Chelsea)

Midfielders Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Thiago (Liverpool), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Ruiz (Napoli), M Llorente (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Olmo (RB Leipzig), Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Morata (Juventus), Moreno (Villarreal), F Torres (Manchester City), Traore (Wolves), Sarabia (PSG)

Company%20Profile
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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

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
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TO A LAND UNKNOWN

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4