The rich have different rules
Payables are truth and receivables are secret (‘Trump losses may mean he didn’t pay taxes for years’, Gulf News, October 3). It is a common cheat in every business by businessmen in every country. Tax holiday is the term used by auditors to find an excuse to escape using loopholes in a system. It is quite surprising it took so long to reveal his tax returns even in an advanced computerised system as there is in the US. Salaried individuals have no choice, but businessmen have more choices. That’s all. When there is no responsibility shown in the spending of tax payers’ money on frivolous things and on governance, the rich have different rules. Like the trillions of dollars parked outside the US by fortune 500 companies in order to avoid taxes. Sure Donald Trump has not done any wrong. Tax defaulters have the company auditors’ blessings to find loopholes in the systems for their personal benefit. It’s beneficial for both the entrepreneur and the accountant.
From Mr Anandkumar Nagabushanam
UAE
Facebook comment
Valuing expatriates
The UAE is the best country that values the public and all expatriates (‘UAE to launch world’s first tolerance charter’, Gulf News, October 3). The Rulers are aiming to create greater welfare of the public as they extend a hand out to humanity all over the world. They come out with constructive ideas and outlooks to make any possible, which translates into unbeatable success.
They have taken decisions with value and respect whenever they are met with a crisis. They respect the youth’s happiness and they utilise available resources.
From Ms Laila Pokkakkillath Moideen
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
A leading example
Tolerance is something lacking in all parts of the world, and it’s refreshing to hear about this step. It is so disappointing to look at countries we always looked at as very open places and seeing them turning their backs on their fellow citizens. The UAE is special in that way. With all the different nationalities and religions we see here, people get along. No one is afraid of someone because they are different here. That’s beautiful. Laying these ground rules will only help solidify what many other countries in the world have yet to attain. I’m very proud of such measures being taken and it’s one of the reasons I’ve remained in the UAE a lot longer than I originally intended.
From Mr Prithvi G.
UAE
Facebook comment
Life on Mars is not possible
Days ago I have read this passage: “Why live on Earth when you can live on Mars?” (‘Facebook debate: Life on Mars’, Gulf News, September 2). Well, strictly speaking, you can’t. Mars is a completely hostile environment to human life, combining extreme cold with an unbreathable atmosphere and intense radiation.
I don’t think it’s possible since psychologically and physically we will not be able to adapt to Mars’ environment. Mars is known as the ‘red planet’, it has different temperatures, times, features and more that human body won’t be able to cope with. Humans are limited. We are already having a hard time adjusting to Earth’s subtle changes. If we go from one continent to another here on Earth, we have trouble adjusting. How much more effort would it take to adjust on a completely different planet? It’s not possible.
From Ms Maria
UAE
Full name withheld on request
Employees keeping their passport
The recently amended UAE labour laws reiterates that an employer holding the passport of an employee is illegal and that the passport must be kept with the employee always. Many companies all around the GCC are holding their employees’ passports for a range of reasons, which according to them, are legitimate. Most of the employees, especially blue collar workers, may not have an option to keep their passport in safe locations other than with their employer. Even though the determination of legality is very easy, a permanent solution to the problem is very complex.
What extra benefit do employees enjoy when they keep their passports with them?
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
Dubai
Lifestyles with long term consequences
Awareness must include reducing stress because this also is a cause of cancer (‘Awareness is key to beating breast cancer’, Gulf News, October 3). It’s true that having a lifestyle where you work too much, if you have a high-pressure jobs, not taking enough time for yourself or not checking in with your doctor due to the lack of time can cause unwanted and undesirable sickness.
From Mr Kant Chander
Dubai
Facebook comment
Rest and sleep is crucial
I completely agree that more sleep helps prevent breast cancer (‘Get more sleep to help prevent breast cancer’, Gulf News, October 3). And not only breast cancers, but sleep will prevent and cure many diseases. The UAE should think to reduce working hours and also school hours. Rest and sleep will reduce stress. I believe that people can work more efficiently in their job and students can give more attention in their studies if their work days are shorter.
From Ms Archana Sen
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Thriving on being busy
I think too much sleep and rest can be just as detrimental. We don’t want to become lazy. Humans grow stronger being productive and working. I thought I read somewhere about how people live longer who retire later. We thrive on being busy. I think we can get just as sick if we live a lifestyle too laid back without any goals and proper motivation.
From Ms Tania Rodriguez
Dubai
Facebook comment
Storms around UAE
It’s wonderful to see rain in the UAE (‘Rain expected in parts of UAE’, Gulf News, October 3). However, I hope it’s not the same raining like what I experienced in a storm in Abu Dhabi. It was horrible! The whole city of Abu Dhabi turned into night, but it was 11am and it was followed by the strong winds, lightning and thunder. The benches were flying away. I got to witness what happened that time because I was on the roof top of a mall. I hope I don’t see a storm like that again, just ordinary rain will do!
From Ms Khimlyn Gallo
UAE
Facebook comment
Time to win the Test
It was great to see the Indian bowlers restrict the visitors to just 204 in their first innings and thus gaining a lead of 112. However, unfortunately, our openers failed to give a decent start in the second innings, too. No doubt it is a tricky track at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India and it was great to see Rohit Sharma’s rumbles after a tumble by the top order batsmen. Thanks to a valuable 45 by Virat Kohli, who was done in by low bounce and the valuable century partnership of Sharma and the ever reliable Wriddhiman Saha to take India to a winning total of 300+. We hope that, as in the first innings, Saha and our tail could add another 50 runs to enable our bowlers to win the Test and the series.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
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