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Indians in Saudi Arabia to be hit by “dependent tax”

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Indians in Saudi Arabia to be hit by “dependent tax”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Falling economy forces Riyadh to impose new taxes

The Saudi government, faced with growing economic crisis due to low oil prices, war against Yemen, providing Army for protecting Bahrain government from opposition onslaught and branding itself as “leader of Muslim world”, has started tough measures against expat workers in the Kingdom.

From July 1, every expat living with his family in that country will have to pay 100 riyals (approximately ₹1,723) for each member as “dependent fee” every month. The fee amount will gradually increase by 100 riyals each year till 2020, meaning that an employee will then have to shell out 400 Saudi Riyals for each dependent every month. An employee living with wife and two children, in 2020, will have to pay 1200 riyals (Approximately ₹21,000 with present exchange rates) every month as dependent fee.

Saudi Arabia gives family visa to anyone with a salary of 5000 riyals (approximately ₹90,000) and above. The average employee would hardly be able to afford keeping his family in the Kingdom.

There are nearly 41 lakh Indians in Saudi Arabia, the largest expat group in that country. This is also the largest number of Indians living in a single country abroad. Ten lakh of them are from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

An Indian expat living in Dammam recently said that some families have made plans to return to Hyderabad as they cannot afford to stay there any longer.

According to migrant rights activist Bheem Reddy Mandha, several families have already returned to India in the past four months. He was quoted saying “the men have become forced bachelors”.

Reports indicate that life in Saudi Arabia is becoming tougher. From July 1, the day when GST will be implemented in India, prices of beverages will increase by 100 percent. Heavy Gunah (sin) tax on tobacco products has also been recently implemented.

In recent months a large number of foreign workers were laid off because of the fall in crude oil prices. Thousands of workers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Philippines faced hunger due to non-payment of salaries. Indians employed in construction, Information Technology, medical infrastructure and other sectors are believed to be rethinking their plans on staying back in that country.

To a query on the probable impact on Indian expats a senior official in the Ministry of External Affairs said nothing could be said as yet. But it will affect all expats, he added.

Ironically, the hit to Indians comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s April visit to Saudi Arabia where King Salman conferred him country’s highest civilian award – the King Abdulaziz Sash. During the visit Modi also addressed Indian workers and heard their grievances.

The new taxes were announced weeks after US President Donald Trump visited Saudi Arabia signing bilateral deals worth tens of billions of dollars. A Saudi citizen, most probably living outside, criticized “Trillions for Trump and taxes for citizens”.

Saudi activist Essam al-Zamel wrote on his twitter account “after the selective tax, which come into effect in a few days, whoever smokes two packs of cigarettes a day will pay around 1500 riyals a month, equivalent to a car payment”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Slovakia’s Prime Minister safe after surviving multiple gunshot

The assailant critically injured 59-year-old Prime Minister Fico by shooting him five times.

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Slovakia’s Deputy Prime Minister has confirmed today that Prime Minister Robert Fico’s condition is stable, with his life no longer in immediate danger, following an alarming incident where he was shot multiple times.

The Prime Minister was shot by an assassin while he was leaving a meeting on Wednesday.The assailant critically injured 59-year-old Prime Minister Fico by shooting him five times.

Following the attack, Prime Minister Fico was urgently airlifted to the hospital, where he underwent extensive surgery that lasted several hours. Defence Minister Robert Kalinak, addressing reporters from outside the hospital where Fico was receiving treatment on Wednesday, described the Prime Minister’s condition as critical, emphasising that he was fighting for his life.

The identity of the suspect is yet unconfirmed as the police further investigate. Unconfirmed reports from local media suggest that the assailant may have been a 71-year-old writer and political activist.

A video is currently circulating in which the alleged perpetrator can be seen. In the clip, he mentions that he does not agree with government policy.

The shooting has sparked international concern. Expressing shock over the incident, PM Modi conveyed his solidarity with the people of the Slovak Republic, wishing Prime Minister Fico a speedy recovery. He strongly condemned the shooting, denouncing it as a cowardly and despicable act while emphasising the need for unity against such violent acts and reaffirming India’s support for Slovakia during these challenging times.

Earlier, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen also expressed disapproval of the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico . On X, she stated that such acts of violence have no place in society, undermining democracy, the most precious common good. Von der Leyen extended her thoughts to Prime Minister Fico and his family, highlighting the European Union’s solidarity during this challenging time. The condemnation from EU leadership underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for a united stance against violence targeting political figures. As the investigation unfolds, international support for Slovakia remains steadfast, emphasising the importance of upholding democratic principles and ensuring the safety of leaders across Europe.

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World Earth Day 2024: Google Doodle showcases aerial view of planet’s natural beauty

Google celebrated Earth Day 2024 with a special doodle featuring an aerial view of our planet’s biodiversity.

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Google shared a doodle today to celebrate World Earth Day 2024, which showcased aerial photos of the planet’s biodiversity and natural beauty. Google reminded us of the importance of protecting planet earth for future generations with the help of this doodle.

The Google letters depict specific locations across the globe where people, communities, and governments work every day to help protect the planet’s natural beauty, biodiversity, and resources, according to the explanation of the annual Earth Day 2024 doodle on their website.

It said, these examples remind us that there’s much more to do to address the climate crisis and biodiversity loss, but also offer the promise of hope and optimism.

The islands of Turks and Caicos are represented by the letter “G.” The islands’ conservation efforts are concentrated on protecting important regions for biodiversity and addressing persistent environmental problems.

The largest reef in the southern Gulf of Mexico and a UNESCO biosphere reserve, Scorpion Reef National Park, is represented by the letter “O” in the Mexican flag.

The letter “O” features Iceland’s Vatnajokull National Park, which was designated as a national park in 2008 following decades of advocacy. The ecology within and surrounding the biggest glacier in Europe is safeguarded by this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The letter “G” has the Jau National Park in Brazil on it. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the biggest forest reserves in South America.

The Great Green Wall of Nigeria is represented by the letter “L,”  and the Pilbara Islands Nature Reserves of Australia are represented by the letter “E.”

Meanwhile, Earth Day is a worldwide event that promotes protection of the environment every year. April 22 serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts and sustainable practices to guarantee a healthier world and a brighter future.

The occasion inspires people across the world to come together and take action to protect the environment, strengthening our bonds with nature and promoting good change.

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Bigg Boss 14 contestant Rahul Vaidya struggles walking in knee deep water, compares Dubai rains with Mumbai floods

Singer and TV personality Rahul Vaidya was recently stranded in the Dubai rains.

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Rahul Vaidya, who was in Dubai ahead of his show which was scheduled to take place today, left the country due to heavy rains and reached Kolkata. The artist shared on social media his encounters in the UAE city, including challenges like walking through knee-deep water. Rahul provided an update regarding the heavy rainfall in Dubai on his Instagram profile.

The Bigg Boss 14 contestant revealed that he was in Kolkata and prepared to do an evening performance. Recalling the terrifying period he went through, Vaidya said there was a lot of confusion and panic in Dubai. The situation was similar to that when heavy floods hit Mumbai in 2005.

Vaiday also posted seval other images and videos of cars that were underwater and flooded roadways. The Bigg Boss 14 contestant, who shared his ordeal, claimed that even though it had just rained for two hours, the situation was dire.

In one of the video, which went viral he can be seen struggling in walking in knee-deep water. He can be also seen holding his sneakers in one hand and with other hand he was seen managing other things.

This is the result of the two hours of rain that it had, he can be heard saying in the video. Vidya also said he dosen’t believe Dubai is accustomed to a lot of rain. Everything had stopped working, he remarked.

After taking part in the first season of the singing reality show Indian Idol, Rahul Vaidya gained widespread recognition. In addition to Bigg Boss, he took part in Khatron Ke Khiladi 11.

Meanwhile, heavy rains that triggered flooding in the UAE and Bahrain, which left 18 people dead in Oman on Sunday and Monday, have paralyzed the financial hub of the Middle East, Dubai.

A lot of incoming flights were diverted from Dubai’s international airport because of the rain. At 7:26 p.m., the busiest airport in the world for foreign visitors stopped accepting new arrivals; a gradual resumption was announced for more than two hours later.

Images of planes navigating flooded tarmacs are making the rounds on social media.

According to pictures shared on social media, the flagship malls Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates both experienced heavy floods, while at least one Dubai Metro station had water up to the ankles.

There were several road collapses, severe flooding in residential areas, and numerous reports of leaks from windows, doors, and roofs.

Due to the unfavourable weather, schools around the United Arab Emirates were forced to close, and as more storms are predicted, the closures are anticipated to last until Wednesday. The government of Dubai allowed its staff to work remotely till this Wednesday.

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