Ring in pink gold with pavé diamonds from Bvlgari Cuore collection. Courtesy: Bvlgari
Ring in pink gold with pavé diamonds from Bvlgari Cuore collection. Courtesy: Bvlgari
Ring in pink gold with pavé diamonds from Bvlgari Cuore collection. Courtesy: Bvlgari
Ring in pink gold with pavé diamonds from Bvlgari Cuore collection. Courtesy: Bvlgari

The Black Book for February 2015


  • English
  • Arabic

Bvlgari Cuore Collection

The Italian phrase "del mio cuore" or "of my heart" is the inspiration behind Bvlgari's new Cuore collection, which seeks to capture the romance and passion of Rome - the eternal city of love and the birthplace of Bvlgari. The Cuore collection celebrates that most intimate of symbols - the heart - with a fresh and modern design interpretation. Accordingly, it features two pink-gold pendants, a dramatic sautoir with a mother-of-pearl pendant and a "flip" ring (pictured). The heart of the pendant comes in four versions: full pavé, with a hint of pavé, with or without the logo, or as a simple pink-gold structure. The double-sided mother-of-pearl hearts on the sautoir are suspended within three rows of pink-gold chains in different lengths, while the ring holds a heart that can flip to display either the diamonds or the logo. Gorgeous, any way you look at it.

IWC Year of the Portugieser

The Swiss luxury watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen has had an eventful history since its launch in 1868, with the Portugieser, created in 1940, largely recognised as the first big wristwatch. In 2015, IWC celebrates the timepiece's 75th year with a collection that boasts technological and design modifications in two new and six improved Portugieser references. The highlight of the IWC Year of the Portugieser is the newly designed in-house 52000 calibre, available in four models. The Annual Calendar (pictured), IWC's first for this year, was unveiled at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2015 last month. The month, date and day are shown in separate semicircular windows at 12 o'clock, while the date-switching mechanism is able to take the differing lengths of individual months into account. Marking an important design change, the sporty Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph has a smaller case diameter and slimmer, more elegant strap - perfect for everyday use. Connoisseurs of precision watchmaking will delight in the collection's Portugieser Minute Repeater, with its sophisticated complications, and the Portugieser Tourbillon Hand-Wound, with its filigree whirlwind. The 2015 version of the limited-edition Portugieser Grande Complication - with a perpetual calendar, perpetual moon phase display and minute repeater - now comes with a clearer, more composed dial, with the engraving on the back of the case taking the form of a compass rose. Five models in the latest collection feature an arched-edge sapphire glass, while the luxurious alligator leather straps are made by the Italian shoe manufacturer Santoni.

Chance by Chanel

Chanel revisits one of its most popular floral fragrances, Chance, to create three travel-format editions. The 35ml bottles come in yellow, green and pink versions, each created to match varying moods. Chance Eau de Parfum is more intense than the original jasmine-inspired Chance Eau de Toilette - with accompanying notes of spicy pink pepper and warm amber patchouli. The green Chance Eau Fraîche combines citron and teak for a sense of spicy woodiness and refreshing lemon, while the pink Chance Eau Tendre (pictured) is more fruity, with white musk and grapefruit-quince. Also available in 50ml, 100ml and 150ml sprays, the trio retains a jasmine base, a soothing aroma that also extends to Chanel's new Chance Hair Mist and Moisturising Body Cream.

Rodarte for The Rug Company

For 10 years, the two sisters behind Rodarte, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, have created head-turning ready-to-wear collections for the runway, as well as custom-made pieces for stars such as Natalie Portman. But the California-born sisters haven't stopped there. Over the past several years they have embarked on a number of side projects, including a short-film collaboration, and their latest endeavour is a collection of rugs for The Rug Company. Drawing on their experience of the west coast of the United States, the collection is in part influenced by northern California and Arizona's Death Valley. The Cobalt Motif rug - one of our favourites - is hand-knitted and made of Tibetan wool and silk.

Bil Arabi men's jewellery

When Nadine Kanso, the Dubai-based Lebanese-born photographer, artist and jewellery designer, launched Bil Arabi in 2006, she sought to combine her love for her mother tongue and its eye-pleasing fonts with her penchant for jewellery design. The brand has grown from her first handcrafted typography-inspired ring to include earrings, bangles and pendants - each creation imbibing the lyricism of calligraphy. This year, Kanso joined forces with the Lebanese designer Samer Al Ameen to launch Bil Arabi's first collection for men - a jewellery line in silver and stainless steel that consists of necklaces, bracelets, cufflinks and rings. The letters in each pattern take on a more linear and structured aesthetic, rendering them at once more modern and masculine. The pieces are innovative in their use of the Arabic alphabet and the contemporary shapes ensure they are wearable with western or national dress.

With input from Ashley Lane

pmunyal@thenational.ae

Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
War and the virus
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

The 12 breakaway clubs

England

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus

Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
UAE squad

Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.

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
US%20federal%20gun%20reform%20since%20Sandy%20Hook
%3Cp%3E-%20April%2017%2C%202013%3A%20A%20bipartisan-drafted%20bill%20to%20expand%20background%20checks%20and%20ban%20assault%20weapons%20fails%20in%20the%20Senate.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20July%202015%3A%20Bill%20to%20require%20background%20checks%20for%20all%20gun%20sales%20is%20introduced%20in%20House%20of%20Representatives.%20It%20is%20not%20brought%20to%20a%20vote.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20June%2012%2C%202016%3A%20Orlando%20shooting.%20Barack%20Obama%20calls%20on%20Congress%20to%20renew%20law%20prohibiting%20sale%20of%20assault-style%20weapons%20and%20high-capacity%20magazines.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20October%201%2C%202017%3A%20Las%20Vegas%20shooting.%20US%20lawmakers%20call%20for%20banning%20bump-fire%20stocks%2C%20and%20some%20renew%20call%20for%20assault%20weapons%20ban.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20February%2014%2C%202018%3A%20Seventeen%20pupils%20are%20killed%20and%2017%20are%20wounded%20during%20a%20mass%20shooting%20in%20Parkland%2C%20Florida.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20December%2018%2C%202018%3A%20Donald%20Trump%20announces%20a%20ban%20on%20bump-fire%20stocks.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20August%202019%3A%20US%20House%20passes%20law%20expanding%20background%20checks.%20It%20is%20not%20brought%20to%20a%20vote%20in%20the%20Senate.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20April%2011%2C%202022%3A%20Joe%20Biden%20announces%20measures%20to%20crack%20down%20on%20hard-to-trace%20'ghost%20guns'.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20May%2024%2C%202022%3A%20Nineteen%20children%20and%20two%20teachers%20are%20killed%20at%20an%20elementary%20school%20in%20Uvalde%2C%20Texas.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20June%2025%2C%202022%3A%20Joe%20Biden%20signs%20into%20law%20the%20first%20federal%20gun-control%20bill%20in%20decades.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE BIO

Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place

Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai

First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group

Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business

Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne

Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia

Family: Six sisters

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Friday (UAE kick-off times)

Cologne v Hoffenheim (11.30pm)

Saturday

Hertha Berlin v RB Leipzig (6.30pm)

Schalke v Fortuna Dusseldof (6.30pm)

Mainz v Union Berlin (6.30pm)

Paderborn v Augsburg (6.30pm)

Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund (9.30pm)

Sunday

Borussia Monchengladbach v Werder Bremen (4.30pm)

Wolfsburg v Bayer Leverkusen (6.30pm)

SC Freiburg v Eintracht Frankfurt (9on)

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5