Hafsa Lodi
Protect and nourish your skin with our top picks from the latest summer beauty launches to hit the UAE.
Shiffa Healing Balm
15 different plants with healing properties combine to create the secret blend of this multi-use balm. Shea butter, jojoba, lavender and rosemary are just some of the many ingredients that work to rejuvenate the face. The rich serum is hardened into a creamy, grainy texture, which can be applied on pimples, acne scars, dry skin and areas of eczema and rosacea. It can also help heal burnt or wounded skin, and can be used as an evening serum to keep the skin hydrated overnight. Use the balm as a primer, between applying your moisturiser and your foundation, to protect your skin and to give it a fresh, dewy look.
Dh390, Courtesy of Shiffa
Elemis Smart Cleanse Micellar Water
Micellar water is the new face cleanser in the beauty world — it removes impurities from the skin, without stripping it of its natural oil. This particular product is the 10th cleanser to come out of the Elemis range, and is infused with organic English rose water and anti-oxidant rich camomile. The formula’s cleansing micelles contain natural surfactants from Apple amino acids, Rosehip seed oil and Indian soapnut. It’s gentle and non-abrasive, and clears up make-up and pollutants from the skin’s surface. Squirt a little bit of the liquid onto a cotton pad, and use circular motions to rub your face with it. Unlike other cleansers, this one is strong and effective, and doesn’t require multiple wipes of the same area, nor will it leave your skin red or irritated after use.
Dh203, Courtesy of Elemis
Sephora Instant Moisture + Cream
The key ingredient in Sephora’s latest range of moisturisers is hyaluronic acid, which helps to retain water in the skin. When applied to the face regularly, the skin will start producing more hyaluronic acid, which then smoothens and brightens the complexion. Use this cream as a daily morning moisturiser. It’s lightweight, non-greasy and serves as a great base before you begin priming your skin and applying your make-up. You can also apply it to other areas of your body that suffer from dry skin.
Dh89, Courtesy of Sephora
Shiseido Suncare Expert Sun Protection Lotion for Sensitive Skin & Kids SPF 50
Always use trusted names in skincare when shopping for your summer beauty essentials, even when you’re deciding which brand’s sunscreen to pick up. This particular lotion from Japanese skincare brand Shiseido is multifunctional — you can apply it on your young ones, as well as on your face, even if you have sensitive skin. The cream isn’t greasy or smelly, and it rubs in quickly, without leaving a white residue that many suncare products tend to have. Plus, its handbag-friendly travel-size is ideal for a weekend getaway.
Dh184, Courtesy of Shiseido
Oleva + Total Solution Bio-Celluose Eye Mask
Between facing the sun’s harsh rays and the bright screens of our laptops and other devices, our eyes go through a lot. That, combined with the general lack of sleep the average working person suffers from, takes a toll on the skin around our eyes, often leaving them dry and with visible bags. A 15-minute session of this eye mask will leave the eye area refreshed and revitalised. The brand produces a range of masks targeting other areas like lips — use the summer months try out the different types of masks available.
Dh37, Courtesy of Oleva +
Clarins Daily Energizer Lovely Lip Balm
Summertime glamour calls for lipcare that stands out from your run-of-the-mill lip salve. This variation just launched by Clarins, not only hydrates and conditions your lips, but it adds a rosy pop of pigment too — the brand likes to refer to it as a “bitten lip look”. One application uplifts the look of your lips, giving them a plump-but-natural appearance. The sweet peach flavour is an added bonus.
Dh75, Courtesy of Clarins
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
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LIGUE 1 FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Nice v Angers (9pm)
Lille v Monaco (10.45pm)
Saturday
Montpellier v Paris Saint-Germain (7pm)
Bordeaux v Guingamp (10pm)
Caen v Amiens (10pm)
Lyon v Dijon (10pm)
Metz v Troyes (10pm)
Sunday
Saint-Etienne v Rennes (5pm)
Strasbourg v Nantes (7pm)
Marseille v Toulouse (11pm)
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Asian Cup 2019
Quarter-final
UAE v Australia, Friday, 8pm, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
SQUADS
UAE
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice-captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan
Nepal
Paras Khadka (captain), Gyanendra Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Pradeep Airee, Binod Bhandari, Avinash Bohara, Sundeep Jora, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Rohit Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Basant Regmi, Pawan Sarraf, Bhim Sharki, Aarif Sheikh
'The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure'
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, Penguin Randomhouse
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets