Priyanka Chopra
Actor Priyanka Chopra has invested in luxury fashion and sportswear brand Perfect Moment, the company has said.
She made the investment with her husband, musician and entrepreneur Nick Jonas, in a move that will support the French ski and surfwear brand as it expands its global footprint into new markets in the Middle East and Asia, as well as strengthen its presence in the UK and US.
They will also star in advertising campaigns for Perfect Moment and design capsule collections, Fast Company magazine reported.
“Not having to choose between looking amazing and performing at their highest level is a consumer need that Perfect Moment not only understands, but one that is baked into the ethos of this brand,” Chopra said.
“I am proud to be a strategic investor and adviser to such a bold and trendsetting company. We are looking forward to a bright future.”
The couple will help to elevate the brand, said Perfect Moment chief executive Negin Yeganegy.
“Not only do they live and breathe the brand, but their proven track record of successful business endeavours makes them ideal partners,” she said.
The value of the couple’s investment was not made public.
Since their wedding in 2018, the Jonases have made a number of joint investments, primarily in private equity and property.
In February, the couple joined Camila Cabello, Joe Jonas, Kevin Jonas, Mindy Kaling and several other investors in a $30 million series B funding round for alternative beverage brand Olipop.
Last year, they participated in a $35m bridge funding round for HumanCo, a producer of healthy, gluten-free, dairy-free and organic foods.
The Jonases also own a $20m, seven-bedroom home in Encino, California.
Their joint net worth has been estimated at $98m by GQ India magazine.
Besides a career as one of the highest-paid actors in India, Chopra, 39, has endorsed several household name brands, including Max Factor, Pantene and Pepsi.
She produces movies in both Hollywood and Bollywood, and owns a restaurant, Sona, a line of vegan haircare products and a homeware collection.
Demi Moore
Hollywood A-lister Demi Moore has repeatedly broken the mould for how women are expected to behave. Most notable was her iconic 1991 cover for Vanity Fair magazine.
Last year, she joined her daughters in a family campaign for inclusive swimwear brand Andie. Now, she’s extending that collaboration as a swimwear designer.
Demi Moore x Andie, a 10-piece collection of vintage-inspired swimsuits, went on sale in the brand’s online and offline stores earlier this month and ranges from $75 to $155 in price.
The mother of three was an early investor in the swimsuit brand after contributing seed funding to the start-up in 2018, according to investor information platform Crunchbase.
“Working directly with the Andie team to create meaningful swim pieces influenced by my penchant for vintage fashion, while keeping in mind women at every stage of their lives, was an inspiring and fulfilling experience,” she said.
Moore, 59, took part in every step of the design process, from sketches to fabric selection and finalising the end product, said Michelle Copelman, vice president of brand and design at Andie.
“We are so excited to partner with such an influential fashion icon on this very special collection and can’t wait to share it with women everywhere,” she said.
In December, Andie raised $18.5m in a series B funding round led by Marcy Venture Partners. The company says it has sold more than a million swimsuits since its launch five years ago.
Moore has a net worth of $200m, according to wealth tracking website Celebrity Net Worth.
The Golden Globe-nominated star was one of the highest-paid female actors in the 1990s. At the peak of her career, she is estimated to have earned about $60m in base salaries for movies such as Ghost with Patrick Swayze and A Few Good Men, starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.
Moore’s net worth has been boosted by divorce settlements from two of Hollywood’s richest men. She received a reported $90m after her 1998 divorce from Bruce Willis and a “generous settlement” from Ashton Kutcher in 2013, according to the New York Post.
She is also a film producer, most notably for all three Austin Powers movies. Her 2019 memoir, Inside Out, is a New York Times bestseller.
Moore’s private equity portfolio includes investments in US e-commerce retailer Thrive Market and All Market, which owns coconut water brand Vita Coco.
Griffin Johnson
Comedian and TikTok vlogger Griffin Johnson has joined men's skincare brand Disco as an investor, adviser and brand ambassador.
The brand focuses on clean skincare and tailors its products to male-specific skin issues. It hopes the association with Johnson will shift the mindset around self-care for men, Disco said.
In 2021, the brand closed a $5m seed round led by Midnight Venture Partners.
“Disco is a skincare brand that makes incredibly high quality and natural skincare products specifically for men. Their products have transformed my skin, confidence and mindset,” Johnson said in an Instagram post.
Their products have transformed my skin, confidence and mindset
Griffin Johnson,
comedian and vlogger
The Illinois-born social media personality will channel that message to his 20 million fans across social media. As of last week, Johnson — a founding member of Sway House, a group of TikTok's biggest stars — had 10.3 million followers on the platform.
Johnson, 23, partnered with fellow social media stars Josh Richards and Noah Beck to launch a $15m venture capital fund in April 2021.
The fund, Animal Capital, focuses on connecting start-ups with Generation Z consumers. Among its advisers are US internet entrepreneur Justin Kan and former Olympic rowers and investors Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.
Animal Capital has invested in music platform Breakr, sugar-free coffee brand Super Coffee and banking app Step.
Johnson has a net worth of $2m, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
He has joined at least 13 other seed and venture rounds so far, according to Crunchbase. Among them are soft drink brand Poppi, learning support services company Parallel Learning, and additive manufacturer AON3D.
Pete Davidson
Comedian and actor Pete Davidson, who is dating Kim Kardashian, is the “new face, among other parts” of men’s grooming brand Manscaped. Under the four-year deal, Davidson will join the San Diego, California, company as a brand partner and shareholder.
A promotional video was released on July 11 to mark the partnership. Within three days, YouTube viewership was hovering just above the 1 million mark.
Davidson, 28, was named one of Time magazine’s most influential people of 2022 earlier this year.
He has a net worth of $8m, according to Celebrity Net Worth. As a main cast member of Saturday Night Live, he earned $15,000 an episode until his departure in May. He has been involved in several movies, including The Angry Birds Movie 2, Marmaduke and The Dirt.
He owns a home in Staten Island, New York, which he purchased in 2020 for $1.2m. It is a few blocks from the $1.3m home he bought his mother in 2016.
Davidson is one of several celebrity investors in Manhattan’s Pebble Bar, a converted 19th-century town house. Other investors include music producer Mark Ronson and actors Justin Theroux and Jason Sudeikis, according to media reports.
RESULT
Everton 2 Huddersfield Town 0
Everton: Sigurdsson (47'), Calvert-Lewin (73')
Man of the Match: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
John%20Wick%3A%20Chapter%204
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chad%20Stahelski%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Keanu%20Reeves%2C%20Laurence%20Fishburne%2C%20George%20Georgiou%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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
HOW TO WATCH
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
MATCH INFO
England 2
Cahill (3'), Kane (39')
Nigeria 1
Iwobi (47')
Details
Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
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
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Brief scoreline:
Tottenham 1
Son 78'
Manchester City 0
Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder
Started: October 2021
Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: technology, logistics
Investors: A15 and self-funded
Racecard
5.25pm: Etihad Museum – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m
6pm: Al Shindaga Museum – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (Dirt) 1,200m
6.35pm: Poet Al Oqaili – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m
7.10pm: Majlis Ghurfat Al Sheif – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m
7.45pm: Hatta – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m
8.20pm: Al Fahidi – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m
8.55pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m
9.30pm: Coins Museum – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
10.05pm: Al Quoz Creative – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
Brief scores:
Everton 0
Leicester City 1
Vardy 58'
BIOSAFETY LABS SECURITY LEVELS
Biosafety Level 1
The lowest safety level. These labs work with viruses that are minimal risk to humans.
Hand washing is required on entry and exit and potentially infectious material decontaminated with bleach before thrown away.
Must have a lock. Access limited. Lab does not need to be isolated from other buildings.
Used as teaching spaces.
Study microorganisms such as Staphylococcus which causes food poisoning.
Biosafety Level 2
These labs deal with pathogens that can be harmful to people and the environment such as Hepatitis, HIV and salmonella.
Working in Level 2 requires special training in handling pathogenic agents.
Extra safety and security precautions are taken in addition to those at Level 1
Biosafety Level 3
These labs contain material that can be lethal if inhaled. This includes SARS coronavirus, MERS, and yellow fever.
Significant extra precautions are taken with staff given specific immunisations when dealing with certain diseases.
Infectious material is examined in a biological safety cabinet.
Personnel must wear protective gowns that must be discarded or decontaminated after use.
Strict safety and handling procedures are in place. There must be double entrances to the building and they must contain self-closing doors to reduce risk of pathogen aerosols escaping.
Windows must be sealed. Air from must be filtered before it can be recirculated.
Biosafety Level 4
The highest level for biosafety precautions. Scientist work with highly dangerous diseases that have no vaccine or cure.
All material must be decontaminated.
Personnel must wear a positive pressure suit for protection. On leaving the lab this must pass through decontamination shower before they have a personal shower.
Entry is severely restricted to trained and authorised personnel. All entries are recorded.
Entrance must be via airlocks.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
