Vimto
This is the beverage of choice during Ramadan. It was introduced to the Middle East in 1928 and quickly became the go-to drink for breaking the fast during the holy month. Vimto, made with a secret recipe of mixed red berries, is sold as a cordial in a glass bottle and as a carbonated soft drink in a can. Though it originated in England in 1908, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are continually the top markets for Vimto sales each year. Emirati Alamira Noor Bani Hashim, co-owner of No.FiftySeven Boutique Cafe in Abu Dhabi, says: “Vimto is my favourite drink during Ramadan. I love its sweetness and since I don’t eat dates, I have Vimto.”
Tang
Vimto’s biggest competition: Tang. This US-made orange powdered fruit juice is especially sought after during Ramadan and is a favourite drink for mums to serve. Tang’s television ad campaign this Ramadan is called “Waiting for the Iftar Moment” and is targeted to mums who serve it up to their little ones during Ramadan. It is, indeed, a drink loved by kids. Laila Rihawi, public relations manager at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, says: “I don’t drink Tang as much now. But I associate it with my summers spent with family in Syria. It was always the drink served when we entertained guests – and in the different flavours for variety of course.”
Jallab
This Ramadan favourite is made with carob, dates, grape molasses and rose water, then topped with pine nuts and raisins. Served in a glass with crushed ice, it’s one of the region’s most popular drinks during the holy month. Iftar hosts can easily make their own jallab with store-bought jallab syrup, water, pine nuts and raisins. You’ll find the drink at nearly every iftar offering in restaurants around the country. The National’s Saeed Saeed, senior editor for Arts&Life, says: “It leaves a really nice aroma in your mouth after each sip. It’s almost like it gives your mouth a burst of perfume. It’s perfume for your mouth.”
Laban
This is a popular drink throughout the year and a must-have beverage on all iftar tables. This refreshing yogurt drink is packed with vitamin C, calcium and good bacteria. It also helps the body stay cool in the sweltering summer months. Emirati Buthaina Al Marzui, co-owner of No.FiftySeven Boutique Cafe in Abu Dhabi, says, “I would usually have laban late at night, during Suhoor. I don’t drink it, rather we soak it in Rgag (Arabic bread) and eat it this way.” Laila Rihawi, public relations manager at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, says, “I love laban, especially with a bit of mint and a pinch of salt. It’s very cool and refreshing.”
Karkadeh
Karkadeh is hibiscus tea (also known as roselle) and it elicits heart-warming memories for many during Ramadan. It can be served hot or cold, though cold karkadeh is preferred with an iftar meal. Bonus: hibiscus flowers contain anthocyanins, compounds believed to lower blood pressure. Emirati baker Bader Najeeb Al Awadhi says: “It’s a great drink. My grandmother picks the flowers from her garden and turns it into a natural and refreshing red drink full of vitamins.”
Qamar el-deen
You’ll find this popular Ramadan beverage on iftar tables around the region. It’s made with sheets of apricot paste that have been soaked in water for hours (often overnight). It can also be made with rolled apricot fruit leather, cut into small pieces and soaked in water. This sweet drink, served chilled, is loaded with nutrients. Apricots are rich in antioxidants and provide a healthy dose of vitamins A and C, potassium and fibre. Emirati Buthaina Al Marzui, co-owner of No.FiftySeven Boutique Cafe in Abu Dhabi, says: “Qamar el-deen is a drink that reminds me of my mother. She’s forever convincing the whole family to have some during iftar. During iftar, we have pitchers of orange juice, qamar el-deen, Vimto and laban.”
Tamar Hindi
This sweet-and-sour chilled drink is made with tamarind and is a popular beverage during Ramadan. You’ll find it at most iftars at restaurants around the country. The taste is a Ramadan favourite. Laila Rihawi, public relations manager at The St Regis Abu Dhabi, says: “My aunt and uncle here in Abu Dhabi always have it on the table. It’s just another one of those beverages that you have to have around during Ramadan.”
Mango, almond and honey smoothie
Ingredients
1 mango
400ml skim milk
½ cup low-fat natural yogurt
2 Tbsp almond flour
1 Tbsp Manuka honey
Ice cubes
Method
Peel and chop mango and place in a blender with skim milk, yoghurt, almond flour, honey and a few ice cubes.
Blend until smooth. Divide between 2 glasses.
• Recipe provided by The Coffee Club, from James Bradbury, the global culinary director at Minor Food Group. The Coffee Club has three locations in the UAE: Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and Al Wasl Vita Mall in Dubai.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
Company profile: buybackbazaar.com
Name: buybackbazaar.com
Started: January 2018
Founder(s): Pishu Ganglani and Ricky Husaini
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech, micro finance
Initial investment: $1 million
Stamp duty timeline
December 2014: Former UK finance minister George Osbourne reforms stamp duty, replacing the slab system with a blended rate scheme, with the top rate increasing to 12 per cent from 10 per cent:
Up to £125,000 - 0%; £125,000 to £250,000 – 2%; £250,000 to £925,000 – 5%; £925,000 to £1.5m: 10%; Over £1.5m – 12%
April 2016: New 3% surcharge applied to any buy-to-let properties or additional homes purchased.
July 2020: Rishi Sunak unveils SDLT holiday, with no tax to pay on the first £500,000, with buyers saving up to £15,000.
March 2021: Mr Sunak decides the fate of SDLT holiday at his March 3 budget, with expectations he will extend the perk unti June.
April 2021: 2% SDLT surcharge added to property transactions made by overseas buyers.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp
Torque: 240Nm
Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)
On sale: Now
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
