It's our favourite time of year... not just because the weather's getting better but because Dubai's homeware stores are starting to unveil their Autumn/Winter collections. There's no better time to go shopping for a little something for your home, and since Dubai Mall has just announced that it'll be open 24-hours a day for the three weekends between October 18 and November 4, you'll have plenty of time to browse.
The One's latest collection offers a take on the ever-popular 'Long Island' style, so expect a calm, collected colour palette, lots of raw woods, natural fabrics and luxe leathers. The collection offers a contemporary colonial feel, with northern European, rustic and vintage influences.
The One's Maldives side table forms part of the new Long Island-inspired Autumn/Winter collection, which is characterised by raw woods and a muted colour palette.
The collection also features vintage-style elements like this Homange to Normandie poster, a tribute to one of history's best-known cruise liners.
The natural-looking Holi stool is another highlight of the new collection.
Indigo Living has also just unveiled its latest range, which includes the newly extended Eva Collection, designed exclusively for Indigo by Italian designer Stefano Tordiglione. Earthy tones and hints of nostalgia are key features of the new collection, which includes Ash wood dining tables, mirrors, veneer cabinets, dining chairs and bookshelves. Prices start at Dh1,190.
"The shapes are simple with a touch of retro from my childhood in Napoli, Italy. The lines of the chairs originate from my childhood memories of my favourite chair - comfortable, small but solid. The delicate dining table with its solid top and curved underside are influenced by the luxury Italian Riva speed boats from the 50's and 60's. Like the boats, the range is handmade from the top quality materials," says Tordiglione.
Also new in Indigo stores is the Canapé Collection, which includes high-quality leather sofas, wingback chairs and stools. There's also a whole new range of lighting options and winter textiles to choose from.
Indigo Living's Autumn/Winter collection includes a range of leather seating options from the Canape collection, as well as new lighting options and accessories.
Indigo Living has new cushion covers on offer, including handmade linen and cotton blend cushion covers, hand embroidered chain-stiched diamond patterns and 100% silk cushions with hand stitched silver onyx beads. Prices start at Dh159.
Honeymoonish
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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
Bullet%20Train
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The specs: Volvo XC40
Price: base / as tested: Dh185,000
Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 250hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.4L / 100km
My Country: A Syrian Memoir
Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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
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