1 Bright spark
Villeroy & Boch's new Anmut Bloom collection is bursting with vitality. Brightly coloured florals, graphics and geometrics jump off the premier-quality bone porcelain mugs, cups, jugs, plates and platters. If these don't brighten up your day, nothing will.
Price available on request, Sara General Trading Est, Dubai
2 Like for like
Peas in a Pod is the brainchild of the Dubai-based designers Ness Ashford and Rachael Sinclair, who have created a small but lovely collection of contemporary art. Their pieces are colourful, humorous and brimming with local references. There are crabs, dragonflies and heart-shaped Union Jacks, all lined up in orderly rows, but the camels steal the show. There are the colourful ones that represent Dubai's diversity, as well as black and white ones set against Arabic text. There's always one camel heading off in the opposite direction to the rest - a reminder of the UAE's transience and all the people we say goodbye to along the way.
Dh285 for the small size (25cm x 25cm), www.peasinapod.ae. Custom-made pieces also available.
3 Cool customer
Dyson's bladeless fans are guaranteed to keep you cool this summer, and look great to boot. The Dyson Air Multiplier range replaces the blades of traditional fans with a state-of-the-art system that creates and amplifies a steady jet of air in a process known as inducement and entrainment. What's more, they are safe for the entire family, easy to clean and come in three different models.
Dyson AM01 Desk fan, Dh1,199 for the 10-inch model, available from Dyson retailers nationwide
4 Sitting pretty
Designers Guild has launched five new fabulous seating options. Harper is a contemporary interpretation of the classic wing chair with an elegant high-buttoned back; Flute has a sculptural form and unique scallop shape; Stitch and Button are innovative takes on the chesterfield sofa; and Ellipse is inspired by vintage Scandinavian design, with a gently sloping back. The only issue is choosing between them.
Button, Dh27,200 to Dh40,000, Designers Guild, Villa 1106, Al Wasl Road, Dubai
5 Imagine that
Alice and her Wonderland are the inspiration behind the latest collection from @home. References to an outlandish, vintage-style tea party come in the form of cake stands, tea sets, pretty platinum trims, ditsy dots and florals. A sugary palette of soft pastels, pinks and plums is complemented by girly ruffles, ribbons, tassels and trims. We love the photo frames, mirrors and clocks with distressed and antique metal finishes.
The Imagination Collection is now available in @home stores nationwide
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
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
FIXTURES (all times UAE)
Sunday
Brescia v Lazio (3.30pm)
SPAL v Verona (6pm)
Genoa v Sassuolo (9pm)
AS Roma v Torino (11.45pm)
Monday
Bologna v Fiorentina (3.30pm)
AC Milan v Sampdoria (6pm)
Juventus v Cagliari (6pm)
Atalanta v Parma (6pm)
Lecce v Udinese (9pm)
Napoli v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
FINAL RESULT
Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries: Gormley, Penalty
cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries: O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons: Caldwell 2
Pens: Caldwell, Cross
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
