1. Old-school Scandinavian
Muuto's Nerd chair is available now from D. Tales. We love the clean lines and fabulous colour options, which include turquoise, black, grey, green, red, yellow, rose and natural oak. Nerd was created by David Geckeler, who wanted to make a chair that was unique but still referenced traditional Scandinavian design values. Job well done, we say.
Dh2,142, D. Tales, DIFC and www.design-tales.com
2. Natural scents
Herbal Home Boutique's new spring collection features a wide range of home and body products that can't be found anywhere else in the UAE. The company sells everything from towels, delicately fragranced drawer liners and clothes hangers, to the region's most extensive collection of natural handmade soaps. It also prides itself on using essential oils and plant extracts that don't contain any harmful chemicals.
Heathcote & Ivory Freesia and Wild Strawberry Drawer Liners, Dh60, Herbal Home Boutique, Dubai Marina Mall and Dubai Festival City
3. Shell shocked
Edwina Cooper designs and makes all her hand-painted cushions herself, in her studio on the Isle of Wight, UK. Each piece is created by applying special fabric paints onto a calico panel that is then heat-fixed onto the cushion. For the Shell collection, Cooper transferred her own stunningly simple watercolour paintings onto cushion covers.
Neptune Shell cushion, Dh280, www. edwinacooperdesigns.co.uk
4. Fun in the sun
The One's spring collection is decidedly feminine, blending nude hues with accents of blue, purple, copper and gold. This old-school image of women sunning themselves among the sand dunes is one of our favourite pieces.
Price on request, The One stores nationwide
5. Everybody say 'Aaah'
There's never been a more appropriately named collection than Aaah by the Dutch designer Frank Willems. The adorable series of vases includes from left to right, Cracked, Deer and Yeah. Each has its own unique personality, but is happy to be spruced up with a few strategically-placed flowers.
Aaah collection, price on request, S*uce Gifts, Al Wasl Square, Dubai
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Rocketman
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, Jamie Bell
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
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Scoreline
Man Utd 2 Pogba 27', Martial 49'
Everton 1 Sigurdsson 77'
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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More on animal trafficking
The biog
Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.
Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.
Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.
Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
Favourite food: Dim sum
Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
