Self care comes in myriad forms. It could mean a clean, tidy home that you can retreat to, or a bathroom that doubles as a spa, courtesy of Kohler's Stillness Bath, which is inspired by Japanese forest bathing.
It could be the peace of mind that comes with knowing your indoor air quality is not causing any health issues, or it could be a few minutes spent each day using Foreo's facial toning devices.
Here are five pieces of tech that could help you reach your self-care goals.
Wave Plus
We spend 90 per cent of our time indoors, where the quality of the air is often two to five times worse than it is outdoors, according to Airthings. In response, the company has launched a series of devices designed to monitor indoor air quality, and alert users if anything is awry.
The award-winning Wave Plus has six sensors, which measure radon, CO2, VOCs, humidity, temperature and air pressure. Waving your hand in front of the device will prompt it to give you a visual indication of overall indoor air quality – it will light up green, orange or red, depending on its assessment.
A companion app allows full visibility into your short and long-term indoor air quality levels, and allows you to view, compare and export data, as well as receive tips to reduce hazards, optimise ventilation and save on energy costs.
Wave Plus, $229, www.airthings.com
Kohler Stillness Bath
Kohler’s efforts to transform our bathrooms into spa-like havens continue with the brand’s new Stillness Bath. Inspired by Japanese forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, the bath combines water, steam, lighting and aroma for the ultimate at-home indulgence.
Designed to “relax the mind, soothe the body, and renew the spirit”, while transforming the bathing ritual into an exercise in mindfulness, the bath fills from the bottom, before overflowing into a wooden moat to create a soothing sound.
The bath is surrounded by full-spectrum lighting to set the mood and enable its users to engage in a spot of chromatherapy.
Finally, fog envelops the surface of the bath to create a fully immersive experience, which can be enhanced with the addition of aromatherapy oils.
Stillness bath, launching later this year, www.me.kohler.com
CordZeroThinQ A9 Kompressor
Vacuum cleaners have come a long way from the bulky eyesores of yore, as LG’s latest cordless stick vacuum, the LG CordZeroThinQ A9 Kompressor, proves.
The new upgraded model is suitable for all types of floors and comes with a new sleek charging station that automatically cleans out and recharges the vacuum after every use.
The CordZeroThinQ A9 Kompressor+ comes with six accessories and nozzles, including the 2-in-1 Combination Tool, the Crevice Tool and the Pet Nozzle, which can all be stored within the vacuum’s multi-functional stand.
Other attachments include the Power Carpet Nozzle, which removes dust from carpets using powerful suction; as well as the Power Mop attachment, which promises spotless hard floors.
One-touch controls, two quick-change battery packs and removable washable filters also enhance this machine’s ease-of-use and effectiveness.
Launch date yet to be revealed, www.lg.com
Trova Home
If you need to keep personal or private belongings somewhere safe – shielded from the prying eyes of children or the jaws of your rambunctious puppy, for example – Trova has you covered. The company offers beautifully designed and discreet storage devices: Trova Go is small enough to fit in your pocket or hand bag, while Trova Home is a biometric smart home safe that doubles as a striking interior design feature.
Measuring 36.8 centimetres x 19cm x 10.8cm and made from lightweight aluminium alloy, Trova Home can be bolted down to any surface, has a humidity sensor, and can be accessed using a “tap to open” feature on your phone.
The device, which comes in sandstone and charcoal versions, is wirelessly connected via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and accessible through biometric scanning – it pairs with an app on your phone, where you input a thumb print, retina scan or pin code to access the device. It also has a smart notification feature, alerting you if the device has been disconnected or left open; or if it has been moved or used by someone else.
$549, launching in July, www.trovaofficial.com
Foreo Bear
Cementing its position as a leader in futuristic skincare solutions, Swedish brand Foreo has unveiled the Bear and Bear Mini. The two facial toning devices are part of what Foreo claims is a completely new category: facial fitness.
They use a combination of microcurrent and T-sonic pulsation technology to tighten and firm more than 69 muscles in the face and neck – the microcurrents tone the skin, while Foreo’s signature T-sonic pulsations relax facial muscle tension points, smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The devices have five intensity levels, which can be adjusted via Foreo’s For You app. An Anti-Shock System, featuring technology patented by Foreo, adapts the treatment to the skin, protecting it from uncomfortable discharges.
Bear comes in a peppy shade of fuchsia, while Bear Mini is available in pearl pink and lavender.
Bear, Dh1,350, Sephora stores across the UAE and online; Bear Mini, Dh900, online only; www.sephora.ae
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
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Sly%20Cooper%20and%20the%20Thievius%20Raccoonus
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sucker%20Punch%20Productions%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sony%20Computer%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%202%20to%205%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $36,000 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: RB Money To Burn, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Turf) 2,410m, Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Meydan Trophy – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (T) 1,900m, Winner: Secret Protector, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 - Group 2 (TB) $293,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
8.50pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m, Winner: Motafaawit, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nag%20Ashwin%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrabhas%2C%20Saswata%20Chatterjee%2C%20Deepika%20Padukone%2C%20Amitabh%20Bachchan%2C%20Shobhana%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic
John Zubrzycki, Hurst Publishers
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.
