The UAE summer continues with plenty of activities for children and adults alike – from camps and concerts to foodie experiences. Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates, from July 8 to 14.
Monday, July 8
For parents looking for ways to keep children engaged this season, Circuit X on Abu Dhabi's sports hub Hudayriyat Island is organising the Island Adventures Summer Camp. An array of outdoor activities are on the cards, from kayaking, swimming and other beach activities to climbing, baking and skating. Indoor activities include team-building games and science experiments.
The camp is best suited to children who are active and adventurous. Water, snacks and lunch will be provided.
July 8 to August 23; 8.30am-2pm; from Dh210 for a day pass; Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi; circuitxuae.com
Tuesday, July 9
Restock your bathroom with recently launched handcrafted olive-oil-infused soaps from Cypher Urban Roastery, made from ingredients sourced directly from Palestinian artisans and priced at Dh35 apiece.
One variant combines the richness of extra-virgin Palestinian olive oil with refreshing cold brew coffee. Both ingredients are believed to cleanse and moisturise the skin. Or sample the olive oil with skin-stimulating cardamom and soothing rose.
Delivery across the UAE; bycypher.com
Wednesday, July 10
Take the children, or the young at heart, to Forsan Central Mall, which recently opened popular adventure venue Bounce.
The 3,500-square-metre park includes more than 25 activities designed for safely jumping, flipping and flying. The venue is also home to a new concept called Drop Zone, which is an area featuring nine slides including a 6.5-metre platform. There's also the X-Run, a 36-metre obstacle course as well as a minibounce area dedicated to little jumpers, plus Bounce Cafe for refreshments.
Open Sunday to Thursday, 10am-10pm and Friday to Saturday, 10am-midnight; from Dh80; Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi; bounce.ae
Thursday, July 11
Female thrill-seekers can check out Clymb Abu Dhabi, which is launching the return of its Ladies Night sale. Taking place on select Thursdays over the summer, the package comes with an indoor flying experience complete with an all-female staff for those wanting extra privacy.
Flyers who want to capture themselves with packaged photos and videos will pay an additional fee of Dh40.
Select Thursdays; Dh235 per person; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; tickets.clymbabudhabi.com
Friday, July 12
Head to Dubai World Trade Centre as two regional artists take to the stage as part of the Beat the Heat series by Dubai Summer Surprises.
The evening kicks off with Jordanian singer-songwriter and social media sensation Siilawy, who is known for his soulful vocals. Following this is a performance by Egyptian rapper, producer and EDM trap artist Marwan Moussa, who was named Best African Rapper at the All Africa Music Awards.
July 12; doors open 5.30pm; from Dh131; Dubai World Trade Centre; dubai.platinumlist.net
Saturday, July 13
Fitness buffs can check out Veo Fitness by Emaar Hospitality Group, at The Lakes. Free day passes are on offer until September, with activities such as yoga, belly dancing and sound healing on the cards.
The venue also feature tennis and padel courts, as well as a swimming pool. Quarterly, half-yearly and annual memberships are available, along with class packages and personal training programmes.
The free day pass must be booked 24 hours prior. Veo Fitness is soon to open new locations at Downtown Dubai and Meadows Town Centre.
Free day pass until September 1; The Lakes, Dubai; veofitness.com
Sunday, July 14
Sushi lovers can head to Japanese spot Sumosan in Dubai Edition Hotel for its newly launched Sushi Sundays.
On the menu are an array of raw maki rolls, including albermale, which is made of salmon, avocado, tempura and flakes; buba with sea bass, truffle jalapeno and tempura flakes; as well as spicy hamachi with crunchy quinoa.
Diners can also opt for cooked maki rolls, such as the signature Dubai roll made with torched salmon, prawn tempura, asparagus, and house dukkah and prawn tempura roll. Vegetarians can sample Japanese mushrooms, asparagus with spicy teriyaki roll and guacamole made of creamy avocado, sun dried tomatoes and crunchy quinoa.
Sundays; 3pm-6pm; Dh199 per person; Downtown Dubai; 056 169 6901
About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
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
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
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Thalassaemia is part of a family of genetic conditions affecting the blood known as haemoglobin disorders.
Haemoglobin is a substance in the red blood cells that carries oxygen and a lack of it triggers anemia, leaving patients very weak, short of breath and pale.
The most severe type of the condition is typically inherited when both parents are carriers. Those patients often require regular blood transfusions - about 450 of the UAE's 2,000 thalassaemia patients - though frequent transfusions can lead to too much iron in the body and heart and liver problems.
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“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
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