Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been revealed as the newest investor in Whoop, one of many fitness trackers on the market.
Available for all budgets, commitment and health levels, here are some to check out.
Whoop
The minimalist fitness strap, which can be worn in various ways, counts Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, as one of its loyal users and now has the backing of Ronaldo too.
“It’s been one of the most important tools helping me elevate my game and monitor my health,” said Ronaldo, who joins other ambassadors including Olympian swimmer Michael Phelps and golfer Rory McIlroy.
The Whoop 4.0 is the company's fourth generation of the fitness tracker. Unlike other fitness trackers, Whoop has no screen and once worn it connects with a mobile app to record health insights, focusing on three main metrics: strain, recovery and sleep.
Sheikh Hamdan has been seen using Whoop during his workouts. The partnership with Ronaldo comes as Whoop makes its service available to more countries in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.
Annual subscription from Dh919 at whoop.com
Apple Watch Series 9
The best smartwatch for those who have an iPhone, Apple Watch is now on Series 9, which the company describes as its fastest yet thanks to its new chip set. It also has a longer battery life.
The device has a heart sensor and can measure blood oxygen levels. It can also gather sleep data, from how much time spent in the rapid eye movement stage to exactly when you have woken up.
For women, the watch can also help track the menstrual cycle and uses body temperature to provide a retrospective estimate of when a wearer is likely to have ovulated.
One of the most exciting new features is the double tap functionality, where a wearer can double tap his or her index finger and thumb together to answer a call, play and pause music and more. It also has access to a massive app library to complement built-in features.
From Dh1,599 on apple.com
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro
Perhaps the best budget tracker on the market, it does the job for those who want to take their fitness journey up a notch.
Considering how much it costs, the Chinese-made smartwatch packs some impressive specifications. Its heart rate sensor has been upgraded to compete with more expensive alternatives. It has blood oxygen monitoring too.
But its strength lies in its array of more than 150 sports modes, which makes it a good companion during workouts. It's especially ideal for runners who want to track their routines. Self-dubbed as “personal trainer on your wrist”, the watch can display an instructional animation of warm-up and cool-down techniques, activated by the lift of the wrist.
The slightly awkward pill-shape design of earlier models has also been ditched for a bigger and brighter screen. Xiaomi wearable devices are known for their stellar battery life, which is definitely a plus.
From Dh240 on noon.com
Garmin Vivomove Trend
For those prioritising style and design, this fitness tracker is a good choice. It looks like a classic watch with an analogue-style clock face. When the user interacts with the screen, the hands move away to show a full-dial display.
It provides the most basic health monitoring, from heart rate and blood oxygen sensors to features that track energy, stress and hydration levels. It also has a sleep monitoring feature.
It tracks steps, floors climbed, calories burnt and so on – while looking extra sleek and less like a out-of-place accessory.
Dh1,343 on garmin.ae
Polar Grit X
Some smartwatches look like they would not be able to stand the great outdoors – but not this one. It is specifically designed for advanced and laborious activities outside with its military-standard durability.
It provides a long battery life so users don't have to worry about it losing power in the middle of a hike, and weighs a mere 64 grams, making it one of the lighter heavy-duty watches on the market. Its GPS mechanism is top notch, according to many technology reviewers, and provides accurate monitoring of essential health stats, from heart rate to sleep.
One of its exciting features is its FuelWise functionality, which assists athletes with regular reminders for the ideal time to refuel (eat or drink) during a long training or event. Another is the automatic overnight recovery measurement which shows how ready users are for the day based on how well they slept.
Dh1,799 on polar.com
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
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Non-oil%20trade
%3Cp%3ENon-oil%20trade%20between%20the%20UAE%20and%20Japan%20grew%20by%2034%20per%20cent%20over%20the%20past%20two%20years%2C%20according%20to%20data%20from%20the%20Federal%20Competitiveness%20and%20Statistics%20Centre.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIn%2010%20years%2C%20it%20has%20reached%20a%20total%20of%20Dh524.4%20billion.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ECars%20topped%20the%20list%20of%20the%20top%20five%20commodities%20re-exported%20to%20Japan%20in%202022%2C%20with%20a%20value%20of%20Dh1.3%20billion.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EJewellery%20and%20ornaments%20amounted%20to%20Dh150%20million%20while%20precious%20metal%20scraps%20amounted%20to%20Dh105%20million.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERaw%20aluminium%20was%20ranked%20first%20among%20the%20top%20five%20commodities%20exported%20to%20Japan.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETop%20of%20the%20list%20of%20commodities%20imported%20from%20Japan%20in%202022%20was%20cars%2C%20with%20a%20value%20of%20Dh20.08%20billion.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India 1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps
THE BIO
Occupation: Specialised chief medical laboratory technologist
Age: 78
Favourite destination: Always Al Ain “Dar Al Zain”
Hobbies: his work - “ the thing which I am most passionate for and which occupied all my time in the morning and evening from 1963 to 2019”
Other hobbies: football
Favorite football club: Al Ain Sports Club
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Hani%20Abu%20Ghazaleh%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20with%20an%20office%20in%20Montreal%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%202018%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Virtual%20Reality%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%241.2%20million%2C%20and%20nearing%20close%20of%20%245%20million%20new%20funding%20round%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Leading all-time NBA scorers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387
Karl Malone 36,928
Kobe Bryant 33,643
Michael Jordan 32,292
LeBron James 31,425
Wilt Chamberlain 31,419
'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press
