Another month, another batch of shiny new gadgets worth casting your eyes on, from a no-heat hair straightener to AI-assisted earbuds.
Rimowa X La Marzocco Linea Mini Espresso Machine
German suitcase company Rimowa has partnered with La Marzocco to create a limited-edition espresso machine. The collaboration integrates the famed aluminium grooves from Rimowa’s travel cases on to the sides of La Marzocco’s Linea Mini.
Built in Florence, each machine undergoes 40 hours of craftsmanship and has features such as a custom hot-water tap, aluminium knobs adorned with Rimowa’s monograms and a special co-branded plaque commemorating the partnership.
The Rimowa x La Marzocco Linea Mini Espresso Machine made its debut at Caffè Rimowa, a pop-up event at Milan’s Salone del Mobile, and is available for pre-order now.
Price on request, www.rimowa.com
Dyson Airstrait Straightener
With its Airwrap and Supersonic technology, Dyson revolutionised hair dryers and curlers. It has now launched Dyson Airstrait straightener, which it says uses hot air to give desired results. The wet-to-dry tool promises straight hair in just a few passes, potentially cutting haircare routines in half.
Having established a high standard with the Airwrap, Dyson finds itself under pressure with the Airstrait to maintain the reputation of its versatile multi-styler. This expectation is especially crucial considering the hype surrounding Dyson’s Corrale, which ended up being more of a conventional rather than an innovative straightener.
The Airstrait’s 45-degree airflow blade dries and straightens hair simultaneously. Besides wet styling, it also features a dry-styling mode and a cool setting.
$499.99, www.dyson.com
Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (A)
London technology company Nothing is expanding its earbud line-up with the assistance of ChatGPT. The two new wireless earbuds, Ear and Ear (a), are said to combine cutting-edge technology with a user-friendly design.
The Nothing Ear earbuds come in black, white and yellow, with design elements that maintain Nothing’s signature transparent casing. Custom 11mm dynamic drivers and airflow vents are said to ensure in-ear comfort. Additionally, the product offers noise-cancellation technology and up to 40.5 hours of battery life.
Meanwhile, the Ear (a) model is designed for casual music lovers, offering technology that is said to satisfy everyday audio needs and up to 42.5 hours of listening time. By integrating ChatGPT into its products, Nothing aims to provide users with instant access to information via its own OS user interface.
From $99, ae.nothing.tech
Casio G-Shock Rangeman GPR-H1000
Casio's new rugged timepiece is made for survival in harsh environments. The Japanese watch company designed the watch for resilience, enduring dust, mud, shocks and being submerged in up to 200 metres of water.
Its case, bezel and band are made from bio-based resin, a material that the company claims has a reduced environmental impact. For comfort, the watch also features a soft urethane band, which is sourced from renewable organic resources. It also has a triple sensor for measuring compass bearing, altitude/barometric pressure, and temperature.
Additional advanced features include an optical heart rate sensor; accelerometer; gyroscope; GPS for real-time data tracking; Bluetooth connectivity; and solar-assisted charging. The watch is available in black or yellow.
From $499, www.casio.com
Dior Skin Light
Partnering with pioneers in LED technology Lucibel.le Paris, Dior has created an LED mask. The device was unveiled at the Dior Cheval Blanc spa in Paris in 2022 and a portable version is now available at select Dior boutiques.
The mask is said to deliver high-performance results, fitting to the user’s facial contours. According to the manufacturer, strategically positioned LEDs provide optimal light density for each area of the face and get to work in 12 minutes.
It claims to improve skin quality from the first session – with reduced redness, an even complexion and enhanced radiance. Prolonged use is said to reduce wrinkles and improve skin density, resulting in younger-looking skin.
Suitable for all skin types, the Dior Skin Light is said to restore balance and provide relaxation.
From $4,265, www.dior.com
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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The biog
Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents
Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University
As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families
Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too
Brief scores:
Toss: India, opted to field
Australia 158-4 (17 ov)
Maxwell 46, Lynn 37; Kuldeep 2-24
India 169-7 (17 ov)
Dhawan 76, Karthik 30; Zampa 2-22
Result: Australia won by 4 runs by D/L method
Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFirst%20match%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2020%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%2016%20round%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%203%20to%206%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuarter-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%209%20and%2010%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESemi-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2013%20and%2014%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2018%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Company profile: buybackbazaar.com
Name: buybackbazaar.com
Started: January 2018
Founder(s): Pishu Ganglani and Ricky Husaini
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech, micro finance
Initial investment: $1 million
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
All the Money in the World
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Charlie Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer
Four stars
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice.
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