It's safe to say Vimto is one of the most popular drinks in the Middle East, particularly during Ramadan.
In fact, according to its website, more than half of its annual Vimto Cordial sales happen during the holy month, as it's become an iftar staple since it was first introduced to the region back in 1928.
However, vegan fans may be unhappy to discover one of the brand's products is no longer suitable for plant-based consumers thanks to the addition of vitamin D3, which is derived from animal products.
But don't worry, its beloved cordial has not been affected.
Is Vimto in the Middle East affected?
This fortification does not affect the Middle East's range of drinks.
The vitamin D3 has been added to Vimto Squash by the British drinks maker after Public Health England endorsed a daily supplement of the vitamin.
In the Middle East, Vimto's licensed manufacturer is Aujan Soft Drinks Industries, with its Vimto Cordial and Vimto ready-to-drink ranges, which do not include the squash in question.
Last year, Aujan added a new product to its range – a Vimto Cordial with no added sugar – and, earlier this year, the Vimto Fruit Drink with no added sugar.
According to the frequently asked questions on its regional website: "All Vimto products are gluten and alcohol-free. Vimto does not contain any animal products and thus is suitable for vegetarians and vegans."
Why is vitamin D3 not vegan?
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) most commonly contains lanolin, which tends to be derived from sheep's wool, which makes it unsuitable for vegans, but fine for vegetarians.
There are different types, however, such as D2 (ergocalciferol), which comes from plants. There is also a vegan-friendly source of D3 derived from a plant species called lichen.
Of course, as it's coming up to summer, the sun is a good source of vitamin D, too.
What backlash has Vimto UK faced?
While people aren't specifically complaining about the addition of vitamins to the fruit juice (they also added vitamin C), vegan consumers are upset that a plant-based source of D3 was not chosen, with some saying it is a "step backwards".
Vegan Food UK said: "Always disappointing to see a large and popular brand make their products go from vegan to non-vegan."
Mental health nurse Ian Anderson was so upset by the move, he started a petition demanding that Nichols PLC, the company that produces Vimto in the UK, revert back to its original, vegan-friendly recipe, reported the Daily Mail.
With more than 400 signatures, the petition stated: "We the undersigned feel that this is a regressive and unnecessary decision when an increasing amount of people are becoming vegan and eating plant-based diets to oppose the abuse, exploitation and killing of animals.
"There is no reason why Vimto needs to contain animal products. We call on Nichols to either reverse this decision or to use a plant-based vitamin D such as vitamin D2."
One Twitter user also messaged the brand, saying: "As a vegan, can I congratulate you on adding vitamin D. So important for public health, just wish it was D2 so more people can enjoy the benefits."
Which other Vimto products aren't vegan?
The Vimto UK website states: "All of our Vimto squash drinks are suitable for vegetarians, due to the recent addition of vitamin D they are not suitable for vegans.
"However, all of our other Vimto drinks variants, including fizzy and still ready-to-drink ranges, do not contain any animal products and, as such, are suitable for vegetarians and vegans."
There are a few other products available in Britain, however, that do contain animal products and aren't even suitable for vegetarians. These are the Vimto jelly babies, Vimto fizzy pencils and Vimto flying saucers.
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Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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Price, base / as tested: Dh204,750 / Dh241,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 569Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.3L / 100km
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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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
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“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.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
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The specs
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
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The five pillars of Islam
The years Ramadan fell in May
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.”
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Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
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Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
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