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
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The story in numbers
18
This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens
450,000
More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps
1.5 million
There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m
73
The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association
18,000
The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme
77,400
The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study
4,926
This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee
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Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
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- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
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Maratha Arabians 138-2
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Team Abu Dhabi 114-3
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Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent