Dubai Duty Free (DDF), the world’s largest single airport retailer, continued its record-setting momentum in July, generating Dhs638.8m ($175m) in sales for the month. Year-to-date sales now stand at Dhs4.734bn ($1.30bn), marking a 5.86 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The July performance set a new record for the month, surpassing the previous high of Dhs602.8m ($165m) set in July 2023, and posting a 9.7 per cent increase—equivalent to Dhs56.5m ($15.48m)—over July 2024. The month now ranks as the ninth-best in the company’s 41-year history.

Read-Dubai Duty Free shatters sales records in 2025: What’s driving the growth?

According to a Dubai Media Office report, DDF has achieved record-breaking sales in five of the first seven months of 2025.

The solid sales growth comes despite modest growth in passenger traffic through Dubai International Airport (DXB), which reported a 2.3 per cent increase in traffic from January to June. DDF’s year-to-date growth of nearly 6 per cent outpaces this trend, highlighting the operation’s strong performance in a competitive retail landscape.

“We are delighted to report another strong sales month in what is already proving to be an exceptional year,” said Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free. “This outstanding performance reflects the resilience of our retail operation and the continued demand for world-class shopping experiences. Achieving nearly 10 per cent sales growth in a month when passenger traffic remained relatively flat is a testament to our team’s dedication and product offering.”

Category highlights: Perfume, gold, confectionery shine

Perfumes topped the sales chart in July, followed by Liquor, Gold, Tobacco, and Confectionery. Perfume sales increased 10.3 per cent year-over-year, while Gold surged 15.5 per cent. Liquor and Tobacco posted more modest gains of 1.7 per cent and 2.2 per cent, respectively. Confectionery saw a notable 57 per cent spike compared to July last year.

Watches and Precious Jewellery were also strong performers, with sales growing by 18.4 per cent and 16.8 per cent, respectively.

Luxury brands continue to drive growth

Luxury fashion continued to be a major growth engine for DDF in July. Its CA and CB Fashion Boutiques—home to global heavyweights like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier—reported 11.36 per cent year-over-year sales growth.

“Given the recent media reports outlining the difficulties facing global luxury brands, we are happy to buck that trend in our luxury boutiques,” Cidambi said. “We are seeing continued demand for select brands.”

REKLAIM: Pre-loved luxury gains traction

Dubai Duty Free’s foray into the pre-owned luxury market also continues to gain momentum. REKLAIM, a boutique launched in December 2024 and located in Concourses A, B, and D—including the Emirates First Class Lounge—offers authenticated pre-owned watches and handbags from leading luxury labels.

In just over seven months, REKLAIM has generated over Dhs14.3m ($3.9m) in sales. In July alone, the boutique brought in Dhs1.6 ($445,000). Rolex remains the top draw, with 176 watches sold since launch, including 16 in July.

“The demand for pre-loved luxury products is growing,” said Cidambi. “With REKLAIM, we provide pristine, sought-after items that may be difficult to find in the market. We are looking at expanding the concept throughout our operations in response to this growing demand.”

Future outlook

Dubai Duty Free’s robust performance comes amid intensifying competition in airport retail, as well as from domestic and online channels. Despite these challenges, the operator remains confident in its trajectory, citing continued investment in product innovation, digital engagement, and experiential retail as key pillars of future growth.

“This outstanding achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team and the unwavering support from our Chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum,” Cidambi concluded. “We have succeeded in enhancing both penetration and spend levels while maintaining business focus, despite a highly competitive and uncertain environment.”

With five months of record sales already logged in 2025, Dubai Duty Free is on track to close out one of its strongest years ever, further cementing its status as a global leader in airport retail.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, reviewed the latest progress of the Etihad Rail project and embarked on a passenger train journey from Dubai to Fujairah, signaling a historic milestone for the UAE’s national railway network.

Read-UAE’s Etihad Rail eyes passenger service launch for 2026

The symbolic journey marks a pivotal phase in the development of the country’s integrated rail system, with commercial operations of passenger services expected to begin in 2026. Sheikh Mohammed’s visit highlights his personal commitment to overseeing strategic infrastructure initiatives that align with the UAE’s long-term national development goals, a WAM report said.

A vision of integration and growth

In remarks during the visit, Sheikh Mohammed described Etihad Rail as one of the UAE’s most transformative infrastructure projects, bringing broad economic, social, and developmental benefits.

“Etihad Rail is a vital economic artery that supports the UAE’s journey to the future,” he said. “It is a key pillar in our vision to build an integrated transport network that strengthens the UAE’s position as a leading logistics hub, while facilitating the movement of people and goods.”

He emphasised that the project embodies the spirit of the Union and reflects national aspirations for sustainability, connectivity, and improved quality of life across all seven emirates. Sheikh Mohammed also praised the efforts of the Etihad Rail team, calling their work a source of national pride and a key contribution to the country’s future-oriented, sustainable transport system.

During the visit, he received a detailed briefing from Etihad Rail engineers and officials on project progress and upcoming milestones. Team members expressed their gratitude for the leadership’s continued support and described the visit as a historic moment, reinforcing their dedication to delivering a world-class rail network.

Connecting the emirates, empowering communities

The passenger train connecting Dubai and Fujairah is part of the broader Etihad Rail vision to link 11 cities and regions across the country, from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah on the east coast. Once completed, the network will provide a safe, sustainable, and advanced mode of transportation for citizens, residents, and visitors.

Passenger trains will operate at speeds of up to 200 km/h and are expected to accommodate up to 400 passengers per trip. By 2030, the system is projected to carry 36.5 million passengers annually. The first four passenger stations will be located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah, with further expansion planned across the network.

These strategically located hubs aim to reduce travel time, improve accessibility, and boost social and economic ties between communities. The rail system also promises to enhance everyday mobility, empower local economies, and serve as a catalyst for tourism, trade, and sustainable development throughout the country.

Leadership endorsement of a national priority

Sheikh Mohammed was welcomed at the station by a delegation from Etihad Rail, led by Saeed AlAhbabi, Chief Business Support Officer, along with several senior company executives.

Commenting on the visit, Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail, emphasised the leadership’s role in advancing this national priority.

“We had the honour of hosting Sheik Mohammed aboard a passenger train between Dubai and Fujairah,” Sheikh Theyab said. “His visit demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the UAE’s leadership to support transformative national projects that propel our nation forward.”

He noted that Sheikh Mohammed has been an integral part of the journey from the launch of the “Projects of the 50” initiative in 2021, to the full inauguration of the national freight rail network in 2023. “Today, we stand on the cusp of a transformative era in transportation and take immense pride in the leadership’s support for a project that strengthens connectivity and enhances the UAE’s global competitiveness.”

Pioneering sustainable infrastructure

Etihad Rail continues to advance its passenger service preparations with high standards of operational readiness and safety. Each train will offer a modern, integrated travel experience built around comfort, reliability, and sustainability. The network also reinforces the UAE’s growing reputation as a regional leader in transport innovation.

The national railway is central to the UAE’s broader environmental goals, supporting the country’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. As both a freight and passenger network, Etihad Rail plays a critical role in reducing carbon emissions, lowering traffic congestion, and promoting green alternatives to road travel.

The railway is already fully operational for freight, connecting industrial zones and key logistics hubs across the country. The addition of passenger services will complete a vital link in the UAE’s transport ecosystem, driving economic integration and improving quality of life nationwide.

As the UAE prepares for commercial operations to begin in 2026, the Etihad Rail project stands as a testament to national unity, forward-looking leadership, and a shared vision for a connected, sustainable future.

In a sweeping executive order, US President Donald Trump has expanded tariffs on imports from multiple trading partners, citing persistent trade deficits and national security concerns. The move follows Executive Order 14257, signed in April 2025, and is framed as part of a broader strategy to restore fair trade and strengthen the US economy.

The new order, grounded in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and other federal statutes, imposes additional ad valorem duties on imports from countries that Trump’s administration says have failed to provide reciprocal trade access or align with U.S. economic and security priorities.

“I have received additional information… on the impact of foreign trading partners’ disparate tariff rates and non-tariff barriers on US exports, the domestic manufacturing base, critical supply chains, and the defense industrial base,” Trump said in the executive order.

Read: Trump hits more countries with steep tariffs, markets tumble

Some countries have signaled willingness to cooperate and are in the process of finalising trade and security agreements with the United States. In these cases, their goods will remain subject to additional tariffs until formal agreements are concluded. Others, however, have either failed to reach a deal or not engaged in meaningful negotiations—making them subject to new duties.

For example, European Union goods with current tariff rates below 15 per cent will now face a combined duty of at least 15 per cent, while those with existing rates above 15% will not face additional charges. All countries not specifically listed in the annex will face a flat 10 per cent duty increase. Additional penalties—including a 40 per cent tariff—will apply to goods found to have been transshipped to evade these duties.

The order also outlines enforcement and monitoring mechanisms, directing US agencies to update and revise the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and track potential circumvention schemes.

The White House described the action as essential to maintaining the United States’ economic and national security, particularly in light of ongoing global supply chain disruptions and shifting geopolitical alliances.

Here’s the full list of countries impacted under the new tariff order:

[1] For purposes of this Executive Order and its Annexes, “Column 1 Duty Rate” means the ad valorem (or ad valorem equivalent) rate of duty under column 1-General of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).

Source: White House

While dry, degraded soil may appear lifeless on the surface, beneath it lies a complex and dynamic system of interaction between plant roots and microbial communities. These biological exchanges, though often invisible, play a critical role in determining soil health and crop productivity. Now, new research published in Science—one of the world’s leading scientific journals—by American University of Sharjah (AUS) and international collaborators, is challenging conventional approaches to agriculture and highlighting the need to manage these relationships with ecological precision.

The paper, titled “Steering Plant–Soil Feedback for Sustainable Agriculture,” is the result of a year-long collaboration between five scientists: Dr. John Klironomos, Professor of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences and Associate Dean for Research and Innovation at the AUS College of Arts and Sciences; Professors Guangzhou Wang, Fusuo Zhang and Junling Zhang from China Agricultural University; and Professor Wim van der Putten from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology and Wageningen University.

At the heart of the research is the concept of plant–soil feedback—the idea that plants shape the microbial environment in the soil via their root systems and biochemical signals. These microbial communities, in turn, influence how plants access nutrients, water, and protection from pathogens. The paper emphasizes that depending on how these feedback loops are managed, they can either support or undermine the sustainability of agricultural systems.

Arid regions

For the UAE and other arid regions grappling with saline soils, limited organic matter and water scarcity, this research offers practical pathways forward. At AUS, Dr. Klironomos and his team are conducting field trials using microbial inoculants—beneficial fungi and bacteria introduced into the soil—and biostimulants to support the growth of desert crops like wheat and date palms. These trials are designed to test how microbial partners can enhance resilience under harsh conditions.

“Plants and microbes have always influenced each other,” said Dr. Klironomos. “The key is managing those interactions with purpose, especially in environments where every biological advantage matters. This work helps shift the focus from short-term yield to long-term soil function.”

The study also repositions several traditional agricultural practices—such as crop rotation, intercropping, and reduced tillage—as valuable ecological tools. When applied with knowledge of microbial dynamics, these practices can improve soil health, reduce reliance on chemical inputs, and contribute to more stable growing environments over time.

“Microbial life is one of agriculture’s most overlooked tools,” said co-author Professor Junling Zhang. “When we support the living processes in soil, we create systems that are more sustainable, more adaptive and better aligned with how ecosystems naturally function.”

Read: Insights: Greening the desert through regenerative farming

In addition to ecological insights, the paper also draws from advances in molecular biology. Researchers are now identifying the genetic and molecular signals that facilitate plant–microbe communication, opening up new breeding strategies to develop crop varieties that naturally enhance soil microbial interactions.

Building on this foundation, AUS has joined hands with regional experts to form the Sharjah Sustainable Agriculture Research Group. The team includes Dr. Klironomos; Dr. Mohamed Abouleish, Professor in Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences; Dr. Tarig Ali, Professor in Civil Engineering; and Dr. Ali El-Keblawy from the University of Sharjah. Together, they are combining expertise in soil ecology, native plant conservation, biotechnology, and spatial analysis to restore the biological function of arid soils.

At the core of the research is a shift in perception: soil is not inert—it is a living ecosystem. It changes, it breathes, and it responds to how we care for it. The authors argue that viewing soil through this lens can pave the way for agricultural solutions that simultaneously address food security, climate adaptation, and biodiversity conservation.

The full paper appears in the July 2025 edition of Science. You can read it here.

Grammy-winning singer and actor Justin Timberlake has revealed he has been living with Lyme disease, a debilitating illness that he says impacted his recent global tour but also gave him a deeper appreciation for his career and fans. Timberlake joins a growing list of celebrities who have publicly battled the disease, including Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne, Bella Hadid, Yolanda Hadid, Ben Stiller, Shania Twain, Alec Baldwin, Amy Schumer, and Debbie Gibson.

The 44-year-old pop icon shared his diagnosis in a heartfelt post on Instagram on Thursday, just after concluding his Forget Tomorrow world tour, which spanned more than 70 cities and ended earlier this month.

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A post shared by Justin Timberlake (@justintimberlake)

Timberlake said the diagnosis helped explain the persistent fatigue, nerve pain, and unexplained illness he had been experiencing while performing.

“Shocked” by diagnosis

“When I first got the diagnosis, I was shocked for sure,” Timberlake wrote. “But at least I could understand why I would be on stage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.”

In the lengthy Instagram post, Timberlake reflected on his decades-long music career and the emotional toll the tour had taken on him, physically and mentally.

“This has been the most fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding, and, at times, grueling experience,” he said. “I have been doing this for 30+ years — which feels crazy to say — and I’ve given all that I have to this.”

Despite his private nature, Timberlake said he chose to speak publicly to raise awareness about Lyme disease and to connect with others going through similar challenges.

“I’m not sharing this so you feel bad for me — but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes,” he added. “Living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.”

A choice: Quit or keep going

Timberlake revealed he faced a difficult choice: stop touring or push through the illness.

“I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going,” he wrote. “Not only did I prove my mental tenacity to myself, but I now have so many special moments with all of you that I will never forget.”

The SexyBack singer said he hopes his story helps others and encourages more open conversations about invisible illnesses.

“I was always raised to keep something like this to yourself. But I’m trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren’t misinterpreted,” Timberlake said.

Legal trouble in 2024

The revelation follows another headline-grabbing moment in Timberlake’s life. In September 2024, he pleaded guilty in a New York State court to a lesser traffic charge after being arrested during the summer.

Police had pulled Timberlake over for allegedly failing to obey a stop sign and veering out of his lane. Initially suspected of driving under the influence, Timberlake ultimately pleaded guilty to “driving while ability impaired,” a lesser violation than drunk driving.

According to Variety, Timberlake was fined $500 and ordered to complete community service. His attorney, Edward Burke, stated the singer was pleased with the reduced charge and pushed back on claims that Timberlake had been intoxicated at the time.

Understanding Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (commonly known as deer ticks). The illness does not spread via other types of ticks, such as wood ticks or dog ticks.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headaches, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans — often shaped like a bull’s-eye. If left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

Each year, about 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, experts estimate the actual number is significantly higher due to underreporting.

Stages and symptoms

Early-Stage Lyme Disease

Symptoms typically appear within 3–30 days after a tick bite and include:

• Rash (erythema migrans) that expands over time
• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Muscle and joint aches
• Swollen lymph nodes

Early disseminated stage

If untreated, the infection can spread within weeks to months, causing:

• Multiple rashes
• Facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy)
• Irregular heartbeat (heart block)
• Numbness or nerve pain

Late-stage Lyme disease

Months or even years later, symptoms may include:

• Severe arthritis, especially in the knees
• Cognitive difficulties (“brain fog”)
• Widespread nerve damage (polyneuropathy)

Treatment typically involves a course of antibiotics. However, in some cases, symptoms persist or recur even after treatment — a condition known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).

Raising awareness and moving forward

Timberlake said he plans to use his platform to advocate for others battling Lyme disease and invisible illnesses, stressing the importance of empathy and openness.

“Sharing all of this with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected,” he concluded. “I’d like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease too.”

As he looks ahead to new projects and recovery, fans continue to rally behind the singer, praising his honesty and resilience.