Construction Sheikh Mohammed reveals phase 2 of Dubai 2040 plan Agricultural industry, heritage preservation and the “20-minute city” concept are key planks of the second phase of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the government said on Monday. The plan – whose first phase was published in March 2021 – sets out a strategy for Dubai’s urban development over the next two decades. It is […] December 13, 2022
How I got to the top Lifestyle Caroline Ralston, founder, Proposal Boutique Proposal Boutique is a Dubai-based luxury marriage proposal planning company, helping couples enjoy an unforgettable “will you marry me?” experience. What does your company do? We work closely with men from all over the world to help them deliver the most romantic and unforgettable proposal. We source the venue, flowers, decorations, musicians, fireworks, and much […] December 9, 2022
Analysis Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 ‘Entertainment is the new retail’ for Riyadh malls More than half the new retail space being developed in Riyadh is dedicated to entertainment venues, research has found, as Saudi Arabia seeks to attract younger people to malls. At the Mall of Saudi, being developed by Majid Al Futtaim in north Riyadh, large areas will be allocated to dining, leisure and entertainment – and […] December 7, 2022
EXCLUSIVE UAE goes vintage with classic car race and centre for collectors The UAE and supercars have been synonymous for decades, with the very latest luxury models frequently spotted on its roads – but a new industry of classic cars is also gaining speed. This weekend the country plays host to 100 classic cars from around the globe in the first ever UAE edition of Italy’s 1,000-mile […] December 2, 2022
Exclusive Interviews MassiveMusic is making some noise with Middle East move “Sonic branding” is not a term many people outside the marketing industry are familiar with, especially in the Gulf region. But they may become more so, as companies increasingly adopt music strategies to reach their customers. “We know the effect that successful music can have on communication, and it is fast becoming a point of […] November 25, 2022
Lifestyle Saudi Crown Prince in Qatar for World Cup opening ceremony Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived to Doha late on Saturday to attend the 2022 Qatar World Cup’s opening ceremony on Sunday in a show of Gulf solidarity after a three-year regional dispute ended last year. Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani, the deputy of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, was at […] November 20, 2022
Opinion People & Lifestyle Dubai Bling tarnishes the emirate’s shine Netflix TV show Dubai Bling has attracted viewers and media attention but citizens are less enamoured by its portrayal of the emirate November 16, 2022
LONG READ The business of sleep: from beating jet lag to space-age linen “I think it’s probably the easiest topic in the world because everybody is interested in it,” says Lilburne Opie, founder and CEO of Dubai-based company Linen Obsession, when we meet for this interview. She’s talking about sleep, which, like breathing, eating and drinking, is a vital necessity. “Even if you get enough time in bed, […] November 14, 2022
Wizarding World of Harry Potter to be built at UAE’s Yas Island Abu Dhabi-based Miral and Warner Bros. Discovery are to build a Harry Potter-themed land within the Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi on Yas Island, the companies said in a joint statement. “The original Harry Potter stories and the blockbuster film series continue to captivate and inspire hundreds of millions of fans around the world,” Pam Lifford, president, […] November 11, 2022
Lifestyle Black Panther stars say film changed perceptions of Africa Cameras flashed as stars of the highly-anticipated sequel to Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ walked the red carpet at the ‘Wakanda Forever’ premiere in London. Set in the fictional African land of Wakanda, ‘Black Panther’ became a global hit and was hailed as a milestone for racial diversity in Hollywood when it came out in 2018. Released […] November 7, 2022
Sony unit takes stake in Gulf concert promoter The founders of an agency that has played a central part in revolutionising entertainment in the Gulf said on Thursday that a tie-up with New York-based Sony Masterworks will buy the operation time and space to expand and invest. Sony has acquired 55 percent of Mac Global for an undisclosed sum, Daniel Goldberg, one of […] November 4, 2022
Lifestyle Giant new mural celebrates ‘warrior’ Maradona in Argentina An Argentine artist has painted a giant mural of late soccer legend Diego Maradona in Buenos Aires to commemorate what would have been the World Cup winner’s 62nd birthday at the end of October. Muralist Martín Ron filled the 1,600-square-metre wall in the heart of the city with a depiction of Maradona, based on a […] October 27, 2022
Analysis PureGym eyes up to 130 branches as part of Mena expansion UK-based fitness brand PureGym has revealed plans to open branches in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), beginning in the UAE but with Egypt, Kuwait and Oman also on the radar. The company has signed an agreement with its franchise partner, Ektimal, to open at least 130 gyms across the region over the next […] October 26, 2022
Lifestyle BTS reunite to back South Korea’s bid to host World Expo 2030 K-pop superstars BTS reunited on Saturday for a concert to support South Korea’s bid to host the World Expo 2030 in Busan. The free concert – dubbed “BTS in BUSAN” – drew an audience of about 52,000 people to a stadium in the southern port city, according to the Yonhap News Agency. In total, 100,000 fans […] October 17, 2022
Exclusive Lifestyle UAE hybrid working leads to 90% rise in demand for home cleaners The rise of hybrid working during the coronavirus pandemic has seen Gulf residents spending more time at home, leading to a surge in demand for domestic cleaning services. This has spurred growth in the wider on-demand home services industry, but investments in technology and manpower and rising business costs in the UAE has resulted in […] October 16, 2022
Weekend read Saudi Arabia invests in art to create ‘the Arab Damien Hirst’ Saudi Arabia is using some of its huge oil profits to invest in local artists, in a bid to create an internationally renowned Arab art superstar on a par with the likes of Damien Hirst, according to a senior executive at leading art auction houses Christie’s. “What is happening in Saudi Arabia right now is […] October 7, 2022
Lifestyle James Bond producers mull choice as film franchise turns 60 James Bond, the martini-drinking, tuxedo-wearing British secret agent, celebrated 60 years on the silver screen on Wednesday — but who will be the next actor to take on the iconic role? According to sibling Bond producers, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, the search for a new actor has not even begun following Daniel Craig’s […] October 6, 2022
Lifestyle Kim Kardashian pays $1.26m fine for paid Instagram crypto post Kim Kardashian has promoted everything from appetite-suppressing lollipops to melon-flavoured liqueur to toilet paper, but it was her foray into the murky world of cryptocurrencies that got her into hot water. The reality television star and influencer has agreed to settle charges of unlawfully touting a crypto security and to pay $1.26 million in penalties […] October 4, 2022
Lifestyle India’s richest expat lives in Dubai, earning $12.45m a day Dubai-based Vinod Shantilal Adani, elder brother of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, is the world’s richest non-resident Indian, earning $12.45 million (Rs 102 crore) daily, according to the latest figures from the IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2022. Vinod Adani manages trading businesses in Dubai, Singapore and Jakarta and saw his wealth increase by 28 […] September 29, 2022
Analysis Tourism From Bulgari to Versace: Dubai’s rich splash out on branded homes The UAE is expected to attract the largest net inflow of high net worth individuals globally in 2022 – and with that comes a growing demand for luxury housing. Catering to this income bracket, the branded residences sector has grown by 230 percent across the world over the past decade. Savills, the real estate services […] September 25, 2022
Analysis Lifestyle Arab youth’s negative stance on Israel challenges trade growth Israel is still seen as an enemy by the majority of young Arabs, despite the thaw in relations after the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020. The sentiment could impact future business growth projections, experts have said. Eighty-eight percent of Arab youth described Israel as an enemy or somewhat of an enemy, according to […] September 22, 2022
Lifestyle Expats staying in the UAE longer, but stress levels are rising Expats stay for longer in the UAE than in any other country but workplace stress is a growing problem, a new study has found. The 2022 edition of the 360° Global Well-Being Survey, compiled by health services firm Cigna, reported that some employees in the Emirates were complaining of unmanageable stress and burnout caused by long […] September 22, 2022
