Russian demand for Dubai property is slowing, China’s is up: DAMAC

Dubai’s property boom in the years following the Covid-19 pandemic has been one of the fastest in the world, fueled by investor-friendly reforms and a surge in expat demand, particularly from Russia in the wake of the start of Moscow’s full-scale war with Ukraine. Some of Dubai’s luxury developments cater specifically to Russian buyers, with … Read more

The Israel-Hamas war is affecting traveler confidence and bookings

The Israel-Hamas war is affecting travel across the Middle East and beyond. International arrivals to the region grew in the fourth quarter of 2023 — mainly owing to an increase in visitors to Saudi Arabia — to a level that matched 2019 numbers, according to the travel data company ForwardKeys. But it’s a far cry … Read more

Sanctioned Western tech is still entering Russia and powering its war

Sefa Ozel | E+ | Getty Images Russia is still obtaining large volumes of Western technology critical to its war in Ukraine, even as sanctions show some sign of taking hold, new analysis shows. China, Hong Kong, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have been increasingly important in funneling critical components to Russia, according to … Read more

Global fintech investment plunges 51% in 2023 but UAE defies slowdown

Europe’s fintech sector is fiercely competitive, with privately-held start-ups worth tens of billions of dollars vying to steal market share from incumbent banks. Oscar Wong | Moment | Getty Images The fintech industry saw more pain in 2023, with overall investment falling by half as higher interest rates and worsening macroeconomic conditions caused investors to … Read more

Blinken to meet with leaders of Saudi Arabia, UAE

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he boards an aircraft during his departure from Washington to travel to the Middle East, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., January 4, 2024.  Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to meet … Read more

Oil CEO rejects fossil fuel industry to blame for the climate crisis

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates —The chief executive of UAE-based energy firm Crescent Petroleum on Tuesday claimed that blaming the oil and gas industry for the climate crisis “is like blaming farmers for obesity.” His comments come at the mid-point of the U.N.’s biggest and most important annual climate conference, with many at the COP28 talks … Read more

Airlines are feeling the impact of the Israel-Hamas war

An Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 “Dreamliner” aircraft displays Israeli and Emirati flags after landing upon arrival from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, on the company’s first scheduled commercial flight from Abu Dhabi, on April 6, 2021. JACK GUEZ | AFP | Getty Images DUBAI, United Arab Emirates … Read more

Boeing order bonanza leaves Airbus in the dust

Aermacchi MB-339 trainer aircraft of the Fursan al-Emarat (UAE Knights) aerobatics team release smoke as they fly over with an Emirates Airbus A380-861 jetliner aircraft during the 2023 Dubai Airshow at Dubai World Central – Al-Maktoum International Airport in Dubai on November 13, 2023.  Giuseppe Cacace | Afp | Getty Images DUBAI, United Arab Emirates … Read more

Where is it safe to travel in 2024? See the updated list

Planning a vacation? Here are the countries that pose the maximum risk for travelers in 2024 — and also the ones that are the safest — according to International SOS. The risk assessment firm, in its 2024 Risk Map, has ranked these countries based on several metrics, including security, medical dangers as well as the … Read more