Author: Sam Allcock

Dubai has become one of the most attractive property markets in the world. It offers modern infrastructure, strong rental returns, and a tax-friendly environment. For many international buyers, the big question is simple. Can foreigners actually buy property in Dubai? The short answer is yes. Foreigners can legally purchase property in designated areas. Over the years, Dubai has introduced clear regulations to attract global investors. From luxury waterfront homes to affordable apartments, the options are wide and accessible. This guide explains the rules, ownership types, costs, and key considerations so you can make an informed decision. Dubai’s property market is…

Cyprus offers a fast-track residency programme that provides a direct route to European Union residence through property investments beginning at €300,000. Cyprus has become a leading destination for investment-linked permanent residence in the European Union, particularly as high-net-worth individuals in the UAE seek to diversify their portfolios and obtain secondary residencies. The Cyprus Permanent Residency Program enables non-EU nationals to obtain permanent residence through a qualifying investment. The Minister of Interior, under Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations, may grant an Immigration Permit to applicants whose investments satisfy the established criteria, pending approval by the relevant authorities. Investment…

Chinese rising star Shang Juncheng traded his racquet for a bat on Sunday when he stepped into a mobile “Smash Room” at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships village, using the high-decibel diversion as a mental reset ahead of his tournament debut in the emirate. The 21-year-old, preparing to face former champion Daniil Medvedev in the opening round, spent part of his practice break inside the Smash Room truck — a pop-up attraction that allows participants to shatter everyday objects in a controlled setting. Shang later described the experience as a way to release tension before returning to competition. “It was a really fun experience,” he…

Sands Resorts Macao will serve as Platinum Sponsor at the 14th Annual Meetings Arabia & Luxury Travel (MALT) Congress 2026. The event takes place at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi on 11–12 February and brings together travel leaders from across the Middle East to examine luxury and MICE travel. The congress provides a platform for travel planners to learn how Sands Resorts Macao combines scale with cultural experiences for Middle East travellers. Stephanie Tanpure, Vice President of Sales at Sands Resorts Macao, emphasizes the significance of the partnership: “Our continued association with MALT connects Middle East travel stakeholders with destinations…

This Valentine’s Day, couples can mark the occasion at The Hashi, located on the 38th floor of Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi. On 14 February from 6 pm, the restaurant will host a six-course dinner priced at AED 1,249 per couple, with live performances and views across the city skyline and the Arabian Gulf. Set high above the capital, The Hashi offers a quiet and private setting for the evening. Guests can expect Asian-inspired dishes, soft lighting, and a calm atmosphere designed for couples to spend quality time together. The restaurant will follow a red and black dress theme for the…

At the opening of the World Economic Forum, the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and Qatar Development Bank (QDB) confirmed that Doha will host the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) from 21 to 24 September 2026. The event, branded Global Entrepreneurship Congress Doha 2026, will be co-hosted by GEN and QDB. It aims to strengthen the role of the Congress as a global platform for cooperation, investment, and business growth. GEN connects more than 2.24 million entrepreneurs through over 1,000 active partnerships worldwide. The Congress will feature Rowad, Qatar’s national entrepreneurship and innovation platform. Rowad will present local programmes, startups, and investment…

CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) has expanded its Global Data Sovereignty initiative with plans to launch new in-country cloud environments in Saudi Arabia, India and the United Arab Emirates. More regions will follow. The move allows organisations to use the CrowdStrike Falcon platform locally while keeping the same global security experience. The new regional clouds support local data residency rules and give customers the option to run security operations within their own country. At the same time, they remain connected to CrowdStrike’s global threat network and intelligence systems. “Data sovereignty requirements cannot come at the cost of AI-powered security. Adversaries continue to…

14-year-old Rateel Alshehri makes history at Joy Awards Rateel Alshehri has become the youngest person to win the ‘Favorite Female Influencer’ award at the Joy Awards. At just 14 years old, the Saudi content creator has set a new record at the event. Her win marks a major moment for youth voices in the Arab world and reflects the growing impact of young creators across digital platforms. Rateel’s achievement shows the influence of Generation Alpha. Through her content, she connects with young audiences and encourages them to express themselves. She focuses on motivation, creativity, and purpose, which has helped her…

Azizi signs MoU with DLD to back Dubai’s first academic real estate programme Azizi Developments has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) to support the launch of Dubai’s first academic Real Estate Diploma. The agreement was signed on Monday, 19 January, at Emirates Towers by Mr Farhad Azizi, Group CEO of Azizi Group, and Eng. Abdulla Ahmed Al Shehhi, CEO of the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) at DLD. Under the agreement, Azizi Developments will help strengthen practical training and professional development for students enrolled in the diploma. Dubai Land Department developed the programme in…

Safanad targets US$1bn in U.S. digital infrastructure deployments Safanad has announced plans to speed up the growth of its U.S. digital infrastructure business, Element Critical. The firm has launched a new data centre platform backed by US$1 billion from major U.S. institutional investors. The platform builds on Safanad’s work in scaling Element Critical as an enterprise data centre operator. It starts with the purchase of two facilities in Houston and Austin, Texas. Safanad will use the platform to support further expansion across the United States, driven by demand from AI inference, advanced workloads, and power limits in key markets. Over…