His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, today went on the first demo ride of the Chevrolet Bolt-based Cruise autonomous vehicle (AV) in Jumeirah 1 area. This testing and validation of the autonomous vehicle is an important step towards launching a self-driving ride hail service in Dubai. In April 2021 RTA and Cruise, which is majority owned by leading global automotive company General Motors (GM), announced that Dubai will be the first international market for Cruise, underscoring the city’s emergence as a global leader in adopting

Leading luxury real estate developer in the UAE, DAMAC Properties has announced that works are progressing for the main works package for two clusters in DAMAC Lagoons. The contract for the Mediterranean-inspired master community was awarded to China Nuclear Industry 22nd Construction Co. Ltd. As part of DAMAC Lagoons, Mykonos and Monte Carlo enjoy unrivalled community features, ranging from azure blue lagoons, zip lines, waterpark-style amenities and attractions, as well as cluster-specific features such as the windmill park in Mykonos and aqua opera school house pavilion in Monte Carlo. Commenting on the appointment, Mohammed Tahaineh, General Manager of Projects at DAMAC, said: “Work

Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Thursday, after the U.S. Federal Reserve flagged the end of its tightening cycle and struck a dovish tone for the year ahead. The Fed left interest rates unchanged on Wednesday and U.S. central bank chief Jerome Powell said its historic tightening of monetary policy is likely over with inflation falling faster than expected. Monetary policy in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is usually guided by the Fed's decisions as most regional currencies are pegged to the U.S. dollar. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index advanced 1.2%, with Al Rajhi Bank jumping 3.6% and Elm

Almal Capital Investments, a Dubai-based investment and development company, backed by substantial international experience and focusing on hospitality and residential projects, has recently invested in two new luxury developments in La Mer Island and Al Marjan Island, located in Dubai and Ras Al-Khaimah, respectively. Founded in 2022, the company aims to deliver upscale properties for residents and exceptional returns for investors. Following its newest real estate ventures, Almal Capital Investments marks the beginning of an ambitious expansion phase into the industry. Boasting a dedicated, diverse team of industry professionals, Almal Capital Investments' expertise comprises three key domains: real estate development, investment

Under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council; Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), today launched the third edition of the #DubaiDestinations winter campaign. The campaign puts the spotlight on the unique places, activities and attractions that make Dubai one of the world’s most-loved winter getaways. As part of the campaign, Brand Dubai announced that it has partnered with the Supreme Committee Overseeing Hatta Development to launch the inaugural edition of the Hatta Festival, a vibrant celebration of

Arada has launched Il Teatro Residences, a stylish collection of loft apartments overlooking Il Teatro, the stunning new performing arts complex designed by Tadao Ando, at its Sharjah megaproject Aljada. Consisting of two buildings situated either side of the UAE’s newest cultural landmark, Il Teatro Residences is already under construction and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024. Sales for the 138 apartments in Il Teatro Residences have now begun, with a wide range of one-, two- and three-bedroom units on offer, including loft apartments, which are now available in the Sharjah market for the first time. All loft

Leading UAE-based real estate developer DAMAC Properties has announced the opening of its latest international sales centre in Shanghai, China on 12 December, 2023. The new DAMAC Properties sales office in Shanghai comes in light of growing demand from China which notably, according to a recent real estate report, re-entered the Dubai property market in the second quarter of 2023. Commenting on the new sales centre, Hussain Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties said, “This new chapter in our global story is a testament to DAMAC Properties’ commitment to international excellence. The new centre is more than just a physical space,

In line with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, BEEAH Group, Peec Mobility and the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) have launched a ground-breaking partnership to advance the electrification of major vehicle fleets in Sharjah, supporting national and global goals for zero-waste, circularity, sustainable transport, and decarbonisation. In the presence of Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of American University of Sharjah and Chairperson of SRTIP, the partnership agreement was signed by Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH; Zach Faizal, Founder of Peec Mobility; and HE Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SRTIP,

UAE-based master developer Arada, in collaboration with World Skate, announced today that the best skateboarders in the world will be heading back to the UAE at the beginning of 2024. The hugely anticipated World Skate Tour Park and Street competitions will take place at Dubai Harbour from 25 February until 10 March. The Park event will start on 25 February and finish on 3 March. The Street event will start on 3 March and finish on 10 March. This marks a significant milestone in the world of skateboarding as Dubai, one of the world’s greatest sport cities, plays host to jaw-dropping tricks,

With less than a month to go, the elite fields are taking shape for the first international marathon of the new year – the 2024 Dubai Marathon – which will take place in Umm Suqeim on January 7. A host of international runners from the African powerhouse nations of Kenya and Ethiopia have already added Dubai to their racing calendars with Rotterdam and Osaka Marathon winner Haiven Hailu Desse of Ethiopia and 2023 Rome Marathon champion Betty Chepkwony of Kenya looking to add to their title collection in the women's field. Still only 25, Hailu has already excelled over the marathon distance