Whatsapp

WhatsApp to stop functioning on older smartphones from January 2023

In October, WhatsApp experienced a glitch, making it inaccessible temporarily to thousands of users worldwide

investors

HNWI investors will be on the move, geographically and strategically, in 2023

Akshay Sardana, VP of Strategy and International Development at The Continental Group, offers insights on these trends

Property finder report Dubai property market Getty Images-1417041621

Dubai’s real estate market surpasses Dhs240bn in 2022: Property Finder

This growth has been fuelled by the robust success of off-plan deals, which climbed by 86 per cent compared to 2021

Metal park Kezad

New Metal Park breaks ground at KEZAD

Covering a total land area of 450,000 square metres, the park will have state-of-the-art facilities to support storage and handling, processing, and fabrication activities

Hotels Courtesy Dubai Media Office

12 stunning new hotels in the Middle East that demand a visit

We look at some of the most interesting hotels scheduled to open in the Middle East in 2023

Emirates boeing777-300er IATA

Dubai’s Emirates completes latest IATA Operational Safety Audit with zero findings

The IOSA programme is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline

RTA Dubai Metro

Dubai’s RTA receives ICXS certificate for Dubai Metro and Tram

The ICXS is the only standard in the world that focuses on optimising the entire passenger journey while considering individual interaction and interface points essential for a multi-system

DEWA project in Hatta over 50 per cent completes courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Hydroelectric power plant in Hatta is 58% complete: DEWA

The power plant will have a production capacity of 250 MW, a storage capacity of 1,500 Mwh, and a life span of up to 80 years once completed

Dubai Land Department courtesy Dubai Media Office

Dubai Land Department launches strategic plan for 2026

Tthe focus is on shifting to an employee-first culture, refreshing DLD’s identity and enhancing its position, and adopting a proactive and human-focused approach

Dubai Chambers WAM

Dubai Chamber of Commerce sets up Fintech & Payments Business Group

Dubai Chamber of Commerce plans to increase the number of economic sectors and activities represented by business groups to 100 by March 2023

Healthcare

Top tech trends transforming the healthcare industry

Georg Schroeckenfuchs, head of Gulf and Saudi Country Group – Innovative Medicines at Novartis Innovation, tells us how technology is enabling innovation in healthcare

Ooredoo Oman mobile internet coverage

Telco Ooredoo to expand coverage to more areas across Oman

Ooredoo will enable 2G, 3G and 4G coverage to 37 previously uncovered areas for the first time

global economy

World economy headed for a recession in 2023: CEBR

The global economy surpassed $100tn for the first time in 2022, but will stall in 2023, the British consultancy said in its annual World Economic League Table

DubaiNow

DubaiNow app achieves major milestone, exceeds one million users

The unified platform offers users access to several government and private sector services, including bill payments and fines

Construction

Building green: How the UAE’s construction sector is promoting sustainability

Real estate developers have rapidly embraced the concept of net-zero buildings and accelerated their transition to eco-friendly construction

RTA announces opening of Phase- I of Sheikh Rashid-bin Saeed Corridor Project

Phase I of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Corridor Project opens

Upon the completion of the two phases, the capacity of Ras Al Khor Road will jump to 10,000 vehicles per hour

Israel

Calev’s Newsroom: Israel, India and UAE forge a new trade route

There are many facets of economic integration and growth contained within the Israel-India-UAE triangle

UAE Ministry of finance to hold corporate tax awareness sessions

UAE Ministry of Finance launches Corporate Tax Public Awareness Programme

The programme will feature a series of sessions to raise awareness of the corporate tax law amongst the business community and its implications for the national economy

Geant opens first supermarket in UAE in Ajman

Géant opens first supermarket in the UAE

Géant has expanded into the Northern Emirates with the opening of its new store concept in Ajman

Dubai Investments breaks ground on Danah bay

Dubai Investments breaks ground on Dhs1bn Danah Bay project on Al Marjan Island

Danah Bay will be a premium beach community with a resort-style retreat in Ras Al Khaimah

First-Abu-Dhabi-Bank

First Abu Dhabi Bank, Magnati, PayRow Net to develop digital payment platform

The streamlining and automating of revenue collection will help government entities to better plan and forecast as well as focus on their core business and services

Car Review: Aston Martin’s DBX

We explore why Aston Martin’s DBX, its first SUV, has become the automaker’s top-selling model

CBUAE issues new AML CFT guidelines

Central Bank of UAE issues new guidelines on anti-money laundering for insurance sector

The guidelines will support licensed financial institutions effectively implement their statutory obligations related to anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism

ftNFT Shop

Dubai’s first-of-its-kind physical NFT shop opens at Mall of the Emirates

Visitors can browse, buy and sell NFTs in person at the store, which opened on December 22

Uber app (Photo Illustration by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Uber transports 2.6 million riders across Qatar during FIFA World Cup

According to Uber, people from 95 countries used its app while visiting Qatar during the tournament

Cybersecurity

How cybersecurity is changing with the advent of the metaverse

Until cybersecurity in the metaverse is strengthened with specific regulations measures, users should be informed of the potential risks associated with using the platform

IMF sees Kuwait's GDP growth at above 8% for 2022

IMF projects Kuwait’s GDP growth above 8% for 2022

The rise in GDP growth in 2022 is supported by increased oil production, high oil prices, and sustained improvement in domestic demand

IGB Majid Al Futtaim

Majid Al Futtaim, Immersive Gamebox to launch interactive digital smart rooms in UAE 

Seven ‘Gameboxes’ will be introduced in two Magic Planet locations in Dubai and Sharjah in January 

Modon Properties launches two waterfront destinations in Al Dhafra

Modon Properties unveils two integrated waterfront destinations in Al Dhafra

The two integrated waterfront destinations are adjacent to Modon’s eco-tourism campsite project, Bab Al Nojoum – Al Mugheirah Resort

green hydrogen masdar uniper

Masdar and Germany’s Uniper to build green hydrogen plant in UAE

The two companies will build a plant that will run on almost 1.3 gigawatts of solar power and is expected to produce hydrogen from 2026