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  • ‘Don’t be scared to spend’: Indian expat reveals tips for financial success in UAE

    ‘Don’t be scared to spend’: Indian expat reveals tips for financial success in UAE

    Kareena Kewlani, a 23-year-old marketing and public relations professional based in Sharjah, is emblematic of a new generation reshaping financial perspectives in the UAE. Rather than viewing money through traditional lenses of wealth accumulation, she conceptualizes it as an instrument of freedom—providing choices, comfort, and personal autonomy.

    In an exclusive interview, Kewlani elaborated on her financial philosophy, describing money as “freedom”—not in a reckless sense, but as the ability to invest in experiences, travel, and a self-directed lifestyle. Her outlook stems from a hybrid of influences: her father’s disciplined saving habits and her mother’s emphasis on valuing experiences over material possessions.

    Growing up in the UAE profoundly shaped Kewlani’s financial behavior. The fast-paced, ambition-driven environment encouraged big dreams, while the high cost of living underscored the necessity of strategic planning. She emphasizes balance—intentional spending aligned with joy and purpose, coupled with consistent saving and smart investing.

    Kewlani advocates for open conversations about money, regularly consulting her family and peers. Her approach integrates traditional principles with contemporary strategies like diversification and digital investment, influenced by her brother’s modern financial mindset.

    Her advice to younger individuals reflects her philosophy: “Save, but don’t be scared to spend.” Kewlani stresses that financial health isn’t about deprivation, but about making mindful choices—whether investing in memorable experiences or practicing disciplined budgeting to avoid impulsive purchases.

  • ‘I felt a sense of helplessness’: Filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania on ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’

    ‘I felt a sense of helplessness’: Filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania on ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’

    Acclaimed Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania has created one of the year’s most emotionally powerful films with ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab,’ which recently premiered at Dubai’s Cinema Akil. The project originated from the devastating real-life story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl trapped in a car with her deceased relatives during Gaza conflict, desperately calling rescue workers while awaiting help that would never arrive.

    In an exclusive interview following the Dubai screening, Ben Hania revealed the profound emotional impetus behind the film. ‘When I first encountered Hind’s voice recording on social media, I experienced an overwhelming sense of helplessness,’ the filmmaker confessed. ‘This emotional response transformed into a creative imperative—I recognized cinema’s unique capacity to honor individual tragedy amidst statistical overwhelming loss.’

    The director made two crucial artistic decisions that define the film’s distinctive approach. Rather than recreating Gaza’s battlefield directly, Ben Hania adopted the perspective of Palestinian Red Crescent rescue workers in Ramallah, physically distant yet emotionally connected to the unfolding horror. Secondly, she incorporated the authentic audio recordings of Hind’s final conversations, creating what she describes as ‘a confrontational film intended to prevent audiences from looking away.’

    Addressing ethical concerns about using real tragedy as artistic material, Ben Hania emphasized her thorough consultation with Hind’s family. ‘I obtained explicit consent from her mother, who saw the project as potential justice for her daughter,’ the director noted. ‘This collaboration ensured the film maintained both artistic integrity and profound respect for its subject.’

    The production proved emotionally taxing for all involved, particularly Palestinian cast members who channeled personal connections to the material. Ben Hania described the process as ‘placing our art in service of our stories,’ acknowledging the privilege of creating cinema about trauma from a position of safety.

    Currently serving as Tunisia’s official Oscar submission and having reached the 15-film shortlist, ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ represents more than awards ambition. For Ben Hania, whose career has focused on Arab world narratives despite lucrative English-language opportunities, the film embodies cinema’s highest purpose: giving voice to the voiceless and ensuring marginalized stories achieve global resonance through artistic excellence.

  • Crossing the Strait: Explore Taiwan cuisine in Beijing

    Crossing the Strait: Explore Taiwan cuisine in Beijing

    In the heart of China’s capital, a gastronomic journey awaits those seeking authentic Taiwanese flavors. Beijing’s culinary landscape now features remarkable establishments that bring the taste of Taiwan across the Strait, creating cultural connections through food.

    Two standout examples illustrate this phenomenon. The first offers an intimate kitchen experience radiating the comforting warmth of a Taiwanese home, operated by a young entrepreneur from Taiwan who has found success on the mainland. The second preserves century-old recipes from a legendary Tainan noodle stall, maintaining traditional preparation methods that have survived generations.

    These culinary outposts represent more than just dining establishments—they serve as edible ambassadors weaving deep emotional and cultural bonds between both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Each dish tells a story of shared heritage and culinary tradition, transforming simple meals into meaningful cultural exchanges.

    The growing presence of Taiwan cuisine in Beijing demonstrates how food can transcend political boundaries, creating people-to-connections through shared appreciation for authentic flavors. From bustling night market snacks to sophisticated restaurant offerings, these establishments allow Beijing residents and visitors to experience Taiwan’s rich culinary diversity without leaving the city.

    This culinary cross-Strait exchange reflects the deepening cultural integration and mutual appreciation developing between mainland China and Taiwan, proving that some connections are best forged through the universal language of food.

  • UAE’s digital transformation in 2026: The performance year

    UAE’s digital transformation in 2026: The performance year

    The United Arab Emirates is poised to enter a pivotal performance phase in its digital transformation journey throughout 2026, marking a significant transition from conceptual planning to tangible implementation. After years of visionary statements and pilot initiatives, the coming year will be defined by measurable outcomes rather than mere ambition, according to industry experts.

    Sanjay Raghunath, Chairman and Managing Director of Centena Group, emphasizes that execution speed and consistency will become the critical determinants of success. “The buzzword would be execution, more than planning and strategy,” Raghunath states, noting that AI implementation must be directly linked to productivity enhancements and customer value creation.

    Prem Anand Velumani, Associate Director of Strategic Alliances at Zoho Middle East & Africa, echoes this perspective, advocating for a shift from digital transformation rhetoric to comprehensive business redesign driven by quantifiable results. Both executives concur that transformation initiatives frequently fail when approached as mere IT upgrades rather than fundamental operating-model changes.

    Critical infrastructure sectors including energy, maritime, utilities, logistics, and manufacturing are expected to achieve substantial gains through operational AI that translates data into actionable insights. The technological focus will center on predictive maintenance through AI and machine learning, Industrial IoT for real-time operations, robotics for hazardous tasks, and drones for enhanced surveying and asset monitoring.

    The analysis identifies financial services, telecommunications, and retail as regional adoption leaders, while construction, traditional manufacturing SMEs, and segments of healthcare and education face significant challenges due to fragmented systems, manual processes, and regulatory complexities.

    Success in 2026 will depend on several key factors: unifying data foundations, empowering middle management, implementing human-centered AI with built-in privacy protections, and developing low-code solutions to address talent shortages. Leadership mindset transformation is identified as the ultimate differentiator, requiring a shift from command-and-control structures to servant leadership models that encourage experimentation and learning.

    The comprehensive checklist for UAE organizations includes tying AI directly to financial performance, redesigning business processes alongside technology stacks, breaking down data silos, and operationalizing AI and IoT for predictive capabilities. This execution-focused approach positions 2026 as the year where digital transformation quality will be judged by concrete outcomes rather than ambitious plans.

  • Marvel’s sterling silver sculptures make Dubai debut

    Marvel’s sterling silver sculptures make Dubai debut

    The United Arab Emirates has ushered in a new era of child protection with the implementation of a comprehensive federal law specifically designed to safeguard minors from digital risks. This legislative milestone coincides with Dubai’s announcement of an unprecedented New Year’s Eve celebration for 2026, featuring 48 synchronized fireworks displays across 40 strategic locations throughout the emirate.

    The newly enacted legislation represents a proactive approach to addressing the challenges of digital citizenship, establishing clear guidelines for technology usage among children. The law mandates protective measures against cyberbullying, inappropriate content exposure, data privacy violations, and other online threats that have become increasingly prevalent in the digital age. Legal experts characterize this as one of the region’s most thorough digital protection frameworks for minors.

    Simultaneously, Dubai’s Events Security Committee has unveiled ambitious plans for the 2026 New Year’s Eve festivities, which will transform the entire city into a panoramic celebration venue. The coordinated fireworks spectacle, strategically timed across different zones, will create a cascading visual effect visible from multiple vantage points across the metropolitan area. This elaborate display underscores Dubai’s continuing commitment to establishing itself as a premier global destination for landmark celebrations and tourism excellence.

    The synchronization of these two developments—child protection legislation and cultural celebration planning—demonstrates the UAE’s balanced approach to both social welfare and international positioning. While the digital protection law addresses critical societal needs in the technology era, the fireworks display reinforces Dubai’s reputation for executing world-class public events with meticulous precision and spectacular visual impact.

  • Holiday shopping 2025: Record online traffic meets a new era of budget‑driven consumers

    Holiday shopping 2025: Record online traffic meets a new era of budget‑driven consumers

    The 2025 holiday shopping season has emerged as a tale of two contrasting realities: unprecedented digital engagement alongside a fundamental transformation in consumer spending habits driven by economic pressures. According to comprehensive data analytics from Dynatrace and consumer research from Qlik, retailers navigated a landscape where soaring online traffic met increasingly budget-aware shoppers redefining traditional gift-giving practices.

    Cyber Week—encompassing Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday—shattered previous digital records with extraordinary web traffic metrics. Retail platforms monitored by Dynatrace witnessed an 80% surge in online traffic compared to typical weekend baselines, with Black Friday alone generating double the traffic of a standard Friday. The computational scale of this activity reached staggering proportions, exceeding 100 petabytes of processed data—triple the volume recorded in 2024—equivalent to approximately 5,000 years of continuous high-definition video streaming.

    Beneath this surface of digital prosperity, Qlik’s comprehensive consumer survey reveals a profound behavioral shift. A significant 83% of shoppers acknowledged adjusting their holiday spending strategies due to economic concerns, with 39% specifically citing inflation as their primary motivator. This financial pragmatism manifested through multiple channels: 40% of consumers planned to purchase fewer gifts, while 35% initiated their shopping earlier to distribute expenses across multiple pay periods.

    Generational analysis reveals particularly distinctive patterns among Gen Z shoppers, with 32% actively opting for lower-cost alternatives to premium brands. This demographic demonstrates a strategic approach to maintaining trend relevance while adhering to budgetary constraints, frequently selecting affordable activewear alternatives and economically priced toy options. The secondhand gift economy has likewise gained substantial traction across most age cohorts, with 31% of Gen Z, 23% of Millennials, and 21% of Gen X consumers planning thrifted purchases—though Baby Boomers remain comparatively hesitant at just 13% adoption.

    The returns process has evolved into a significant revenue opportunity for forward-thinking retailers. Twenty percent of consumers reportedly spend more during return transactions than the original product’s value, with Gen Z leading this ‘trade-up’ tendency at 30%. Remarkably, 54% of Gen Z shoppers admit to making online purchases with premeditated return intentions.

    According to Qlik CEO Mike Capone, retailers employing sophisticated data strategies and agentic artificial intelligence will be best positioned to optimize pricing structures, maintain profit margins, and transform return processes into profitable engagements. As the industry prepares for post-holiday sales and January clearance events, the 2025 season demonstrates that technological infrastructure resilience must be paired with nuanced consumer insight to succeed in this new era of value-conscious digital commerce.

  • Armenia positions itself as a high‑potential investment destination for GCC capital

    Armenia positions itself as a high‑potential investment destination for GCC capital

    Armenia is rapidly establishing itself as a strategic investment destination for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) capital, distinguishing itself through comprehensive digital transformation and financial innovation. Unlike conventional markets with limited innovation zones, Armenia has implemented a technology-friendly regulatory framework across its entire territory, creating a uniquely agile environment for financial technology development.

    According to Vazgen Gevorkyan, Member of the Supervisory Board at Evocabank, Armenia’s economic transformation over the past decade has positioned it as an exceptional hub for capital seeking both innovation and stability. The country demonstrated remarkable economic resilience with 5.9% GDP growth in 2024, supported by robust financial buffers and a deeply integrated banking system. Banking penetration has reached 109% of GDP, indicating not merely high usage but sector maturity.

    A key differentiator is Armenia’s nationwide regulatory sandbox approach, allowing fintech institutions to test real products in actual markets without protracted approval processes. This creates a regulatory environment that operates at the speed modern investors demand.

    The country benefits from substantial diaspora capital flows, with remittances accounting for 4.9% of GDP in 2024—significantly above global averages. In 2022, diaspora communities contributed to a $2.5 billion net deposit influx into the banking system, demonstrating strong confidence in Armenia’s financial infrastructure.

    Armenia’s technical talent pool, rooted in decades of mathematical and engineering excellence and strengthened by institutions like TUMO, has cultivated a generation of developers capable of building sophisticated financial technology systems. This positions Armenia to become a backend fintech hub for Middle Eastern and North African banks seeking cost-efficient development and high-quality talent.

    The nation’s strategic advantage stems from early decisions to avoid legacy system preservation and instead rebuild around mobile-first architecture, integrating digital processes at the core rather than as superficial additions. This approach has created a financial ecosystem designed for speed and efficiency, offering Gulf investors a rare combination of regulatory clarity, technical capability, and financial stability.

  • EmCoin & Hotdesk to launch world’s first hybrid token ICO from Abu Dhabi

    EmCoin & Hotdesk to launch world’s first hybrid token ICO from Abu Dhabi

    In a landmark development for digital finance, Abu Dhabi is poised to host the world’s first hybrid security-and-utility token offering following a strategic partnership between Emirates Coin Investment (EmCoin) and global workspace technology leader Hotdesk. The announcement, made during Abu Dhabi Finance Week, reveals plans for the DESK Token Initial Coin Offering (ICO) in 2026, pending regulatory approvals.

    The DESK Token represents a groundbreaking financial instrument that merges real-world asset backing with practical utility. Unlike conventional digital assets, DESK Token will be supported by high-quality, income-generating real estate properties, including Grade A offices and coworking spaces. Simultaneously, token holders will gain seamless access to Hotdesk’s extensive global network of over 2,300 workspaces across 81 countries.

    This innovative dual-value model creates an unprecedented asset class that combines yield generation with immediate practical application. The initiative will operate within a fully regulated framework, with EmCoin—the UAE’s first SCA-licensed Virtual Asset Service Provider—supporting the token within its compliant digital asset ecosystem. The project receives additional institutional backing from Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank) and Singularity Venture Hub.

    Mohamed Khaled, Founder & CEO of Hotdesk, emphasized the project’s pioneering nature: “Our vision to launch the world’s first hybrid token ICO from Abu Dhabi leverages the emirate’s forward-thinking regulatory environment and innovation-driven ecosystem. DESK Token is designed to generate returns, deliver real-world utility, and create tangible value through its unique hybrid structure.”

    Yasin Arafat, Chief Operating Officer of EmCoin, noted the transformative potential of the collaboration: “We’re bringing a pioneering workspace platform into the blockchain world through a token that combines practical utility with real-world asset backing.”

    The DESK Token initiative reinforces Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s strategic commitment to shaping the next wave of digital economy innovation, creating a new bridge between digital finance and the future of work while establishing new standards for asset-backed digital tokens.

  • Israel ranks lowest in global brand index

    Israel ranks lowest in global brand index

    For the second year running, Israel has anchored the bottom of the global Nation Brands Index (NBI), according to findings released by the private research organization BrandIL. This represents the country’s most dismal performance in the nearly twenty-year history of the index, conceived by policy adviser Simon Anholt.

    The comprehensive NBI framework evaluates national reputations across six critical dimensions: tourism appeal, cultural perception, population image, immigration and investment climate, export and product reputation, and governance quality. The latest rankings placed Japan, Germany, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom at the pinnacle. Conversely, Israel found itself trailing behind nations including India, Kenya, Russia, Ukraine, and Namibia. The Palestinian Authority, while not a formally recognized state, also ranked lower.

    Conducted between August and September 2025, the survey revealed a stark 6.1 percent decline in Israel’s overall score from the previous year. A particularly alarming finding was Israel’s last-place ranking in perceptions of its exports and products, signaling a pronounced consumer aversion to goods and services associated with the nation.

    The report underscores a pivotal and troubling shift in international sentiment between 2024 and 2025. Criticism, once primarily directed at the Israeli government, has broadened to encompass attitudes toward Israeli citizens themselves. This evolution is directly correlated with the ongoing military operations in Gaza. Israeli media outlet Yedioth Ahronoth reported a growing perception of Israelis as ‘persona non grata’ in international circles.

    The human cost of the conflict is immense, with Palestinian casualties in Gaza and the West Bank exceeding 72,000 since October 2023. This context has fueled a dramatic reassessment of Israel’s global standing. Beyond rising criticism, the data indicates a generational schism, with more Gen Z respondents characterizing Israel as ‘illegitimate’ and ‘colonial’.

    The economic ramifications are tangible. The ‘Made in Israel’ label is now directly and negatively impacted as boycott movements persist worldwide. While the NBI does not directly track purchasing behavior, BrandIL issued a stark warning of broader economic risks, including a collapse in global trust, a downturn in foreign investment, severe damage to the tourism sector, and a profound erosion of Israel’s stature within the international community.

    This decline is corroborated by other major polls. A recent YouGov survey highlighted that public support for Israel across Europe has hit a record low in 2025, with fewer than a fifth of respondents in Britain, France, Germany, Denmark, Spain, and Italy holding a favorable view. In the United States, an April Pew Research poll found that 53% of Americans now hold an unfavorable opinion of Israel, a significant jump from 42% in March 2022. This negative sentiment is rising across the political spectrum, though it remains more pronounced among Democrats (69%) than Republicans (37%).

    A separate Pew poll confirmed that majority negative views of Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are now a global phenomenon, prevalent in 20 out of 24 countries surveyed in early 2025. Notably, this disapproval is no longer confined to Arab and Muslim nations but is expanding across Europe and East Asia, with positive perceptions dwindling particularly in Western Europe and among younger demographics globally.

  • Israel’s Katz doubles down on support of settlements in Gaza

    Israel’s Katz doubles down on support of settlements in Gaza

    Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has reaffirmed his controversial stance advocating for the establishment of Israeli settlements within the Gaza Strip, despite international law explicitly prohibiting such actions in occupied Palestinian territories. Speaking at a conference on Thursday, Katz articulated his vision for the Nahal military unit to construct outposts that would eventually transition into officially recognized settlements, asserting this would occur “in due time.

    This declaration follows Katz’s earlier remarks this week proposing “Nahal” settlements in northern Gaza, which prompted immediate backtracking from his office amid concerns about straining relations with the United States. However, Katz has since dismissed suggestions of retracting his statements, instead doubling down on his position during his latest public appearance.

    The minister further elaborated on Israel’s long-term security strategy, stating the nation “will never fully withdraw” from Gaza. He outlined plans for maintaining “a significant security area inside the Strip” even in potential ceasefire scenarios involving Hamas disarmament. Drawing parallels to ongoing Israeli military presence in Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank, Katz emphasized Israel’s autonomous security decisions, stating: “We don’t trust anyone, and no one will come and tell us – there will be no agreement.”

    Katz’s proposals have garnered support from far-right settler organizations, including the Nachala Settlement Movement and the Yesha Council. The latter framed potential settlements as retribution for the October 7 attacks, stating they would demonstrate that “for the massacre of 7 October [2023], he is paying with land and in perpetuity.” Nachala claims over 1,000 families stand ready to settle in Gaza immediately.

    This stance directly contradicts the ceasefire proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump, which envisions near-total Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israel previously maintained 21 settlements in Gaza before disengaging from the territory in 2005, while approximately 700,000 settlers currently reside in around 250 illegal settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem.