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Issue 12 Cover Story

Creative Infrastructure: Khadija Al Bastaki on Dubai Design District

Khadija Al Bastaki on d3's transformation — where 1,100 funded start-ups, Dubai Fashion Week, and AED 9 billion in funding have made the Arab world a creator, not…

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01 culture · 3 minCreative Infrastructure: Khadija Al Bastaki on Dubai Design District 02 art · 2 minArchitecture as Fashion: Askar Ramazanov on Two Disciplines, One Language 03 interview · 1 minKhadija Al Bastaki 04 interview · 3 minThe Architect of Time: Jacob Arabo of Jacob & Co.
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“Luxury is no longer about scarcity — it is about regeneration.”

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Want to ruin your business in the UAE? We’re prett Want to ruin your business in the UAE? We’re pretty sure you can handle that on your own! But if you DON’T want… Welcome to #UAECultureMap. A new World Arabia @world_arabia series decoding the unwritten rules of doing business in the UAE. The rules no one puts in a guidebook. The cultural nuances no one warns you about. The signals everyone local understands, but most foreigners completely miss. In our first episode, Anastasia Shevchenko @meetanastasia , CEO & Founder of Intersummit and a cross-cultural business expert, shares one of the most common mistakes international professionals make when entering the UAE market. Just hit play.
According to The Times of Israel, which cited IRNA According to The Times of Israel, which cited IRNA, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy member was killed in a US drone strike near the southwestern Iranian port city of Mahshahr. IRNA identified the serviceman as Mohammad Reza Khazini, saying he was struck by shrapnel while “confronting enemy drones” during the attack.
In 1962, Abu Dhabi was a small coastal town with a In 1962, Abu Dhabi was a small coastal town with a population of fewer than 50,000 people. Before modern development, the economy relied on pearling, fishing, date farming, and trade. That same year marked a turning point in the emirate’s history: Abu Dhabi exported its first shipment of crude oil from the Das Island terminal, officially entering the global energy market. Although oil revenues had begun to flow, Abu Dhabi still had few paved roads, limited electricity, and basic infrastructure. Under the leadership of Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the emirate was only beginning its transition from a traditional settlement into a modern city. Just 4 years later, in 1966, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became Ruler of Abu Dhabi and launched the large-scale development programs that transformed the emirate into the capital of the UAE.
Before tensions escalated in the Middle East, Sout Before tensions escalated in the Middle East, South Korean shipping entrepreneur Ga-Hyun Chung spent an estimated $7 billion building one of the world’s largest fleets of oil tankers through Sinokor Group. According to The Wall Street Journal, that timing proved critical. When the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted, freight rates surged, and Sinokor had already positioned many of its tankers near the Gulf. The company used its vessels for floating storage and shuttle voyages, helping transport crude as regional shipping patterns changed. According to Arabian Business, citing Bloomberg, just 3 Sinokor vessels operating since April may have generated $60–120 million in additional earnings. The Wall Street Journal estimates that Sinokor now controls around 10% of the world’s Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), making Chung one of the biggest commercial beneficiaries of this year’s oil market volatility.
The UAE ranked 3rd globally for trust in media, sc The UAE ranked 3rd globally for trust in media, scoring 74 points in the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer. The ranking places the UAE behind only China and Indonesia, and ahead of countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, Malaysia, and Singapore. According to Edelman, the score reflects the percentage of people who trust media to do what is right – including news organizations, journalists, and media platforms. The findings suggest that people in the UAE have one of the highest levels of confidence in the media compared with other countries surveyed.
According to Reuters, the United States launched a According to Reuters, the United States launched a new wave of strikes against Iran, hitting more than 80 military targets, ivernight on July 8. The operation came in response to attacks on 3 commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. According to CENTCOM, US forces targeted Iranian air defense systems, command-and-control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boats to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping through one of the world’s busiest trade routes.
Emirates SkyCargo has converted a former Boeing 77 Emirates SkyCargo has converted a former Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft into a dedicated cargo plane for the first time, expanding its freight capacity without building a new aircraft. The jet, which previously carried passengers in the Emirates fleet, has now entered commercial service as a freighter, transporting more than 100 tonnes of cargo on its first flight from Hong Kong to Dubai. According to Emirates, the converted aircraft provides 25% more cargo volume than a standard Boeing 777F and forms part of the airline’s strategy to meet growing global demand for air cargo while making more efficient use of its existing fleet.
Why did Vincent van Gogh cut off his ear? And what Why did Vincent van Gogh cut off his ear? And what did art truly mean to him? Well, let’s ask him directly. Meet Elen Levitt @elenlevitt , creator and host of ART AI LIVE — a series created by Elen Levitt and presented in partnership with World Arabia Magazine. In this episode, Elen interviews Vincent van Gogh through AI, exploring one of the most debated moments of his life alongside the philosophy that shaped his art. Using Van Gogh’s letters, historical records, and biographical sources, we revisit the story behind the artist’s most famous act and discover why he believed art should bring comfort, hope, and joy. Watch now and hear Van Gogh’s perspective in his own words.
Dubai residents and visitors can now check whether Dubai residents and visitors can now check whether they have an active travel ban or financial case through the Dubai Police app, website, Smart Police Stations, or police stations. According to Emirates 24|7, users can access the “Circulars and Travel Bans” service by logging in with UAE Pass. The service instantly shows whether any travel ban or legal circular has been issued by the relevant authorities. If no restrictions exist, users receive a “No Travel Ban” confirmation. Dubai Police recommends checking your status before travelling abroad or completing important legal and financial transactions to avoid unexpected issues.
On July 6, at least 2 commercial vessels were repo On July 6, at least 2 commercial vessels were reportedly struck by Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) missiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters, citing an earlier Axios report based on US officials. The 2 ships sustained significant damage, but no casualties were reported. Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that a tanker sailing near Limah, Oman, was hit by an unknown projectile, causing a fire that was later brought under control. UKMTO said there were no injuries or environmental impact. Reuters noted that it could not independently verify the Axios report or confirm whether the tanker identified by UKMTO was one of the two vessels reportedly struck.
Before the world’s tallest skyscrapers and iconic Before the world’s tallest skyscrapers and iconic skyline, there was a very different Dubai. Built around Dubai Creek, the city was once home to fishermen, pearl divers, merchants, and traders who shaped its early identity. These rare scenes from the late 1960s and early 1970s capture the moment Dubai’s transformation began. Oil had just been discovered, but the emirate’s greatest investment was its vision for the future – building the foundations of the global city we know today.
Global passenger traffic reached 9.8 billion trave Global passenger traffic reached 9.8 billion travelers in 2025, up 3.6% from 2024 and 7.3% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels, according to ACI World Insights. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport remained the world’s busiest airport with 106.3 million passengers, while Dubai International Airport (DXB) ranked second with 95.2 million, ahead of Tokyo Haneda Airport with 91.7 million. According to ACI World, the continued growth in global air travel was supported by easing inflation and lower fuel prices, despite ongoing challenges including geopolitical tensions, airspace restrictions, aircraft delivery delays, and airport capacity constraints.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched the “Bread for All” initiative, providing free fresh bread 24/7 to people in need through smart automated machines across Dubai. According to the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives, the project is a collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy. The smart machines bake and dispense fresh bread free of charge while also allowing the public to make donations and support the initiative. The program currently operates five machines across Dubai, combining innovation with a sustainable model of charitable giving.
The UAE’s aerobatic team Fursan Al Emarat took par The UAE’s aerobatic team Fursan Al Emarat took part in the 250th US Independence Day celebrations, marking its first-ever appearance in the event. According to Khaleej Times, the team flew alongside the US Navy Blue Angels and US Air Force aircraft, highlighting the strong strategic partnership between the UAE and the United States. Fursan Al Emarat also performed over Jones Beach in New York, showcasing precision formations while painting the sky in the colors of the UAE flag as a symbol of national pride and the excellence of Emirati aviation.
Maria Maslenkova @invest.overseas built MIO Real E Maria Maslenkova @invest.overseas built MIO Real Estate @mio.estate around a clear investment principle: not every property on the market is worth buying. Her boutique agency works with only a small share of available listings, focusing on assets that can generate long-term returns through rental income, resale, or portfolio growth. Having entered the UAE market as an investor herself, Maria developed a strategy based on early trend identification in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and later in emerging markets such as Sharjah and Saudi Arabia. Today, MIO Real Estate works with investors across the region, helping them structure property portfolios, manage assets, and identify opportunities in locations where demand continues to grow while supply remains limited. #alfahidisland #dubairealestate #abudhabiproperty #siliconoasisinvestment #33realestateexperts
MENA startups raised $148.2 million across 41 deal MENA startups raised $148.2 million across 41 deals in June 2026, with the UAE leading the region after startups secured $93.8 million in funding. According to Wamda, one of the largest disclosed round in the UAE was raised by 1001, which secured $30 million in a Series A round led by Lux Capital. The GCC- and London-based AI startup develops sovereign AI systems for critical infrastructure and will use the funding to expand across key GCC markets. Overall, Enterprise AI attracted the most investment in June, highlighting growing demand for AI solutions across the region, while the UAE maintained its position as MENA’s leading startup ecosystem.
Sheikh Zayed viewed the UAE’s oil wealth not as a Sheikh Zayed viewed the UAE’s oil wealth not as a personal fortune, but as a responsibility to improve people’s lives. He believed that prosperity should be shared not only with the people of the UAE, but also with neighboring countries in times of need. Guided by the principle that “we ought to help each other,” Sheikh Zayed supported humanitarian and development initiatives across the region, believing that true wealth is measured by the positive impact it has on others.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has te Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has temporarily closed the bus and taxi service road at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station until the end of 2026 as part of the station’s expansion project. According to Gulf News, the affected road along Sheikh Zayed Road will be reserved for construction vehicles, while RTA has introduced a temporary bus layby and traffic management measures to minimize disruption for commuters. The authority is advising motorists and public transport users to follow directional signs, observe speed limits, and allow extra travel time while the works are underway.
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