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As Al Ain FC celebrated their ADNOC Pro League triumph, Burjeel Holdings’ growing role as a specialized healthcare partner for four UAE football clubs highlights the importance of sports medicine, rehabilitation, and wellness support in
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The developer finalised the construction of its flagship Dubai project well ahead of scheduleLeading real estate developer KASCO Developments has proudly announced the official completion of its inaugural residential project, VOLNA By KASCO.This milestone marks
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In a small sewing workshop in southern Gaza, Nisreen Al-Rantisi pulls fabric from a pile and reshapes worn wedding dresses, trying to keep a fading tradition alive amid war and soaring costs.Families said they have
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Iran's top security body announced on Monday the formation of a new body to manage the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has effectively closed and wants to charge ships to traverse.On its official X account,
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Down the road from the city that produced one of Hollywood's ultimate underdog stories, Aaron Rai wrote an equally inspiring script at the PGA Championship on Sunday, delivering the knockout punch to become the first
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KnowBe4 has launched CAPY, a free online family cyber safety hub aimed at helping children, parents, older adults and everyday internet users build stronger defences against scams, phishing, cyberbullying, sextortion and AI-driven abuse.The programme, formally
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Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced a four-day paid holiday for private sector employees across the UAE to mark Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha.According to the ministry, the official break will begin
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Demand for Arabic and other Eastern languages is expected to continue growing in Russia amid increasing cultural, academic and economic engagement with the Islamic world, according to experts speaking at the Festival of Eastern Cultures during the 17th International Economic Forum “Russia–Islamic World: KazanForum.”Andrei Zeltyn, a leading simultaneous interpreter, Arabist and senior lecturer at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at the HSE University, said younger generations are showing a strong interest in language learning despite the rapid development of artificial intelligence and translation technologies.“Young people today are very drawn to languages. Neural networks have significantly improved the efficiency of translation programmes, but the lack of emotion in machine translation encourages people to learn languages themselves,” Zeltyn said during a press conference dedicated to the festival.He added that demand for Eastern languages, particularly Arabic, is likely to rise further in the coming years due to their growing importance in international relations and global cooperation. Zeltyn also highlighted the historic role of Kazan Federal University in the development of Arabic studies in Russia, describing it as one of the country’s pioneering centres for Oriental studies.Arabic remains one of the most widely spoken languages across the Middle East and North Africa and continues to play a key role in diplomacy, trade and intercultural communication, he noted.The Festival of Eastern Cultures was organised as part of the broader programme of the KazanForum, with the aim of promoting cultural dialogue and strengthening international academic and humanitarian cooperation.The festival featured a wide range of activities, including photo and art exhibitions showcasing Arab and Eastern cultures, competitions in photography, posters and video production, open lectures, workshops on Eastern languages and writing systems, cultural performances by representatives of Islamic countries, and screenings of documentary and educational films focusing on the East.
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UAE-based Chartered Accountant and Regional Senior Director – Advisory Services at athGADLANG, Khushboo Mushtaq, has been honoured with the CA Woman of the Year Award 2026 by Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan.The award recognises
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As global property markets face tightening regulations, rising entry costs, and weakening yields, investors are increasingly shifting toward alternative destinations that offer both financial value and long-term liveability. According to Faizul Ridzuan, a prominent Malaysian property investor, author, and the founder and CEO of FAR Capital, this trend reflects a broader transformation in investor behaviour, where lifestyle considerations are now as important as financial returns. Ridzuan said traditional property hubs are losing appeal due to escalating costs, stricter regulations, and saturated yields. “The shift is driven by a search for resilience and value,” he said. “Traditional hubs are facing high entry costs, tightening tax regulations, and saturated yields. Investors today, especially from the Gulf, are looking for safe harbours that offer a lower cost of entry without sacrificing legal security.” He noted that Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, is gaining attention for its combination of affordability, stability, and a familiar legal framework. Modern investors, he said, are no longer guided only by Internal Rate of Return (IRR), but by what he calls “Life Returns.” “We’ve moved into the era of the ‘Hybrid Investor.’ People are looking for a Plan B or a Safety Net. They want properties that generate strong returns while also offering a comfortable lifestyle for their families during travel or relocation,” he explained.At FAR Capital, this approach is defined as a “Utility-First Investment,” where property must work both as a financial asset and a lifestyle solution. Ridzuan highlighted Malaysia’s strong positioning compared to more established Asian markets. One key advantage is its relatively open ownership structure. “Unlike many Asian markets that restrict foreigners to leasehold ownership or specific zones, Malaysia allows freehold ownership in many cases,” he said. He added that Malaysia also offers modern infrastructure, advanced healthcare, strong highway connectivity, and comparatively lower property prices than many other markets. Faizul Ridzuan. He further pointed to Malaysia’s legal transparency under English Common Law, alongside long-term performance indicators including stable capital gains, strong rental yields in selected properties, and consistent currency and government stability.For Gulf investors in particular, Malaysia’s Muslim-friendly environment is a major draw. “It is a decisive factor. Malaysia feels like a cultural home away from home,” Ridzuan said. He noted that the availability of halal food, Islamic banking, and shared family values creates what he calls a “Zero Friction” environment. “Investors aren’t just buying brick and mortar,” he said. “They are buying an ecosystem where their families can thrive without cultural compromise.” Ridzuan believes Malaysia has now evolved into a dual-purpose market, serving both investment and second-home needs. Programs such as Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) and the Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) have strengthened this shift by enabling long-term residency pathways. He also observed that changing buyer expectations are reshaping industry practices. FAR Capital, he said, has moved from “selling units” to “structuring portfolios,” with a focus on transparency and long-term value.He warned that foreign buyers often face inflated pricing compared to locals due to “foreign premiums,” and stressed the importance of data-driven selection. “Our framework focuses on securing properties at or below market value,” he said, adding that the firm’s “8 Property Filter” helps identify safe, non-speculative investments and established developers. In his view, real estate has permanently shifted from being a pure asset class to a lifestyle-driven decision. “The work-from-anywhere culture has turned property into a lifestyle asset,” he said. “Buying in Malaysia is not only about diversifying your portfolio, but also your geography and quality of life.” When advising clients, Ridzuan said emotional appeal is always balanced with financial discipline. “We first ensure the math works — rental demand, capital appreciation potential, and exit strategies,” he said. “Only then do we consider lifestyle factors like schools, malls, or mosques.” Looking ahead, he believes Malaysia’s rising appeal is structural rather than temporary, supported by its role in global supply chains and status as a net energy exporter. “This isn’t a bubble,” he said. “It is the market finally recognising Malaysia’s undervalued status.” He concluded that success in property investment has fundamentally evolved. “A successful investment today delivers predictable cash flow, capital protection, and peace of mind,” he said. “If it allows you to sleep better at night knowing your wealth is secure and your family has a home in a welcoming country, that is the ultimate success.”
