Author: Emirates Insight

Abu Dhabi just got its first official K-pop Academy and it’s all about girl powerIf your Spotify Wrapped looks like a BTS playlist and you’ve been secretly rehearsing NewJeans choreo in your bedroom, here’s your moment. The Korean Cultural Center and South Korea’s legendary Dong-Ah Institute of Media and Arts (DIMA) are bringing a slice of Seoul’s pop scene to Dee Studio in Abu Dhabi with the launch of the very first K-pop Academy in the capital.DIMA have trained some of K-pop’s biggest names, including Sung Hanbin from ZEROBASEONE, Hoshi from SEVENTEEN, and solo artist Kwon Eunbi. For this workshop,…

With the UAE’s Etihad Rail network preparing for launch, communities near key stations are seeing a spike in buyer interest and price growthSet to welcome passengers by 2026, the much-anticipated Etihad Rail railway project isn’t just transforming how we travel, it’s also reshaping the real estate landscape across the country.With confirmed stations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah and beyond, investor eyes are now firmly fixed on neighbourhoods near the future line. And the numbers are already seem to be moving.So, if you’re thinking of moving (or investing) near the stations, now might be the time to decide: rent or…

Marinade Finance, the non-custodial staking protocol on Solana, is among the top performers in the past 24 hours. Although MNDE (No data)E crypto prices have cooled off, the uptrend remains. According to market data, MNDE crypto spiked 33% on August 6. At press time, prices are down, but the buyers are squarely in charge. MNDE Crypto Rallying From the daily chart, the August 5 bullish engulfing bar closed above local liquidation levels, reversing losses of late July 2025. If buyers push on today, rejecting lower lows and unwinding losses of earlier today, a break above $0.116 will be bullish for…

South African passport renewals are now available in DubaiWith over 100,000 South Africans currently residing in the United Arab Emirates, a new South African passport renewals service is a welcome convenience for those looking to update their documents without the hassle of international travel.VFS Global has officially launched passport renewal services for South African passport holders at its Visa Application Centre in Wafi Mall, Dubai. As of July 2025, the company is the sole authorised service partner for the South African Department of Home Affairs in the UAE.This new rollout means applicants no longer need to visit the Consulate General…

Phoenix Group PLC (ADX: PHX), an IHC portfolio company and global leader in blockchain and digital asset infrastructure, has received a reaffirmed Buy rating from US investment bank H.C. Wainwright & Co., along with a price target of AED 3.00. This recommendation stems from the company’s strategic evolution beyond its traditional mining operations into high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC). As of the August 4, 2025 closing price of AED 1.48, analysts estimate Phoenix Group shares have more than 102 per cent upside potential, reflecting the market’s confidence in the company’s diversified expansion. Titled “Re‑Energised Sites and AI/HPC…

Heads up, drivers, partial road closures will affect major routes across Abu Dhabi from August 7 to 11. Plan your trip to avoid traffic delays.If your daily route takes you through central Abu Dhabi, it’s time to rethink your commute. The Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has announced partial closures on two key roads this week to carry out essential upgrades.From Thursday, August 7 to Monday, August 11 2025, there will be a partial closure at the intersection of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Road and Al Falah Road. This is part…

Leading influencer Ansem crypto is in the news due to unconfirmed reports that he has been arrested. The claims have been exacerbated by the X AI chatbot, Grok, who seems to be spreading the rumors when asked, “Who is Ansem?”. Ansem, who goes by @blknoiz06 on X, hasn’t posted on the site since July 30, which has been the main reason for the jail rumors. blknoiz06 is Ansem, a prominent crypto trader and influencer with over 750k followers on X, known for insights on markets, DeFi, and meme coins. He was arrested on July 29, 2025, in Miami on charges…

Get ready to enjoy a night of partying with one of The Philippines’ hottest exportsThe Kings of P‑Pop are headed back to Dubai and fans, it’s time to get excited. SB19, the Filipino powerhouse boy band, are bringing their Simula at Wakas World Tour to Coca‑Cola Arena on Saturday, 11 October 2025. Their return marks a hotly anticipated moment after last year’s sold‑out show at The Agenda.Tickets go on pre-sale today, Thursday, 7 August, with general admission kicking off Friday, 8 August, exactly one day later, so set those reminders. Prices range from Dhs299 to Dhs599 via Visit Dubai, with…

That vision is anchored in belief – belief in integrity, belief in innovation, and above all, belief in delivering what he calls “holistic living experiences” to homeowners who want more than marble lobbies and glossy renders. It’s an approach rooted in substance over spectacle, where consistency, trust, and execution speak louder than hype. A legacy that shaped a leader Farooq’s story doesn’t begin in Dubai’s skyline, but in a modest office. It was where he witnessed his father shake hands on a land deal and honour it, even as the market soared. “There was no extensive contract, just a simple…

Ripple Labs formally pushed back against a new US Senate draft bill – the Responsible Financial Innovation Act of 2025 – aimed at regulating the cryptocurrency market. The company behind the XRP Ledger warned that the proposed legislation could grant the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) excessive and indefinite power over major digital assets.  In a detailed response submitted on 5 August 2025, Ripple argued that the bill in its current form would create more confusion than clarity. The company warned that the bill could stifle innovation and subject established tokens like XRP, Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) to perpetual…