
Flying cars for Oman and Syria's payment system recovery: This week's business headlines from the Middle East
Flying cars moved a step closer to reality in Oman, OceanQuest debuted at the UN Ocean Conference, and it was announced that Syria will soon reconnect to the Swift payment system.
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35 minutes ago
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Thriving on Agility: Ali Al Gebely, Founder and Chairman, ONE Development
It took less than a month for ONE Development to sell out Phase 1 of its new Laguna Residence development. But for Ali Al Gebely, this is just the beginning. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Phase 1 of Laguna Residence sold out in less than a month after launch. Were you surprised by such a strong performance? The swift sell-out of Phase 1 of Laguna Residence in under a month was a significant milestone, yet it aligned with our expectations. This success underscores the trust and confidence that both local and international investors place in ONE Development's vision and execution capabilities. It reflects our strong understanding of the market dynamics and its readiness for innovative, AI-integrated living spaces. This achievement has encouraged our teams to deliver exceptional developments that meet and exceed our clients' evolving expectations. Can you expand on the new showroom in Abu Dhabi – the key features that make it such an important step forward? Our new showroom on Saadiyat Island represents a pivotal step in our expansion across the UAE. Strategically located in the capital Abu Dhabi's cultural and lifestyle hub, the showroom embodies ONE Development's commitment to innovation and personalised client experiences. The showroom is designed to provide an immersive experience, featuring advanced displays, carefully selected design elements, and interactive spaces. It serves as a gateway for clients to explore our unique approach to boutique real estate, allowing them to experience firsthand the quality and innovation characterising our projects. ONE Development is a newcomer to the property scene yet has managed to make a huge impact already. What are the reasons for this? ONE Development thrives on agility and a client-centric approach. Our focus is on delivering tailored, high-quality experiences that resonate with today's discerning residents. We differentiate ourselves in a competitive market by integrating advanced technologies and sustainable practices. Our developments, like Laguna Residence, exemplify this philosophy by blending innovative design, lifestyle amenities, and AI-powered solutions to create communities that foster connection, comfort, and a sense of home. How do you see the company evolve over the next five years, and what are the biggest obstacles you see to growth? Over the next five years, ONE Development aims to lead the transformation of community living by prioritizing connection, sustainability, and innovation. Our vision is to redefine the boutique real estate segment, setting new benchmarks for residential experiences through tech-driven, customer-centric design. This strategy is now extending beyond the UAE, marked by our recent international expansion with the launch of DO New Cairo in Egypt, and upcoming developments in Saudi Arabia and Europe by the end of the year laying the foundation for a truly global presence and a future shaped by visionary living. Laguna Residence is very well known for its integration of AI and other technological advancements. However, these industries are fast-moving. Do you have a vision for the type of home we will be living in ten years from now? Laguna Residence represents our vision for the future of living, where AI and technology seamlessly integrate into daily life. Through an innovative app, residents enjoy automated home management, personalised services, and intelligent facility control, all powered by AI. This ensures an efficient, smart, and connected lifestyle, elevating everyday living to new heights. Looking ahead, we envision homes that adapt to residents' needs in real time, utilising AI to enhance comfort, security, and sustainability. Our commitment is to continue pioneering advancements that redefine residential living, ensuring our communities remain at the forefront of innovation. Can you share how the concept of DO Hotels & Residences was born through your collaboration with the iconic Amr Diab? The idea was developed from a shared vision to create something that didn't exist—a hospitality experience that truly moves people. Amr Diab brought the soul: his global energy, passion for music, and timeless influence. We brought our expertise in designing spaces that inspire and connect. Together, we envisioned a new brand that blends music, wellness, and technology into an immersive lifestyle journey. This vision took shape with the launch of DO Dubai on Dubai Islands, followed by our first international debut with DO New Cairo in Egypt. 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Yahoo
43 minutes ago
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Dollar Rebounds on Hawkish Powell
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A Look Ahead at the Fed Dollar Rebounds on Hawkish Powell Dollar Slips Ahead of FOMC Meeting Results Our exclusive Barchart Brief newsletter is your FREE midday guide to what's moving stocks, sectors, and investor sentiment - delivered right when you need the info most. Subscribe today! US weekly initial unemployment claims fell -5,000 to 245,000, right on expectations. US May housing starts fell -9.8% m/m to a 5-year low of 1.256 million, weaker than expectations of 1.350 million. May building permits, a proxy for future construction, unexpectedly fell -2.0% m/m to a 4-3/4 year low of 1.393 million, weaker than expectations of no change at 1.422 million. As expected, the FOMC kept the fed funds target rate unchanged at 4.25%-4.50% and said the uncertainty about the economic outlook has 'diminished but remains elevated.' The statement removed the language that the committee 'judges that the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen.' The FOMC cut its US 2025 GDP estimate to 1.4% from 1.7% in March and raised its 2025 core inflation estimate to 3.1% from 2.8% in March. The Fed's dot plot of interest rate projections shows the median fed funds rate forecast at the end of 2025 at 3.875%, implying two quarter-point cuts this year, the same as they expected in March. Fed Chair Powell said, 'We expect a meaningful amount of inflation in the coming months' as the increases in tariffs are likely to boost prices and that their effects on inflation could be more persistent. The markets are discounting the chances at 10% for a -25 bp rate cut after the July 29-30 FOMC meeting. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) Wednesday fell by -0.04%. The euro on Wednesday gave up an early advance and finished slightly lower due to a rebound in the dollar. The euro was also under pressure Wednesday due to dovish comments from ECB Governing Council member Panetta, who stated that the Eurozone's economic prospects face 'substantial' risks due to US tariffs and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Swaps are discounting the chances at 7% for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at the July 24 policy meeting. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) Wednesday fell by -0.09%. The yen posted modest gains on Wednesday as heightened geopolitical risks in the Middle East have prompted safe-haven buying of the yen. Wednesday's report showing a smaller-than-expected decline in Japan's Apr core machine orders was also supportive of the yen. The yen fell back from its best level when T-note yields rose on hawkish comments from Fed Chair Powell. Japan Apr core machine orders fell -9.1% m/m, a smaller decline than expectations of -9.5% m/m. Japanese trade news was mixed as Japan's May exports fell -1.7% y/y, a smaller decline than expectations of -3.7% y/y. However, May imports fell -7.7% y/y, weaker than expectations of -5.9% y/y and the biggest decline in 16 months. August gold (GCQ25) Wednesday closed up +1.20 (+0.04%), and July silver (SIN25) closed down -0.238 (-0.64%). Precious metals on Wednesday settled mixed. Heightened geopolitical risks in the Middle East support safe-haven demand for precious metals as the war between Israel and Iran continues for a sixth day with no end in sight. In addition, global trade uncertainty is boosting safe-haven demand for precious metals after President Trump indicated last Wednesday that he is moving ahead with his reciprocal tariffs. Fund buying of silver continues to support prices as silver holdings in ETFs rose to a 2-1/4 year high Tuesday. Wednesday's recovery in the dollar from early losses to higher on the day undercut precious metals prices. Also, gold prices fell more than -$10 an ounce in after-hours trading Wednesday afternoon due to hawkish comments from Fed Chair Powell, who said, 'We expect a meaningful amount of inflation in the coming months' due to tariffs. Silver prices also fell back after the FOMC cut its US 2025 GDP forecast and following Wednesday's weaker-than-expected reports on US May housing starts and building permits, which showed weakness in industrial metals demand. On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Sign in to access your portfolio