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In today’s newsletter:

Stay informed with the latest updates from Arabian Business, where our dedicated editorial team brings you a diverse range of stories. Here's what you missed on Thursday:

As the 2024 US presidential race heats up, one key question looms large for America’s allies and rivals in the Middle East: what would a Kamala Harris presidency  mean for the region? Find out here.

In other news, superstar influencer Mo Vlogs has hit back over social media claims that he is under investigation over comments made regarding a UAE financial institution. Vlogs has been at the centre of online claims that have gone viral, over alleged comments he made in a podcast. But the star – real name Mohamed Beiraghdary – told Arabian Business: “This is not true, I am not involved in anything like this. Sometimes people use my name without me even knowing about it.”

On the real estate front, Dubai’s off-plan property sector has seen a significant increase in transactions, accounting for 60 percent of total property deals in July 2024, up from 49 percent in July 2023. This growth comes as the city welcomed 9 million visitors in the first half of 2024, highlighting its appeal to investors and tourists alike.

Meanwhile, Emaar Development has reported a 56 percent increase in property sales for the first half of 2024. Sales reached AED29.7 billion ($8.1 billion), up from AED19 billion ($5.2 billion) in the same period of 2023. The company’s performance is attributed to successful property launches, which have established a strong revenue pipeline and aligned with its strategic objectives.

Aside from this, the demand for travel insurance has witnessed a significant increase in the UAE, driven by a surge in customer inquiries and a growing trend among travellers to secure their journeys, an industry player said. According to Policybazaar.ae, a leading insurance marketplace in the Middle East, the number of customer inquiries for travel insurance has skyrocketed by 182 percent compared to last year.

THE LONGER READ:

Sparklo not only recycled 33 million bottles, but also rewards those who recycle with discounts on groceries, utility payments, car charging, and more as an incentive for recycling

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