Chinese New Year, the most significant festival for the global Chinese community, will be celebrated on January 29. In the UAE, the event drives activity across industries, particularly the F&B sector. Restaurants are preparing for increased footfall, with themed dining and cultural events targeting the local Chinese population and tourists.

Meanwhile, the rise of artificial intelligence tools has introduced a culture of “digital presenteeism,” where workers feel pressured to maintain productivity levels comparable to machines. Experts caution that while AI aims to enhance efficiency, it has created an expectation of constant availability. Enterprise spending on generative AI reached $13.8 billion last year, and McKinsey projects productivity growth of up to 0.6 percent annually through 2040, raising concerns about its impact on human well-being.

In other news, the UAE’s most advanced satellite, MBZ-SAT, has sent its first signal from space. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) confirmed that all systems are operational. The satellite, designed to support global development, has begun its mission to deliver advanced data capabilities.

On the real estate front, Dubai’s real estate sector achieved record sales in 2024. According to Betterhomes, 168,405 sales transactions valued at AED423.36bn ($115.3bn) marked the highest figures in the city’s history. The data reflects year-on-year growth of 30 percent in transaction value and 40 percent in volume, highlighting strong investor confidence and demand.

Aside from this, the world’s safest airlines have been announced by AirlineRatings.com. Air New Zealand topped the list, followed by Qantas, with Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad ranking in the top 10. The rankings included the top 25 full-service and low-cost carriers, selected from 385 airlines based on safety and operational excellence.