In pics: A huge food and games hub just opened in Dubai Mall
Social Distrikt has now opened in Dubai Mall Fountain Views and it's about to be the ultimate urban food and entertainment hub. Spanning 42,000 square feet, it pairs diverse food options with fun and immersive entertainment.
Founded by hospitality group, Limestone Lab, who are known for creating innovative social and dining concepts, Social Distrikt has 22 premium food options plus an arcade and a bar, and multiple immersive gaming zones. The selection of food is from all around the world and includes La Barra (Peruvian tapas), Alba (fine dining Japanese-Korean fusion), Saigon (Vietnamese kitchen), and Double Like Burger & Lobster (gourmet burger and lobster dishes), Choco Fondue (chocolate based desserts), meet my sweet (authentic arabic sweets).
Social Distrikt also has a duck-pin bowling alley, arcade games and will host an evolving lineup of community events, from comedy nights to music acts. It sounds like the newest place to be in Downtown Dubai.
Social Distrikt comes after the opening of SLRP in Dubai Mall too, a ramen-lovers favourite.
> Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
2 days ago
- Arabian Post
Linyi Goods at Vietnam Expo Boost Sino-Viet Trade Ties
HO CHI MINH, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 July 2025 – The China Factory Products Export Fair 2025 was held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from July 12 to 14. Hundreds of original manufacturers from places like Shandong province's Linyi city displayed thousands of products ranging from daily necessities, office supplies, chemical products, and outdoor equipment to hardware tools. This fair adopted a collaborative format, featuring segmented exhibition zones. With over 70 booths designated for the Chinese factory exhibition area, the event also hosted various online and offline activities. Additionally, 200 renowned Vietnamese and neighboring region brands and enterprises were invited to exhibit and participate, all aimed at facilitating market expansion for Vietnamese local and international exhibitors. The exhibition drew large crowds, with numerous Vietnamese buyers and citizens praising the high-quality products and affordable prices of 'Made in Linyi'. ADVERTISEMENT As a significant exhibitor at this expo, Linyi companies took advantage of direct supply from source factories to offer a wide range of high-quality product selections to the Vietnamese market. This not only met the diverse demands of the Vietnamese market but also established a direct bridge for Chinese and Vietnamese enterprises, promoting deep cooperation and exchange in trade between the two sides. Looking back at 2024, Linyi achieved remarkable results in foreign trade, demonstrating distinctive development trends in trade relations with Vietnam and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. Regarding trade with Vietnam, bilateral trade continued to steadily expand, with the total import and export volume reaching 4.77 billion yuan ($664.97 million). The trade structure between the two sides showed significant complementary features, with Linyi mainly exporting products such as wood veneer, plywood, and hand tools to Vietnam, while importing aluminum alloys, chemical raw materials, and natural rubber latex. Expanding the perspective to the entire ASEAN region, Linyi saw robust growth in imports and exports with ASEAN in 2024, with a total trade volume reaching 40.15 billion yuan, representing a 16.2 percent year-on-year increase. Looking ahead, Linyi will further deepen economic and trade exchanges with Vietnam and ASEAN countries, expand cooperation fields, elevate the level of cooperation, and achieve mutual benefit, win-win cooperation, and common development. Hashtag: #Linyi The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Arabian Post
3 days ago
- Arabian Post
Between U.S. Tightening Scenarios and Japan's Expanding Deficit Post-Elections
Rania Gule The USD/JPY pair is rising, driven by renewed momentum supported by the ongoing divergence in monetary policies between the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan. Yield differentials between the two economies remain a key factor in explaining the pair's price action. The dollar gained additional support following the release of U.S. retail sales data, which significantly exceeded expectations, thereby weakening the likelihood of a Fed rate cut in September and prompting traders to reprice risk accordingly. A 0.6% rise in sales compared to a 0.1% forecast reflects continued strength in consumer demand, reinforcing the Fed's relatively hawkish stance that sees little urgency to ease policy amid persistent price pressures. In this context, I view the dollar's rise against the yen as a natural reflection of both macroeconomic and technical factors, especially as the pair approaches the psychological resistance level of 149.15. If U.S. data continues to outperform and Japanese fundamentals remain stagnant, this level could be breached. In my view, holding above 148.80 will encourage traders to test higher technical levels near 149.30 and eventually 150.00, particularly if more hawkish remarks emerge from Fed officials in the coming days. On the Japanese side, the BoJ's persistent commitment to low interest rates creates a fertile ground for further yen weakness — a policy stance that seems to be part of an implicit strategy to stoke inflation through currency depreciation. ADVERTISEMENT However, price action doesn't unfold in a vacuum. Japan's political and fiscal backdrop is casting a heavy shadow on investor sentiment, especially with the upcoming Upper House elections this Sunday. At this critical juncture, Japanese bond yields have spiked sharply, reflecting growing expectations of unchecked fiscal expansion following the elections. In my view, this surge in yields isn't merely a technical move; it signals deeper market anxiety about the incoming government's ability to balance economic support with fiscal restraint. I expect yields to continue rising through the third quarter, potentially surpassing 1.2% unless the government outlines a credible financial roadmap that reassures markets. These concerns are further complicated by Japan's debt-driven fiscal model. As one of the most indebted countries relative to GDP, Japan relies heavily on issuing new debt to meet its obligations. In my opinion, this model is no longer sustainable. Without a clear structural fiscal reform plan within the next two years, sovereign credit ratings could come under increasing pressure, pushing Japan toward harsh policy divisions or even disruptions in its bond market. This current model resembles walking a tightrope; even a minor loss of confidence or revenue shock could destabilise its financial equilibrium. Amid these pressures, a controversial policy proposal has emerged: cutting the consumption tax. I view this move as a financial misstep at this time. While it may offer short-term electoral appeal, it jeopardises medium-term fiscal stability, particularly if not paired with alternative revenue sources. In my estimate, reducing the tax from 10% to 8% without offsetting measures could widen the fiscal deficit by ¥7 to ¥10 trillion annually, translating into pressure on both the yen and bond yields. In short, markets are unlikely to tolerate such populist measures and will likely react swiftly and harshly. In an attempt to calm market nerves, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated he would not finance any tax cuts through additional borrowing. While this message offers some reassurance to the markets, it lacks an actionable plan. Without accompanying implementation details, the impact of this statement is muted, keeping markets in a state of cautious anticipation. In my view, this position may temporarily slow the rise in yields, but it is insufficient to shift the broader trajectory unless backed by clear strategies on both spending and revenue fronts. What is more concerning is that markets have already begun pricing in a potential post-election collapse in the Japanese bond market — a reflection of fragile investor confidence. While I do not foresee a full-scale crash, I do anticipate a sharp correction of 5% to 10% in bond prices within two weeks following the elections, especially if the new government's messaging is both expansionary and vague. Such a correction would likely force the BoJ to intervene again and potentially reassess its quantitative easing programs, which in turn could spark heightened volatility in currency and yield markets. ADVERTISEMENT On a broader scale, eroding confidence in Japanese bonds poses a serious risk to global debt markets, given the size and international significance of Japan's government bond market. Should international investors begin to question the sustainability of Japan's fiscal path, it could trigger a global yield surge, especially in high-debt countries like Italy and France. The ripple effects may also extend to emerging markets, where we could witness capital flight and rising borrowing costs that threaten macroeconomic stability. In my view, the USD/JPY pair is not simply reacting to short-term data or technical indicators — it is a mirror reflecting a broader conflict between an economy that has successfully delayed slowdown (the U.S.) and another that is masking structural fragility behind ultra-low interest rates (Japan). As long as this divergence persists, the most likely scenario is continued upside for the pair, though at a measured pace, and closely tied to how the political and fiscal narrative evolves in Tokyo over the coming weeks. Technical Analysis of ( USDJPY ) Prices: The USD/JPY pair is currently trading near a critical technical zone around the psychological resistance level of 149.15, where several technical factors converge to heighten the sensitivity of this area. Most notably, it aligns with the 50% Fibonacci retracement level of the decline from the January high to the April low, adding further significance to this resistance. A bullish breakout above this level — particularly if accompanied by strong momentum and high trading volume — could trigger a fresh wave of buying targeting the 150.00 level, which has historically acted as a battleground between bulls and bears, making it a key short-term resistance. Also published on Medium. Notice an issue? Arabian Post strives to deliver the most accurate and reliable information to its readers. If you believe you have identified an error or inconsistency in this article, please don't hesitate to contact our editorial team at editor[at]thearabianpost[dot]com. We are committed to promptly addressing any concerns and ensuring the highest level of journalistic integrity.
Arabian Post
3 days ago
- Arabian Post
Cushman & Wakefield: China Leads REIT Market Expansion in Asia while India's REIT Market Demonstrates Robust Growth
Chinese mainland REIT market joined the top three largest REIT markets in Asia for the first time with a n 85% increase in market value in 2024 India's office REIT market attracted considerable leasing demand from global capability centres Data centre and hospitality REITs gained strong investor interest in Japan and Singapore HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 July 2025 – China and India's Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) markets showed robust growth in 2024 and are expected to continue to attract strong investor interest this year, according to Cushman & Wakefield's Asia REIT Market Insight 2024-2025. The annual report revealed that the Chinese mainland REIT (C-REIT) market achieved a remarkable 85% increase in market value at the end of 2024, surpassing Hong Kong and becoming one of the region's top three REIT markets. In the same period, India's REIT market demonstrated robust growth in the office sector, driven by strong leasing demand for institutional-grade office space. Meanwhile, mature markets such as Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong moved toward stabilization, underlining their long-term resilience. Catherine Chen, Director, Investor Client Intelligence & Insights, Asia Pacific at Cushman & Wakefield said, 'The unprecedented growth in the C-REIT market highlights its role as a critical driver of regional expansion, while India's performance emphasizes the growing strength of the country's institutional-grade real estate. These markets continue to create new and exciting opportunities for investors targeting Asia.' Cushman & Wakefield's data showed a total of 263 active REIT products in the Asia market as of December 31, 2024, with a combined market value of US$235.8 billion, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 6.5%. The contraction was primarily driven by declines in the U.S. dollar values of the Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong markets due to the widespread softening in REIT stock prices and unfavorable exchange rate movements. Amid these declines, the Chinese mainland REIT market emerged as a bright spot, posting an impressive 85% year-on-year rise in market value, attributable to new REIT product issuances and strong investor demand for infrastructure-backed assets. ADVERTISEMENT In the mature markets, Japanese REITs experienced significant gains in dividend yield, led by stock price moderation and asset performance improvements, particularly among hotel REITs, which benefited from inbound tourism. In Singapore, positive total returns were observed across multiple property types in 2024, including data centres at 9.7%, and healthcare at 6.9%. Elsewhere in Asia, Thailand demonstrated robust performance with a 41% increase in market value, marking it as the second-highest growth market in the region. The Philippines, Malaysia and India reported increases of 37%, 21% and 13% respectively, supported by their favorable economic fundamentals and attractive real estate sectors. Total Market Value of Active REITs on Major Asia Exchanges (December 2024) Market Number of REITs Market Value (USD billion) Market Share (%) Japan 57 90.8 38.5 Singapore 39 67.4 28.6 Chinese Mainland 58 21.4 9.1 Hong Kong, China 11 16.1 6.8 India 4 11.0 4.6 Thailand 38 8.3 3.5 Malaysia 18 7.7 3.2 The Philippines 8 5.8 2.5 South Korea 24 5.3 2.3 Taiwan, China 6 21.0 0.9 Total 263 235.8 100 Source: Bloomberg database, compiled by Cushman & Wakefield Valuation & Advisory Services Expansion of C-REIT market The year 2024 saw a breakthrough in C-REIT issuance with 29 new REIT products, including 19 real estate-backed REITs. This represented the highest annual issuance recorded to date. Among product categories, consumer infrastructure REITs led the issuance count with seven new listings, followed by industrial park REITs with six launches. Heading into 2025, the market has maintained its robust trajectory with six REITs launched in Q1, including five real estate-backed products. As of March 31, 2025, a total of 64 public infrastructure REITs were listed in the Chinese mainland, marking a significant period of growth in the market. ADVERTISEMENT Chris Yang, Senior Director, Head of REITs Practice Group, China, at Cushman & Wakefield said, 'The C-REIT market has achieved a historic milestone in 2024, in both market value expansion and new product issuance. This surge reflects both greater investor confidence in infrastructure-backed REITs and the success of new issuances in retail and industrial REITs. Looking ahead, we anticipate further diversification and expansion as regulatory frameworks evolve to attract both domestic and international investors.' Global capability centres drive leasing demand for India office REITs India's office asset REITs have attracted a considerable share of demand from global capability centres (GCCs), which is an important growth driver for India's office markets. At a Pan-India level, GCCs have accounted for 28%–29% of gross leasing volume on average over the last four quarters up to Q1 2025. In contrast, REIT landlords were able to achieve a much higher share, at 40%–60% of total leasing demand from GCC firms, rendering institutionally owned assets the preferred choice for many multinational occupiers. Somy Thomas, Executive Managing Director, Valuations and Co- Head, Capital Markets, India at Cushman & Wakefield commented, 'India's REIT market continues to carve a strong trajectory, with exceptional growth seen across the office sector. Multinational companies, especially GCCs have driven record leasing activity, which now accounts for a significant share of the nation's Grade A office stock. There has also been a growing preference among occupiers for premium grade assets, thereby significantly benefiting REITs. All three office REITs in India achieved occupancy rates close to 90% at the end of Q1 2025.' A fourth office REIT in India is expected to make its listing debut by the end of the calendar year 2025. With 48 million sq ft of Pan-India Grade A office space (37 million sq ft operational and 11 million sq ft under development), Knowledge Realty Trust, which is backed by Blackstone and Sattva Developers is expected to become one of the largest real estate investment trusts listed in India. Looking Ahead The Asia REIT market is poised for continued evolution as it navigates the dual forces of mature market stabilization and emerging market expansion. 'We expect the mature markets of Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong to focus on enhancing operational efficiencies while grappling with the challenges posed by global monetary policy shifts. On the other hand, emerging markets, particularly the Chinese mainland, India and Thailand are expected to continue to grow, bolstered by strong economic fundamentals and supportive regulatory frameworks', noted Catherine Chen. Cushman & Wakefield's report also noted that data centre and hospitality REITs are expected to remain highly visible on investors' radar, driven by AI advancements and recovery in the tourism sector respectively. Additionally, M&A activity is likely to pick up as players seek scale and diversification to better weather market fluctuations. Please click here to download the report. Hashtag: #Cushman&Wakefield The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In Greater China, a network of 23 offices serves local markets across the region. In 2024, the firm reported revenue of $9.4 billion across its core services of Valuation, Consulting, Project & Development Services, Capital Markets, Project & Occupier Services, Industrial & Logistics, Retail, and others. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit or follow us on LinkedIn (
