Lifestyle - Gulf Insider

1 year ago

The Neurobiology of Habits

Key points Whether you are trying to quit smoking or eat more vegetables, changing your habits takes more than willpower. Habits are shaped by how your brain learns and makes decisions. A recent study found that we form habits through rewards and consistent repetition. Changing your habits can be hard, but repetition may be the key to maintaining a healthy routine. How Habits Are Formed It is easy to think of habits as behaviors that we can choose to start and stop at any time. We want to believe that we are in control of all our actions and preferences. In reality, habits are deeply ingrained patterns shaped by both our environment and how our brains learn over time. Learning new habits happens slowly, often without you realizing it. When you first learn to drive a car, you consciously think about every action– checking your mirrors, monitoring the road, tracking your speed, and other actions. Over time, as your brain strengthens these neural pathways, driving starts to feel automatic. Once the habit is established, the brain’s “decision-making center” takes a backseat. Forming a new habit can take anywhere from three weeks to several months, averaging about 70 days. The promise of a reward is often one of the […]

1 year ago

El Gouna Unveils Newest Red Sea Addresses During UAE Showcase

El Gouna, the striking coastal town on Egypt’s Red Sea, took centre stage in the UAE during a special showcase by Orascom Development. The showcase, part of the 4th Annual Private Wealth Middle East Forum, introduced two of El Gouna’s latest waterfront real estate projects: Fanadir Shores and North Bay. Designed to offer a laid-back coastal lifestyle, the projects were unveiled at an evening reception where regional investors, partners, and industry leaders had gathered. Fanadir Shores features 57 residential units along a private lagoon with direct access to the Red Sea, while North Bay offers larger standalone villas and penthouses set around open lagoons and boat docks. Both projects are scheduled for delivery within two years. New Developments Along El Gouna’s Premium Shoreline Fanadir Shores is located beside Fanadir Marina and La Maison Bleue Boutique Hotel. The development includes seven low-rise buildings offering 2- to 4-bedroom apartments (averaging 220 sqm), each designed to maximise sea views and promote sustainable living. North Bay’s newest phase, Highland, features villas, duplexes, and penthouses with architectural design by Victor Legorreta. Prices range from $1.8M to $3.2M depending on unit size. A central feature of this neighbourhood is The Pavilion, a public space designed to […]

1 year ago

Oman Hotel Revenue Hits $284m as Visitor Numbers Up 8.6%

Oman’s revenue from three to five-star hotels by the end of April 2025, reached OR109,213,000 ($283.7m), according to statistics released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). This is an increase of 17.3 per cent compared to OR93,094,000 ($242m) during the same period in 2024. The statistics indicate that this growth is attributed to an 8.6 per cent rise in the total number of hotel guests, recording 831,751 guests by the end of April 2025, compared to 766,153 guests in the corresponding period in 2024. Oman tourism growth Additionally, the occupancy rate increased from 53.4 per cent by the end of April 2024 compared to 61.1 per cent by end of April 2025, marking a 14.4 per cent growth. The number of guests from Oceania surged by 57.8 per cent, totalling 18,124 visitors, followed by Africa with a 57.6 per cent increase, reaching 5,993 guests. European guests rose by 19.9 per cent, totalling 314,535 visitors. Meanwhile, guests from the Americas increased by 19.1 per cent, reaching 28,843 visitors, while GCC nationals saw a 12.6 per cent increase, totalling 53,642 guests. Asian nationalities recorded a 5.4 per cent rise, with 114,426 visitors. Conversely, the statistics revealed a 0.7 per cent decline […]

1 year ago

Dubai’s Ultra-Luxury Property Market Hits New Heights With $77M Bulgari Lighthouse Penthouse Sales

Dubai’s luxury real estate market continues to defy global trends, with Driven | Forbes Global Properties completing the sale of the final two penthouses at the Bulgari Lighthouse for a combined total exceeding AED282m ($77m). The deals reinforce the emirate’s status as one of the world’s most resilient and in-demand ultra-prime residential destinations. The first penthouse, a five-bedroom residence spanning 11,657 sq ft, was sold for AED146.6m ($40m), while the second fetched AED136.25m ($38m) —both among the highest-value apartment sales recorded in Dubai this year. Bulgari Lighthouse in Dubai Designed by acclaimed Italian architects Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel, the Bulgari Lighthouse is located on Jumeirah Bay Island. The tower features a coral-like façade, panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and Downtown Dubai, and interiors finished with Italian marble, hand-laid silk panelling, and warm oak accents. Each residence includes private infinity pools, double-height salons, and expansive terraces, merging resort-style luxury with urban privacy. Every detail is curated in partnership with the adjacent Bulgari Resort Dubai, offering owners hotel-level services—from private chefs and curated events, to concierge-managed experiences. The landmark sales were brokered by Lina Allaoa and Kianoush Darban, founders of The Private Collection at. Known for consistently setting area records—including the highest price per […]

1 year ago

Which Countries Have The Lowest Life Expectancy?

The average life expectancy of a country reflects the cumulative impacts of economic development, quality of life, healthcare systems, and various other factors that affect overall well-being. Across the globe, life expectancy differs sharply between high-income and low-income countries. This infographic, via Visual Capitalist’s Niccolo Conte, shows the 25 countries with the lowest life expectancy (at birth) in the world, using data from the UN’s World Population Prospects portal. Africa Dominates the Countries With the Lowest Life Expectancy The African continent hosts 24 of the 25 countries with the lowest life expectancy, many of which are also among the least developed countries in the world. Here’s a look at the countries with the lowest life expectancy: Rank Country Life Expectancy(Both Sexes) Life Expectancy (Male) Life Expectancy (Female) 1 Nigeria 🇳🇬 54.6 54.3 54.9 2 Chad 🇹🇩 55.2 53.4 57.2 3 South Sudan 🇸🇸 57.7 54.8 60.8 4 Central African Republic 🇨🇫 57.7 55.5 59.6 5 Lesotho 🇱🇸 57.8 55.0 60.4 6 Somalia 🇸🇴 59.0 56.5 61.5 7 Mali 🇲🇱 60.7 59.3 62.1 8 Guinea 🇬🇳 60.9 59.7 59.7 9 Benin 🇧🇯 61.0 59.5 62.4 10 Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 61.3 59.1 63.4 11 Niger 🇳🇪 61.4 60.5 62.4 12 Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 62.0 60.2 63.7 13 Ivory […]

1 year ago

Ordinary billionaires settle for a superyacht, but the Qatari royal family bought an entire marina in Spain and upgraded it just so their $500 million megayacht can dock in secrecy on their frequent summer retreats from Doha’s blistering heat

This week, one of the most extraordinary vessels on the water, Al Lusail, the private superyacht of the Emir of Qatar, was spotted sailing along Spain’s Mediterranean coast, drawing awe from onlookers and yacht enthusiasts alike. The 123-meter floating palace made a quiet return to Port Tarraco Marina, one of the few Mediterranean ports specifically equipped to accommodate vessels of its scale and stature. Interestingly, the port was previously owned by Qatar. Designed for privacy, security, and world-class luxury, Al Lusail is among the most technically advanced and visually distinctive superyachts in the world. Built by the renowned German shipyard Lürssen and delivered in 2017, the vessel boasts sleek, futuristic lines penned by British design studio H2 Yacht Design, with a lavish interior by March & White. The yacht features multiple swimming pools, a helipad, cinema, beach club, and expansive lounges tailored for relaxation and discreet meetings at sea. Though full details remain a closely guarded secret, Al Lusail is believed to accommodate up to 36 guests in absolute comfort, attended to by a highly trained crew. Its arrival at Port Tarraco, located in Tarragona just an hour south of Barcelona, is more than a picturesque stop along the Mediterranean. The marina itself […]

1 year ago

GASTAT: 71% Of Saudi Population Under The Age Of 35

About 71 percent of the Saudi population is under the age of 35, according to the Saudi Family Statistics Report 2024, released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) on its website on Tuesday. The average age of a Saudi individual is 26.6 years, with a median age of 23.5 years, it was revealed in the report. The GASTAT report presented a comprehensive overview of household composition in the Kingdom based on the latest statistical data. According to the report’s findings, Saudi households made up around 51 percent of all households. Households comprising two or more members made up approximately 86 percent, of which nuclear families accounted for 70 percent while composite and extended families together accounted for 16 percent. In contrast, single-person households represented 14 percent. The results showed that the average Saudi household size was about five members, with households of six members comprising 13.5 percent, and those of four or five members accounting for 12.8 percent. In terms of head of household, the data indicated that men make up 83.1 percent of Saudi household heads, while women account for 16.9 percent. The highest proportion of male heads of household was found in the 35–39 age group (17.6 percent), […]

1 year ago

“We Have Imported Knife Violence” – Wave Of Attacks Shakes Germany Once Again

Another wave of knife attacks has hit Germany, showing that not much has changed despite the many lost lives and Germans maimed in knife attacks. In fact, the statistics show that these crimes are even getting worse, with 79 knife attacks per day now recorded. A German criminal lawyer warns that Germany has “imported knife violence,” in response to growing blade crimes. In the last few days, headlines include Kosovar man arrested after knife attack in Germany injures three, including 12-year-old girl” “Man stabbed half to death on basketball court,” “Manhunt continues after Syrian asylum seeker stabs 5 outside student bar in Bielefeld,” and “Rioter injures police officer with knife.” However, thousands of such headlines have run in the German press in recent years, with Remix News reporting on many of them. The overwhelming number of perpetrators are foreigners or those with a foreign background, yet despite promises to crack down and enact deportations of migrant criminals, the bloodshed not only continues but appears to be getting worse. “We have imported knife violence. In other cultures, the knife is a kind of status symbol. This is changing the social climate here in the country,” stated criminal attorney Udo Vetter. He further notes that “knives […]

1 year ago

New College Grads Not Working Out, Most Hiring Managers Say: Survey

Inappropriate attire, excessive use of cell phones, poor quality of work, and foul language are just a few of the reasons 65 percent of U.S. hiring managers gave for firing college graduates who had recently started their first job. A Pollfish survey of 1,000 managers across America, reported by Resume.com, revealed the reasons that eight in 10 managers said newly hired college graduates did not work out during their first year on the job. Excessive use of cell phones ranked as the top pet peeve of managers, at 78 percent. Some 61 percent of managers found their new hires were entitled or easily offended, while 57 percent noted these new employees were unprepared for the workplace. Lack of a work ethic scored 54 percent, followed by poor communication skills at 48 percent and lack of technical skills at 27 percent. Other concerns managers had about the graduates included lateness, failure to turn in assignments on time, unprofessional behavior, and inappropriate dress and language. Seventy percent of companies surveyed noted that some hires had to be placed on performance improvement plans. “Colleges don’t teach students how to behave in the workplace, and there is a lack of transitional support from both universities and […]

1 year ago

Binaa Al Bahrain Launches, Unveils Bayview Project In Bahrain Bay

Binaa Al Bahrain officially commenced operations and announced the upcoming launch of its flagship residential development, Bayview, set to open later this month in Bahrain Bay. This milestone reflects Bahrain’s ongoing drive toward integrated, sustainable urban growth and reinforces its position as a prime destination for real estate investment in the region. Formed through the collaboration of leading developers, most notably Eagle Hills Diyar, and key strategic partners, Binaa Al Bahrain aims to deliver human-focused urban communities that align economic potential with social needs. The Bayview project, located in the heart of Bahrain Bay, will offer premium living with stunning waterfront views, contemporary architecture, generous open spaces, and a lively promenade featuring select retail and leisure outlets. Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Binaa Al Bahrain, said: “Our experience with Eagle Hills showed us how to turn vision into tangible success. With Binaa Al Bahrain, we’re continuing that journey driven by a unified strategy to develop future-ready urban spaces. Bahrain offers a resilient, investor-friendly environment, and what we build here will shape the next chapter of urban development in the region.” Dr. Maher Al Shaer, Managing Director, added: “We are committed to a people-centric approach that prioritizes thoughtful planning and design. In […]

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Search Here

The Neurobiology of Habits

El Gouna Unveils Newest Red Sea Addresses During UAE Showcase

Oman Hotel Revenue Hits $284m as Visitor Numbers Up 8.6%

Dubai’s Ultra-Luxury Property Market Hits New Heights With $77M Bulgari Lighthouse Penthouse Sales

Which Countries Have The Lowest Life Expectancy?

Ordinary billionaires settle for a superyacht, but the Qatari royal family bought an entire marina in Spain and upgraded it just so their $500 million megayacht can dock in secrecy on their frequent summer retreats from Doha’s blistering heat

GASTAT: 71% Of Saudi Population Under The Age Of 35

“We Have Imported Knife Violence” – Wave Of Attacks Shakes Germany Once Again

New College Grads Not Working Out, Most Hiring Managers Say: Survey

Binaa Al Bahrain Launches, Unveils Bayview Project In Bahrain Bay

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