Author: Neel Achary

Dubai’s luxury villa rental market hits new heights

New tenancy contracts above AED1 million jump 27% in value over first five months of 2026

Dubai, UAE, 15^th June, 2026: Dubai’s luxury villa rental market has grown sharply in value over the first five months of the year, with a decisive shift toward ultra-luxury price brackets, and Palm Jumeirah emerging as the standout location.

A fäm Properties market analysis issued today reveals that the annualised value of new rental contracts above AED1 million increased by 27% year-on-year to AED509 million from AED400 million between January and May 2026.

The report also shows that the annualised value of renewed tenancy contracts for villas above AED1 million rose by 28% to AED114 million from AED89 million over the same period.

Data from DXBinteract reveals that while luxury rental transaction volumes remained steady, the upward shift in value was driven by more activity in higher price brackets. This trend was most visible in the AED2-3 million range, where new contracts rose 21% and renewals 17%.

At the ultra-luxury end, nine new annual tenancy contracts were recorded in the AED5-10 million band, with a further seven exceeding AED10 million. Overall, 67.3% of all contracts signed between January and May 2026 were for a 12-month duration.

Palm Jumeirah dominated both transaction volumes and annualised rental value, recording the highest number of new and renewed contracts above AED1 million across all villa communities.

Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, said: “Demand at the luxury and ultra-luxury end of the rental market has remained resilient over the last few months. Tenants at this level are not only choosing Dubai, they are prepared to pay significantly more to live here, and that sends a clear signal about the sustained confidence in this market.”

The value of new contracts above AED1 million on Palm Jumeirah reached AED113 million between January and May, up 14% from AED99 million in 2025, while renewed contracts rose 15% to AED37 million from AED32 million.

The strongest growth in new contract values was recorded at Dubai Hills Estate, where annualised rental value rose 37% to AED87 million from AED63 million.

The highest volume of new rental contracts above AED1 million was 36 at Palm Jumeirah, ahead of Dubai Hills Estate at 35 and District One Mohammed Bin Rashid City at 22. Palm Jumeirah also led with 16 renewed rental contracts above AED1 million.

In each case, the majority of rental contracts above AED1 million were new agreements – 69% at Palm Jumeirah, 85% at Dubai Hills Estate and 63% at District One MBR City.

WSO2 Appoints Tanmaya Das as CFO to Support Continued Global Expansion

Mumbai – June 15 – WSO2 announced the appointment of Tanmaya Das as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), further strengthening its executive leadership team as the company continues to build on its momentum and position itself for its next phase of growth.

The appointment comes as WSO2 expands its platform strategy for the agentic enterprise, helping organizations securely integrate AI capabilities into complex technology environments while maintaining control over governance, data sovereignty, and digital infrastructure.

To support this opportunity, WSO2 has continued to invest in product innovation, leadership, and go-to-market capabilities across key industries including banking and financial services, telecommunications, government, and healthcare. This is further supported by WSO2’s long-standing commitment to open source, which continues to shape our approach to building flexible, interoperable, and community-driven enterprise platforms.

“What attracted me to WSO2 was the combination of deep technical innovation, a strong open-source heritage, a global customer footprint, and significant opportunity ahead. I’m excited to join the team and contribute to the company’s next stage of growth,” said Das.

Das joins WSO2 following a decade as CFO of RateGain, where he played a key role in scaling the company into a globally recognized travel technology platform. During his tenure, he helped drive business growth, strengthen financial operations, execute strategic acquisitions, and support the company’s successful public listing.

“Tanmaya joins WSO2 at an exciting time in our journey. His experience in leading organizations through growth and transformation will support our long-term growth,” said Devaka Randeniya, Chief Revenue officer and Acting Chief Executive Officer of WSO2. “Over the past two decades, we have built a strong technology foundation, a global customer base, and a culture of innovation that continues to differentiate us in the market. As we look ahead, we are focused on scaling the business while continuing to invest in the technologies that help our customers succeed.”

De Beers Group Introduces Desert Diamonds Icons

LAS VEGAS, US –  15 June 2026 – At the annual JCK Las Vegas Show – the largest jewellery event in the global calendar – De Beers Group today set out its view on the way forward for the natural diamond sector, calling on the trade to work together to capitalise on the early success of the Desert diamonds ‘beacon’ campaign with the introduction of Desert diamonds Icons.

The Desert diamonds beacon campaign launched in late 2025 and has already succeeded in shaping consumer demand for both natural diamonds in general and coloured diamonds in particular, with natural diamond sales at US independents increasing 4% in Q4 2025 and 9% in Q1 2026, while those in the K to Z colour range have seen even stronger growth, up 15% in Q4 2025 and 19% in Q1 2026.

Following the launch of Desert diamonds Bridal earlier this year, Desert diamonds Icons will focus on bringing a sense of newness and individuality to four iconic jewellery design classics – stud earrings, the eternity band, the tennis bracelet and the halo pendant – which between them comprise 70% of diamond jewellery acquisitions. Launching in September, the campaign will include training and marketing support for all retailers.

During a keynote presentation, De Beers Group executives stated that while demand has performed well for larger natural diamonds and this has supported stable retail sales value for natural diamond jewellery, it is critical for industry participants to work together on the campaign to drive demand across the natural diamond category as a whole.

With the campaign benefitting from the diamond industry’s biggest natural diamond marketing budget in 15 years, Desert diamonds is expected to deliver enhanced retail impact in 2026, based on a range of positive data points from its initial run. Growth in natural diamond desirability, online searches for natural diamonds, and increased coloured natural diamond sales across independent jewellers all highlight that the momentum behind the campaign is building. Noting that the 2026 campaign run will also benefit from a geo-targeting approach that directs consumers to specific retailers carrying Desert diamonds, De Beers executives encouraged the entire trade to support the fast-growing trend by stocking Desert diamonds Icons products and by signing up to Promoboxx to access marketing materials and participate in geo-targeting.

The presentation also included a summary of key consumer and industry insights published today in The Diamond Report, highlighting how commercial dynamics are evolving at pace for US jewellery retailers as the synthetic lab-grown diamond sector matures while consumer interest in natural diamonds grows.

Speaking at the presentation, Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, said: “Consumer desire for natural diamonds is strong – but we need to work together as an industry in support of Desert diamonds to unlock the full value of the opportunity. The results from the campaign’s initial run demonstrate how it is already stimulating demand, and with Desert diamonds Icons we are doubling down at a critical moment.

“The jewellery retail landscape is evolving at pace. With the sustained falls in price of synthetic lab-grown diamonds, and large falls in demand for larger synthetic lab-grown diamonds, there may be challenges ahead for retailers who focus on synthetic lab-grown diamonds.”

“However, with challenge comes opportunity, and the growing success of the Desert diamonds campaign is evident. As we head into the campaign’s second year, with the industry supported by the largest category marketing budget in 15 years, the natural way forward is clear to see.”

De Beers Group also reported in its presentation how collaboration continues deliver progress in other areas, with GIA’s purchase of an equity share in Tracr supporting the platform’s path to independence and providing the potential for it to scale faster across the sector. Meanwhile, the Natural Diamond Council has put in place a compelling new strategy on the back of its growing budget, as more diamond producing countries and trade bodies have provided funding, and will introduce a new natural diamond trust mark to support consumer confidence through visible differentiation between natural diamonds and synthetic lab-grown diamonds.

Uber Celebrates Egypt’s Opening Match with a Special 90% Ride Discount for Fans

Cairo, Egypt — June 14, 2026 — Football has always held a special place in the hearts of Egyptians. From packed cafés and family gatherings to friends coming together to cheer for the national team, match days create moments that unite millions across the country.

As Egypt prepares to face Belgium in its opening match on 15 June, Uber is launching a special limited-time promotion, making it easier for riders to get together and enjoy the game with those who matter most.

Beginning two hours before kick-off, riders can enjoy 90% off their ride fare, up to EGP 90, for a limited two-hour window. The offer is inspired by the 90 minutes that bring Egyptians together, whether they are heading to a local café, gathering with friends and family, or joining supporters to cheer on the national team.

As communities across Egypt prepare to rally behind the team, Uber is marking the occasion by giving back to riders and helping them be part of the match-day atmosphere.

The promotion will be available exclusively during the two hours leading up to the match and can be redeemed directly through the Uber app.

Perseverance, Focus and Discipline Are the Foundation of My Success: World Champion Esha Singh

Lifespan Pays Tribute to Legendary Shooting Coach Jaspal Rana

Hyderabad, June 13: Lifespan Private Limited organized a grand felicitation ceremony in Hyderabad to honour its Brand Ambassador, Esha Singh, for her remarkable performance at the ISSF World Cup 2026 held in Munich, Germany. Esha brought immense pride to the nation by winning the Gold Medal in the Women’s 25m Pistol event and setting a new World Record.

To celebrate this historic achievement, Lifespan felicitated Esha Singh in the presence of distinguished dignitaries and guests.

The event was attended by Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana, as the Chief Guest. Soni Bala Devi, IFS, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director, Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG), and Gareth Wyn Owen, British Deputy High Commissioner for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, graced the occasion as Guests of Honour.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Narendra Ram Nambula, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Lifespan Private Limited, congratulated Esha Singh on her historic accomplishment.

“Esha Singh’s extraordinary achievement is a proud moment for the entire nation. As Lifespan’s Brand Ambassador, she embodies perseverance, dedication and the relentless pursuit of excellence. We are delighted to celebrate her success and remain committed to encouraging sporting talent that inspires future generations,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, Esha Singh expressed her gratitude to her coaches, family members, supporters and well-wishers who stood by her throughout her journey. She encouraged young athletes to pursue their goals with focus, discipline and unwavering commitment.

“Perseverance, focus and discipline have been the foundation of my success. I hope my journey inspires young sportspersons to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals,” she said.

As a mark of respect, the gathering observed a one-minute silence in memory of Jaspal Rana, the legendary shooting coach whose immense contribution to Indian shooting has inspired generations of athletes. The attendees fondly remembered his invaluable role in the development of the sport and his lasting legacy in nurturing young talent.

The felicitation ceremony reflected Lifespan’s continued commitment to promoting health, fitness and sporting excellence while supporting athletes who bring glory to the nation.

Humanscale Debuts Diffrient Lounge, eFloat Quattro Studio, and M/Charge at Fulton Market Design Days

Chicago, Illinois, June 13: Humanscale, the leader in high-performance ergonomic design, will return to Fulton Market Design Days 2026 with a showcase centered on the future of adaptable, human-centered environments. Presented during the industry’s leading commercial interiors event, Humanscale’s exhibition will highlight solutions designed to support flexibility, wellness, and productivity across today’s evolving workplaces as well as hospitality and residential environments. Guided by the theme “Body. Planet. Materials.,” the presentation will explore the interconnected relationship between human wellbeing, sustainable innovation, and the future of materiality in design.

A major component of the presentation will be a museum-style exhibition exploring Next Generation Materials and the future of sustainable manufacturing. Centered on the belief that the future of design depends on materials that support both human wellbeing and planetary health, the installation will showcase emerging innovations that transform waste into resources and biology into manufacturing. The exhibit will examine how these advanced materials can reduce reliance on virgin extraction while opening new possibilities for high-performance, environmentally responsible design. Expanding on the “Body. Planet. Materials.” concept, the exhibition will also feature conversations and activations developed in collaboration with leading sustainability organizations including the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), Design for Freedom, and mindful MATERIALS, further reinforcing Humanscale’s commitment to transparency, material health, and ethical manufacturing practices across the built environment.

Among the featured products will be Diffrient Lounge, one of the final concepts envisioned by legendary designer Niels Diffrient and recently honored with a Red Dot Design Award in Product Design. Blending residential comfort with advanced ergonomic engineering, the lounge chair reimagines how people work, relax, and connect within hybrid environments. Motorized adjustments, integrated power, and an adaptable worksurface create a seamless experience that responds intuitively to the body while maintaining a refined, minimalist aesthetic while enabling smooth transitions between seated work, rest, and informal collaboration.

Building on this platform, Humanscale will debut eFloat Quattro Studio, a purpose-built meeting table designed specifically for today’s hybrid collaboration environments. Optimized for small-group meetings of two to seven people, eFloat Quattro Studio integrates connectivity, power, and display support directly into the table itself, simplifying meeting environments while enabling organizations to deploy collaborative spaces quickly and efficiently without complex AV infrastructure, permanent room builds, or extensive installation requirements. Designed to support both seated and standing collaboration, the solution creates flexible meeting environments that adapt seamlessly across open-office huddle spaces, executive offices, project review areas, and hybrid meeting rooms.

The presentation will also feature M/Charge, Humanscale’s new modular 2-in-1 magnetic wireless charging solution designed to integrate with the M/Connect 3 ecosystem while also functioning as a standalone charging dock. Supporting simultaneous dual-device charging through Qi2 and MagSafe-compatible technology, M/Charge delivers fast, efficient charging with magnetic alignment, flexible viewing angles, and a weighted metal base engineered for stability and effortless one-handed use. Designed for modern workspaces, hospitality settings, and residential environments alike, the solution reflects Humanscale’s continued focus on intuitive functionality, seamless integration, and reduced desktop complexity.

Humanscale’s presence at Fulton Market Design Days will further underscore its broader commitment to sustainability and purposeful innovation. As the only major commercial furniture manufacturer in the United States certified as a B Corp, Humanscale will continue to develop products and processes that prioritize both human health and environmental responsibility through a net positive design approach that integrates material transparency, reduced environmental impact, and long-term product longevity.

In addition to the showroom presentation, Humanscale will host a series of Fulton Market Design Days events and activations throughout the week designed to foster conversation around design, sustainability, and the future of work. Programming will include a Morning Walk/Jog Meet-Up on Monday, June 8 from 7:00–7:45 AM, followed by a Happy Hour with mindful MATERIALS from 5:00–6:00 PM and a Party at Federales from 6:00–9:00 PM. On Tuesday, June 9, Humanscale will host a Happy Hour with Living Future and Design for Freedom from 5:00–6:00 PM. The showroom, located at 345 N Morgan St., Suite 150 in Chicago, will remain open daily from 9:00 AM–6:00 PM throughout Fulton Market Design Days from June 8-10, 2026, with coffee and light fare available at The Emily Hotel café adjacent to the showroom. These events and activations will bring together designers, architects, sustainability leaders, brand partners, and members of the broader creative community for networking opportunities and discussions centered on innovation, wellbeing, and material transparency.

IN-SPACe Announces Winners of Space Technology Use-Cases Under Seed-Fund Scheme

Ahmedabad, India June 13: The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN SPACe) has announced the Grantees for five space technology use-cases under its Seed Fund Scheme for Use-Case Demonstration by Indian Non-Government Entities. The initiative aims to foster innovative and scalable space-enabled solutions addressing national priorities in agriculture, disaster management, water security, critical infrastructure monitoring, and other sectors.

Following technical evaluations of 92 proposals received, by a distinguished panel comprising domain experts, representatives from key user agencies, and experts from ISRO and IN SPACe, 15 respondents were selected for pilot demonstrations.

The selected grantees will undertake pilot demonstrations under the five use-cases announced by IN-SPACe. Infosys Limited, Bhoomicam Pvt. Ltd. and AgCane Science & Services Pvt. Ltd. have been selected for pest and disease forewarning and early detection of biotic stress in major crops. JalViks Pvt. Ltd., Nansei Restoration LLP along with Semantic Technologies and Agritech Services Pvt. Ltd. Will be working on SAR applications using NISAR data.

Biosky Space Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Quantasip Geomatic Informative Solutions Pvt. Ltd., and Vassar Labs IT Solutions Pvt. Ltd. have been selected for decision support systems for power sector installations and Right of Way management. Reservoir rim slope stability monitoring will be undertaken by Vassar Labs IT Solutions Pvt. Ltd., EarthSense Labs Pvt. Ltd. and Suhora Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Additionally, Vassar Labs IT Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Prithvi Anusandhan Pvt. Ltd., and Infosys Limited have been selected for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) monitoring and Early Warning Systems (EWS). These demonstrations are expected to showcase scalable space-enabled solutions addressing key national priorities.

Dr. Pawan Kumar Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, said, “This initiative marks a defining moment for India’s space economy. The downstream sector represents the most direct interface between space capabilities and citizen benefit, a large share of our projected $44 billion space economy. What makes this milestone truly transformative is the pathway it creates: successful pilot demonstrations are positioned to receive operational orders from user agencies, turning today’s proofs-of-concept into tomorrow’s national programmes. IN-SPACe is proud to connect India’s world-class space capabilities to those who need them most – first at home, and increasingly, across the world.”

Shri Rajeev Jyoti, Director (Technical Directorate), IN-SPACe, said, “The announced use-cases are the result of extensive stakeholder engagement conducted by IN-SPACe with user agencies (Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Power), ISRO, and domain experts, wherein, the user requirements were translated into focused problem statements, forming the basis of the five Announcements of Opportunity (AOs). Submitted proposals underwent multi-stage technical evaluation by ISRO experts and the user agencies. The selected grantees will now proceed to pilot demonstrations using satellite data, AI/ ML techniques and ground based IoT devices to validate the effectiveness of their proposed solutions.”

Building on the strong response to this initiative, IN-SPACe plans to launch additional use-cases and opportunities for Indian Non-Government Entities, further expanding the role of private industry and startups in delivering impactful space-enabled solutions for national priorities and contributing to India’s growing space economy.