March 7th, 2010
In just two weeks early last year, an 11-year-old boy from Azerbaijan became the owner of nine waterfront mansions in Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah.
His name is Heydar Aliyev. That also happens to be the name of the son of Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev.
Furthermore, Dubai records show the purchaser’s date of birth to be the same as that of the president’s son.
The Washington Post newspaper reported that they were bought in a two-week shopping spree last year for about $44 million - 10,000 times the average annual salary in Azerbaijan.
February 26th, 2010
A leak in Dubai Mall’s massive aquarium on Thursday led to shoppers being evacuated and boutiques closed around the major attraction, witnesses said.
The perimeter of the aquarium, said to be the largest in the world and which holds a number of different fish including sharks, has been cordoned off and shops around it closed.
“A leak was observed” at one of the points where the panels of the Dubai Aquarium intersect, Dubai Mall said in a statement.
February 19th, 2010
The American tycoon Donald Trump today revealed his masterplan for “the greatest golf course in the world” to be built on a windswept stretch of Scottish coastline.
The controversial proposals — first mooted more than three years ago — also include a new village, complete with shops, pubs and cafes.
Trump International Scotland received outline planning permission for the £1billion development from the Scottish government in December 2008.
January 5th, 2010
The financially troubled Gulf emirate of Dubai on Monday opened the world’s tallest building, a glistening concrete, glass and steel pinnacle rising 828 metres (2,717 feet) out of the desert sands.
Blazing fireworks rippled up and down the massive structure after it was officially opened by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed al-Maktoum.
He renamed the building, previously known as Burj Dubai, Burj Khalifa in honour of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan.
December 23rd, 2009
It’s not often a whole island comes up for sale in the Bahamas, let alone one with substantial cliffs, deep-water moorings and some of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
Great Whale Cay, 30 minutes by boat from Nassau, is for sale for $80 million and has all the possibilities to become an exclusive retreat for the right buyer.
There are historic buildings (Great house, lighthouse, and church) on this 850-acre L-shaped island, rare flora and fauna and watersports and diving.
December 4th, 2009
A couple plan to sell their £5 million home in the heart of Belgravia London in a competition where potential homeowners can buy tickets for just £50.
The winner has to guess the correct auction value of the house, which has been calculated by averaging valuations by three local estate agents.
Property competitions have become popular since the economic crisis with homeowners who are failing to sell in the traditional way.
