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Dubai Tenants vs Landlords: The AI Tool Deciding Who Wins the Rent Fight Dubai, January 08, 2026: As Dubai’s rental market continues to evolve amid strong demand and population growth, tenants often grapple with rising rents and the question: Is this rent increase even legal? Fortunately, the Dubai Land Department’s Smart Rental Index, an AI-powered official tool, now gives residents a clear way to check whether a rent hike proposed by a landlord is justified under UAE law. Whether you are renewing your lease, debating negotiations or simply planning your budget, understanding how rent hikes are regulated in Dubai is essential. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how the system works and how tenants can protect themselves from arbitrary increases.What is Dubai's Smart Rental Index?
At the core of Dubai’s rent regulation framework is the Smart Rental Index, a sophisticated tool developed by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) to determine fair rental values across the emirate. Unlike the ol..

Stephen Chase, a US dad, repeatedly wakes from surgery speaking fluent Spanish, despite previously only knowing how to count to ten/ Image: (Kennedy News and Media) A father from the United States has described waking up from surgery speaking fluent Spanish, despite having only minimal knowledge of the language beforehand, a phenomenon doctors say may be linked to an extremely rare neurological condition. Stephen Chase, from near Salt Lake City in Utah, first experienced the sudden language switch at the age of 19 after undergoing surgery on his right knee for a football-related injury. According to LADbible, he was able to converse in Spanish for around 20 minutes before returning to English. What happened after surgery At the time of his first operation, Chase said his Spanish ability was extremely limited. By his own account, all he could do before the surgery was speak a few basic phrases and count to 10 in Spanish. “The very first time it happened, when I woke up I was speaking in..

AdvertisementHong Kong courtsHong KongLaw and CrimeHong Kong bookstore owner pleads not guilty to using shop as unregistered schoolPong Yat-ming to be tried for violating Education Ordinance by hosting a Spanish class at his bookstore, Book Punch, in April last year
Reading Time:1 minuteWhy you can trust SCMPFiona ChowPublished: 1:34pm, 8 Jan 2026Updated: 1:36pm, 8 Jan 2026A Hong Kong independent bookstore owner will stand trial after he pleaded not guilty to managing an unregistered school by holding a Spanish class in his shop.
Pong Yat-ming was accused of violating the Education Ordinance by allowing a Spanish class to be held on April 23 last year at Book Punch, a bookstore he founded in 2020.
The bookshop located in Sham Shui Po occasionally hosts workshops and talks on various subjects, including social issues, travel and mental health.
AdvertisementPong had mentioned in previous media interviews that he wished to create a local community space.
In Thursday’s hearing at Kowloon C..

AdvertisementHong Kong societyHong KongSocietyEx-Bar head Victor Dawes named lead counsel in deadly Hong Kong fire inquiryDawes topped list of five lawyers appointed as counsel for Independent Committee probing Tai Po fire, according to document seen by the Post
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPConnor MycroftPublished: 1:30pm, 8 Jan 2026Victor Dawes, former chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, has been appointed lead counsel to an independent committee investigating the city’s deadliest fire in decades, with the inquiry expected to begin in the first quarter, the Post has learned.“Preparation work [for the hearing] has been under way at full force. The target is to start the hearing within the first quarter of this year,” a source said on Thursday.
According to a document seen by the Post, Dawes topped the list of the five lawyers appointed as counsel for the Independent Committee probing the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.
AdvertisementThe letter, dated January 6, w..