Money
These are the top 5 airports flying high in 2021
The ratings are in and according to aviation enthusiasts, the following airports have surpassed the mark with flying colours.
The results on the world’s best airports are in and to the surprise of many, they’re not what we expected.
Singapore’s Changi Airport, renowned for its hustle and bustle of international cargo and passenger traffic, and beautiful interior designs, took the top spot for eight years in a row.
But this year, the South East Asian airport has been dethroned in an unforeseen twist.
1st Place: Doha Hamad Airport
Ranking first in the 2021 Skytrax World Airport Awards is Doha Hamad, also known as Qatari Hub.
Doha Hamad swapped places with Changi this year, after placing third in the 2020 report.
Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Hamad International Airport (HIA), says the airport is honoured to be crowned the World’s Best Airport of 2021.
“This is a truly remarkable achievement for HIA and the State of Qatar, and an endorsement from our travellers for our commitment to service excellence,” Al-Meer says.
“As we look towards the future, HIA remains devoted to boosting our efforts in providing the best airport experience to all our passengers.”
The Qatari Hub also won the titles of Best Airport in the Middle East, the World’s Best Airport in the 25 to 35 million Passenger category, and the Best Airport Staff in the Middle East
2nd Place: Tokyo Haneda Airport
Holding position in second place for another year is Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
It’s one of the Japanese capital’s two major airports and is home to Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways.
More recently, the Japanese airport saw the arrival and departure of several athletes for 2020s Tokyo Olympic games.
In a newly introduced category, Tokyo Haneda Airport was awarded a 5-star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating.
This award follows their success in meeting very high standards of hygiene and safety protocols put in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus during their preparation for the Olympics.
Qatar’s airport also received the same award in 2020, being the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to receive the 5-star rating.
3rd Place: Singapore Changi Airport
Despite falling two places from the top, Singapore’s Changi Airport still finds itself in the top five.
This year, the eight-time winner was named the World’s Best Airport in the 10 to 15 million Passenger category and took the awards for the World’s Best Airport Staff and the Best Airport Staff in Asia.
While it may come to the disappointment of fans who regularly praise the airport for it’s ease, quality food and beverage options and overall comfort, Changi still sits high in third place as one of the most beautiful airports in the world.
4th Place: Seoul Incheon Airport
Sitting comfortably in fourth place is Incheon International Airport in South Korea.
One of the largest and busiest airports in the world, Incheon International seems like something from Futurama.
The airport thrives off delivering the ultimate experience for their passengers, providing plenty of space to relax, unwind and to get lost in Seoul’s culture.
5th Place: Tokyo Narita Airport
Tokyo is fortunate enough to see both of it’s airports placed in the top 5 with Tokyo Narita International Airport earning a spot this year.
Having placed seventh in 2020, the airport located in the capital’s east advanced two steps higher to make it to fifth place.
While they may have not received the 5-star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating like their Haneda counterpart, Narita International Airport is applauded for their high health and hygiene standards and continuous efforts to keep everyone safe during the pandemic.
Results for the 2021 Skytrax World Airport Awards are obtained from the Annual Airport Customer Survey for the Passenger’s Choice Awards with data collected between August 2020 and July 2021.
Travellers are to vote for their favourite or best airport experiences, with many taking the COVID-19 pandemic into consideration this year.
For the full list of the World’s Top 100 Airports for 2021 and more airline awards, head to Skytrax’s website.
Written by Rebecca Borg
Money
Gold plunges as investors react to Middle East ceasefire
Gold prices fall over 2% to below $4,000, as investors shift from safe-haven assets after Gaza ceasefire news.
Gold prices fall over 2% to below $4,000, as investors shift from safe-haven assets after Gaza ceasefire news.
Gold prices have fallen sharply, dropping over two per cent to below $4,000 per ounce, as investors took profits following the announcement of a Gaza ceasefire agreement. The deal between Israel and Hamas triggered a shift away from safe-haven assets, with silver and platinum also sliding.
The U.S. dollar strengthened as markets responded to the news, making precious metals more expensive for foreign buyers. Analysts say the pullback is likely temporary, with long-term demand for gold and silver expected to remain strong amid global instability and rising debt levels.
Market experts warn that volatility will continue as geopolitical tensions persist, even as short-term optimism grows around the Middle East peace process.
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Money
Gold and silver prices drop after Gaza ceasefire
Gold dips below $4,000/oz amid profit-taking and Gaza ceasefire; silver also softens from record highs
Gold dips below $4,000/oz amid profit-taking and Gaza ceasefire; silver also softens from record highs
– Gold prices fell over 2% to below $4,000 per ounce due to a stronger dollar and profit-taking.
– Silver eased to $48.93 per ounce, influenced by market activity and ongoing high demand despite supply issues.
Silver also experienced a slight decline, easing from its record high to $48.93 per ounce. The dollar index increased, making gold more expensive for overseas buyers.
Traders noted increased activity in the market as profit-taking coincided with reduced tensions in a historically volatile region.
An independent metals trader stated that while gold and silver may need to consolidate further, the underlying demand drivers remain intact.
Market Overview
Gold surpassed $4,000 per ounce on Wednesday, reaching $4,059.05, boosted by geopolitical tensions and strong demand from central banks. The asset has gained about 52% this year, reflecting a significant increase due to various economic factors. The U.S. central bank’s decision to cut rates in September also contributed to the rally, with expectations for future cuts in the coming months.
Silver’s price increase of 69% this year is tied closely to similar economic trends impacting gold. Notably, liquidity issues in the silver market are being exacerbated by strong demand and tight supply conditions. Other precious metals, such as platinum and palladium, also saw declines during this period.
Money
North Korean hackers steal $2 billion in crypto
North Korean hackers steal over $2 billion in cryptocurrency, marking the largest annual total in history
North Korean hackers steal over $2 billion in cryptocurrency, marking the largest annual total in history
– North Korean hackers stole over $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, nearly tripling last year’s total.
– A shift to social engineering tactics has led to increased targeting of high-net-worth individuals for cyber attacks.
A significant portion of the 2025 theft is attributed to the February hack of cryptocurrency exchange Bybit, which amounted to $1.46 billion.
The FBI has linked this breach to state-sponsored North Korean hackers, who exploited weaknesses in Bybit’s wallet management system. More than 30 additional cyber attacks have also been associated with North Korea this year, including notable breaches at LND.fi and WOO X.
Shift In Tactics
A shift in methodology among North Korean hackers has been observed, as they now focus on social engineering rather than technical exploits. According to Elliptic, the primary vulnerability lies with individuals rather than technology.
High-net-worth individuals and corporate executives are increasingly targeted due to their relatively weaker security measures.
The hackers utilise deceptive tactics, including phishing schemes and fake job offers, to access private cryptocurrency wallets. Intelligence reports suggest that the stolen funds are used to finance North Korea’s nuclear programmes.
The regime has also improved its money laundering techniques by employing various cryptocurrencies and mixing methods to obscure fund origins. Blockchain analysts are actively tracking these stolen assets, with notable progress achieved in identifying recoverable funds.
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