For a time in the late 20th century, lifeless streets, random shootings and boarded-up shopfronts were a hallmark of life in Dayton, Ohio.
In the early 1900s, it was a thriving innovation centre. But like many other Rust Belt towns, Dayton later had its city centre decimated when people moved to the suburbs and traditional heavy industry fell into decline.
As recently as 2018, the city of 140,000 people received the kind of national attention no one wishes for, when it became the subject of a PBS Frontline documentary called Left Behind America.
But today, meaningful change is unfolding in the heart of the city.
With a growing demand for space and rising living costs in major coastal US cities, more and more Americans are considering former Rust Belt cities as places to live.
And, in many cases, the energy and activity of those cities’ cores are playing an important role in underlining that revival.
At 45,000 square metres, the 119-year-old Dayton Arcade had been left to waste for more than three decades. If cash-strapped city authorities had the money, it would have been torn down years ago, reports show.
But in August, after a $90 million investment, the Renaissance-style building opened to the public, with an entrepreneur centre, bistro, offices and co-working spaces, and dozens of apartments surrounding the complex's stunning rotunda.
Celebrated urban planners labelled the redevelopment the “most transformative project in America”.
Its revival has attracted a local university, which has more than 350 students, as well as a wide assortment of businesses, back to the area.
“We’re not just trying to support a community initiative to repurpose the space,” says Vincent Lewis, who leads the University of Dayton’s LW Crotty Centre for Entrepreneurial Leadership, “but also to generate opportunities for our students to plug into the entrepreneurial ecosystem”.
Dayton’s city centre has also embraced other significant changes. Partly because of pandemic-related social distancing restrictions, city streets shut at the weekend to accommodate outdoor dining, creating a vibe reminiscent of southern Europe rather than the Rust Belt.
A summertime, open-air concert series draws hundreds of people, while a surfing school has popped up on a nearby river.
“I live four blocks from here and when I go for a run in the morning, you see people out walking their dogs, going for a run,” Mr Lewis says. “It’s a much different environment today than it was 15 or 20 years ago.”
Dayton isn’t alone. Many other small Midwestern cities are investing millions in their urban environments.
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, a city of about 265,000 people, more than $1 billion has been invested over the past decade to revive a once-neglected city centre. Farther north in Michigan, the city of Grand Rapids is spending hundreds of millions in reimagining its waterfront space by adding recreation and living facilities.
These efforts, combined with changing lifestyle choices brought about by the pandemic, are drawing people to formerly stagnant cities.
Dayton native Danny Tuss returned to Ohio with his wife and son during the pandemic after more than 15 years spent living in New York City, where he worked at the Brooklyn Museum.
“We got sick in that first wave in March [2020] and spent seven months in our one-bedroom apartment with our one-and-a-half-year-old, working,” he says. “That was not fun.”
Since moving to Dayton in 2020 to be closer to Mr Tuss's ill mother, the family has bought a large, single-family home on a sprawling lot.
“We have a garden, which is a huge deal for us,” he says. For him, it’s the access to green space, among other things, that prompted him to move back to the Midwest.
“Having lived in other places and travelled, I certainly grew to appreciate all the things Dayton has to offer,” he says. Since moving back, he’s on a mission to recruit friends in New York to move out to Ohio.
Mr Tuss isn't alone: since the start of the pandemic, nearly half the US population has moved or considered moving home, MarketWatch reported. Enabled by the increase in remote work, families are leaving large cities for cheaper properties in the US heartland in droves.
But not everyone is being helped by the resurgence. Residents in several black-majority areas, the poorest and most segregated parts of west Dayton, continue to struggle with depressed economic opportunities and crime.
For Jake Wells, who runs JW’s Wine Cellar in the predominantly black district of Trotwood, 12 kilometres north-west of the city centre, business has, for the most part, been good.
But Mr Wells says decades of neglect have left a mark that is difficult to erase.
“We just lost a grocery store across the road. We have no restaurants around here. If you want to go out to eat, you have to go to the next town over,” he says.
When a motorway on the opposite side of Dayton opened 30 years ago and fuelled the building of new malls and outlet stores, businesses — and customers — were drawn away from Trotwood. In recent years, child poverty rates in the district have risen to among the highest in Ohio at more than 50 per cent.
“We’re black; we’re not getting the attention that we should. That’s just the bottom line,” Mr Wells says.
And while the Midwestern revival is lauded by many, smaller Midwestern cities — Dayton included — have been growing and adding jobs at far slower rates than bigger neighbours such as Columbus and Pittsburgh.
Still, the sense of change and possibility is alive and well. In December, it was announced that the wider development of the Dayton Arcade would receive a further $124m investment.
Mr Lewis, who as a child decades ago used to run around the Arcade space, says bringing students to the area, where they can interact with people from all walks of life, is essential in building a new social fabric for the city.
“And what we’re hearing now,” he says, “is that our students are wanting to stay in Dayton.”
With decades of decline in the rear-view mirror, that young blood is poised to shape the city’s future.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Third Test
Result: India won by 203 runs
Series: England lead five-match series 2-1
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENomad%20Homes%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHelen%20Chen%2C%20Damien%20Drap%2C%20and%20Dan%20Piehler%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20and%20Europe%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20PropTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2444m%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Acrew%20Capital%2C%2001%20Advisors%2C%20HighSage%20Ventures%2C%20Abstract%20Ventures%2C%20Partech%2C%20Precursor%20Ventures%2C%20Potluck%20Ventures%2C%20Knollwood%20and%20several%20undisclosed%20hedge%20funds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience
by David Gilmour
Allen Lane
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
Company%20profile
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year