Author: Sam Allcock

DDC Enterprise Limited, a New York Stock Exchange-listed company, has announced a landmark capital raise totalling up to $528 million. The funds are earmarked almost entirely for expanding the company’s Bitcoin holdings, marking one of the largest dedicated Bitcoin financing efforts by a publicly traded firm to date. The fundraising comprises three components: a $26 million equity private investment in public equity (PIPE), a $300 million convertible secured note and associated equity placement, and a $200 million equity line of credit (ELOC). Collectively, the structure reflects growing institutional confidence in Bitcoin’s role on corporate balance sheets. Institutional Backing from Crypto…

MAG Group Holding, the multinational real estate developer based in the UAE, has officially launched Riviera Heights—a landmark luxury residential project set within Marsa Zayed, Jordan’s largest mixed-use waterfront development. This move signals the beginning of major construction activity in the ambitious Red Sea coastal destination. The Riviera Heights project will feature four 35-storey residential towers, spanning 51,000 square metres, and offering over 1,250 seafront apartments. Located on the southern edge of the Marsa Zayed development zone in the city of Aqaba, the complex is designed to attract both international tourists and long-term residents with its promise of high-end coastal…

The LYCRA Company has introduced a major innovation in sustainable fashion with the unveiling of bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber at the Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2025. CEO Gary Smith joined Jon Veldhouse, CEO of Qore®—the manufacturer of QIRA®, a renewable ingredient derived from field corn—in a Fireside Chat titled From Farm to Fashion. Held on June 4 at the DR Concert Hall, the session was moderated by Amy Nguyen, a leading sustainability researcher and founder of Sustainable & Social. The event marked the debut participation of both The LYCRA Company and Qore® at the world’s foremost platform for sustainable…

Samsung Gulf Electronics has unveiled its cutting-edge AI Home, an immersive smart living experience designed to demonstrate the power of connected devices working in harmony. Showcased inside a villa-style smart home, the concept highlights Samsung’s vision for intelligent, sustainable living through its SmartThings platform and next-generation appliances and entertainment systems. At the exclusive launch event, held in the UAE, Samsung presented eight lifestyle zones that replicate everyday home scenarios—from movie nights to smart kitchens and productivity-focused workspaces—all seamlessly connected by SmartThings, the company’s global IoT ecosystem. Doohee Lee, President of Samsung Gulf Electronics, described the launch as a bold step…

The birthplace of the Olympic Games is preparing to host a very different kind of competition this summer. Olympia, Greece, will welcome the world’s first International Humanoid Olympiad from 29 August to 2 September 2025 — a pioneering event where intelligent humanoid robots will perform Olympic-inspired feats in a celebration of innovation and technology. Held at the historic International Olympic Academy, the event will bring together state-of-the-art humanoid robots and the world’s leading minds in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) for a week of live demonstrations, games, workshops, and expert talks. The Olympiad is spearheaded by Acumino, a cutting-edge Robotic…

Dubai has retained its position as the world’s top destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the cultural and creative industries, according to new data published by fDi Markets, a service from the Financial Times. This marks the third year in a row that the Emirate has led the global rankings, outperforming major cities such as London and Singapore. The report for 2024 analysed FDI trends in 233 cities classified under the Creative Industries Cluster. Dubai topped the list with 971 creative economy projects, an 8% increase on the previous year. These investments generated AED 18.86 billion (approximately USD 5.1…

Kao Corporation (TOKYO:4452) has released its Integrated Report 2025, providing shareholders, investors, and stakeholders a comprehensive view into the company’s financial, strategic, and sustainability initiatives. The report is now available on Kao’s official website. At the heart of the report is Kao’s mid-term business strategy, “K27”, which aims to make Kao an indispensable, value-driven presence in the lives of people worldwide. The company is executing this vision through its Global Sharp Top strategy, with a focus on agility, innovation, and deeper Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) management. In FY2024, Kao exceeded its performance targets by: The Integrated Report 2025 outlines…

With one year to go until kickoff, Visa unveils fan-focused experiences and community investments With exactly one year remaining until the FIFA World Cup 26™ begins across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, Visa — a global leader in digital payments and official FIFA partner — has announced football sensation Lamine Yamal as its official global ambassador for the tournament. Widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in world football, Yamal joins Visa in a campaign to celebrate the tournament’s buildup and deliver exclusive fan experiences leading into the most expansive FIFA World Cup™ in history. The tournament,…

Leonard A. Lauder, visionary leader of The Estée Lauder Companies and one of the most influential figures in the global beauty industry, has died at the age of 92. The company announced that Mr. Lauder passed away peacefully on June 14, surrounded by family. Born in New York City in 1933 to Estée and Joseph H. Lauder, Leonard Lauder spent over six decades shaping what began as a family brand into a multi-billion-dollar global powerhouse. Under his leadership, Estée Lauder evolved from a modest U.S. operation into a global leader in prestige beauty, with over 20 iconic brands in its…

The UAE’s automotive scene is set for a record-breaking moment as Marhaba Auctions announces its largest live car auction to date, to be held on Sunday, 15th June 2025 at its main branch in Sharjah Industrial Area 2. The grand-scale event will feature over 400 vehicles, all with no reserve prices, creating a landmark moment for car buyers and auction lovers across the Emirates. Starting at 5:00 PM, the auction promises an electrifying atmosphere where every car will be sold under the “Green Light” policy, meaning bids start with no minimum price — and every vehicle is guaranteed to go.…