Author: Sam Allcock

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has opened applications for Harakat Sikka, a new stop-motion animation and visual storytelling training programme designed to cultivate creative talent across the emirate. Hosted under the Sikka Platform, the initiative offers aspiring filmmakers, designers, artists, writers, and students a chance to explore animation through a series of hands-on workshops led by renowned director and artist Boubaker Boukhari. Known for his distinctive folklore-inspired stop-motion techniques, Boukhari brings a wealth of experience to this intimate programme. Running from 18 August to 26 September 2025, the month-long course will be held at House 436 in Dubai’s Al Shindagha…

American pop star Katy Perry had a close call during her Lifetimes Tour performance in San Francisco on Friday night, when a flying stage prop malfunctioned mid-air. The incident occurred at the Chase Center on 18 July, while the 40-year-old singer was performing her 2013 hit “Roar.” As part of the show, Perry was seated on a butterfly-shaped prop suspended above the crowd. But as she soared over the audience, the rigging appeared to fail briefly—causing the butterfly to jolt suddenly and nearly throw her off balance. Fan-shot footage, which quickly spread across social media platform X (formerly Twitter), showed…

Visa has announced an exclusive global ticket presale for the FIFA World Cup 26™, giving Visa cardholders the first opportunity to apply for tickets to the biggest tournament in football history. Revealed during a high-profile reception at the Visa Payments Vault in Washington, D.C., the Visa Presale Draw marks the beginning of the official ticketing process. Attended by dignitaries from Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the event celebrated North America’s trilateral collaboration and the unifying power of football ahead of the first-ever tri-nation World Cup. The presale period runs from September 10 to 19, allowing holders of Visa Debit,…

Dubai-based real estate firm BEYOND Developments has launched its flagship waterfront residential project, PASSO, on Palm Jumeirah’s West Crescent—marking a major expansion for the lifestyle-led developer. Unveiled in a high-profile event that featured Dubai’s first-ever “screens in the sky” drone show, PASSO comprises two sculptural towers—Avita and Bella—offering 625 high-end residences. The project signifies BEYOND’s first development outside its masterplan in Dubai Maritime City and reflects the company’s evolving ambitions in the global luxury property space. Scheduled for completion in Q3 2029, PASSO brings BEYOND’s human-centric design ethos to one of the world’s most prestigious waterfront addresses. Residences range from…

Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco footballer Achraf Hakimi has been referred to a French criminal court over an alleged rape dating back to February 2023. The move follows a request from the Nanterre Public Prosecutor’s Office, which believes there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial. Hakimi, 26, has consistently denied the allegation and maintains his innocence. The case relates to an incident that allegedly took place at Hakimi’s residence in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris. A young woman, whose identity has not been disclosed for legal reasons, reported the alleged assault to police but did not initially file a…

A horrifying amusement park accident in Taif, Saudi Arabia, has left 23 people injured after a ride malfunctioned mid-operation at the Green Mountain Amusement Park. The incident occurred on the popular attraction known as “360 Degrees”, which features a rotating arm that spins passengers in a circular motion. According to Saudi news outlet Okaz, the ride’s arm broke off suddenly during operation, violently colliding with the ride’s main pole before crashing to the ground. Passengers seated on the opposite end also collided with the structure, intensifying the severity of the injuries. A video of the accident, which has been widely…

Egyptian social media influencer Suzy El Ordoneya, known for her massive TikTok following and controversial videos, is facing growing legal and public scrutiny after being convicted on several charges related to her online activities. Suzy, whose real name is Mariam Ayman, is 18 years old and lives in Cairo’s Matariya district with her family, including her two sisters, Mawaddah and Mai, both of whom have special needs. Though Egyptian by nationality, Suzy spent more than a decade in Jordan—hence the nickname “Suzy El Ordoneya” or “Suzy the Jordanian”—before returning to Egypt. Her rise to fame came primarily through TikTok, where…

As temperatures soar across the UAE this summer, rising humidity is becoming a daily challenge for residents—leaving homes feeling sticky, damaging furniture, and encouraging mold growth. In response, LG Electronics has introduced the LG Smart Dehumidifier, a tech-forward appliance designed to maintain comfort, protect indoor spaces, and improve air quality. Capable of extracting up to 30 litres of moisture per day—equivalent to 120 bottles of water (250ml each)—the LG Smart Dehumidifier is tailored to handle the intense dampness common in the Gulf region’s peak summer months. Smart, powerful, and energy-efficient Central to the dehumidifier’s performance is LG’s Dual Inverter Compressor,…

As part of its broader strategy to promote financial literacy across the UAE, Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) recently conducted a series of educational workshops aimed at instilling saving habits and money management skills among children. Organised in collaboration with Sharjah Children, a subsidiary of Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, the initiative attracted participation from over 260 children aged 9 to 12. Held across 13 centres in Sharjah and surrounding areas, the workshops aimed to build early awareness of financial planning in a format that was both age-appropriate and interactive. The sessions combined storytelling, hands-on activities, and…

OPPO has officially launched its latest AI smartphone range in the UAE, unveiling the Reno14 Series on July 31. Featuring a blend of design innovation, imaging advancements, and AI integration, the Reno14 line-up includes the Reno14 F 5G, Reno14 5G, and the flagship Reno14 Pro 5G. The devices promise a leap in mobile creativity, featuring deep system-level AI capabilities powered by Google Gemini, and are already available for pre-order across the UAE with exclusive bundles and trade-in offers. AI meets style and photography At the core of the Reno14 series is OPPO’s enhanced focus on artificial intelligence. The phones come…