Author: Sam Allcock

Roblox, one of the world’s most popular online gaming platforms, is under mounting global scrutiny as governments tighten restrictions over child safety concerns. The game, played by more than 70 million people daily, has already been banned in several countries amid allegations of exposing children to harmful content and exploitation risks. Qatar bans Roblox amid social media outcry The latest ban came this week from Qatar, where authorities moved to block Roblox following growing pressure on social media. Parents and community groups accused the platform of failing to protect children from inappropriate content and potential predators. Jordan is reportedly considering…

Former Miss Universe Russia Kseniya Alexandrova has died aged 30, weeks after being critically injured in a car accident. The model and beauty queen, who represented Russia at the Miss Universe pageant in 2017, passed away following severe injuries sustained in July. According to Russian media, Alexandrova was travelling with her husband in the Tver region when their car struck a moose that had wandered onto the road. She was seated in the passenger seat at the time of the crash. The collision left her with a serious brain injury, and she was admitted to the intensive care unit of…

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi has reported a significant increase in visitors during the first half of 2025, reinforcing its standing as a leading global religious and cultural destination. Figures released by the Centre show that the landmark welcomed 4,346,831 guests between January and June, marking a 5% rise compared with the same period last year. The total included 1,948,482 worshippers and fasting guests, 2,355,165 international visitors, and more than 43,000 people who used the mosque’s Jogging Track. Worship and Ramadan turnout The mosque’s busiest periods came during Ramadan and Eid, with a total of 575,372…

At least three people have been killed and eight others wounded in a mass shooting inside a Brooklyn restaurant in the early hours of Sunday morning, police confirmed. The incident took place at the Taste of the City Lounge, located at 903 Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights. According to New York Police Department (NYPD) officials, multiple gunmen entered the venue shortly before closing time and opened fire, causing chaos among late-night patrons. Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the first emergency calls came in at around 3:30 a.m. local time, with police units and ambulances dispatched to the scene within minutes. “This…

The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has been named among Bahrain’s Top 10 Listed Companies in 2025 by Forbes Middle East, underlining the lender’s role as one of the Kingdom’s strongest financial institutions. The annual ranking, regarded as one of the region’s most credible benchmarks, evaluates publicly listed companies across the Kingdom against a set of core financial indicators. These include sales, profits, assets, and market value — metrics that together provide a snapshot of market resilience and overall corporate health. According to Forbes Middle East, NBB’s placement reflects its consistent performance, strategic expansion, and ability to navigate economic shifts…

Warba Bank has announced a strategic partnership with Zayoom, a specialised consumer electronics retailer, to expand its digital offers marketplace with exclusive benefits for customers. The collaboration is designed to deliver special discounts, seasonal flash deals and curated e-store offers through the Warba app. The move reflects the bank’s commitment to enriching its digital ecosystem while aligning with customer aspirations and lifestyle needs. Expanding value through the Warba app Through this partnership, Warba Bank customers will gain access to Zayoom’s range of consumer electronics, bundled with unique deals accessible directly via the bank’s app. Muhannad Issa Bourahma, Director of Product…

Ooredoo has officially launched the Salalah Data Centre and Submarine Cable Landing Station, a major project aimed at transforming Oman into one of the region’s most important digital gateways. Located in the Dhofar region, Salalah is strategically placed at the crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa, offering direct access to multiple global subsea cable systems. The new facility is the first in southern Oman to combine a Tier III–compliant data centre with a submarine cable landing station, making it a landmark for the nation’s digital infrastructure. Boost for cloud and AI services The Salalah hub has been designed to support…

Royal Jordanian Airlines has secured the top global ranking for on-time performance in July 2025, according to the latest data published by OAG, an international aviation analytics company. The carrier achieved an on-time performance rate of 95.21% for both arrivals and departures during the month, placing it first among global airlines. The recognition reflects Royal Jordanian’s consistent efforts to enhance operational efficiency and uphold punctual scheduling, particularly during the peak summer travel season. Global recognition for punctuality OAG’s monthly performance studies assess airlines worldwide based on the percentage of flights departing or arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled time.…

AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation (MKF) has successfully wrapped up its 2025 Ithra Summer programs, a flagship initiative designed to prepare young Bahrainis for future challenges through skill development, leadership training, and community engagement. Running from June to August, the programs catered to three distinct age groups through Ithra Buds (10–12 years), Ithra Young Leaders (13–14 years), and Ithra Youth (15–16 years). Each track offered a mix of accredited workshops, field visits, interactive challenges, sports activities, and artistic as well as community projects. Building future-ready skills The program content was centred around future-focused themes, including artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, creative thinking, financial literacy,…

Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has launched the first draw of its “Millionaire 2025” Campaign, the largest promotional initiative in its history and one of the UAE banking sector’s most ambitious savings programmes. Launched on 1 July 2025 and running until July 2026, the campaign will distribute over AED 20 million in prizes, reaffirming SIB’s commitment to rewarding customer loyalty while promoting a culture of saving and smart investing. The inaugural draw was held at SIB’s headquarters in Sharjah in the presence of representatives from the Sharjah Department of Economic Development, alongside senior executives and employees. The event was marked by…