Author: Sam Allcock

Populous, the internationally acclaimed architecture firm best known for its design of sports and entertainment venues, has announced the acquisition of Denver-based Fentress Architects. The move aims to significantly broaden Populous’ capabilities in aviation, transportation, and civic design. The deal will see Fentress Architects rebranded as Fentress Studios, a Populous Company, with offices remaining in Denver and Washington D.C. The acquisition is part of Populous’ strategy to strengthen its global presence and diversify its portfolio beyond stadiums and arenas. “This is about expanding the breadth and depth of our practice,” said Bruce Miller, Global Chair and CEO of Populous. “Fentress…

Renowned concept artist and storyteller Ben Mauro has officially released his highly anticipated sci-fi graphic novel series HUXLEY worldwide. Known for his work on blockbuster franchises such as Halo Infinite, Call of Duty, and Elysium, Mauro now turns his creative talents to an original universe of his own design. HUXLEY, set in the post-apocalyptic world of FURY-7, follows Max, a seasoned Ronin warrior, and his companions as they journey across a ravaged landscape ruled by ancient machines and rogue artificial intelligences. The narrative combines high-concept world-building with philosophical undertones, drawing comparisons to classics like Dune, Ghost in the Shell, and…

Deutsche Bank and Ant International announced a strategic partnership aimed at expanding payment solutions for businesses across Europe and Asia. The agreement, formalised with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 8 June in Munich, marked a significant step toward enhancing global treasury management and cross-border payment technologies. This collaboration built upon a client relationship established in 2019, and saw Deutsche Bank become the first German bank to support Ant International’s blockchain-based real-time treasury management platform. The platform enables real-time fund transfers between Ant’s intragroup entities, improving liquidity management, transparency, and operational efficiency. The strategic partnership focused on a number…

Thailand is setting the stage for a massive retail boost this summer with the launch of the Summer Grand Sale 2025, spearheaded by Central Pattana plc, the country’s leading real estate and retail developer. Backed by an investment of THB 1 billion, the nationwide campaign is billed as the biggest mid-year shopping event of the year, offering discounts of up to 80% across more than 12,000 stores and 28,000 brands. The sale runs from 30 May to 13 July 2025 and takes place at major Central Pattana destinations including centralwOrld, Central Village Outlet, Central Pattaya, Central Marina Outlet, Central Samui,…

Chinese tech giant HONOR has officially entered the Bahraini smartphone market with the launch of its latest HONOR 400 Series, a move that marks a significant step in the company’s regional expansion across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The launch event, held in partnership with Future Communications Company S.P.C. (FCC)—HONOR’s exclusive distributor in Bahrain—brought together more than 80 key industry figures, including representatives from leading retailers and telecommunications operators. The evening spotlighted HONOR’s focus on AI innovation, photography excellence, and next-generation user experiences. During the event, Laurence Li, General Manager for HONOR GCC, highlighted the company’s global momentum and commitment…

Consumer electronics giant Belkin has announced its official entry into the gaming accessories sector, unveiling a new product line designed for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. The move marks a significant expansion for the brand, known for its four-decade legacy in connectivity, power, and device protection. Launched under Belkin’s Future Ventures innovation division, the new range includes charging cases, screen protectors, and travel gear tailored for on-the-go gaming. The collection reflects the company’s strategy to blend premium design and durable functionality, offering a reliable and stylish gaming experience. “Gaming is a natural extension of the Belkin brand,” said Steve Malony,…

The Australian non-profit SkyJuice Foundation has been awarded the Innovative Crisis Solutions Award at the fourth cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, in recognition of its SkyHydrant Emergency Safe Water Solution — a compact, rapid-deployment system designed to provide clean drinking water in the world’s most challenging humanitarian crises. The award, which is supervised by Suqia UAE under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, includes a prize pool of USD 1 million. It is aimed at advancing sustainable, resilient technologies that tackle urgent global water scarcity and safety challenges. SkyJuice’s…

Laserfiche has been named a Champion in the enterprise category of the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Emotional Footprint 2025 Report by the Info-Tech Research Group. The recognition highlights Laserfiche’s strong customer relationships and high return on investment, as rated by hundreds of end users across industries. The annual report, which assesses user satisfaction based on emotional response and practical product impact, awarded Laserfiche a Net Emotional Footprint score of 94 and a Customer Experience (CX) score of 9.3 — placing it at the top of the leaderboard in key areas such as Integrity, Fairness, Security, and Unique Features. “We are…

Global electronics giant TCL has expanded its partnership with Arsenal Football Club, becoming the club’s Official Global Consumer Electronics Partner. The agreement marks a major step forward from the brands’ previous regional collaboration and is set to deliver a deeper global engagement across sports and technology. The move strengthens a relationship first established in 2023, when TCL became a regional partner of Arsenal in the UK, Middle East, and Africa. Now global in scope, the partnership will see TCL and Arsenal jointly connect with fans and consumers around the world, leveraging shared values of innovation, performance, and excellence. Sunny Yang,…

Papa Johns is introducing a new twist on pizza with the global launch of its Croissant Pizza, a hybrid creation blending the rich, buttery layers of a croissant with the bold toppings and flavors of a traditional pizza. The innovation is being introduced in nine international markets, making its debut in the UAE, where customers can now experience the indulgent new offering. The Croissant Pizza features a light, flaky, braided crust inspired by the classic French pastry, offering a crisp texture and delicate bite. Consumers can personalize their orders with a variety of toppings, combining Papa Johns’ signature ingredients with…