Author: Sam Allcock

Urban 411 has introduced the Gravita Executive Desk, a striking new piece designed to blend aesthetics, innovation, and ergonomic performance for modern leaders. The Gravita is distinguished by its signature bevel edge and patented impact-resistant detailing, promising both style and durability. Its cantilevered surface creates a floating effect, lending a sense of lightness and architectural depth rarely seen in executive furniture. The desk’s height-adjustable controls are integrated seamlessly into its structure, allowing executives to shift between sitting and standing positions without compromising design. Cables are routed discreetly through concealed channels, maintaining a clean, clutter-free workspace. Challenging tradition Executive desks have…

International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) has launched a next-generation fresh-keeping enzyme in the United States, promising to help bakeries deliver bread with improved softness and resilience for over a month. The product, POWERFRESH® ACE 2000, is the latest addition to IFF’s POWERFRESH® portfolio and aims to address mounting pressures on the baking industry — from rising ingredient costs to consumer demands for longer-lasting freshness. According to IFF, the enzyme maintains bread’s softness, structure and cohesiveness throughout its shelf life, while also helping industrial bakeries streamline operations and reduce waste. The company says trials have shown the solution can keep bread…

The 24th edition of the prestigious Tile of Spain Awards has officially opened for entries, offering architects and designers in the UAE an international platform to showcase innovative uses of Spanish ceramics. Organised by ASCER (Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association), the annual competition recognises excellence in Architecture, Interior Design, and Final Degree Projects (FDP). This year’s awards are particularly relevant for the UAE’s design community, as the nation pushes toward its 2050 net-zero emissions target and implements stricter green building regulations. Spanish ceramic tiles, valued for their sustainable manufacturing processes, energy efficiency, and design versatility, are increasingly being integrated into…

Amazfit, the smart wearables brand owned by Zepp Health, has announced a high-profile partnership with New Zealand’s Ruth Croft, one of the most accomplished trail and ultra runners in the sport, and Spanish mountain running talent Rosa Lara Feliu. The move signals Amazfit’s growing ambition to strengthen its position in performance sports technology, with both athletes set to contribute on and off the racecourse. Ruth Croft: Champion and Collaborator Croft’s career spans over a decade at the elite level, with victories at the Golden Trail World Series, Mont Blanc Marathon, OCC by UTMB and Les Templiers. Since moving to ultra…

Popular Turkish pop singer İrem Derici has been at the centre of social media discussion after receiving an unexpected on-stage marriage proposal from her boyfriend, dancer and DJ Melih Kunukcu. The emotional moment took place during the wedding celebration of the couple’s friends, singers Burak Bulut and Eda Sakız. In front of a cheering crowd, Kunukcu got down on one knee, presenting a sparkling ring to the visibly stunned star. Footage of the proposal, which has since gone viral, captures Derici exclaiming: “I’m having the biggest shock of my life… forever, forever, yes, yes, yes,” before embracing her fiancé. The…

Typhoon Podul has swept into Taiwan’s eastern county of Taitung, unleashing heavy rain, high winds, and powerful waves that have forced the evacuation of more than 5,500 residents, according to officials. The storm struck on Wednesday, leaving communities already recovering from an earlier summer storm bracing for renewed damage. The Central Weather Administration reported wind gusts of up to 155km/h as Podul made landfall on Taitung’s coastline. Authorities swiftly moved to shut schools and government offices in affected areas, while airports cancelled hundreds of flights amid the deteriorating conditions. Widespread disruptionAt Kaohsiung International Airport, 252 domestic flights were grounded, while…

Pearl Abyss has confirmed that its highly anticipated open-world action RPG, Crimson Desert, will now launch in the first quarter of 2026, pushing back the release from its previously planned late 2025 window. The South Korean developer, best known for its MMORPG Black Desert Online, announced the delay during a recent conference call, citing the complexity of final preparations for the studio’s first large-scale AAA console game. “The launch of Crimson Desert, our first large-scale AAA console game, has been unavoidably delayed by one quarter,” the company said. “This is due to longer-than-expected timelines arising from schedule coordination and collaborations…

As Gulf families gear up for the back-to-school season, the scramble to balance school runs, homework, and household chores is set to return. LG Electronics says it has the answer to at least one of those challenges — keeping the home clean — with its CordZero cordless vacuum cleaner range. The company is positioning its latest models — the LG A9T-Lite, A9K-Core2, and A9LSlim — as time-saving, powerful, and user-friendly cleaning solutions tailored to modern family life. “Back-to-school is one of the busiest times for households,” an LG spokesperson said. “Our CordZero range is designed to help parents manage cleaning…

As summer winds down and families prepare for the return to school, Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites continues to offer sun-soaked experiences with its Summer of Cool programme. Situated on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, the resort combines adventure, relaxation, and world-class hospitality for memorable end-of-summer escapes. Guests can enjoy a range of accommodations, from standard rooms to expansive Four and Five Bedroom Suites featuring private pools, terraces, and built-in BBQ areas. These suites provide ideal settings for larger families or groups seeking a private retreat. For wellness-focused visitors, the resort offers the serene Wellness Room with Pool Access,…

Kuwait Telecommunications Company – stc has successfully concluded its 2025 summer training program, designed to provide university students with hands-on experience across a range of creative and technical disciplines. The initiative forms part of stc’s educational ‘upgrade’ program, a pillar of its broader corporate social responsibility efforts. Targeting students aged 17–24, the program drew over 600 participants from universities and academic institutions across Kuwait. Its core aim was to equip students with practical skills relevant to modern industries, combining theoretical knowledge with real-world applications. The training included specialized courses in photography and videography, cybersecurity, and specialty coffee brewing. Each course…