Author: Sam Allcock

Liverpool and Portugal international footballer Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain at the age of 28. His younger brother, André Silva, 26, also a professional footballer, was killed in the same incident. The crash occurred shortly after midnight on Thursday, 3 July, near Zamora in northwestern Spain. Local authorities confirmed that the vehicle — a Lamborghini driven by Jota — veered off the road, collided, and caught fire. Both brothers were declared dead at the scene by emergency responders. The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed the accident involved no other vehicles. Investigations are underway to determine the…

The third edition of the Employee Happiness Awards concluded last week at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, honouring organisations across the UAE for their outstanding efforts in building meaningful, people-first workplaces. Hosted by Eventyst Global, the awards drew over 380 entries across 26 categories, marking the program’s most competitive year yet. Companies from a wide range of industries—including aviation, banking, logistics, retail, and real estate—were recognised for excellence in employee wellness, inclusion, culture, leadership, and business transformation. Standout Winners Across Key Categories Employee-First Culture in Focus “For us at EI, creating a positive and supportive environment isn’t just part of…

Ajman Bank has unveiled its first-ever Point of Sale (POS) and instant settlement services, launched in collaboration with Dubai-based fintech company VaultsPay, marking a significant expansion of the bank’s digital offerings for business clients across the UAE. The comprehensive co-branded payment processing solution is designed to support merchants, SMEs, and entrepreneurs through secure, real-time payment acceptance and transaction settlement, further strengthening the bank’s position as a key enabler of the UAE’s digital and inclusive economy. The new service leverages VaultsPay’s Central Bank of the UAE-licensed fintech infrastructure, offering Ajman Bank’s business clients a robust suite of features, including: A Strategic…

The 2025–2026 World Branding Awards Animalis Edition celebrated its fifth edition with a grand ceremony at the historic Hofburg Palace in Vienna, honouring leading pet and animal brands from around the world. The evening, hosted by Mounia Berrada-Gouzi, recognised excellence across multiple categories including pet food, wellness, retail, exhibitions, and aquatic products. Out of 950 brands nominated by over 80,000 consumers in a global online survey, only 105 brands from 25 countries were crowned National, Regional, or Global Winners—representing the best in branding within the pet and animal care sector. “The Animalis Edition of the World Branding Awards recognises brands…

Leading smart device manufacturer OPPO has signed a global patent licensing agreement with Volkswagen Group, marking a significant milestone in cross-industry collaboration between consumer electronics and automotive technology. The agreement grants Volkswagen access to OPPO’s cellular standard-essential patents (SEPs)—including 5G technologies—to enhance its global lineup of connected vehicles. The agreement represents OPPO’s first bilateral licensing deal with a connected vehicle company and highlights the growing application of its technologies beyond smartphones and consumer electronics. Enhancing Connected Mobility Through this partnership, Volkswagen will integrate OPPO’s SEP portfolio into its connected car offerings to support more advanced, seamless user experiences for drivers…

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a new milestone in its Metro Station Naming Rights Initiative by granting the naming rights of Jebel Ali Metro Station to National Paints Factories Co. Ltd., the Middle East’s largest paints and coatings manufacturer. The station, located in the heart of Jebel Ali Free Zone, will now be known as National Paints Metro Station for the next decade. The renaming reflects Dubai’s commitment to fostering public-private partnerships and turning strategic urban infrastructure into high-impact branding platforms. The agreement was facilitated by Hypermedia, with Mada Media serving as RTA’s authorised concessionaire. Strategic Branding…

Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s leading low-cost carrier, has officially resumed direct flights between Kuwait and Damascus after a 13-year suspension—reopening a long-awaited travel corridor for thousands of Syrians and signalling a fresh chapter in regional connectivity. The inaugural flight departed from Jazeera Terminal 5 this morning with a full passenger load. For many of the travellers, the journey represented more than just a destination — it was a homecoming after years, or even decades, of absence. The restoration of this route holds deep significance for the Syrian diaspora in Kuwait, which includes over 200,000 individuals—the second-largest Arab expatriate group in the…

In honour of Belgium National Day, Publiq, the city’s newest European restaurant and bar at Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, is hosting a special Moules-Frites Week from July 15 to 31, 2025. For a limited time, guests can savour one of Belgium’s most beloved culinary traditions — a generous bowl of mussels paired with unlimited Belgian fries and a glass of house white wine, all for AED 139 per person. The offer is available daily from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM throughout the promotion period. A Taste of Belgium in the Heart of Dubai With its urban design,…

In a move aimed at transforming the logistics landscape for UAE-based enterprises, DHL Express UAE and Meydan Free Zone have announced a strategic partnership to enhance international shipping capabilities for businesses operating within the Free Zone. The agreement was formalised at Meydan Free Zone’s headquarters, where Mahmoud Haj Hussein, Managing Director of DHL Express UAE, and Mohammad Bin Humaidan Al Falasi, CPA, Director of Free Zone Licensing, signed the partnership. Under this new collaboration, registered businesses in the Meydan Free Zone will gain access to DHL’s expansive global logistics network covering over 220 countries and territories. They will also benefit…

Emirates and World Rugby have announced a major new partnership for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, with the Dubai-based airline joining as an Official Partner of the tournament set to kick off on 22 August in England. The agreement continues Emirates’ longstanding commitment to rugby and includes its ongoing sponsorship of World Rugby Match Officials. Match officials will once again wear the iconic “Fly Better” branded kits across all matches, reinforcing the airline’s role in promoting excellence on the field and supporting the development of women referees in elite competitions. The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 will be contested…