Author: Sam Allcock

In a notable development in regional diplomacy, a senior Saudi delegation led by Minister of Investment Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih arrived in Damascus on Wednesday to take part in the Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum—a move that underscores growing efforts to repair ties and build economic bridges between the two nations. The forum, held under the guidance of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, brought together over 130 Saudi investors and business leaders, highlighting a strong official push towards reviving trade, investment, and development ties with Syria after years of diplomatic estrangement. According to Syria’s state-run SANA news agency, the forum is…

The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has announced its role as a major sponsor of the 14th edition of Youth City 2030, further solidifying its commitment to youth empowerment and national development. The collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs places NBB at the forefront of private sector efforts to invest in the future of Bahrain’s young population. Held under the theme “Beyond Dreams”, Youth City 2030 is a flagship summer programme that equips young Bahrainis with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a changing world. Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs in partnership with Tamkeen, the…

Nissan is bringing a new level of comfort to its drivers in the Middle East with the expanded rollout of its Zero Gravity Seats—an innovation inspired by NASA’s studies on human posture in space. These seats are designed to reduce driver fatigue, enhance spinal alignment, and ensure a more relaxing experience on every journey. First launched in the Nissan Altima, Zero Gravity Seats are now featured in more than half of Nissan’s passenger vehicle range in the region. This includes popular models such as the all-new KICKS, X-TRAIL, and Pathfinder. Notably, the all-new Nissan Patrol now includes Zero Gravity Seats…

The skyrocketing demand for Pop Mart’s viral Labubu dolls has fueled a black-market surge of counterfeit “Lafufu” figures across China, raising concerns among collectors and sparking action from authorities. The original Labubu dolls, launched in 2019 by Chinese toy giant Pop Mart, became an international sensation only recently—thanks in part to global celebrities such as Blackpink’s Lisa, Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Post Malone, who have all been seen flaunting the quirky collectible. However, with fame has come a shadow industry of bootlegs, offering near-identical knockoffs at a fraction of the price. According to Dexerto, the “Lafufu” dolls have flooded the…

NVIDIA continues to redefine PC gaming performance with the rollout of DLSS 4 featuring Multi Frame Generation, enhancing gameplay across several major July releases including Killing Floor 3, WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers, and The First Descendant. These updates arrive alongside a new GeForce Game Ready Driver, designed to deliver optimal performance and support for upcoming Unreal Engine 5 upgrades, including Riot Games’ Valorant. Launching on July 24, Killing Floor 3 by Tripwire Interactive brings intense action-horror FPS gameplay back into focus. Players join forces as Nightfall specialists to battle unrelenting waves of bioengineered threats. With full support for DLSS 4 with…

Emirates has been crowned the Best Long-Haul Airline at the 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards, marking a third consecutive win in the prestigious category. The Dubai-based carrier received the accolade following a public vote by over 20,000 Telegraph readers, underlining its continued dominance in global air travel. The awards ceremony took place last week at the Pompadour Hotel Café Royal in London, where Helen Breen, Emirates’ Leisure Sales Manager in the UK, accepted the honour on behalf of the airline. Emirates was also recognised this month by YouGov as 2025’s Most Recommended Global Brand, making it the only airline in the…

Swiss-Belhotel International has announced its latest expansion into Africa with the signing of a new luxury property in Tanzania. The five-star Swiss-Belboutique Masaki Dar es Salaam will be located in the upmarket district of Masaki, on the Msasani Peninsula, and is expected to open in the first quarter of 2027. The agreement was formalised between Swiss-Belhotel International and Astra Capital Limited, marking a strategic partnership aimed at delivering an elevated hospitality experience in one of East Africa’s fastest-growing markets. Joel C. Makanyaga, Owner of Astra Capital Limited, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “We are glad to collaborate with Swiss-Belhotel…

Oman Air has reported a remarkable near threefold increase in point-to-point passengers, soaring from 75,000 in June 2024 to 200,000 in June 2025. This leap marks a significant shift in the airline’s strategy, with 58% of all passengers now flying directly into Oman rather than transiting onward – the highest share among any airline in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This achievement comes as part of a deliberate push by the national carrier to reposition itself as a gateway for inbound tourism, aligning with Oman’s broader economic and tourism ambitions. Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer at Oman Air, highlighted…

In a move that blends travel, creativity, and learning, Accor Waterfront Properties has partnered with Nikon to launch Createcation: Dubai Deira Gold Summer Edition — a hosted summer staycation curated exclusively for budding content creators. Running from August 2–3, 2025, the experience spans six properties in Old Dubai, offering participants the chance to craft compelling lifestyle and travel content while enjoying a full-board, two-day escape in the heart of the city’s historic district. Set against the backdrop of Deira’s vibrant streets and cultural charm, Createcation is more than a social media moment — it’s a carefully designed immersive workshop-meets-holiday. Participants…

Kuwait International Bank (KIB) has announced a robust 23% increase in net profit for the first half of 2025, with profits reaching KD 14.8 million, up from KD 12 million in the same period last year. The financial results reflect KIB’s growing momentum under its new five-year strategy focused on innovation, expansion, and customer-centric solutions. Chairman Sheikh Mohammed Jarrah Al-Sabah described the results as a “launchpad” for KIB’s ambitious goals. Earnings per share rose to 7.11 fils from 5.70 fils in H1 2024. Total operating income hit nearly KD 46.3 million, a 10% year-on-year increase. Al-Sabah emphasized that the strong…