Author: Sam Allcock

ENOC Group, the UAE’s leading integrated energy player, has appointed Mr. Hussain Sultan Lootah as Acting Chief Executive Officer, marking a new chapter in its leadership as the organisation continues to align with Dubai’s ambitions for sustainable development and economic diversification. Mr. Lootah succeeds Mr. Saif Humaid Al Falasi, who served as Group CEO for the past decade, steering ENOC through a period of expansion, innovation, and transformation in the regional energy sector. In his first remarks as Acting CEO, Mr. Lootah said: “ENOC Group is at the forefront of building a more sustainable energy landscape for the UAE and…

Maserati’s triumphant return to closed-wheel racing continues to gather momentum as the Maserati GT2 becomes eligible to compete in over 20 racing series worldwide. From Europe to Oceania, the Trident’s racing supercar is set to challenge circuits across five continents, reinforcing the brand’s legacy on the track and expanding opportunities for both gentleman drivers and racing teams. Following a successful debut season in the 2024 GT2 European Series, where Maserati clinched the Am class title along with multiple podiums and pole positions, the GT2 is now certified to participate in a broad spectrum of endurance and sprint series, including those…

A global phase 3 clinical trial led by the American University of Beirut (AUB) and Lebanon’s Chronic Care Center has shown that mitapivat, an oral therapy, significantly improves outcomes in non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT) — marking a historic shift in the treatment of the lifelong blood disorder. The findings, published in The Lancet, one of the world’s leading medical journals, demonstrate the first successful results of an oral, disease-modifying therapy for both alpha- and beta-thalassemia forms of NTDT. The study was led by Dr. Ali Taher, professor of medicine at AUB and global principal investigator of the trial. “This publication is…

In a first-of-its-kind seminar at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), Dr. Maryam Mohamed Alsada, Postdoctoral Fellow and alumna, is leading a critical effort to reframe how Gulf women’s lives are documented, remembered, and taught. The summer course, titled Documenting Gulf Women, invites students to explore the politics of historical knowledge through creative and culturally grounded research methods. Designed around site-based learning and oral history, the course provides students with tools to engage Gulf women’s lived experiences beyond traditional academic boundaries. Rooted in Dr. Alsada’s doctoral work at University College London, her research explored women’s agency in Bahrain and Qatar during…

The National Youth Orchestra of Dubai (NYO–Dubai) made history this week by becoming the first orchestra from the UAE to perform at New York’s iconic Carnegie Hall, a momentous achievement supported by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. The landmark performance, funded under the Dubai Cultural Grant programme as part of the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy, highlights the emirate’s growing global stature in the creative arts and its commitment to fostering young musical talent. Comprising 70 young musicians from diverse backgrounds, the ensemble captivated the audience with a powerful performance that culminated in the world premiere of “Ensemble of…

Wizz Air has been ranked the world’s most emissions-efficient airline, according to new data released by aviation analytics firm Cirium. The Hungary-based low-cost carrier recorded an industry-low 53.9 grams of CO₂ per Available Seat Kilometer (ASK) in Cirium’s inaugural Flight Emissions Review, released today. The annual review offers the first verified global benchmark for airline emissions, enabling fair comparisons across the aviation sector as it works towards Net Zero by 2050 targets. Following Wizz Air in the global top three are Frontier Airlines (54.4 grams CO₂/ASK) and Pegasus (57.1 grams CO₂/ASK), both also noted for their high-efficiency operations. The report’s…

Deem Finance has unveiled its Joy-Win Credit Card Program, a customer-first rewards initiative that allows users to switch between two distinct loyalty modes — guaranteed cashback or a chance to win big — all through the Deem Mobile App. In a move designed to redefine credit card rewards in the UAE, the program offers a tailored experience based on real customer feedback. Some users favour consistent, assured benefits, while others are drawn to the excitement of high-value prize draws. With Joy-Win, cardholders can choose their preferred reward mode each month, giving them unmatched control and transparency. Two Modes, One Card…

Maserati enjoyed a triumphant weekend at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, clinching a win in the Am Cup class and multiple podiums across categories in Round 3 of the 2025 GT2 European Series Powered by Pirelli. In Race 1, the spotlight was firmly on Philippe Prette, who secured a commanding class victory from pole position in the Am Cup. Driving the number 1 Maserati GT2 for LP Racing, Prette built an early lead and expertly navigated the rain-slicked track to secure his fourth win of the season in class. His performance placed Maserati squarely in contention for overall honours. Teammates Mauro…

Oman Air has inaugurated its first-ever direct flights to Amsterdam, marking a strategic expansion into the Netherlands and reinforcing the national carrier’s commitment to growing its European network. The new four-times-weekly service between Muscat International Airport and Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is the first direct connection between Oman and the Netherlands. The route is expected to boost travel, tourism, and trade between the two countries. The official launch was celebrated with a ceremony at Muscat International Airport, attended by a host of dignitaries including His Excellency Azzan Qassim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism; H.H Dr. Faris…

Google has officially launched Veo 3, its most advanced video generation model to date, now available to Google AI Pro subscribers worldwide. The announcement marks a major leap in generative media, allowing users to create fully immersive short videos—complete with sound effects, dialogue, and music—using just a written prompt. Veo 3 is now integrated into the Gemini app, where users simply type a description of the scene they want to see. The system then generates a custom eight-second video in 720p resolution, featuring not only high-quality visuals but also natively generated audio elements. The release follows a preview of the…