Author: Sam Allcock

Dubai has retained its position as the world’s top destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the cultural and creative industries, according to new data published by fDi Markets, a service from the Financial Times. This marks the third year in a row that the Emirate has led the global rankings, outperforming major cities such as London and Singapore. The report for 2024 analysed FDI trends in 233 cities classified under the Creative Industries Cluster. Dubai topped the list with 971 creative economy projects, an 8% increase on the previous year. These investments generated AED 18.86 billion (approximately USD 5.1…

Kao Corporation (TOKYO:4452) has released its Integrated Report 2025, providing shareholders, investors, and stakeholders a comprehensive view into the company’s financial, strategic, and sustainability initiatives. The report is now available on Kao’s official website. At the heart of the report is Kao’s mid-term business strategy, “K27”, which aims to make Kao an indispensable, value-driven presence in the lives of people worldwide. The company is executing this vision through its Global Sharp Top strategy, with a focus on agility, innovation, and deeper Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) management. In FY2024, Kao exceeded its performance targets by: The Integrated Report 2025 outlines…

With one year to go until kickoff, Visa unveils fan-focused experiences and community investments With exactly one year remaining until the FIFA World Cup 26™ begins across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, Visa — a global leader in digital payments and official FIFA partner — has announced football sensation Lamine Yamal as its official global ambassador for the tournament. Widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in world football, Yamal joins Visa in a campaign to celebrate the tournament’s buildup and deliver exclusive fan experiences leading into the most expansive FIFA World Cup™ in history. The tournament,…

Leonard A. Lauder, visionary leader of The Estée Lauder Companies and one of the most influential figures in the global beauty industry, has died at the age of 92. The company announced that Mr. Lauder passed away peacefully on June 14, surrounded by family. Born in New York City in 1933 to Estée and Joseph H. Lauder, Leonard Lauder spent over six decades shaping what began as a family brand into a multi-billion-dollar global powerhouse. Under his leadership, Estée Lauder evolved from a modest U.S. operation into a global leader in prestige beauty, with over 20 iconic brands in its…

The UAE’s automotive scene is set for a record-breaking moment as Marhaba Auctions announces its largest live car auction to date, to be held on Sunday, 15th June 2025 at its main branch in Sharjah Industrial Area 2. The grand-scale event will feature over 400 vehicles, all with no reserve prices, creating a landmark moment for car buyers and auction lovers across the Emirates. Starting at 5:00 PM, the auction promises an electrifying atmosphere where every car will be sold under the “Green Light” policy, meaning bids start with no minimum price — and every vehicle is guaranteed to go.…

Global smart wearable brand Amazfit, owned by Zepp Health (NYSE: ZEPP), has officially launched the Amazfit Active 2 Square, expanding its popular fitness smartwatch line. The new release retains the powerful capabilities of the recently launched round Active 2 but introduces a bold, square design aimed at modern users who favor geometric aesthetics. Unveiled at CES 2025 and featured at both Pepcom and ShowStoppers, the Active 2 Square merges advanced health tracking, premium materials, and long battery life into a sleek stainless-steel-framed smartwatch with a 1.75-inch sapphire glass AMOLED display. Its 2,000-nit brightness ensures crystal-clear visibility, even in bright outdoor…

The World Technology Summit (WT Summit), a new global platform celebrating human ingenuity across science, technology, and innovation, will launch its inaugural edition from November 5–7, 2025, in Pune and Mumbai, India. Announced by World Technology, the summit is being organized in collaboration with MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) and will bring together leading voices in AI, biotechnology, education, and digital infrastructure from around the globe. “India offers the energy, scale, and ingenuity that the future demands,” said Paul J. Foster, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of World Technology. “The WT Summit is a platform for bold ideas, leading voices and…

iFIT Inc., a global leader in personalized connected fitness, has announced a strategic partnership with Xponential Fitness, bringing premium yoga and Pilates content from Club Pilates and YogaSix to iFIT’s extensive member library. The collaboration marks a significant expansion of iFIT’s wellness-focused offerings, giving users broader access to boutique-style workouts at home. The new content, available to all iFIT members, adds studio-quality Pilates and yoga workouts to the Emmy-nominated platform. These workouts can be completed on a yoga mat, complementing iFIT’s existing outdoor and machine-based sessions across treadmills, bikes, rowers, and ellipticals. “We’re incredibly excited to bring the Club Pilates…

Fortis Healthcare has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to medical value travel, earning seven major awards at Advantage Healthcare India 2025, the international summit aimed at establishing India as a leading global destination for medical tourism. Organised under the aegis of the Foundation of Healthcare and Wellness Promotion (FHWP), the summit highlighted the role of Indian institutions in transforming the country into a hub for medical and wellness services. Fortis emerged as a frontrunner in this vision, winning accolades for both its clinical services and individual excellence. Institutional Awards Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla, was recognised for its excellence…

Cvent, a global leader in event and hospitality technology, has released its highly anticipated 2025 rankings of the Top Meeting Destinations and Hotels in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Once again, Dubai secured the number one spot, reaffirming its position as a global hub for business events. The rankings, based on data from over $18 billion in global sourcing activity in 2024, reflect significant demand for in-person events despite economic challenges. The Middle East & Africa list is part of Cvent’s global ranking series, which also covers North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and, for the first time, Latin America…