Author: Sam Allcock

Food lovers in Makkah are invited to savour the timeless charm of Ottoman-inspired cuisine as Address Jabal Omar Makkah launches its Turkish Soul Food July Special at The Restaurant. Running daily throughout July, the culinary showcase offers an immersive dining experience that blends the rich legacy of Turkish cooking with a modern twist. Drawing inspiration from the eclectic Ottoman kitchen, the Turkish Soul Food concept brings together flavours from Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Balkan traditions, curated to celebrate Turkey’s culinary heritage. Guests can expect bold spices, refined textures, and traditional presentation—all served in a luxurious, welcoming setting. Set across the…

Google has rolled out two powerful AI features—photo-to-video transformation and a new AI filmmaking tool called Flow—for Gemini Ultra and Pro users across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Starting today, creators and artists in MENA can access the new photo-to-video capability, which allows users to animate any still image into an eight-second video clip with audio, powered by Google’s advanced generative AI models. To use the tool, users can select “Videos” from Gemini’s prompt menu, upload a photo, and enter a brief description along with audio cues. The AI then generates a dynamic video version of the…

Turkish Airlines has been named the Best Airline in Europe at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, securing the prestigious honour for the tenth time and reaffirming its place among the world’s aviation elite. The announcement was made at a high-profile ceremony held at the historic Air and Space Museum in Paris on 17 June. The airline, known for operating flights to more countries than any other carrier, also clinched eight awards in total, including recognitions for both its business and economy class services. Alongside the European title, Turkish Airlines was awarded: The accolades are based on direct feedback from…

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Middle East and North Africa (J-PAL MENA), based at The American University in Cairo (AUC), this week celebrated its fifth anniversary with a high-profile event that highlighted the organisation’s transformative role in advancing evidence-based policymaking across the region. Held at AUC’s Malak Gabr Theater, the event brought together leading researchers, government officials, development partners, and donors. A keynote address by Nobel Laureate and J-PAL co-founder Professor Abhijit Banerjee underscored the importance of data-driven interventions to solve poverty and social challenges. Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Rania Al Mashat, also…

As temperatures rise across the Middle East, Shaza Hotels is welcoming travellers with a new seasonal campaign that blends luxury with cultural charm. The “Summer Smiles” offer, launched this week, is designed to encourage families to embrace slow, meaningful travel through immersive experiences inspired by heritage, nature, and connection. Available across all Shaza and Mysk by Shaza properties, the Summer Smiles offer includes 25% off Best Available Rates (BAR), 50% off additional rooms for children, complimentary stay and dining for kids under 12, and an additional 10% discount for members of the DISCOVERY loyalty programme. “This isn’t just about rates—it’s…

Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a contract extension with Saudi club Al Nassr that will see him remain with the team until 2027—and earn a staggering €400 million per year, cementing his place as the highest-paid athlete in history. The new deal breaks down to €33.34 million per month, €7.6 million per week, and over €1.1 million per day. That’s roughly €772 per minute and €13 per second. Ronaldo’s latest contract, widely reported to exceed €500 million in total value once bonuses and ownership stakes are accounted for, includes not only salary but also significant performance incentives and part-ownership in the…

James Gunn’s highly anticipated reboot of Superman is drawing enthusiastic early reactions, with many fans and critics already hailing it as one of the best superhero films in recent years—even before its official cinema debut. The film, which introduces David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and serves as the foundation for the newly revamped DC Universe, has left early viewers both impressed and emotional. On social media, early screening attendees praised the movie’s tone, visuals, and heartfelt storytelling. Bryan Sudfield, a film journalist, took to X (formerly Twitter) to write: “Superman soars with heart, humor, and style — a bold yet…

The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Azerbaijan have formally signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signalling a transformative step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. The agreement, signed in Abu Dhabi, was witnessed by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who is currently on a working visit to the UAE. The leaders met at the Beach Palace, where they held discussions on broadening strategic cooperation across multiple sectors. The CEPA outlines a broad framework for economic collaboration, focusing on trade, foreign investment, renewable energy, food security,…

Generation X is poised to become the world’s most influential consumer force, despite often being overlooked by brands chasing younger markets, according to a new report by NielsenIQ (NIQ) in partnership with World Data Lab (WDL). The report, titled The X Factor: How Generation X is quietly driving trillions in consumer spending, places Gen X—those born between 1965 and 1980—at the heart of a global consumer revolution. With an estimated $15.2 trillion in annual spending in 2025, expected to rise to $23 trillion by 2035, the cohort is outspending both Millennials and Gen Z, reshaping consumer priorities across key sectors.…

Egypt is set to explore the use of needle-free injections for polio immunisation, following a new agreement between US-based medical technology firm PharmaJet, local manufacturer EVA Pharma, and the Egyptian Unified Procurement Authority (UPA). The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed during the African Health ExCon in Cairo, aims to incorporate PharmaJet’s Tropis® needle-free injection system into Egypt’s routine immunisation programme. If successful, it could offer a safer, more cost-effective, and less painful alternative to traditional needle-based vaccines for children across the country. The initiative reflects Egypt’s ambition to modernise its public health infrastructure and lead regional efforts in pandemic preparedness…