Author: Sam Allcock

Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha has officially reopened Al Nafourah Garden, its signature alfresco dining venue, following a major refurbishment that blends Mediterranean charm with Middle Eastern warmth. The relaunch introduces not only a fresh new look but also an elevated dining experience led by the hotel’s acclaimed Chef Raed. Located in the heart of Qatar’s capital, the revamped Al Nafourah Garden offers a tranquil outdoor setting where lush greenery meets contemporary design. Enhanced lighting and upgraded seating contribute to a serene and welcoming ambiance, ideal for relaxing dinners, casual social gatherings, or winding down after work. At the centre of…

Lincoln Rise Real Estate Development LLC has announced the launch of its second major residential project in the UAE: Lincoln Star Residence II, a premium community designed with wellness, sustainability, and affordability at its core. The project builds on the success of the developer’s flagship Lincoln Star Residence in Dubai South, which has already gained investor trust and is nearing handover. Poised to redefine affordable luxury, Lincoln Star Residence II combines modern architectural design with lifestyle-enhancing amenities to create a sanctuary for families, professionals, and global investors seeking wellness-oriented urban living. Elevating Everyday Living with Wellness Innovation Set against the…

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) has announced the appointment of Aude Gandon as its first Chief Digital & Marketing Officer (CDMO), effective August 1, 2025. Gandon will report directly to Stéphane de La Faverie, President and Chief Executive Officer, and will become a member of the company’s Executive Team. In this newly created role, Gandon will lead a unified strategy across digital, marketing, and media, overseeing global digital commerce and shaping end-to-end consumer engagement strategies across Estée Lauder’s prestigious brand portfolio. Her appointment marks a strategic shift, emphasizing marketing’s role as a commercial growth engine in a rapidly…

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), the world’s first Islamic bank and the largest in the UAE, has announced its participation in a landmark US$1.85 billion syndicated dual-tranche financing facility extended to Olam Agri, a leading global agri-business. The deal marks DIB’s first collaboration with the company and further strengthens the role of Shariah-compliant finance in driving global sustainability and economic resilience. DIB served as Senior Mandated Lead Arranger and Investment Agent for the Islamic tranche, positioning the bank at the forefront of large-scale, cross-border Islamic finance transactions. The three-year facility will support Olam Agri’s general corporate needs and enhance its efforts…

Epson Atmix Corporation, a subsidiary of Seiko Epson Corporation (TSE: 6724), has completed construction of a state-of-the-art metal recycling plant at Kita-Inter Plant No. 2, marking a significant step forward in its commitment to sustainability and circular economy practices. The project, launched in October 2023, represents a 5.5 billion yen investment in facilities and production technology. The new plant will recycle used metals from within the Epson Group and from the local community to manufacture raw materials for metal powder production, reducing reliance on virgin resources such as blast furnace iron. This initiative aligns with Epson’s Environmental Vision 2050, which…

San Jose, California – Zoom Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) has introduced powerful new agentic AI features through its Custom AI Companion add-on, expanding its productivity suite to support 16 third-party apps and extending support across non-Zoom platforms, including Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. Now available online for $12 per user per month with paid Zoom Workplace plans, the Custom AI Companion is designed to help small businesses, freelancers, and professionals simplify workflows, reduce app-switching, and focus on core business growth. “With Zoom AI Companion’s agentic skills, users will see a significant productivity boost to help them get more done —…

The British University in Dubai (BUiD) successfully held the 9th Doctoral Research Conference (BDRC 2025), reinforcing its commitment to academic excellence and interdisciplinary research. The event brought together doctoral students, faculty, and professionals from across disciplines in a hybrid format, welcoming both in-person and virtual attendees. Open to students from BUiD and its partner universities, the conference served as a dynamic platform for doctoral researchers to present, publish, and discuss their work, while receiving constructive feedback from academic peers and industry experts. This year’s conference featured dedicated tracks in Education, Business, Management & Law, Engineering, and Information Technology, with presentations…

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, was honoured with the Executive Leadership for the Middle East & Africa award at the prestigious 2025 Airline Strategy Awards held in London. The accolade recognises his transformational leadership and lasting impact on the aviation industry across the region. Now in its 21st year, the Airline Strategy Awards are globally respected for celebrating outstanding airline leadership and innovation. Organised by FlightGlobal in partnership with Korn Ferry, the winners are selected by an independent panel of senior industry experts. Al Ghaith was recognised for his pivotal role in guiding flydubai from its founding…

Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has reported a robust financial performance for the first half of 2025, posting a net profit after tax of AED 697.2 million, marking a significant 25% increase compared to AED 558.7 million in the same period last year. The strong profit growth is underpinned by a steady rise in income from Islamic financing and sukuk, which grew by AED 113.6 million, or 6.4%, reaching AED 1.9 billion. The bank also recorded a marked improvement in the quality of its financing portfolio, reflected in a net reversal of impairment provisions amounting to AED 9.3 million, compared to…

Mouser Electronics, Inc., the global authorized distributor of semiconductors and industrial automation products, has released the latest installment of its Empowering Innovation Together (EIT) series, titled AI-Powered Engineering, shedding light on how artificial intelligence is transforming the future of engineering design. The new content series dives into how engineers can integrate AI tools into their workflows to enhance creativity, speed up design processes, and tackle more complex challenges with greater precision. The goal, according to Mouser, is to foster a collaborative model between human expertise and machine intelligence – empowering engineers to focus on high-level problem-solving and technical breakthroughs. “AI…