Author: Sam Allcock

Oliver Rowland has claimed the 2024/25 ABB FIA Formula E Drivers’ World Championship, sealing the title in a thrilling Round 14 of the season at the Hankook Berlin E-Prix. The Nissan driver’s fourth-place finish was enough to shut the door on rival Pascal Wehrlein, who faded dramatically after starting on pole and finished outside the points in 16th. Rowland’s steady climb through a chaotic race defined by strategic ATTACK MODE activations, intense overtakes, and energy management, was capped by a smart and calculated drive. Despite briefly surging into the lead mid-race, Rowland made the mature choice to avoid risky battles…

Ooredoo, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, has launched a new career exploration programme titled Next Gen Learners, aimed at preparing Omani school students for the modern job market. The initiative, which runs from 13 to 31 July, offers young participants an opportunity to experience real-world careers within a professional environment. Led by Ooredoo’s training team and supported by business-to-business (B2B) and corporate divisions, the programme provides two weeks of immersive learning. Students will be introduced to various career paths, observe organisational culture, and explore the ethical and operational aspects of a workplace — particularly in industries poised for…

Four Seasons Hotel Doha has been named the number one City Hotel in North Africa and the Middle East in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2025, marking a significant milestone during the property’s 20th anniversary celebrations. The annual awards, based on reader surveys, highlight the world’s top travel experiences, from hotels and airlines to cities and cruise lines. The accolade cements Four Seasons Doha’s status as a standout destination for luxury and service in the heart of Qatar’s capital. A Landmark Honour Shadi Suleman, Regional Vice President and General Manager at the hotel, welcomed the announcement with pride:…

The American University of Beirut (AUB) Press hosted a compelling literary panel featuring Jokha Alharithi, the acclaimed Omani novelist and Man Booker International Prize winner, during the 66th Beirut Arab International Book Fair. The event, held in collaboration with AUB’s Center for Arts and Humanities and supported by the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Chair, was moderated by student Rana Roukoz, drawing a wide audience of literary enthusiasts and scholars. Alharithi, best known internationally for her novel Celestial Bodies, shared insights into her literary and academic journey. The discussion also delved into her other notable works, including The Silk…

Maserati has officially premiered its newest super sports car, the MCPURA, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025, showcasing a bold expression of Italian craftsmanship, innovation, and performance. A successor to the MC20, the MCPURA captures the spirit of Maserati’s racing soul while elevating its design and engineering to new heights. Presented in both coupé and convertible (Cielo) versions, the MCPURA retains the 630-CV V6 Nettuno engine, a Maserati-patented marvel inspired by Formula 1. With carbon-fibre construction, a best-in-class weight-to-power ratio of 2.33 kg/CV, and the brand’s signature Butterfly doors, the MCPURA cements its place among elite supercars. At its…

Dr. Faysal El Kak, a leading expert in sexual and reproductive health from the American University of Beirut (AUB), has been elected President of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) for the 2025–2029 term. This historic appointment marks the first time a scholar from outside the Americas, Europe, and South Africa has held this prestigious global role. WAS is a globally recognized umbrella organization comprising sexual health professionals, educators, service providers, and rights advocates. The association works to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across the lifespan and around the world. Through partnerships with international institutions such…

Investcorp, a leading global alternative investment firm, has announced the successful exit of its majority stake in Italian cybersecurity firm HWG Sababa S.r.l., marking the first exit from its $570 million Investcorp Technology Partners Fund V (ITP V). The transaction sees ITP V and other investors sell their entire holdings in HWG Sababa to an oversubscribed €240 million single-asset continuation fund, managed by Investcorp and backed by institutional investors including Hayfin Capital Management and Coller Capital. The continuation fund closed in June 2025, with additional support from ITP V’s existing investors, Investcorp employees, and new limited partners. Despite the exit,…

Endeavor Jordan has announced a leadership transition, naming Samer Al Aloul of Capital Invest as Chairman of the Board, alongside Yousef Shamoun (Co-founder of ZenHR) and Qais Sabri (Founder & CEO of Eon Dental) as Vice Chairs. The new appointments are set to guide the organization through its next chapter of growth and entrepreneurial impact. The leadership change follows the successful tenure of Chairwoman Nadia Al Saeed and Vice Chairman Maher Kaddoura, under whom Endeavor Jordan significantly expanded its influence both locally and within Endeavor’s global network. With over 26 years of banking experience at top-tier institutions including CitiGroup, Standard…

End-user spending on generative AI (GenAI) models is set to surge, reaching $14.2 billion globally in 2025, according to the latest forecast by Gartner, Inc. The projected total represents a 148.3% increase over 2024, signaling the expanding adoption of GenAI technologies across enterprise sectors. The spending is expected to be driven by both foundation GenAI models, such as large language models (LLMs), and specialized GenAI models, which are fine-tuned for specific industries or business processes. Foundation models will continue to dominate in scale and use, but the most dramatic growth will come from domain-specific models. According to Table 1 from…

Kuwait Financial Centre “Markaz” has announced its sponsorship of a groundbreaking educational initiative in partnership with The English School (TES), introducing students to sustainable agriculture through a school-based vertical farming facility. The initiative aims to equip students with future-ready skills and environmental awareness, aligning with Markaz’s long-standing commitment to building human capacity under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. The initiative is designed to offer hands-on, experiential learning, enabling students to understand the science and impact of indoor vertical farming. The in-school facility allows students to explore crop cultivation in controlled environments, observe how vertical farming can support food security,…