Author: Sam Allcock

Visa Inc. has appointed Tareq Muhmood as Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA), the company announced today. In his new role, Muhmood will oversee operations across more than 86 markets, representing one of Visa’s most dynamic and rapidly expanding regions. With over three decades of experience in banking and payments, Muhmood steps into the position after serving as head of Value-Added Services for Visa Europe. He joined Visa in 2019 as Group Country Manager for Southeast Asia and has previously held senior roles at Ahli United Bank, ANZ, and HSBC. Muhmood will be based…

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is celebrating International Yoga Day with a five-day immersive retreat from June 20th to 24th, offering guests a chance to realign body and mind amid the tranquil beauty of the Indian Ocean. Set against the pristine backdrop of Raa Atoll, the retreat is led by Dubai-based yoga instructor Emilia Métaireau, a seasoned teacher with over a decade of experience and more than 2,500 hours of global practice. Métaireau brings a blend of ancient yogic tradition and modern mindfulness techniques to create what the resort calls a “soul-stirring” experience. Timed to coincide with the June 21st observance…

A rare Labubu doll sold for 1.08 million yuan (approximately $150,000) at an auction in Beijing on Tuesday, as demand for the quirky, monster-like toys designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung continues to soar worldwide. The turquoise figure, standing at 131 centimeters tall with a furry head and body, is reportedly the only one of its kind in existence. It was sold through Yongle Auction House, which noted the doll’s uniqueness contributed significantly to its final price. The auction also featured another large Labubu piece — a 160-centimeter-tall version with brown hair — that fetched 820,000 yuan (around $114,000).…

Kim Kardashian is no stranger to viral moments, but her latest post involving artificial intelligence has left the internet more baffled than impressed. On Wednesday, Kardashian shared a screenshot of a conversation with ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot app, on her Instagram Story. The post included part of their exchange in which Kim appeared to speak to the AI in a heartfelt, human-like manner — a tone that many online found confusing or even unsettling. In the shared snippet, Kardashian’s message to the AI reads: “Thanks for taking accountability. It’s huge in my opinion.” The chatbot responded with: “Thank you…

Pop star Katy Perry’s expected absence from the upcoming wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez in Venice has stirred speculation about the status of her long-term relationship with actor Orlando Bloom. While Bloom is reported to be attending the lavish three-day event alone, Perry’s absence is drawing particular attention due to her previously close relationship with Sánchez. The two couples have vacationed together multiple times in Europe, and Perry has even been involved in Sánchez’s women-led space initiatives through Blue Origin. Despite the long-standing friendship between the two women, sources close to the singer say Perry will…

mimik Technology has announced a strategic collaboration with AMD to enable real-time, ubiquitous deployment of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) through the integration of mimik’s Agentix-Native Operating and Execution Environment (mim OE) across AMD platforms. The partnership allows developers and enterprises to deploy agentic AI workflows out-of-the-box, transforming AMD-powered devices into execution-ready AI environments. From edge devices like cameras and robots to enterprise-scale servers, the collaboration provides a unified, context-aware, resilient, and adaptive compute fabric—a key step toward scalable and sovereign AI systems. “This collaboration marks a turning point,” said Fay Arjomandi, Founder and CEO of mimik. “We’re not retrofitting legacy…

FLY-R, the French aerospace company known for its rhomboid-wing drone technology, has been awarded a development contract by the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) for its R2-600 UAV, the most advanced model in the company’s portfolio. The award marks a major milestone in the operational deployment of rhomboid-wing UAVs, a highly efficient yet complex aerial design never before fielded at this scale. The R2-600 will be a hybrid-powered Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone, capable of flying at 45,000 feet for over 20 hours, with a maximum takeoff weight of 1,700 kg. Its unique rhomboid wing configuration—a diamond-shaped wing with…

LG Electronics (LG) is set to launch a series of exclusive seasonal promotions across its expansive product lineup, offering limited-time discounts designed to enhance comfort, entertainment, and convenience during the summer months. The campaign includes major deals on everything from air conditioners and air purifiers to smart TVs, sound systems, and a wide range of energy-efficient home appliances. Whether consumers are preparing for a staycation or returning home from their travels, LG’s promotions aim to help households upgrade their living experience with cutting-edge technology. Cooling, Clean Air, and Smart Living As temperatures rise across the region, LG’s advanced air conditioning…

O Gold, the UAE’s first Emirati app for fractional gold and silver ownership, has announced a strategic partnership with Emirates Gold, one of the region’s most respected and long-standing refineries. The collaboration is set to provide O Gold’s growing user base—now over 75,000 active investors—with seamless access to certified gold and silver products directly from the refinery at competitive rates. The partnership combines Emirates Gold’s 33-year legacy of refining excellence with O Gold’s innovative fintech platform, aiming to make precious metals investment more accessible, transparent, and trusted for everyday users in the UAE. Bridging Digital Access and Physical Value Through…

Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services, has announced a major reorganization of its executive committee and operational structure to accelerate the execution of its LEAP | 28 strategy. The initiative, launched in March 2024, aims to position Bureau Veritas as the preferred partner for excellence and sustainability across industries worldwide. As the company enters a pivotal phase of the strategy’s rollout, it is evolving its operating model to drive greater alignment between geographies, product lines, and customer workflows. The restructured organization is expected to improve agility, decision-making speed, performance impact, and innovation delivery. Key…