Author: Sam Allcock

Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Sheikh, Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti and Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, has died at the age of 81, local media reported on Tuesday. The Saudi Royal Court confirmed his passing in a statement issued on September 23. It said funeral prayers for the late Grand Mufti would take place after the afternoon prayer at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh. King Salman bin Abdulaziz also ordered that funeral prayers be held simultaneously at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, and mosques across the Kingdom. Sheikh…

Ousmane Dembele has been crowned Ballon d’Or winner for 2025, capping off a stellar season with Paris Saint-Germain. But the outcome has drawn criticism, with some questioning whether Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal was unfairly overlooked. Yamal, who finished second after a breakout campaign with Barcelona, received strong backing from his father, Mounir Nasraoui, who told El Chiringuito that “something very strange” had happened. “I wouldn’t call it a robbery, but it feels like a moral injustice. For me, Lamine is by far the best player in the world, without rival,” he said. France Football defends vote Responding to the criticism,…

Barely a month after its launch, Apple’s latest iPhone 17 series is facing user complaints over scratch resistance, according to a report by Bloomberg. Customers noted that display models at Apple Stores showed visible scratches within hours of use, particularly on the “Deep Blue” iPhone 17 Pro and “Space Black” iPhone Air. Videos circulating on social media highlight back-glass marks caused by the MagSafe charger, along with peeling around the camera edges. Tech creator Zach Nelson added to concerns by conducting scratch tests with blades, keys and coins, revealing similar issues. Design trade-offs Experts have linked the problem to Apple’s…

Russian streaming service Start has premiered Feofan, the country’s first comedy series featuring characters created entirely by artificial intelligence. The release marks a milestone in the growing overlap between technology and entertainment. The show, unveiled at the “New Season” streaming festival in Sochi from 15–20 September, began streaming on Start on 17 September. Aimed at adult audiences, each episode runs under ten minutes and satirises aspects of modern culture – from celebrity obsessions to digital lifestyles. Old ways vs. modern life The story centres on Feofan, a young man from St Petersburg who abandons urban life to build a community…

Gold prices have surged to new record highs both globally and in Jordan, driven by continued demand for safe-haven assets amid global market uncertainty. According to CNN Business, gold reached an unprecedented $3,716.13 per ounce in instant transactions on Monday, marking the highest level ever recorded. Spot silver also gained, rising 1% to $43.49 per ounce, approaching a 14-year high. Jordan market follows global trend In Jordan, the General Syndicate of Owners of Trade and Jewelry Shops confirmed that local gold prices climbed to their highest point in history on Monday. Prices increased by 70 piasters per gram, reflecting global…

Al Masaood Automobiles, the authorised distributor of Nissan in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and the Al Dhafra Region, has unveiled a new campaign aimed at making car ownership more accessible and stress-free for customers. The initiative includes 0% finance across a range of Nissan’s most popular models, with monthly instalments starting from just AED 888. Models featured in the campaign include the Magnite, Altima, X-Trail, Pathfinder, X-Terra, KICKS, and the iconic Nissan Z. To bolster customer confidence, the offer is backed by extended warranty and roadside assistance packages. Most models come with five years of coverage, while the Magnite offer…

Kia’s PV5 WKNDR Concept has won a Silver Award in the Automotive & Transportation category at the International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) 2025, one of the world’s most prestigious design competitions. The PV5 WKNDR is inspired by Kia’s upcoming range of Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs) and is designed around versatility and sustainability. Its standout feature, the ‘Gear Head’, is an off-board storage solution that doubles as a mobile pantry, offering outdoor enthusiasts space for gear or cooking facilities without reducing interior capacity. Equipped with solar panels and hydro turbine wheels, the vehicle is capable of generating its own power even…

Nike has teamed up with SKIMS to launch a new women’s activewear line, NikeSKIMS, which debuts globally on 26 September. The collaboration promises to merge high-performance sportswear with style-driven design, offering a new “system of dress” that aims to redefine what it means to be an athlete today. The collection features 58 silhouettes across seven lines, providing more than 10,000 outfit combinations. Ranging from foundational bras and leggings to layering pieces and accessories, the designs focus on both performance and versatility, aiming to transition seamlessly from gym to everyday life. “Our mission is simple: to redefine the rules of women’s…

The American University in Cairo (AUC) welcomed Mrs Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, First Lady of Singapore, for a special visit to its New Cairo campus. She was accompanied by a Singaporean delegation and received by Ehab Abdel-Rahman, AUC provost; Hala El Said, university counsellor; and Hania Sholkamy, associate professor at the Social Research Center. “AUC is honored to host Mrs Ittogi and her delegation. This visit is powerful evidence of the role universities play in connecting cultures, nurturing dialogue, and advancing knowledge across borders,” said Provost Abdel-Rahman. The delegation toured the Rare Books and Special Collections Library (RBSCL), including Mining the…

Bitget, the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), is celebrating its 7th anniversary under the theme #GearUpTo7, marking a new era of integrated finance. Over the past seven years, the platform has expanded globally through strategic partnerships and community initiatives. High-profile collaborations with Lionel Messi, Juventus FC, MotoGP, LaLiga, and the UNTOLD music festival have helped Bitget connect with mainstream audiences. Its Blockchain4Youth and Blockchain4Her programmes have reached more than 15,000 students across 60 universities. In addition, Bitget’s partnership with UNICEF aims to educate 1 million people on blockchain by 2027. The next chapter of Bitget’s journey is its transformation into…