Author: Sam Allcock

Dubai-based airline flydubai has marked Emirati Women’s Day 2025 by honouring the growing achievements of Emirati women within its workforce and recognising their vital role in shaping the country’s aviation sector. The celebration comes as the airline records a 30% increase in the number of Emirati women joining its workforce this year compared to 2023, reflecting a broader national push towards empowering women in leadership, innovation, and technical fields. Since its inception, flydubai has sought to support Emirati talent through career-building opportunities, with particular investment in training programmes for women across multiple departments. The airline says the development of its…

Four members of the American University of Beirut (AUB) community have been appointed to the newly established Lebanese National Commission for UNESCO, marking a significant step in strengthening Lebanon’s engagement with global initiatives in education, culture, science, and communication. The commission, which brings together experts and public figures from across the country, is designed to advance UNESCO’s mission within Lebanon, promoting intellectual cooperation and fostering development across key sectors. Among the new appointees, two AUB faculty members will chair standing committees. Dr Nadine Panayot, curator of the AUB Archaeological Museum and associate professor of practice, will lead the Education and…

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has announced the return of its popular initiative, the School of Life, this September with 34 interactive sessions across branches of Dubai Public Library. The programme, running under the theme “The Journey Begins Again”, aims to strengthen life skills for both adults and youth in line with the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy. The wide-ranging activities span artistic expression, storytelling, identity building, language learning, and mental wellbeing. Organisers say the initiative provides a space for developing abilities and exchanging ideas in a setting that nurtures innovation and supports success in personal and professional life. Throughout…

Al Habtoor Hospitality has launched an exclusive dual-destination package, The Rewarding Escape, offering travellers the chance to experience both Budapest and Dubai in a single journey. The new promotion seeks to merge the old-world grandeur of Europe’s imperial heart with the modern luxury of the Middle East, giving guests a chance to create memories across two culturally distinct cities. Budapest beginnings The journey begins in Hungary’s capital, where the Al Habtoor Palace Budapest stands along the historic boulevards near the Danube. Guests staying at the property are welcomed into a world of regal design, ornate interiors and personalised service. The…

Tecnotree, a global provider of digital business support systems (BSS), has announced the successful delivery of a fully integrated, future-proof digital ecosystem for Emtel, marking a major step forward in the Mauritian telecom operator’s customer engagement and service delivery capabilities. The transformation covers multiple core areas, including customer lifecycle management, product and order management, inventory and point-of-sale processes, self-care, and dealer portals. All of these are seamlessly integrated with Emtel’s convergent billing system, creating a unified platform that is tailored to the operator’s specific business needs. The new system introduces advanced digital platforms that simplify dealer operations, streamline point-of-sale transactions,…

Dubai has announced the launch of the Middle East’s first Forest District by the Sea, a visionary project at Dubai Maritime City designed to combine sustainable urban living with natural ecology. The development, led by BEYOND Developments, marks a major milestone in the emirate’s efforts to reimagine coastal communities around wellness, resilience and environmental sustainability. The project aligns with Dubai’s 2040 Master Plan, the Net Zero 2050 strategy, and the D33 Agenda. The first step in the project is Talea, a residential tower that embodies the initiative’s ethos of design harmonised with nature. The tower will feature 354 homes ranging…

American-Moroccan rapper French Montana has announced his engagement to Dubai Princess Sheikha Mahra, marking one of the most high-profile unions of the year. The news, first reported by TMZ citing Montana’s representatives, confirmed that the couple became engaged during Paris Fashion Week in June. The announcement comes amid a wave of celebrity engagements this season, including global pop star Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce. A royal connection Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 31, is a prominent member of Dubai’s ruling family and the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and…

Venus Williams’ latest US Open campaign ended in disappointment on Arthur Ashe Stadium as she fell in the first round to Karolina Muchova. The 45-year-old American, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, was defeated by the 11th seed in three sets, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1. Despite the loss, Williams received thunderous support from the New York crowd, who cheered her every point and celebrated the presence of one of tennis’ enduring icons. Not thinking of retirement After the match, Williams made it clear that retirement is not yet on her mind, though she admitted her priorities are shifting. “I love playing, but…

One of Turkey’s most admired celebrity couples, Pelin Akil and Anıl Altan, have confirmed their divorce after months of speculation about their marriage. The pair, who first met on the set of the hit TV drama Arka Sıradakiler, quickly fell in love and tied the knot in 2016. Their relationship was often celebrated as one of the most enduring and affectionate in Turkish show business. In 2019, the couple welcomed twin daughters, Alin and Lina. Fans frequently praised their joyful family life, with the actors often sharing moments of parenthood and love on social media. For years, the family projected…

Four students from Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar (WCM-Q) have co-authored a paper proposing innovative microbiome-based strategies to help combat the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The perspective paper, published in Frontiers in Microbiomes, highlights natural methods of boosting microbial diversity as a way to reduce dependency on antibiotics. The student co-authors — Ali Al-Kuwari, Hamad Al-Karbi, and Abdulla Al-Khuzaei, all from the Class of 2029, along with Dounia Baroudi from the Class of 2030 — were guided by Dr Ghizlane Bendriss, assistant professor of biology at WCM-Q, who is the lead author of the study. The research was conducted…