Author: Sam Allcock

In response to intensifying heatwaves and rising urban temperatures, a Romanian company has unveiled a new solution that reimagines the role of parking spaces in cities. Green Parking Solutions, based in Romania, is moving forward with the implementation of its “green parking” concept—a modular system designed to cool cities, improve air quality, and enhance biodiversity. The project, once only an architectural concept, is now being rolled out on the ground. Its designers describe it as a practical and scalable intervention that can be deployed without requiring large-scale changes to existing infrastructure. Cooling cities with parking lots At the heart of…

Kuwait has been recognised as an “AI Practitioner” in a new study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), placing the country among 30 economies worldwide making tangible strides in adopting artificial intelligence across key sectors. The report, “GCC AI Pulse: Mapping the Region’s Readiness for an AI-Driven Future”, uses BCG’s 2025 AI Maturity Matrix to assess national progress in the field. Kuwait joins Qatar, Bahrain and Oman in the Practitioner category — a tier above “Emergents”, but below “Contenders” and “Pioneers”. The highest-ranked “Pioneers” include global leaders such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. While Gulf nations have…

The Ritz-Carlton, Amman has become the first hotel in Jordan to receive the VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality Badge, awarded by Forbes Travel Guide, marking a milestone for sustainable luxury in the country’s hospitality sector. The recognition underscores the property’s commitment to environmental stewardship and socially responsible practices. The VERIFIED™ Responsible Hospitality Badge is regarded as a global benchmark, assessing hotels against more than 100 standards to ensure genuine, measurable progress in sustainability. By achieving this certification, the Ritz-Carlton, Amman provides assurance to guests that its sustainability initiatives are more than statements — they are integrated into daily operations without compromising on…

LG Electronics says it has significantly reduced the use of plastic and cut carbon emissions in the production of its latest commercial 4-way system air conditioners. The company has introduced a new material and a revised manufacturing process as part of its “Better Life for All” ESG vision, which focuses on reducing the environmental impact of its products. Independent testing and certification firm TÜV Rheinland confirmed that carbon emissions per unit of LG’s new 4-way system air conditioners had been lowered to 14.85 kilograms of CO₂ equivalents. The achievement comes through a combination of new materials and a novel manufacturing…

Large-scale sporting and cultural gatherings are emerging as powerful drivers of travel and tourism in the Gulf, experts told Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai. The events and exhibition market in the GCC is projected to reach US$827 million by 2029, growing at nearly 4% annually, according to industry research. Recent milestones such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Expo 2020 Dubai have already reshaped the region’s tourism landscape, while Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 2034 World Cup is set to amplify this momentum. A panel featuring H.E. Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce…

At least eight people have been killed and four remain missing after flash floods swept through a camping site in China’s Inner Mongolia region, according to state media. The sudden flood hit late on Saturday night at around 22:00 local time (14:00 GMT) in Urat Rear Banner, a county located in the western part of Inner Mongolia, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported. A total of 13 people were said to be camping outdoors in the remote area when heavy rains triggered the deluge. Of those, one person was rescued by emergency workers, while the bodies of eight victims have been…

Roblox, one of the world’s most popular online gaming platforms, is under mounting global scrutiny as governments tighten restrictions over child safety concerns. The game, played by more than 70 million people daily, has already been banned in several countries amid allegations of exposing children to harmful content and exploitation risks. Qatar bans Roblox amid social media outcry The latest ban came this week from Qatar, where authorities moved to block Roblox following growing pressure on social media. Parents and community groups accused the platform of failing to protect children from inappropriate content and potential predators. Jordan is reportedly considering…

Former Miss Universe Russia Kseniya Alexandrova has died aged 30, weeks after being critically injured in a car accident. The model and beauty queen, who represented Russia at the Miss Universe pageant in 2017, passed away following severe injuries sustained in July. According to Russian media, Alexandrova was travelling with her husband in the Tver region when their car struck a moose that had wandered onto the road. She was seated in the passenger seat at the time of the crash. The collision left her with a serious brain injury, and she was admitted to the intensive care unit of…

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi has reported a significant increase in visitors during the first half of 2025, reinforcing its standing as a leading global religious and cultural destination. Figures released by the Centre show that the landmark welcomed 4,346,831 guests between January and June, marking a 5% rise compared with the same period last year. The total included 1,948,482 worshippers and fasting guests, 2,355,165 international visitors, and more than 43,000 people who used the mosque’s Jogging Track. Worship and Ramadan turnout The mosque’s busiest periods came during Ramadan and Eid, with a total of 575,372…

At least three people have been killed and eight others wounded in a mass shooting inside a Brooklyn restaurant in the early hours of Sunday morning, police confirmed. The incident took place at the Taste of the City Lounge, located at 903 Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights. According to New York Police Department (NYPD) officials, multiple gunmen entered the venue shortly before closing time and opened fire, causing chaos among late-night patrons. Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the first emergency calls came in at around 3:30 a.m. local time, with police units and ambulances dispatched to the scene within minutes. “This…