Author: Sam Allcock

Lebanese influencer and entrepreneur Youmna Khoury, known to her followers as Youmi Beauty, has tied the knot in an opulent ceremony on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. The event blended high fashion, cultural tradition, and a swirl of public intrigue surrounding the groom’s past. Khoury, famed for her beauty brand and luxury style, hosted the wedding in a grand Italian palace on Thursday, 7 August. The celebrations drew a select group of social media personalities, celebrities, and dignitaries. Guests were treated to a series of meticulously planned events, including a pre-wedding party where the bride dazzled in an orange…

Global superstar Jennifer Lopez encountered an unexpected setback during a shopping trip in Istanbul, just a day before her scheduled performance in the city. The singer and actress was reportedly refused entry to the Chanel store at Istinye Park after staff said the shop had reached full capacity. According to witnesses, a security guard explained that the boutique was unable to accept any more customers at the time. Lopez responded with calmness, smiling and telling the guard, “Okay, no problem,” before leaving without protest. The incident occurred on August 5, ahead of Lopez’s headline appearance at the Istanbul Festival in…

Turkish actor Burak Çelik, known internationally for his role as Kaan in the hit drama Hudutsuz Sevda (Boundless Love), has become a father for the first time. His wife, Ece Çelik, has given birth to a healthy baby boy, whom the couple have named Kaan Aslan — a name that carries special significance for fans of the television series. The name “Kaan” resonates deeply with viewers who followed the emotional and dramatic journey of Burak’s on-screen character in Hudutsuz Sevda. The series, a blend of romance and drama, has been widely praised for its compelling storytelling and strong performances, with…

Real estate group Aldar and education-focused charity Dubai Cares are joining forces again to support underprivileged students across the UAE, in line with the nation’s declaration of 2025 as the Year of Community. The “Back to School 2025” initiative will take place on 15 August at Nabdh Alfalah in Abu Dhabi. Around 300 volunteers will pack 10,000 school kits, which will be distributed to students from low-income families nationwide. The kits aim to ensure children start the academic year with the tools and confidence needed to succeed. The programme is part of Dubai Cares’ flagship Volunteer Emirates campaign, which mobilises…

Cybersecurity firms Sophos and Halcyon have announced a new strategic partnership to share ransomware threat intelligence in real time, aiming to strengthen defenses and accelerate response for more than 300,000 organisations worldwide. The collaboration will see the two companies exchange indicators of compromise, attacker behaviours, and attack patterns to help detect and block ransomware earlier. The move follows Halcyon’s launch of a Ransomware Research Center, which will now be informed by data from both firms’ platforms. Customers using Sophos Endpoint, Sophos Managed Detection and Response (MDR), Sophos XDR, and Halcyon’s Anti-Ransomware Platform will benefit from enriched detection models and faster…

Twenty women from across Lebanon have graduated from the QUDWA programme, an initiative aimed at empowering women working in the informal economy to transition into the formal sector. The Centre for Women in Business at the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business (OSB) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) hosted the graduation ceremony, which celebrated the achievements of participants from Tripoli, South Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Baalbeck-Hermel. Over the past five years, the women have launched and grown small businesses with the support of targeted training provided by OSB faculty. QUDWA’s curriculum focuses on business skills, market access,…

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has posted its strongest-ever half-year financial results, as rising demand and operational efficiency boosted revenue and profit to new highs. The state-owned utility, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, reported revenue of AED 14.6 billion ($4 billion) for the first half of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 6.9%. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 5.3% to AED 7.0 billion, while net profit climbed 13.2% to AED 2.9 billion. Operating cash flow reached a record AED 9.2 billion, up 61.3% compared with the same period in 2024. The company also approved a…

Chinese automaker Chery Group has officially launched its new brand, iCAUR, in Dubai, marking a significant step in its strategy to expand into the Middle East. The debut event featured the global unveiling of two hybrid SUV models, the iCAUR V27 and iCAUR 03T, alongside ambitious regional growth plans. The iCAUR V27 and 03T adopt advanced range-extender hybrid powertrains, combining fuel efficiency with extended driving range. Both models showcase the brand’s “J-Style” design philosophy, a boxy, rugged aesthetic aimed at younger, style-focused buyers in the Middle East. As iCAUR’s first mid-to-large SUV, the V27 blends retro styling with modern technology.…

Megaport Limited (ASX: MP1), the Australia-listed Network as a Service (NaaS) provider, has reached a major milestone with the launch of its 1,000th Megaport-enabled location. The expansion cements the company’s position as the world’s largest vendor-neutral NaaS connectivity platform, now present in 10% of all public data centres worldwide. The 1,000th site, hosted by DataBank at its SAN1 facility in San Diego, marks a significant step in Megaport’s global growth strategy. The Brisbane-founded company now offers services in over 160 cities across 26 countries, connecting enterprises to all major cloud providers and hundreds of service partners. Michael Reid, Chief Executive…

ARMAF Perfumes, the UAE-based luxury fragrance brand, has launched two new scents – Ombre D’Or and Perle D’Or – inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi. The launch signals a shift towards deeper, more emotionally resonant perfumery in a market often driven by seasonal trends. Kintsugi, the centuries-old practice of repairing broken pottery with gold, symbolises embracing imperfections as part of one’s story. ARMAF’s latest creations translate this philosophy into scent, offering what the brand describes as “unpolished luxury” – perfumes that value stillness, reflection, and emotional connection over fleeting fashion. Hamza Fakhruddin, Managing Director and Board Member of Sterling…