Author: Sam Allcock

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…

Emirates Glass, a leading regional glass processing company and a subsidiary of Dubai Investments PJSC, has signed a five-year Manufacturing and Distribution Agreement with Australian firm ClearVue Technologies Limited (ASX:CPV) to introduce solar glazing solutions to the UAE and Gulf markets. The collaboration will see Emirates Glass begin local production of ClearVue’s solar-integrated glass later this year. The technology, which generates electricity from sunlight while maintaining transparency and insulation performance, is being positioned as a breakthrough for energy-efficient construction in the Middle East. Under the agreement, Emirates Glass will also hold non-exclusive distribution rights across the UAE and wider GCC.…

Shaza Hotels has carved a distinctive space in the global hospitality market, offering travellers a unique blend of Arabian elegance, cultural depth, and international luxury. The brand’s philosophy centres on transforming each property into more than just accommodation—crafting experiences rooted in the rich heritage of the Silk Route. Every Shaza property is carefully designed to tell a story. From architecture to interiors, and guest experiences to services, the brand aims to immerse visitors in a narrative that reflects centuries of cultural richness. This storytelling approach has helped Shaza create destinations with personality, where the essence of Arabian heritage is celebrated…

A high-level panel discussion in Dubai has brought together policymakers, industry leaders and sustainability experts to accelerate the UAE’s transition towards a circular economy. Organised by the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) in co-organisation with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) and in collaboration with the Advancing Net Zero Volunteering Team, the event carried the theme “Advancing Circular Economy in the UAE: Innovations, Strategies and Industry Collaboration.” The panel, hosted at the Stella Di Mare Hotel in Dubai Marina, was opened by EEG Co-Founder and Chairperson Habiba Al Mar’ashi, who stressed the importance of circularity as a central pillar of…

Al Masaood Automobiles, the authorised distributor of INFINITI in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Al Dhafra Region, is preparing for a major promotional event this month, with the launch of its INFINITI Weekend Sale. Running from 29 to 31 August 2025, the three-day sale will be hosted across all INFINITI showrooms and promises significant savings and a package of exclusive ownership benefits for customers. Anchored by the theme “Luxury is Standard, Everything Else is Complimentary”, the event will showcase INFINITI’s flagship range including the QX80, QX60, QX50 and QX55. Discounts of up to AED 60,000 will be available on…

Dubai Airports has unveiled a striking photo exhibition at Dubai International (DXB) to mark the 10th anniversary of Emirati Women’s Day, celebrating the contributions of Emirati women in aviation. The gallery, titled Messages to Tomorrow, was launched in collaboration with the Dubai Airports Women’s Network (DAWN) under this year’s national theme, “Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years.” It highlights the role of women within the oneDXB community, featuring portraits of ten Emirati professionals whose work and dedication continue to shape the country’s aviation sector. The portraits were captured by acclaimed Emirati photographer Hind Al Raeesi, who sought to portray…

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has awarded classification to the Saildrone Surveyor, a 20-metre unmanned surface vehicle (USV) designed for deep-water missions, marking a major step forward in autonomous maritime operations. The Surveyor, built by California-based Saildrone, is the largest class of unmanned vessel produced by the company to date. It is capable of fully autonomous, long-endurance operations across the world’s oceans, carrying out tasks including ocean mapping, deep-sea data collection and maritime domain awareness. Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, said the classification reflected the society’s focus on balancing innovation and safety.“ABS and Saildrone…

International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), a global leader in scent, taste and bioscience, has announced a landmark partnership with Brazilian investment group Votorantim’s green economy division to unlock the potential of the Atlantic Forest’s biodiversity. The deal, signed with Reservas Votorantim (rV), gives IFF and its natural ingredients subsidiary, LMR Naturals, exclusive access to the flora of Legado das Águas, Brazil’s largest private Atlantic Forest reserve. Covering 31,000 hectares in São Paulo state, the reserve is home to nearly 1,000 species of plants. As part of the agreement, IFF will build a new research facility within rV’s existing site in…