Author: Sam Allcock

Epson has launched its 2025 Back-to-School campaign with international pop icon Shakira as its brand ambassador for the Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central & West Asia (META-CWA) region. The campaign, unveiled this month, is designed to nurture creativity, imagination and collaboration among schoolchildren and educators. By linking the initiative with Epson’s EcoTank printers, the company aims to blend technology with extracurricular engagement. Activities for young learners Parents who purchase selected EcoTank printers will receive access to a variety of after-school activities. Families can choose up to four experiences in the Middle East, ranging from sports, arts and fitness to…

The Dubai Sports Council (DSC) will celebrate Emirati Women’s Day on 27 August with a community walk and run at Dubai Mall, part of the wider ‘Dubai Mallathon’ initiative. Launched under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the Mallathon seeks to encourage healthier lifestyles through accessible, indoor activities. The Emirati Women’s Day event is expected to draw participants from across the city, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to recognising women as key partners in national development. The annual occasion, established under the directives of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak—known as…

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), in partnership with Sandooq Al Watan, will host the Youth Cultural Summit on 26 August at the Etihad Museum. The event is designed to showcase the contributions of young professionals in the cultural sector and to provide a platform for dialogue, collaboration and creative exchange. Organised by the Dubai Culture Youth Council in cooperation with the Dubai Youth Council, the summit highlights the Authority’s commitment to nurturing young talent. It aims to equip the next generation with skills, opportunities and networks to shape the cultural landscape and support Dubai’s vision as a global…

Mediclinic City Hospital, situated in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), has been officially designated as a Centre of Excellence in Surgical Proctology by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), an international body renowned for certifying healthcare quality. The accreditation marks a significant milestone for the hospital and highlights its commitment to delivering advanced, patient-centred care in the treatment of colorectal, anal and pelvic floor disorders. The recognition also shines a spotlight on Dr. Valentina Giaccaglia, Deputy Medical Director and Consultant Surgeon at Mediclinic City Hospital, who has become the first female surgeon in the world to receive SRC’s Surgeon of Excellence in…

Kuwait Telecommunications Company – stc has launched an environmental preservation initiative at Kubbar Island, reinforcing its role as a community-focused digital leader committed to sustainability. The initiative, organised in collaboration with the Waves App and Alternative, a local restaurant brand, is part of stc’s wider corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda under the “Small Move, Big Impact” campaign. The movement aims to spread awareness about environmental protection and highlight the importance of collective responsibility. Kubbar Island, located about 30 kilometres off Kuwait’s southern coast, is a popular destination for visitors. In recent years, however, rising numbers of tourists have contributed to…

Chery UAE, in partnership with its official sole distributor AW Rostamani, has launched a Back-to-School campaign that aims to ease the financial burden on families preparing for the new academic year. Running from 15 August to 31 October 2025, the initiative blends education-focused rewards with automotive benefits. The headline feature of the campaign is a raffle draw offering nine winners AED 25,000 each to go toward their children’s school tuition fees. The draws will be held throughout the campaign period, with one winner selected each time, making a total of nine recipients over the three months. The initiative comes at…

Commercial Bank has signed a landmark agreement with the Project Management Institute (PMI), becoming the first bank in the Middle East and North Africa to enter into such a partnership. The agreement, signed at the Bank’s Doha headquarters, makes Commercial Bank a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP). The move is expected to enhance its capability-building programs, strengthen project delivery, and provide employees with access to internationally recognised certifications and resources. The ceremony was attended by PMI’s regional leadership, including Managing Director for MENA, Hanny Alshazly, alongside Head of Partnerships, Sima Qafiti, and Head of Markets, Rudolf Khoury. Representing Commercial Bank…

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…