Author: Sam Allcock

Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has reported a robust financial performance for the first half of 2025, posting a net profit after tax of AED 697.2 million, marking a significant 25% increase compared to AED 558.7 million in the same period last year. The strong profit growth is underpinned by a steady rise in income from Islamic financing and sukuk, which grew by AED 113.6 million, or 6.4%, reaching AED 1.9 billion. The bank also recorded a marked improvement in the quality of its financing portfolio, reflected in a net reversal of impairment provisions amounting to AED 9.3 million, compared to…

Mouser Electronics, Inc., the global authorized distributor of semiconductors and industrial automation products, has released the latest installment of its Empowering Innovation Together (EIT) series, titled AI-Powered Engineering, shedding light on how artificial intelligence is transforming the future of engineering design. The new content series dives into how engineers can integrate AI tools into their workflows to enhance creativity, speed up design processes, and tackle more complex challenges with greater precision. The goal, according to Mouser, is to foster a collaborative model between human expertise and machine intelligence – empowering engineers to focus on high-level problem-solving and technical breakthroughs. “AI…

Global streaming and digital technology firm Deltatre has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Endeavor Streaming, a move that will create a powerful new entity in the digital and over-the-top (OTT) services market for sports, media, and entertainment industries. The acquisition, expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, will see Deltatre bring together its expansive suite of digital products – including D3 VOLT, FORGE, AXIS, and DIVA – with Endeavor Streaming’s VESPER, a robust OTT platform. The merged business aims to provide an all-in-one solution for delivering advanced, scalable, and immersive digital experiences to major global brands. “Endeavor…

Global sportswear brand PUMA and Premier League giants Manchester City have announced the long-term extension of their strategic partnership, building on a collaboration that began in the 2019/20 season and has delivered success on and off the pitch. The extended agreement will see PUMA continue as the club’s official kit supplier and retail partner, allowing both brands to push the boundaries of innovation in sportswear, fan engagement, and sustainability. The renewal underscores the strong commercial and performance synergy between the two organisations. “PUMA’s partnership with Manchester City has been a great success both on and off the pitch,” said Arthur…

LG Electronics (LG) has unveiled a new brand campaign in the United Arab Emirates titled “Radio Optimism,” aiming to counter growing social disconnection by reviving emotional connections through music. The initiative invites participants to create AI-generated, personalized songs that can be shared with loved ones—no matter where they are in the world. The campaign is rooted in LG’s long-standing brand promise, “Life’s Good,” and serves as a response to the emotional isolation often felt in today’s digital age, especially during the summer when families and friends are often separated. According to LG, the “Radio Optimism” platform is designed to bring…

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) reaffirmed its commitment to Kuwait Vision 2035 and sustainable economic progress during a strategic meeting with the Oxford Business Group (OBG), marking a key moment in fostering financial innovation and public-private collaboration. The meeting brought together Khaled AlShamlan, Group CEO of KFH, with Andrew Jeffreys, CEO of Oxford Business Group, and Cristina Mirica, OBG’s Country Director for Kuwait. The discussions centred on Kuwait’s evolving financial landscape and the private sector’s role in accelerating national development priorities. AlShamlan underlined the alignment between KFH’s sustainability strategy and Kuwait Vision 2035, noting the importance of knowledge partnerships in driving…

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is emerging as a global frontrunner in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into organizational leadership through the appointment of Chief AI Officers (CAIOs), according to a new global study by the IBM Institute for Business Value in partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation. The study, which surveyed over 600 CAIOs across 22 countries and 21 industries, finds that 33% of UAE organizations now have a CAIO, compared to a global average of 26%. The data suggests that organizations with a designated CAIO experience up to 10% higher returns on AI investment, and those using centralized or…

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has confirmed the return of Mastercard as an official event supplier for the 2025 Esports World Cup, the world’s largest esports tournament, set to be held in Riyadh from 7 July to 24 August 2025. The renewed collaboration highlights Mastercard’s continued investment in Saudi Arabia’s expanding gaming sector and reinforces its global strategy of integrating cutting-edge payment technologies with youth-focused digital platforms. With over 2,000 elite players and 200 clubs competing across 25 tournaments and 24 gaming titles, the 2025 Esports World Cup is expected to attract fans from more than 100 countries. The…

Huawei has officially launched a suite of new products under the theme “Fashion Next”, spotlighting the HUAWEI Pura 80 Series, MatePad 11.5, and the global return of its celebrated XMAGE Awards at a grand showcase event in Dubai. The event marked another chapter in Huawei’s mission to blend cutting-edge innovation with human-centric design, demonstrating how technology continues to reshape everyday experiences through design, performance, and creativity. Pura 80 Series: Imaging Excellence Redefined The highlight of the launch was the HUAWEI Pura 80 Series, a flagship range setting a new benchmark in mobile photography. The Pura 80 Pro and Ultra models…

du, the UAE’s leading telecom and digital services provider, has become the first telecom operator in the country, and only the second in the GCC, to be awarded the prestigious ISO 20400 Sustainable Procurement certification. The recognition highlights du’s commitment to embedding sustainability across its procurement practices and operational ecosystem. The ISO 20400 standard is an internationally recognised benchmark for excellence in sustainable procurement. It acknowledges organisations that systematically integrate environmental, social, and economic responsibility into supply chain strategies and decision-making frameworks. “Achieving the ISO 20400 certification is a milestone in our journey for excellence in sustainability,” said Adel AlRais,…