TIME Hotels appoints Fares Satli as Director of Business Development to drive the company’s regional and global growth

Rashad Iskandrni

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 3 June 2025 — Nothing, the London-based consumer technology company, and KEF, the renowned British audio pioneer, today announced a strategic partnership to explore new frontiers in sound innovation and bring refined audio experiences to a broader audience.

Rooted in a shared commitment to craftsmanship, engineering excellence, and bold design, this collaboration brings together two of the UK’s most iconic brands. KEF’s six decades of high-fidelity audio expertise will support Nothing’s expansion into new audio categories – bringing acoustic precision to products shaped by Nothing’s distinct approach to design and user experience.

“KEF is one of the most respected names in audio, and we’re proud to partner with them as we take the next step in expanding Nothing’s audio journey,” said Andrew Freshwater, Head of Smart Products Marketing at Nothing. “By combining KEF’s decades of expertise with our design-led approach to technology, we’re laying the groundwork for a new standard in everyday listening. Our products launching later this year mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter of our collaboration and the future of Nothing Audio.”

“At KEF, we’ve always believed in the power of great sound to inspire and connect people,” said Grace Lo, President & Head of Global Marketing at KEF. “This partnership allows us to bring our acoustic heritage into a fresh context – working with a brand that shares our dedication to innovation, quality, and design. Together, we’re setting out to redefine what premium audio can look and feel like for the next generation.”

“This partnership marks a powerful step forward. By uniting KEF’s exceptional audio heritage with Nothing’s boundary pushing design, we’re creating something truly special for consumers in the Middle East and Africa. It’s an exciting opportunity to reimagine everyday listening, making it more immersive, more inspiring, and more connected than ever before,” said Rishi Kishor Gupta, Regional Director for Nothing Middle East and Africa.

The collaboration marks a meaningful evolution for both brands. For Nothing, it diversifies its audio offering and enters new product categories. For KEF, it opens new pathways to share its expertise with a wider audience through a fresh design and technology lens. With several acoustically co-developed products already in progress, the partnership signals a long-term commitment to delivering refined sound experiences through beautifully designed hardware.

Further details will be shared in the coming months.

About Nothing

Founded in 2020, Nothing is here to make tech fun again. Its debut smartphone, Phone (1), earned Time Magazine’s prestigious Best Inventions for Innovative Smartphone Design award. Through cutting-edge design and user interface innovation, the London-based company is creating an alternative ecosystem of tech products for the young and creative. To date, Nothing has sold more than 9 million units worldwide across its product lines, having released eight audio products, eight smartphones, and two smart wearables under the Nothing and CMF by Nothing brands. The company has amassed a cumulative revenue of $1 billion. All products are developed in close collaboration with the Nothing Community, which includes over 8,000 private investors and are crafted with sustainability at the forefront.

About KEF

Since 1961, KEF has been obsessed with the power of high-fidelity sound. By leading in technical innovation, design and craftsmanship, KEF creates revolutionary speakers, subwoofers and wireless systems that provide listeners with transformative audio experiences, capturing the meaning, magic and moments in creators’ work.

BBC engineer Raymond Cooke founded KEF, naming it after its original site, Kent Engineering and Foundry. The company continues to conduct research and development while manufacturing flagship speakers in Maidstone, Kent, UK.

KEF Music Galleries in key cities worldwide, including our global flagship in London, offer unique and inviting ‘listen and believe’ spaces for both seasoned audio enthusiasts and newcomers, serving as community hubs for partner and creator collaborations.

Rashad Iskandrni

 An Exclusive Seasonal Dining Experience Inspired by Riyadh’s Art Scene, Served Throughout May & June at L’ami Dave

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 29^th May of  2025 – L’ami Dave, the French fine-dining concept with a contemporary twist located at Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel, is pleased to introduce a special one-month limited menu from May to June, celebrating Saudi Arabia's inaugural of Art Week Riyadh.

This exclusive menu pays tribute to the inaugural edition of Art Week Riyadh, hosted earlier this April by the Saudi Visual Arts Commission. The landmark event united over 240 artists and showcased more than 500 artworks, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s expanding presence on the global art stage.  Created to empower artists, foster cultural dialogue, and champion creative diversity. Art Week Riyadh offered a non-commercial platform rooted in contemporary artistic expression.

L’ami Dave has partnered with the Saudi Visual Arts Commission inviting art enthusiasts for a special menu that honors the success of the initiative and the vibrant growth of the Kingdom’s art scene.

To offer guests a true culinary experience, the limited-time menu, available all day at the restaurant, features a curated selection of four appetizers and four main courses, each inspired by the spirit of creativity and innovation that defines Art. Guests are flexible to savor the full experience or select individual dishes, served separately from the restaurant’s regular à la carte menu.

For appetizers, guests are invited to indulge in a variety of refined flavors. The Warm Wild Mushroom Ragout offers a rich and creamy experience, elegantly served over toasted brioche. The Crabe Beignet delivers a crispy, golden bite, complemented by a touch of spice and a refreshing slaw. For a lighter option, the Prawn Provençale captures the essence of the Mediterranean with its aromatic broth, while the Citrus Vegetable Carpaccio presents a vibrant and zesty medley of the season’s freshest produce with a colorful and refreshing start to the meal.

For the main course, guests can savor a selection of rich and satisfying dishes. The Prime Beef Fillet is exceptionally tender and full of depth, finished with a classic sauce and a delicate touch of truffle. The Crispy Frilled Salmon is seared to perfection, offering a buttery texture accented by a subtle hint of red wine. The Lamb Rack impresses with its flavorful, herbaceous crust, while the Roasted Chicken Breast remains juicy and aromatic, infused with the bright notes of thyme and lemon. To complement the meal, guests can enjoy comforting sides such as golden French fries or tender green beans.

For a sweet finale, guest can order the Citrus Napoleon, a delicate mille-feuille layered with citrus cream, offering a light, vibrant, and refreshing end to the dining experience.

The new special menu promises a dining experience that is both distinctive and memorable, whether for a relaxed lunch or an unforgettable evening.

-ENDS-

Rashad Iskandrni

Marking one of its largest coordinated go-lives in recent years, Swissport has expanded operations to 13 airports across Saudi Arabia, reinforcing its strategic growth in the Middle East and strengthening its alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 2 June 2025 – Swissport, the world’s leading provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling, has launched coordinated ground handling operations across the Kingdom on June 1, welcoming inaugural flights from Air Arabia with celebration events at each location. The new stations—Hail, Al Jouf, Tabuk, Yanbu, Taif, Abha, and Jizan—join Swissport’s existing network of six airports: Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah, Dammam, Al-Qassim, and Al-Ula. This milestone also marks the beginning of a new collaboration with Air Arabia, one of the region’s leading low-cost carriers. The execution of such a marvellous expansion plan in such a short span of time is attributed to the successful conclusion and signing of the ground handling agreement with Air Arabia that operates to all these airports.

"This launch marks a critical step in Swissport Saudi Arabia’s growth strategy, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030. Expanding our ground operations to 13 airports reflects both our long-term commitment to the Kingdom and our readiness to deliver operational excellence at scale," says Dirk Goovaerts, CEO of Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa & India, and Global Cargo Chair at Swissport. "Our investments in innovation, sustainability, and talent are clear signals of our continued focus on safety, reliability, and world-class service. Together with our trusted partners, we are proud to be shaping the future of aviation in the region."

After having received the license from the authorities on 24 April 2025 for the opening of these airports, it was a great deal of challenge to be ready for the delivery of quality services to the client on 01 June 2025. It included successfully completing the training process of 400+ staff in addition to transporting the fleet of heavy GSE to remotely scattered apart airports. In less than merely a forty (40) days of time span, the target was effectively achieved. The entire team at Swissport KSA worked tirelessly and meticulously under the professional and devoted leadership of its CEO Mr. Hamad Alhemede together with the effective support of Swissport global and ensured all the seven newly added locations were fully equipped and operationally ready ahead of schedule. This included setting up infrastructure, recruitment and training of local staff, and the deployment of Swissport’s proven global processes and standards.

Swissport’s on-time performance in the Kingdom consistently exceeds 99%—the highest in the country and among the best across its global network. This outstanding performance reflects Swissport’s operational discipline and its commitment to delivering punctual, high-quality service for airline partners. The dedication, hard work and the passion are the driving force behind the management of SP KSA and its team in achieving such an exciting result in OTP.

"This is a proud moment for our teams across the Kingdom. Our expansion to 13 airports was made possible thanks to the dedication of our local talent and the strength of our Swissport training programs," says Hamad Alhemede, CEO of Swissport Saudi Arabia. "Our operations are locally led and supported by global experts and international best practices. Together, we are building a future-ready operation that reflects the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and service."

Swissport’s continued expansion is further supported by its strategic partnership with Asyad Holding Group and its close collaboration with key stakeholders, including GACA, Matarat, and the Air Connectivity Program. With operations now live across 13 airports, Swissport is exploring the introduction of additional services—such as cargo handling, aircraft cleaning, and lounge operations—to offer a comprehensive ground service solution for airline partners. As demand in Saudi Arabia’s aviation market accelerates, Swissport is well positioned to support this growth with a scalable, safe, and reliable operation.

In 2024, Swissport International AG provided best-in-class airport ground services for some 247 million airline passengers (2023: 232 million) and handled roughly 5 million tons of air freight (2023: 4.7 million) at 117 air cargo centers worldwide. Several of its warehouses have been certified for pharmaceutical logistics by IATA’s CEIV Pharma and by the British MHRA. At the end of December 2024, the world's leader in airport ground services and air cargo handling, with currently around 62,000 employees, was active at 276 airports in 45 countries on six continents.

Rashad Iskandrni

SICO BSC (c), a leading regional asset manager, broker, and investment bank, with direct presence in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, announced today the signing of a Letter of Intent with the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID). SICO will act as the financial advisor to support AAAID’s strategic initiatives by identifying and sourcing direct investment opportunities within the agricultural and food security sectors.

The primary objective of signing this Letter of Intent is to support AAAID’s goals within the Arab and GCC region, with a particular emphasis on Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. This will be achieved by collaborating on projects for AAAID, facilitating investment through equity and/or debt financing opportunities, and engaging in business development activities. SICO’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SICO Capital , will provide the agreed upon services in Saudi Arabia.

Najla Al Shirawi, Group CEO of SICO, said, “We are thrilled to announce our strategic collaboration with AAAID. By leveraging our expertise in investment sourcing, acquisition advisory, capital-raising, and joint ventures, we aim to drive value and promote sustainable growth within the agriculture sector. Together, we are committed to making a significant impact on the agricultural industry and ensuring a secure and sustainable future.”

HE. Dr. Obaid Al Zaabi, Chairman of AAAID, stated, “This collaboration aligns with our strategic vision to enhance our capabilities, enabling us to equip our projects with the necessary tools and information to achieve our ambitious goals and aspirations. By capitalizing on SICO's extensive expertise in the industry, we are well-positioned to identify and execute high-impact projects that will drive sustainable growth. Our collaboration will focus on innovative solutions and strategic investments that address the unique challenges of our region.”

Through this collaboration, SICO will provide acquisition advisory services, including due diligence, valuations, and transaction structuring and execution support. Additionally, SICO will assist in capital-raising activities for AAAID's invested companies and explore joint venture opportunities. The partnership will emphasize promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing food security resilience across the region.