Egyptian, Chinese music shine at NMEC concert

Rashad Iskandrni

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – June 15, 2025 - While people have long valued smartphones for their power, convenience and usability, they’ve also expected a mobile device that blends versatility with portability. At Samsung Electronics, our drive to deliver the ultimate mobile experience has always been guided by the needs of our users. This unwavering commitment to meeting their evolving needs has driven the development and ongoing refinement of innovative form factors that consistently redefine the parameters of mobile experiences.

Introduced in 2019, the first Galaxy Fold was a completely new form factor that combined the portability of a smartphone with the extensive productivity of a tablet — challenging conventional perceptions of what a smartphone could be. Driven by the bold vision that foldable phones could reconcile two seemingly conflicting demands—large screens and true portability—Samsung looked to other industries for inspiration, engineering a durable hinge and proving that smartphone displays, too, could fold. It was a synthesis of creativity and productivity that unlocked new possibilities – from seamless multitasking on the go to immersive content creation.

But smartphones are constant companions that we tuck into our pockets, use with one hand and take everywhere we go. So it’s only natural that users desire a foldable device that is as easy to carry as it is to use. To that end, Samsung engineers and designers are refining each generation of the Galaxy Z series to be thinner, lighter and more durable than the last.

This year, that journey reaches a new milestone. The newest Galaxy Z series is the thinnest, lightest and most advanced foldable yet – meticulously crafted and built to last.

The Ultra experience is ready to unfold.

Rashad Iskandrni

SICO Capital, a leading provider for asset management, brokerage, and investment banking, headquartered in Riyadh and licensed by the Saudi Capital Market Authority (License No. 08096-37), announced today that it has received two prestigious awards at the Sanadeq Investment Forum 2024. The recognition highlights SICO Capital’s strong fund management track record and its commitment to delivering long-term value for investors across its asset management, investment banking, and brokerage services.

SICO Capital’s MENA Equity Fund (formerly known as SICO GCC Dividend Growth Fund) was recognized as the Best Performance Investment Fund Award for 5 Years in Gulf Equity Funds Category in Saudi Financial Market, and its Money Market Fund (MMF) was named Best Performance Investment Fund Award for Murabaha and Liquidity Funds with Assets of Less than SR 1 billion in Saudi Financial Market 2024. These awards highlight the firm’s consistent outperformance and strategic focus on delivering resilient, Shariah-compliant investment solutions.

Wissam Haddad, CEO of SICO Capital, commented, “We are truly honored to receive this recognition from the Sanadeq Investment Forum. These accolades underscore our team's in-depth market expertise, disciplined approach, and unwavering commitment to delivering the best results for our investors. The success of both our MENA Equity Fund and Money Market Fund showcases the effectiveness of our active management and the value of local insights in capturing regional growth. Looking ahead, we remain focused on innovation, performance, and expanding our range of Shariah-compliant products to align with our clients’ financial goals.”

SICO Capital's MENA Equity Fund (formerly known as SICO GCC Dividend Growth Fund), received top honors for its impressive five-year performance, achieving a remarkable return of 185%. This significantly exceeds its benchmark, which recorded a return of 74% during the same period. The fund aims to deliver long-term capital appreciation by investing in diversified, Shariah-compliant equities across the MENA region. Over the past five years, it has demonstrated strong risk-adjusted returns.

SICO Capital’s Money Market Fund has been recognized with the Best Money Market Fund award, showcasing its strong performance in capital preservation, liquidity management, and consistent returns within a Shariah-compliant framework. Since its launch in June 2016, the Fund has aimed to maximize short-term returns while safeguarding capital and ensuring high liquidity, a goal it has successfully achieved over the years. As of Q1 2025, the Fund has delivered a five-year cumulative return of 19.88%, surpassing its benchmark return of 18.51%, and a one-year return of 5.96%. The Fund’s portfolio primarily consists of deposits (77%) and sukuk (23%), with investments spread across Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Rashad Iskandrni

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) was filled with a vibrant atmosphere of joy and unity as Egyptian and Chinese musicians graced the stage for a special concert entitled “Conversation and Connection: Music Connects the World.”

Organised in partnership with the Chinese Cultural Centre in Cairo, the event drew guests, dignitaries, and performers from both nations in a heartwarming celebration of shared cultural heritage.

Dr. Eltaysb Abbas, CEO of the museum, spoke about the profound ties between Egypt and China, two ancient civilisations with histories stretching back millennia.

“Music is one of the most essential threads in the fabric of any civilisation,” he said.

“Through music, we express both joy and sorrow, and it plays a vital role in our traditions, rituals, and day-to-day life. Across time, music has been a key channel for human connection, weaving us together even when separated by geography or language.”

Dr. Abbas also emphasised the museum’s commitment to celebrating not just the physical artifacts of Egypt’s grand past, but the intangible cultural treasures that continue to bring people together, including music.

 “It’s every person’s right, no matter where they are, to connect through the universal language of music,” he added, highlighting the museum’s aim to foster understanding and friendship among all civilisations.

Echoing these sentiments, the Chinese Ambassador to Egypt, Liao Liqiang, lauded both nations as proud standard-bearers of civilisation, praising their mutual respect and commitment to appreciating the world’s rich tapestry of cultures.

He mentioned Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “Global Civilisation Initiative,” a call to strengthen dialogue and learning between cultures, a vision that has found a strong partner in President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who recently affirmed that “human civilizations are meant to complement and benefit each other, not to create conflict or war.”

The Ambassador also pointed to the significant role Egypt played in supporting the creation of the International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations, as well as regional cooperation through the China-Arab Centre for the Global Civilisation Initiative, in partnership with the Arab League. These joint efforts, he said, showcase the promise of collaboration in building global peace and understanding.

The evening’s performances swept the audience into a world of sound, with Egyptian and Chinese musicians enchanting listeners with both traditional melodies and modern arrangements, a reflection of how music continues to evolve and bring new generations together, blending the richness of the past with the vibrancy of the present.

On the sidelines of the event, representatives from the Chinese Culture Centre warmly showcased a variety of their activities and products, inviting guests to learn more about Chinese traditions. Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, an Egyptian tannoura performance also took place and was met with enthusiastic praise from the attendees, who were captivated by its colourful display and lively rhythms. Both highlights beautifully reflected the evening’s spirit of cultural exchange and shared appreciation.

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Rashad Iskandrni

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – June 11, 2025 - Today’s mobile imaging goes beyond just a high-quality lens or advanced sensor — it demands seamless integration of hardware, software and AI. That’s why Samsung Electronics approaches camera innovation as a holistic system, where each advancement is supported by tightly integrated technologies. This unified vision allows Galaxy devices to continuously redefine mobile photography, empowering users to capture, create and communicate more meaningfully.

As AI evolves from text-based prompts to multimodal understanding, Galaxy devices are becoming smarter — able to get what you’re looking at and respond to situations. The camera is at the heart of this transformation. More than just a tool for capturing images, coupled with enhanced AI-powered features, the Galaxy camera is now part of the intuitive interface that turns what users see into understanding and action.

When paired with the flexible, expansive screen of a foldable, this experience becomes even more powerful, dynamic and immersive. Because innovation means nothing without trust, privacy is built into every layer helping to ensure that data is protected at all times.

Stay tuned. The camera will only get smarter — helping users capture life’s moments more vividly and make everyday experiences more seamless, personal and impactful.

The Ultra experience is ready to unfold.

Rashad Iskandrni

 flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, celebrated launching direct flights Between Jeddah and Damascus on Thursday, June 12, following the launch of Riyadh to the Syrian capital last week, becoming the first Saudi airline to connect the two countries in 12 years, further expanding its network in line with flynas growth and expansion plan, launched under the title "We Connect the World to the Kingdom," in parallel with the objectives of the National Civil Aviation Strategy to enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting KSA with 250 International destinations and to accommodate 330 million passengers and to host 150 million tourists yearly by 2030 and the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques.

An inaugural ceremony was held at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Thursday, June 12, attended by representatives from flynas and the Jeddah Airports Company, which manages and operates KAIA. Travelling guests on the departing inaugural flight to Damascus were welcomed with giveaways.

Resuming flights to the Syrian capital confirms flynas' commitment to strengthening air connectivity between the two brotherly nations, as the leading LCC has been a pioneer in providing air routes between the Kingdom and various Syrian cities. flynas previously operated direct flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to Damascus, Aleppo, and Latakia. 

flynas operates 139 routes to more than 70 domestic and international destinations in 30 countries with more than 2000 weekly flights and has flown more than 80 million passengers since its launch in 2007, with the aim to reach 165 domestic and international destinations within its growth and expansion plan, and in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.

Passengers traveling with flynas can book their flights through all flynas booking channels: www.flynas.com, the flynas app, the call centre (920001234), or travel agents.