10 Home-Grown Brands Going Regional and Their Store Playbook in Dubai
The narrative of retail in the Middle East has fundamentally shifted. For decades, the region was an importer of cool, a landing pad for Western franchises. But as we step into 2026, the script has flipped. A new wave of Home-Grown Brands from Dubai and the wider UAE is aggressively exporting a unique blend of […]
Netflix to Stream James Bond Films Under Surprise Amazon Deal
Amazon MGM Studios has licensed select James Bond films to Netflix, allowing subscribers in multiple regions to stream titles like Skyfall and No Time to Die starting January 15, 2026, for three months. This unexpected partnership between streaming rivals aims to expand the franchise’s global reach amid ongoing content strategies. The deal also brings other […]
HBO Max Debuts NE Zha 2 Early After Record Box Office Run
HBO Max advances the streaming debut of NE Zha 2 to December 24, 2025, following the Chinese animated blockbuster’s record-breaking theatrical run that exceeded $2 billion worldwide, cementing its status as 2025’s top film and the fifth highest-grossing ever. Directed by Yang Yu, the sequel to the 2019 hit adapts ancient Chinese mythology, drawing massive […]
ChatGPT Personality Controls: OpenAI Adds New Customization
OpenAI has rolled out new ChatGPT personality controls that let users fine-tune warmth, enthusiasm, emoji use, and formatting—alongside improved inline email editing that enables targeted rewrites of highlighted text inside the chat interface. What OpenAI launched and where users will see it The latest update expands ChatGPT’s customization options beyond broad “personality” presets by adding […]
Ancient Interstellar Comet Emits First-Ever Radio Signal
An ancient interstellar comet has emitted the first confirmed radio signal ever detected from such an object, as astronomers track 3I/ATLAS during its close passage through the inner Solar System and use the landmark detection to probe both its origins and its natural, cometary behavior. Ancient Interstellar Comet Emits First-Ever Radio Signal Astronomers have picked […]
Russia Cuts Military Ties With 11 NATO States
Russia cuts military ties with NATO states after government orders in early and mid‑December 2025 moved to end military cooperation frameworks with 14 Western countries, deepening a years‑long freeze in Russia–NATO relations. Two decisions, one direction Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed an order published on December 19, 2025, authorizing Russia’s Defense Ministry to terminate […]
Google Warns Visa Employees Against Travel Amid U.S. Visa Delays
Google has warned some U.S.-visa employees to avoid international travel after reports of visa-stamping appointment delays that can stretch as long as a year, raising the risk of workers being stuck abroad while consulates apply new social-media screening rules. What Google told visa holders, and why it matters Google’s advisory was circulated internally through the […]
14 Visual Merchandising Ideas You Can Replicate Tomorrow in the USA, UK, and Dubai
The global retail landscape is shifting faster than a seasonal window display, and staying ahead of the latest Visual Merchandising Trends is no longer just about aesthetics—it is about survival. As we look toward 2026, the days of “stack ’em high, watch ’em fly” are officially over. Whether you are a boutique owner in London’s […]
On This Day: December 21 – History, Famous Birthdays, Deaths & Global Events
December 21 is one of those dates that feels symbolic even before you open a history book. In the Northern Hemisphere, it often aligns with the winter solstice—the shortest day and longest night of the year. Across many societies, that natural turning point became a cultural one too: darkness pauses, then the light begins to […]
Visa, Mastercard to Pay $167.5 Million in ATM User Fee Settlement
Global payment giants Visa Inc. and Mastercard Inc. have agreed to pay a combined $167.5 million to settle class-action lawsuits that accused the companies of conspiring to suppress competition and inflate ATM access fees in the United States. The landmark resolution marks a significant step in a decade-long legal battle that has tested the boundaries […]
Netflix Is Acquiring an Avatar Company as It Moves Into Party Games
Netflix is making a bold move into the world of interactive entertainment with the acquisition of Ready Player Me, an avatar-creation technology company. This strategic purchase signals Netflix’s intention to deepen its foray into party games and social gaming experiences, offering users the ability to craft personalized avatars that can travel across multiple Netflix games. […]
Sony Acquires Majority Control of Peanuts for $457M
Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) have struck a definitive agreement to acquire majority control of the iconic Peanuts franchise, purchasing a 41% stake from WildBrain for $457 million USD (C$630 million). This transaction boosts Sony’s existing 39% ownership to 80%, transforming Peanuts into a consolidated subsidiary while the Schulz family retains a […]
