Culture Bites summer list: easy reads and flight-friendly flicks
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
16 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Mall 'run' with no spending? Dubai's shopping hubs turn into indoor fitness tracks
With soaring summer temperatures, Dubai's shopping malls are seeing a different kind of crowd — not the usual shoppers, but joggers, walkers, and fitness enthusiasts, all showing up as early as 7am. This August, several of the city's most popular malls have transformed into indoor jogging tracks, allowing residents to stay active despite the extreme summer heat. Part of the newly launched Dubai Mallathon, the initiative offers a refreshing escape from the hot weather, inviting people to walk or jog inside climate-controlled malls between 7am and 10am every day. And the response? Overwhelming. Most of the malls witnessed hundreds of residents lacing up their sneakers, sporting tracks and jerseys, occupying the corridors and alleys. Watch the moments captured by KT videographer Muhammad Sajjad, here: From parents and children to solo runners and even passersby who accidentally turned up, the sound of sneakers hitting the floor echoed through the shopping hubs. 'I came to the Dubai Hills Mall this morning at 7 am, and it felt like winter in summer,' said Ion Gonzaga, a fitness enthusiast who joined the walk at Dubai Hills Mall. 'This Mallathon is a brilliant initiative proving that even extreme summer heat can't stop Dubai from keeping us moving. Only in Dubai, I think; this city is a trendsetter when it comes to fitness initiatives. And the fact that it's free, better than gyms, honestly.' Ion, who jogged for nearly 45 minutes with friends, described the atmosphere as refreshing and uplifting. 'Finally, we can jog in malls, and once September hits, we'll head back outdoors. This keeps Dubai young. It shows how serious the city is about promoting health.' At City Centre Mirdif, the scene was equally vibrant. Families walked side by side, children in tow, some still in their pajamas, others wearing matching workout gear. Saeed Al Kaabi, a resident of Mirdif, came along with his wife and two children, aged 10 and 12. 'We usually go for morning walks outdoors,' he said. 'But with this heat, my wife recently told me we should look for indoor options. And now the mall is our new track. It's amazing. We have always come here to shop, but today, we came to sweat it out together as a family. It was enjoyable and refreshing.' 'I hope this continues every summer,' said Saeed. 'This has turned into a new routine for us. Waking up early, walking together as a family, and starting the day with energy.' For many, it was also a pleasant surprise. Reema Shah, an engineer living near Al Maktoum Road, found herself at City Centre Deira without any plans to work out, but ended up walking two full laps. 'I wasn't aware of what was going on. I saw people walking towards the mall in their sportswear. I asked someone and they told me about the Mallathon. So I joined. This is the first time I walked into a mall without my wallet and walked out empty-handed. That's a first for me.' 'Fitness doesn't always start at the gym. Sometimes, it starts in a mall and maybe, with a smile.' As music played softly over the speakers, artists and dancers lined parts of the track, moving to upbeat tunes to cheer the walkers and joggers on. The Dubai Mallathon, backed by the Dubai Sports Council and supported by the Ministry of Defence, spans nine malls across the city from August 1 to 31, including Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Festival City, and more. The goal is simple — keep people active, safe, and healthy, especially during the summer when most outdoor activity becomes difficult.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Samsung Electronics MENA and FACES Beauty Middle East partner to ignite summer travel moments
Amman, Jordan – This summer, Samsung Electronics MENA and FACES Beauty Middle East, the region's pioneering beauty omni-retailer, are excited to announce a dynamic new partnership to launch an energetic summer campaign that celebrates the art of travel, beauty, and self-expression. Faces Beauty Middle East, the go-to destination for beauty lovers across the region, known for offering the latest in fragrance, skincare, makeup, haircare, and home scents, promotes confidence and joy from within wherever you go—and with Samsung's Galaxy S25 Series, it enables every modern traveler to capture it with great camera capabilities, sleek device design and advanced AI features. Together, they inspire exploration and creativity for every bold traveler wherever they go. At the heart of this collaboration lies a shared vision: to connect with young adventurers who thrive on exploration and embrace the intersection of style and technology. Samsung's latest Galaxy devices—the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy S25 Edge—take center stage, showcasing their unparalleled ability to capture life's most unforgettable moments. Complementing these flagship devices, the Galaxy Watch 7, Watch Ultra, and Galaxy Ring seamlessly integrate into the ecosystem, offering intuitive health tracking, real-time navigation, and smart connectivity for those who seek to stay connected and informed on their journeys. From sunny beaches to relaxing retreats, these devices are the ultimate companions for travelers who want to document their moments in stunning detail while staying empowered and inspired throughout their adventures. Shot exclusively on the Galaxy S25 Series, the campaign brings this vision to life through vibrant storytelling. Each scene is a testament to the seamless blend of FACES' summer beauty essentials and Samsung's cutting-edge camera features. Generative Edit, powered by Galaxy AI, allows creators to refine their photos by moving objects, filling in blank spaces, or retouching images with precision, adding a layer of artistic flexibility. With its wide-angle and telephoto lenses, the Galaxy S25 Ultra captures everything from sweeping landscapes to intimate details, while Scene Optimizer automatically adjusts settings for optimal results in any environment—whether it's a sunlit beach or a wellness lounge. Whether it's a candid shot of a sunrise or a perfectly curated beauty routine vlog, the Galaxy S25 Series ensures every moment is captured with precision and flair, making it the ultimate tool for travelers who demand excellence in every pixel. Omar Saheb, Regional Vice President of Marketing and Online Business at Samsung Electronics MENA, expressed his pride in this partnership, stating, 'We are thrilled to collaborate with Faces Beauty Middle East, a brand that celebrates confidence and modern beauty. The launch of the Galaxy S25 Edge perfectly aligns with our vision to connect with the young generation who value innovation and style. Together, we aim to inspire a sense of adventure and empowerment, redefining what it means to be beautiful and connected in today's digital age.' "The Beauty Trip" is an invitation to explore, create, and celebrate summer's most beautiful moments. Whether you're planning a weekend escape or dreaming of distant shores, Samsung and FACES are here to make every summer journey unforgettable. About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at About FACES Beauty Middle East FACES Beauty Middle East is the region's leading beauty omni-retailer, offering the latest in fragrance, skincare, makeup, haircare, and home scents. Part of Chalhoub Group, FACES Beauty Middle East combines expert curation, immersive storytelling, and personalized services to deliver standout beauty experiences across stores and online. With over 85 stores in 10 countries, FACES continues to shape the regional beauty landscape through innovation, cultural relevance, and a deep emotional connection with its community. For more information, please visit
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Jordan sees 6% rise in GCC overnight tourist arrivals in H1
Jordan's tourism sector experienced a significant increase in overnight tourist arrivals and revenues in the first half of 2025, particularly among visitors from GCC countries, according to the latest statistics from the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB). The Kingdom saw a 6 per cent increase in overnight tourist arrivals from GCC countries, reaching 633,000 visitors in the first six months of 2025, compared to 597,000 in 2024. Saudi Arabia topped the list of GCC countries in terms of tourist numbers to Jordan, with 564,000 overnight visitors, reflecting an 8 per cent increase compared to the first half of 2024. Meanwhile, the UAE recorded a 15 per cent increase in overnight visitors, reaching 10,000 tourists, whereas Kuwait saw an 11 per cent decline to 32,000 overnight visitors. On a broader scale, Jordan welcomed 2.717 million overnight tourists in the first half of 2025, marking a 14 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Europe contributed 191,000 visitors, North America 79,000, and Asia 84,000. Jordan's major tourist sites also experienced a surge in footfall. The ancient city of Petra welcomed 200,000 foreign visitors, with a 17 per cent growth. Mount Nebo recorded a 12 per cent increase with 105,000 visitors, and Jerash attracted around 69,000 foreign tourists. Commenting on the figures, Dr Abdulrazzaq Arabiyat, Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board, said: "These positive results reflect the growing trust of international and especially Gulf tourists in Jordan's tourism offering. Despite the geopolitical challenges facing the region, our proximity, as well as our shared traditions and cultural values, continue to make Jordan a natural and preferred destination for families and individuals from the Gulf. We remain committed to developing memorable tourism experiences that meet visitor expectations and look forward to achieving even stronger results in the second half of the year." Arabiyat added: "Jordan has always been and continues to be a welcoming country that opens its arms to guests, especially our brothers and sisters from the Gulf. The harmony between our traditions and their values creates a sense of home for Gulf visitors. Moreover, Jordan offers a safe and secure environment, making it an ideal destination for families seeking enjoyable holidays filled with enriching experiences."
