Italy and UAE to announce AI hub deal on Friday
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
09-07-2025
- Arab News
Winners announced for ‘She's Next in Football' program
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has announced the winners of the inaugural 'She's Next in Football' program in Saudi Arabia, held in partnership with Saudi Awwal Bank and AC Milan Women. The initiative spotlights the Kingdom's most promising women footballers and marks a major step in advancing female talent in sports through mentorship, professional training, and international exposure. Fatima Alsenan was named the overall winner and will travel to Milan for a two-week 'Training with the PRO' experience at the PUMA House of Football, training alongside AC Milan Women's professional players and coaches. Zainab Alhomidi secured the runner-up position and will enjoy an exclusive VIP visit to AC Milan's training grounds. Finalists were evaluated based on their football skills, leadership potential, and dedication to the game. The judging panel included representatives from Visa, SAB, and Saudi football icon Farah Jefry, who also serves as the program's ambassador. 'Programs like She's Next in Football show us what's possible when ambition, talent, and opportunity come together. What sets these young women apart isn't just what they do. It's how they think with resilience, focus, and a willingness to grow. That mindset is exactly what She's Next is all about. Through partnerships with SAB and AC Milan Women, we're not just creating opportunities, but building ecosystems that empower women to lead, inspire, and shape their communities. It's a model that works across sectors, and one we're proud to champion as part of Saudi Arabia's inclusive growth journey,' said Ali Bailoun, Visa's regional general manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman. Lama Ghazzaoui, chief financial officer at SAB, said: 'When women are given meaningful access to opportunity they rise, not only as athletes but as changemakers.' This partnership is about more than football, it is about creating a space for growth, confidence and ambition to take root. As the chair of BALANCE, SAB's employee diversity program, we strive to promote gender diversity in the workplace and the marketplace. We are also dedicated to contributing to a more inclusive future for sports in the Kingdom by supporting initiatives that expand opportunities for training, mentoring, and developing female talent, ultimately transforming it into professional capabilities.' Elisabet Spina, AC Milan head of women football, said: 'At AC Milan, in collaboration with SAB and Visa, we are proud to support these young women and accompany them on their journey of growth, both on and off the pitch. We are very pleased to welcome Fatima Alsenan to the PUMA House of Football, where she will begin a high-level growth journey within a club whose prestige is globally recognized, and in close contact with top-tier professionals.'
Al Arabiya
03-07-2025
- Al Arabiya
Brescia, the club that Roberto Baggio ended his career with, has license revoked for bankruptcy
Brescia, the club that Roberto Baggio ended his career with, had its national license revoked and was kicked out of Serie C on Thursday after going bankrupt, the Italian soccer federation announced. Brescia owner Massimo Cellino's failure to pay back millions in debts had already resulted in the club's relegation from the second division. Brescia finished the season one point above the relegation zone but was then hit with a four-point penalty for financial irregularities that dropped the team to the third division. Now Brescia – which was founded 114 years ago – will likely have to form an entirely new club and restart in Serie D. Baggio played for Brescia from 2000–2004 when the northern team was in Serie A. Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola briefly played alongside Baggio at Brescia in 2001–02. Brescia last played in Serie A in 2019–20.
Arab News
28-06-2025
- Arab News
Sandal scandal: Prada credits new design's Indian legacy amid furor
NEW DELHI/MILAN: Luxury fashion powerhouse Prada has acknowledged the ancient Indian roots of its new sandal design after the debut of the open-toe footwear sparked a furor among Indian artisans and politicians thousands of miles from the catwalk in Italy. Images from Prada's fashion show in Milan last weekend showed models wearing leather sandals with a braided design that resembled handmade Kolhapuri slippers with designs dating back to the 12th century. A wave of criticism in the media and from lawmakers followed over the Italian brand's lack of public acknowledgement of the Indian sandal design, which is named after a city in the western state of Maharashtra. Lorenzo Bertelli, son of Prada's owners, responded to the sandal scandal in a letter to a trade group on Friday recognizing their Indian heritage. 'We acknowledge that the sandals... are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage,' Bertelli, Prada's head of corporate social responsibility, wrote in the letter to the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, seen by Reuters. The sandals are at an early stage of design and it is not certain they will be commercialized, but Prada is open to a 'dialogue for meaningful exchange with local Indian artisans' and will arrange follow-up meetings, he wrote. A Prada spokesperson issued a statement acknowledging the sandal's inspiration from India, adding the company has 'always celebrated craftsmanship, heritage and design traditions.' Prada products are beyond the reach of most Indians. Its men's leather sandals retail for $844 and up, while the Kolhapuri slippers, sold in Indian shops and street markets, start at about $12. India's luxury market is small but growing fast, with rising numbers of rich people buying Louis Vuitton bags, Lamborghini cars, luxury homes and watches. Conversely, Indian culture and crafts are increasingly finding their way into global brand designs. High-end jeweller Bulgari offers a $16,000 Mangalsutra necklace inspired by a chain traditionally worn by married women. Bertelli's homage to Indian design was sent in a response to a complaint from the head of the trade group that represents 3,000 Kolhapuri sandal artisans, as the online uproar gathered momentum. 'From the dusty lanes of Kolhapur to the glitzy runways of Milan... will the world finally give credit where it's due?' India's DNA News posted on X. SambHajji Chhatrapati from the Kolhapur Royal family told Reuters by phone he was upset that craftsmen had not been acknowledged for the 'history and heritage of 150 years.' Kolhapur-based businessman Dileep More, however, said images of the Prada sandal were bringing cheer to some artisans as they show their traditional product going global. 'They are happy that someone is recognizing their work,' he said.
