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Kuwait Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait's ‘Visionary Lighthouse' draws crowds at Expo 2025
OSAKA: Kuwait's pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan — dubbed the Visionary Lighthouse — has been attracting long daily queues since opening, thanks to its captivating blend of heritage and innovation. The pavilion showcases Kuwait as a country where tradition and progress coexist, using culture as a bridge for dialogue and understanding. Visitors journey through Kuwait's past, present, and future across two levels. The first floor explores the nation's rich heritage and traditions, while the second presents its aspirations through cutting-edge technology. Four exhibition halls use immersive features and AI to bring these stories to life. At the heart of the pavilion lies The Pearl, a symbolic space honoring Kuwait's historic pearl-diving legacy. A video circulating on social media, showing visitors interacting with Kuwaiti desert sand inside the pavilion, has helped drive interest. 'We saw the clip and came to try it ourselves — it looked fun,' said two young women waiting in line. A visiting family described the experience as magical: 'The planetarium felt like lying under the stars in the desert... We hope to return.' OSAKA: Visitors enjoy the different attractions at Kuwait's pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan. — KUNA photos On Friday, a Kuwaiti folklore troupe energized the stage in celebration of the visit by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. A group of five women told KUNA they loved the performance. 'Kuwaiti music is so rhythmic and beautiful,' one said. 'We didn't know much about Kuwait, but the music created a sense of connection,' added another. Minister of Information and Culture Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi said the pavilion offers a rich, multidimensional experience. 'It reflects Kuwait's future ambitions while honoring its authentic identity — a blend of cultural openness and deeply rooted values,' he told KUNA. Expo 2025 Osaka runs from April 13 to October 13 on Yumeshima Island under the theme Designing Future Society for Our Lives, with sub-themes including Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives. The expo focuses on innovation, sustainability, and cultural exchange, with around 160 countries and nine international organizations participating. More than 28 million visitors are expected. Kuwait's participation continues a historic legacy — it was one of just four Arab nations represented at Expo Osaka 1970, the first world expo held in Japan, which drew over 64 million visitors. — KUNA
Arab Times
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Kuwait Pavilion at Expo Osaka attracts large crowds
OSAKA, Japan, May 31: Since its opening last month, the Kuwait Pavilion at the 2025 Expo Osaka has attracted large numbers of visitors, many of whom have had to wait in long queues to enter the site. Named the "Future Lighthouse," the pavilion showcases a rich cultural display that blends Kuwait's authentic heritage with modern elements, reflecting a nation that honors tradition while embracing progress. It also highlights culture's role in fostering dialogue and understanding between countries. Two women in their twenties, waiting in line at the pavilion, told KUNA they were drawn by a social media video showing visitors touching sand inside the pavilion. "It looked fun, so we decided to come today to experience it ourselves," they said. A visiting family described their experience as "wonderful," especially enjoying the planetarium exhibit that simulated lying in the desert. "We hope to come again," they added. The Kuwait Pavilion spans two floors: one dedicated to the country's heritage and traditions, and the other illustrating its aspirations for the future. Visitors embark on a journey through Kuwait's past, present, and future across four exhibition halls that combine traditional themes with advanced technology. The intersection between the two floors is called "The Pearl," a tribute to Kuwait's historical pearl diving industry and maritime heritage. Each section tells a unique story through interactive displays and artificial intelligence. On Friday evening, the pavilion's stage was enlivened by a performance from the Kuwaiti folklore troupe, coinciding with a visit from His Highness Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. The performance drew great enthusiasm from visitors. A group of five women told KUNA they greatly enjoyed the show. One said, "Kuwaiti music sounds rhythmic and beautiful." Another added, "We didn't know much about Kuwait, but this music made us feel connected to the country." Minister of Information, Culture, and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi previously told KUNA that the Kuwait Pavilion features rich, multidimensional content reflecting both Kuwait's heritage and its future ambitions. The pavilion's design emphasizes creativity and innovation while highlighting Kuwait's cultural openness and core values. The 2025 Expo Osaka is being held on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Kansai, Japan, from April 13 to October 13. The expo's theme is "Designing a Future Society for Our Lives," with sub-themes including "Saving Lives," "Empowering Lives," and "Connecting Lives." The event aims to tackle global challenges through innovation, sustainability, and cultural exchange, showcasing new scientific and technological achievements. More than 160 countries and nine international organizations are participating, with over 28 million visitors expected. Kuwait was among only four Arab countries to participate in the 1970 Osaka Expo — the first expo hosted by Japan — which attracted over 64 million visitors.
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
JMS Group: Shaping real estate in New Gurugram and beyond
Established in 2013 by Pushpender Singh, the JMS Group has steadily built a name for itself in the real estate Industry. Guided by the core pillars of trust, commitment, value and integrity, the company has acquired a customer base of 4000+ people who have invested in 10+ projects of the company. With a portfolio that includes residential, commercial, and plotted developments, JMS focuses on delivering quality and ensuring customer satisfaction. The company's goal goes beyond construction—it aims to create lasting value and build long-term relationships with its stakeholders. Projects like Crosswalk, The Pearl, Premier Floors, Capital Square, The Nation, Primeland, The Pride, The Pride Avenue, Marine Square, and Megacity reflect JMS's approach to thoughtful development and reliable execution. These projects have also delivered solid returns and value appreciation for investors. Pushpender Singh, Founder & Managing Director of JMS Group, is driven by a vision to redefine the real estate landscape. What began in Sector 93, Gurugram—now a part of the vibrant New Gurugram—has gradually grown to include projects in Sectors 95, 95A, 93, and 102 of Gurugram, as well as Sector 5 in Sohna. Looking ahead, the brand is set to expand its presence in other key high-growth markets with the launch of plotted as well as built-up development projects. According to the company, this initiative aims to provide customers with access to high-end and innovative real estate offerings.
Zawya
24-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: UDC posts $18mln net profit and revenues of $186mln in Q1
Doha: United Development Company (UDC), one of Qatar's leading public shareholding companies and the master developer of The Pearl and Gewan Islands, announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2025. The Company reported a net profit of QR68m and revenues of QR679m. The net profit attributable to equity shareholders stood at QR72m, with basic earnings per share of QR0.020 UDC continues to implement a balanced financial approach focused on operational efficiency and sustainable value creation, through effective revenue and expense management while maintaining the high quality of its services and ongoing projects. Gewan Island marks a significant milestone in UDC's development journey, with major construction milestones completed. This includes the handover of the Crystal Residence apartments to owners, the launch of retail outlets, and the activation of Crystal Walkway, positioning the island as a prime destination for luxury living, tourism, and investment. Additionally, key landmarks are taking shape, including the upcoming Corinthia Gewan Island Hotel, set to become a signature hospitality destination in Qatar, and the island's golf course, which promises a world-class sporting experience. In a new international achievement, UDC earned three Guinness World Records, further cementing its global standing and commitment to innovation and excellence. These include: the largest outdoor air-conditioned shopping centre, the largest outdoor interactive lighting canopy, and the largest pneumatic waste collection system. These achievements highlight UDC's leadership in real estate development and sustainable solutions. On The Pearl Island, UDC continued to expand its hospitality and healthcare offerings, including the ongoing development of The Pearl International Hospital. The Company also maintained high residential and commercial occupancy rates and achieved continued growth in both sales and leasing activities. Retail and commercial spaces on The Pearl and Gewan Islands continue to attract strong interest from investors and major brands, contributing to the vibrancy of the local economy and affirming the appeal of UDC's developments as dynamic commercial hubs. Internationally, UDC actively promoted its diverse investment portfolio by participating in key global real estate events such as MIPIM in France and the International Migration & Property Expo in Hong Kong, as part of its broader strategy to attract foreign investment and enhance global collaboration. Reinforcing its commitment to sustainable social responsibility, UDC recently signed a strategic partnership with Dreama (the Orphans Care Center) to support the participation of Dreama's children in cultural and national events held on The Pearl and Gewan Islands. In the first quarter of 2025, UDC hosted several highly successful public events at The Pearl Island, including the Pearl Food Festival, Ramadan Bazaar, and Eid Bazaar. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
New York Times
03-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The Final Four and San Antonio: Food recommendations from Spurs past and present
SAN ANTONIO — After De'Aaron Fox sparked the San Antonio Spurs to a recent win over the Dallas Mavericks, the discussion in the locker room turned from basketball to food. Backup point guard Blake Wesley began describing his affinity for a dish at one of his favorite restaurants. 'I like the seasoned chicken with mac and cheese at Down on Grayson,' Wesley said. Advertisement From his nearby locker, Fox, still somewhat new to San Antonio after the Spurs acquired him from the Sacramento Kings via trade in early February, overheard Wesley's conversation. 'Down on Grayson?' Fox asked. 'Is that a place here?' 'Yeah, it's at The Pearl,' Wesley responded. This was all foreign to Fox, whose time in the Alamo City since the trade had been minimal. He joined the team in the early stages of its annual rodeo road trip, a 10-game sojourn sandwiched this season around the All-Star break. There hadn't been much time to explore the culinary scene in his new NBA city. The Pearl — officially The Historic Pearl — describes itself as 'a vibrant destination for food, shopping and entertainment in San Antonio.' Located on the site of the former Pearl Brewery, The Pearl spans over 22 acres and includes restaurants, shops, music clubs, a boutique hotel and a campus of the Culinary Institute of America that specializes in Latin-American cuisine. A post shared by Historic Pearl (@historicpearl) When it comes to dining in San Antonio, Spurs players and support personnel have strong preferences. Wesley was one of several who shared a few for the benefit of thousands of hoops fans expected for the men's NCAA Final Four at the Alamodome. Semifinal games will tip off Saturday, and the championship game will take place Monday night. Among the 17 restaurants recommended for Final Four visitors by Spurs personnel, four are in The Pearl complex, which is roughly two miles north of downtown San Antonio. The maven of Spurs-related dining prowess is Sean Elliott. A Spurs player for 11 seasons (1989-93 and 1994-2001), Elliott is a two-time All-Star and a member of the first Spurs NBA championship team in 1999. He retired in 2001, and the club hired him in 2004 as a color analyst on its locally produced telecasts. (1999) "Memorial Day Miracle." Spurs were down 18 in the WCF before Sean Elliot hits this three to give them their first lead of the game. — Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) May 29, 2017 Elliott, whose No. 32 jersey was retired by the Spurs in 2005, honed his taste buds during his three-plus decades living and working in San Antonio. The guidance of this 57-year-old devotee of fine dining deserves special attention from anyone searching for food options within a short drive — maybe even an enjoyable walk — from the Alamodome during Final Four weekend. Advertisement 'I've got plenty of recommendations,' Elliott said. 'For openers, I love all of my guy Jason Dady's places.' Dady is a celebrated San Antonio chef who has appeared on Food Network's 'Iron Chef Gauntlet' and 'Beat Bobby Flay' shows, among others. Dady is also a favorite of Spurs coach and noted gourmet Gregg Popovich. Dady owns five restaurants in or near San Antonio, and all of them are on Elliott's list: Tre Trattoria (Tuscan-Italian cuisine), Range (Tuscan-Italian), Jardin (Mediterranean), Two Bros BBQ Market (Texas pit-smoked barbecue) and Tre Pizzeria (Italian pizza and pasta located in Boerne, Texas, roughly 35 minutes away from San Antonio). 'They're all great,' Elliott said, 'but I especially love Tre Trattoria on the river.' A post shared by Tre Trattoria (@tre_trattoria) The city's scenic, rustic River Walk, defined as a popular destination for tourists, lines the San Antonio River, which flows through a long stretch of downtown. A number of the restaurants listed below help make the River Walk draw its many visitors. The river runs past The Pearl as it winds towards the downtown area. Several dining establishments further on the outskirts of town also have found favor with the Spurs over the years, a few prized by Elliott. 'Clementine is another of my favorites,' he said. 'For a long time, the fried quail there has been one of my favorite entrées. They also have a chicken dish, simply grilled and served with rice cakes, that is out of this world. 'Another one of my spots, not too far from downtown, that a lot of people don't know about is The Magpie. It is a hidden gem. They serve kind of a combination of French-Vietnamese cuisine. The chef might not agree that it's more French than Vietnamese, but it is spectacular food. And it's right there on Houston (Street), not all that far from The Alamodome.' A tad farther from downtown are two of Elliott's favorite Mexican restaurants. Advertisement 'I love El Catrin and Guajillo's, a couple of my favorites that people don't know much about,' he said. 'A couple of others I love: Le Frite, Belgian cuisine, down in King William District, and obviously, I love Bliss. Bliss is where Elliott and three of his best friends — fellow Spurs greats David Robinson, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili — hosted Victor Wembanyama for a welcome dinner after the French star's arrival in San Antonio following the 2023 NBA Draft. The intimate eatery, long a favorite of Spurs players and front-office personnel, describes its offerings as 'upscale, contemporary American cuisine with an emphasis on seasons and fresh local ingredients.' A post shared by BLISS (@bliss_texas) One Spurs player may be more devoted to restaurants than Elliott. Backup center-forward Sandro Mamukelashvili insists his plans include opening a restaurant of his own. A native of the Republic of Georgia, Mamukelashvili has found the lack of restaurants serving Georgian dishes — in San Antonio and elsewhere around the league — are somewhat alarming. His solution is to open one. 'There is nothing close to a Georgian restaurant here,' Mamukelashvili said, 'but someday I will open one (in San Antonio). I'm trying to, hopefully, if I am still (with the Spurs).' Though there are minimal Georgian food options in South Texas, Mamukelashvili has his preferences when he dines out. 'There is nice Spanish food at Toro (Kitchen + Bar),' he said. 'I love going there.' Among Mamukelashvili's other favorite San Antonio stops are Best Quality Daughter (Asian-American cuisine) and Brasserie Mon Chou Chou (French). 'I like the cashew chicken at Best Quality Daughter, but there is lots of unbelievably good stuff in there', Mamukelashvili said, 'I've been to Mon Chou Chou with my mom every time she comes to visit. And, there is a good brunch spot in the hotel (Hotel Emma) in The Pearl called Supper; it's the best breakfast in town. Amazing spot. Everything's great, but the French toast you wouldn't believe.' A post shared by Brasserie Mon Chou Chou ✨️ (@brasseriemonchouchou) There were Spurs players who touted steakhouses as must-stops. One of the restaurants, J-Prime Steakhouse, got endorsements from both Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie. Johnson, who has spent six seasons in San Antonio, is the longest-tenured Spur. Champagnie's choice at J-Prime isn't always beef. Advertisement 'They've got the best lobster mac and cheese I've ever tasted,' Champagnie said. 'If you like that, go there.' The Spurs player with the most diverse ethnic background had some of the more interesting choices among international cuisines. Jeremy Sochan was born in Oklahoma to an American father and Polish mother. He played last summer for Team Poland in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Spain. He was raised in England and then started his pro career with a club in Germany. Sochan calls himself 'a citizen of the world,' and he enjoys Japanese food in San Antonio. Nigiri, a type of sushi consisting of a small ball of vinegared rice topped with raw seafood, is one of his go-to options. 'My favorite restaurants are Shiro and their sister restaurant called Yozora,' he said. 'I love any type of their nigiri, especially with yellowtail.' Sochan added that he is a fan of Peruvian food. He frequents Leche de Tigre (318 E. Cevallos) and has a favorite dish at the Peruvian restaurant. A post shared by Leche de Tigre (@lechedetigretx) 'I love their yucca fries,' Sochan said. 'With the sauce they have, (they're) delicious.' Harrison Barnes, the only current San Antonio player with an NBA championship ring (he won with the Golden State Warriors in 2015), agrees with Sochan on his choice of Leche de Tigre. He also concurred with Wesley on Best Quality Daughter and endorsed Toro, one of Mamukelashvili's picks. When asked to pick one dish that might epitomize dining in San Antonio, Elliott stuck with true Mexican cuisine, but not what locals like to call 'Tex-Mex.' 'More than anything, we're known for Mexican food, so I would say it would be the mole poblano at Guajillo's,' Elliott said. 'That's a dish that I enjoy. That's my very favorite Mexican dish in town.' (Writer's note: Both 19-year veteran point guard Chris Paul and standout rookie guard Stephon Castle have personal chefs and said they don't go out to eat when the team is at home. Wembanyama has not spoken to the media since a blood clot in his right shoulder was discovered on Feb. 20 and is out for the remainder of the season.)
