Yearly Archives: 2025

Istituto Marangoni Dubai welcomes a distinguished lineup of mentors for the 2024/2025 academic year, underlining its commitment to hands-on, innovative, and industry-driven education. This year’s mentorship program brings together internationally acclaimed designer Ross Lovegrove, fashion entrepreneurs Julius and Victor Juul of HELIOT EMIL, luxury fashion pioneer Ingie Chalhoub, and fashion director Luca Finotti.

Roberto La Iacona, Institution Director at Istituto Marangoni Dubai, said: “At Istituto Marangoni Dubai, we believe that learning from industry leaders is essential in preparing students for their future career. Our mentorship program connects students with internationally recognized professionals, providing them with first-hand insight, real-world projects, and invaluable industry expertise. By bringing global creative leaders to the region, we continue to bridge academia and industry, ensuring our students are equipped with the skills, vision, and connections to thrive in their future careers.”

Ross Lovegrove, one of the world’s most forward-thinking designers, has his work showcased in permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Design Museum in London. Recognized by the Centre Pompidou as emblematic of the transition from the 20th to the 21st century, Lovegrove’s design philosophy bridges technology, sustainability, and aesthetics. He will mentor students in Interior Design, focusing on luxury hospitality, wellbeing, and retail spaces.

For over four decades, Ingie Chalhoub has played a pivotal role in shaping the luxury fashion landscape in the Middle East. As the founder and President of Etoile Group, she has introduced some of the world’s most prestigious fashion brands to the region, establishing herself as a leading industry figure. She will mentor students in the Professional Course in Fashion Entrepreneurship and the MA in Fashion & Luxury Brand Management, providing her expertise in navigating the evolving luxury market.

Luca Finotti, recognized by Forbes as ‘The Film Director Behind Fashion’s Viral Videos,’ is a creative and film director known for his dynamic fashion films. He has collaborated with top brands including Nike, Versace, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Moschino, and Adidas, as well as publications such as Vogue, Dazed & Confused, and i-D Magazine. With a background in Marketing and Economics from Bocconi University and film studies at the New York Film Academy,  Luca Finotti merges powerful visuals with strategic trend research to create highly shareable content. His work features global icons like Lady Gaga, Jeremy Scott, Gigi Hadid, Monica Bellucci and many others.”

Julius and Victor Juul co-founded the ready-to-wear unisex fashion label HELIOT EMIL in 2017, quickly turning it into a force in contemporary fashion. Julius, whose early clients spanned Michael Kors, Alexander Wang, Nike, and Adidas, among many others, leads the brand’s creative vision, while Victor drives its global expansion, securing retail partnerships in over 150 stores worldwide. They will mentor students across Fashion Design, Fashion Management, Fashion Product Management, and Fragrance & Cosmetics, offering insight into building a brand with global resonance.

Following in the footsteps of previous Istituto Marangoni Dubai mentors, including Giulio Cappellini and Sara Sozzani Maino (2022/2023) and Dimore Studio and Sabina Mandelli (2023/2024), this year’s mentors will continue to shape the next generation of creative talent. With a global employability rate of 91% and a ranking among the world’s top 100 universities for art and design (QS Rankings), Istituto Marangoni remains at the forefront of fashion and design education, equipping students with the tools to define the industry’s future.

This Ramadan, Fatafeat invites viewers to celebrate the spirit of the holy month with an exciting lineup of shows, a dedicated pop-up channel, an exclusive Ramadan song, special digital content,  and a meaningful social initiative. Under the inspiring campaign slogan “Life Tastes Beautiful with Every Story and Every Act,” Fatafeat will bring audiences unforgettable moments, delicious recipes, beautiful memories, and heartfelt acts of kindness.

On-Air Highlights: Must-Watch Shows on Fatafeat

Matbakh Manal Al Alem 
Renowned Chef Manal Al Alem returns with a special Ramadan edition, sharing mouthwatering recipes designed to bring families together.
Airing daily at 14:00 KSA time on Fatafeat, discovery+ via Jawwy TV, and OSN+ throughout Ramadan.

Kitchen Tales: Ramadan Edition Host Mohammed Hanafy joins forces with Fatafeat’s top chefs to craft two irresistible Ramadan dishes per episode, blending tradition with innovation.
Airing daily at 15:00 KSA time on Fatafeat, discovery+ via Jawwy TV, and OSN+ throughout Ramadan.

Delicious DishesA brand-new culinary cooking show where Chef Mohamed Salah prepares traditional Egyptian dishes with influences from different Arab countries, sharing expert tips, recipes, and cultural stories. His engaging style makes every Iftar and Suhoor special, offering viewers a culinary journey across the Arab world.Premiering on the 10th of March. The showwill air daily at 15:30 KSA time during the week and 16:00 KSA time during the weekend on Fatafeat.

Pop-Up Channel – OSNtv-Fatafeat Ramadan
Experience a world of flavors with traditional recipes and modern twists, perfect for the holy month. Tune in for daily inspiration, expert cooking tips, and heartfelt moments shared around the table.
The OSNtv Pop-Up Channel “OSNtv – Fatafeat Ramadan” will run from Monday, 17th March to Monday, 24th March.

Digital & Social: Your Ultimate Ramadan Companion
For even more inspiration, behind-the-scenes moments, and exclusive content, follow Fatafeat’s digital platforms for:

• Hand & Pans ASMR videos for a sensory cooking experience;
• Articles & recipes available on Fatafeat.com;
• Exclusive content & recipes curated for Ramadan;
• Mother’s Day special content to celebrate the occasion.

A Special Ramadan Song
Fatafeat proudly launches a brand-new Ramadan song, ما تخليش حاجة تزعلك, written and performed by Min Alby talent Youssef Ismail. This uplifting track captures the warmth and joy of the season.

Fatafeat x UAE Food Bank
This Ramadan, Fatafeat partners with the UAE Food Bank for a meaningful Ramadan Social Goods Campaign, “Every Bite Counts”. This six-episode video series, featuring Chef Sumaya, celebrates cultural diversity through food, highlighting different nationalities and their unique culinary traditions.The first video will air on Fatafeat’s social media platforms on the 4th of March.

Join the Celebration!
Don’t miss out on an unforgettable Ramadan with Fatafeat! FollowFatafeat on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube and Fatafeat.com for inspiring recipes, the latest updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and exclusive content.

Share your most delightful recipes and cherished Ramadan memories with us using #Fatafeat_Ramadan, because during Ramadan life tastes beautiful with every story and every act.

Space42 PLC (“Space42”or the “Company”), the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company that seamlessly integrates satellite communications, geospatial analytics, and artificial intelligence capabilitiesfor customers globally,and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange(”ADX”, under symbol: SPACE42, ISIN: AEE01122B228), today announced its2024 proforma consolidated financial results.

The Company delivered a resilient financial performance, reporting EBITDA of USD 317 million with a significant rise in margin, up 8 percentage points, and maintaining a strong balance sheet with a year-end cash position exceeding USD 1.1 billion. This reflects its continued focus on operational efficiency and disciplined capital allocation. Since its formation, the Company has made significant progress in executing its strategy, which was unveiled at its inaugural investor day in November. The strategy is built on four key objectives: becoming the preferred partner for premium geospatial data, leading in geospatial intelligence AI platform services, establishing leadership in non-terrestrial mobile connectivity,and reinforcing its position as a provider of secure connectivity solutions.

Space42 has made significant advancements in its Earth Observation and geospatial analytics capabilities. In August 2024, the Company, in partnership with ICEYE, launched Foresight-1, the UAE’s first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite. This milestone enhances its upstream Earth Observation capabilities and reinforces its position as a provider of premium geospatial data. A second satellite was launched in January 2025, with the Foresight system set to enter operation this year. In December 2024, Space42 and ICEYE announced a strategic joint venture to manufacture SAR satellites in the UAE, bringing expertise to the region in line with the UAE’s National Space Strategy 2030. In February 2025, the Company signed an agreement with FADA, an EDGE company, to establish a strategic joint venture that will develop a fully integrated Earth Observation ecosystem in the UAE. The initiative will deliver dual-use Earth Observation capabilities tailored for government and commercial applications. In the same month, Space42 and EDGE announced a collaboration worth more than USD 100 million. The partnership will leverage data from Space42’s Foresight constellation and other systems to provide real-time geospatial insights for defense, security, and environmental applications.

Space42 continues to strengthen its leadership in satellite communications and connectivity. In January 2025, the Company launched the Thuraya-4 satellite, significantly expanding its mobile satellite solutions with broader coverage, enhanced security, and greater bandwidth. This reinforces its position as a leader in the global SatCom industry. As a founding member of the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA), established in 2024, Space42 is leading the integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial network services to deliver scalable and affordable connectivity to billions of devices. The Company has also advanced the procurement of two new next-generation GEO satellites, Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5, following the signing of a USD 5.1 billion, 17-year contract with the UAE Government in November. This strengthens Space42’s position as a leading provider of secure connectivity solutions.

Karim Michel Sabbagh, Managing Director of Space42, commented: “We are diligently executing on our strategic objectives. In just a few months since its founding, Space42 has significantly enhanced its upstream and downstream Earth Observation capabilities, reinforced its leadership in secure connectivity solutions, and laid the foundation for its next-generation mobile satellite solutions capabilities with the launch of the Thuraya-4 satellite.

As a founding member of the MSSA and with a strong balance sheet and a revenue backlog exceeding USD 7 billion, we are well positioned to develop the next generation of non-terrestrial networks to unlock the direct-to-device opportunity, bringing connectivity to billions of customers.

The execution of our strategy is guided by five principles. First, we focus on programmatic growth with major programs kicking off in 2025,our recently announced multi-year engagements as a case in point. Second, we pursue strategies where we can sustain a distinct advantage as demonstrated through our Foresight system and the associated GIQ platform. Third, we invest in our economic and human capital to build differentiated capabilities that evolve and grow over time. Fourth, we are expanding globally as exhibited through our recent SatCom and Earth Observation programs.Fifth, we prioritize operational optimization and strategic capital allocation, ensuring that we deploy cash effectively to achieve our objectives and deliver long-term, sustainable shareholder value.”

Highlights for the period include:

• Revenue of USD 629million, reflected a 19% year-on-year decrease, primarily due to temporary timing shifts in execution of a major multi-year program within Bayanat Smart Solutions and the Thuraya-3 service anomaly within Yahsat Space Services
• Adjusted EBITDA of USD 317 million, broadly stable vs. 2023 with a superior margin of 50%, up eight percentage points. Excluding one-off items, primarily USD 30 million income from liquidated damages and USD 13 million profit from the sale of a non-core asset, Normalized Adj. EBITDA of USD 282millionreflectsa 15% decrease vs. prior year,while margins strengthened at 45%(up from43% in 2023)
• Net Profit of USD 166 million, marginally lower than 2023 (USD 174 million), driven by first-time adoption of UAE Corporate Tax, generated an improved margin of 26%. Excluding tax, Net Profit increased by 5%. Normalized Net Profit of USD 135 million, adjusted for one-off items, decreased from USD 179 million in 2023with margins broadly stable at 21%
• Cash CapExtotaledUSD 348 million, mainly related toYahsat Space Services, primarily in respect of Al Yah 4 & 5 satellites procurement
• Contracted future revenuesof more than USD 7billion, equivalent to 11xfull-yearrevenue, includingthe landmark 17-year, USD 5.1billion UAE Government agreement signed in November 2024
• Strong balance sheet with cash and short-term deposits exceeding USD 1.1 billion,negative Net Debt of USD 505million, a net leverage ratio of -1.6x and a further USD 0.5 billion expected to be received in advance payments for Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 satellites

The full set of financial disclosures can be found within the Investor Relations section on Space42’s website.

Note

The financial information presented in this press release has been prepared on a proforma basis, as if the merger between Bayanat and Yahsathad taken place on January 1, 2023. This has been done to facilitate like-for-like comparison of financial performance of the combined Company.

Normalized Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) adjusted for material, one-off items recorded during the current and comparative periods that would otherwise distort the underlying, like-for-like performance of the business. 2024Normalized Adjusted EBITDA of USD 282million reflects adjustments for one-off costs related to the merger between Bayanat and Yahsat (USD8 million), restructuring (USD 1 million), liquidated damages in relation to the T4 procurement contract(USD 30 million) and a gain on the sale of a building (USD 13 million). 2023 Normalized Adjusted EBITDA of USD 330million reflects adjustments for one-off restructuring costs (USD 3million) and costs related to the merger between Bayanat and Yahsat (USD 2million).

2024 Normalized Net Profit of USD 135 million reflects adjustments made above to derive Normalized EBITDA as well as the related tax impact of these adjustments (USD3 million) following the introduction of UAE corporate tax. There were no further adjustments for 2023 Normalized Net Profit of USD 179 million.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) delivered an exhilarating one-two finish at Rally Sweden, solidifying its dominance in the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) season. Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin exhibited exceptional performance in the No. 33 GR YARIS Rally1, securing victory with the smallest winning margin in Rally Sweden history. Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston followed closely in second place in their No. 18 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1, marking their best-ever WRC finish and a remarkable achievement for the team.

Akio Toyoda, TGR-WRT Chairman, commented: “The top five within a 25-second gap, and three GR Yaris Rally1s among them—this year’s Rally Sweden was really exhilarating. Congratulations to Elfyn and Scott for winning the rally! It’s great to see them triumph once again. And congratulations to Takamoto and Aaron for securing second place! Next up is the Safari Rally, and I’m counting on him to showcase his spirit of ‘returning to the finish line no matter what’. Both drivers delivered fantastic performances during the Power Stage, thank you for the perfect one-two finish! I also thank everyone in the team for building cars that allowed the drivers to compete comfortably until the end.”

Rally Sweden, the WRC’s only pure winter event, witnessed one of the most intense battles in recent history, with the top five drivers separated by mere seconds. Evans and Martin led from the start, navigating the treacherous snow and ice-covered roads with precision. Katsuta delivered an impressive drive, taking the lead on the final morning after winning the first pass of the 29.35-kilometre Västervik stage. However, Evans responded decisively in the penultimate stage, reclaiming the lead with a spectacular performance. Holding just a 3.7-second advantage entering the rally-ending Power Stage, Evans clinched victory in style by setting the fastest time, edging out Katsuta by just 0.2 seconds.

With this result, Toyota now leads the manufacturers’ championship with 48 points, further cementing its place at the top of the leaderboard. Evans’ second victory in Sweden—five years to the day since his first with Toyota—also puts him at the forefront of the drivers’ standings with a 28-point lead.

The next round of the 2025 FIA WRC is Safari Rally Kenya, one of the most challenging events on the calendar, taking place from March 20-23. Known for its rugged terrain and unpredictable weather conditions, the rally will test both drivers and their machines to the limit.

Over the years, Toyota has been participating in many different forms of motorsports, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the Nürburgring 24 ‎Hours endurance race. Toyota’s participation in these events was overseen by separate entities within the company until April 2015, when Toyota established TGR, ‎to consolidate all of its motorsport’s activities under one in-house brand. Representing ‎Toyota’s belief that ‘the roads build the people, and the people build the cars,’ TGR highlights the role of motorsports as a fundamental pillar of Toyota’s commitment to ‎making ‘ever-better’ cars. Harnessing years of experience gained under the extreme conditions of various motorsports events, TGR aims to forge new technologies and solutions that bring the freedom, adventure, and joy of driving to everyone.

Race Notes:

• 33 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin)
  • Position: 1^st
  • Time: 2 hours, 33 minutes, and 39.2 seconds
• 18 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston)
  • Position: 2^nd
  • Time: 2 hours, 33 minutes, and 43.0 seconds

Missed any movies you really wanted to watch at the cinema recently? Or perhaps you really miss a very popular show but just can’t find all its seasons in one place.STARZPLAY, the MENA region’s leading subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, has got you covered this month, with multiple movies coming to TV for the very first time exclusively on the platform, including Weekend in Taipei, Turn Me On, Die Alone and Aftermath. All seven seasons of The Good Doctor will also be making a long-awaited return to the platform – the only streaming service in the MENA region to offer this.

Arab viewers can rejoice, with popular Arabic movies like El Floos, TahtTahdeed El Selah and Ba’ad Al-Khamees coming in, while an exciting lineup of new series and seasons await avid TV lovers, with Dark City: The Cleaner, The Gold, Yellowjackets S3 and Turkish drama, Be My Sunshine, entering the picture. New episodes from season 4 of both FBI International and Ghosts will also continue to keep fans hooked.

First-Time-on-TVExclusives:

Weekend in Taipei (2024)

Set in Taipei, Taiwan, a former DEA agent and a former undercover operative revisit their romance during a fateful weekend in the city, unaware of the dangerous consequences of their past.

Starring: Luke Evans, Gwei Lun-Mei, Sung Kang

Genre: Crime, Action

Available: February 7^th

Turn Me On (2024)

The film is set in a world where the inconvenience of human emotion has been eradicated by a government-imposed daily vitamin. When a young couple skips their dose, they discover a whole new angle to life and relationships for the first time, but quickly come to realize they must also handle the emotional baggage that comes with it.

Starring: Nick Robinson, Bel Powley

Genre: Romance, Drama, Sci-Fi

Available: February 14^th

Die Alone (2024)

In a world overtaken by nature and strange creatures, amnesiac Ethan searches for his lost love, Emma. As he navigates the terrors of a zombie outbreak, his journey takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Mae, a hardened and eccentric survivor. Together, they brave dangers both human and monstrous, until a meeting with Kai unlocks a secret buried within Ethan’s fragmented memories.

Starring: Carrie-Anne Moss, Douglas Smith, Frank Grillo

Genre: Zombies, Horror, Thriller

Available: February 21^st

Aftermath (2024)

A returning war veteran, stricken with PTSD, gets trapped with his teenage sister on Boston’s Tobin Memorial Bridge when a heavily armed group of ex-military revolutionaries take everyone hostage. The film takes viewers through the events as he uses his elite training to save his sister and fellow hostages.

Starring: Dylan Sprouse, Mason Gooding

Genre: Action, Thriller

Available: February 28^th

Returning to STARZPLAY

The Good Doctor S1 – 7 (2017-2024)

Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, relocates from a quiet country life to join a prestigious hospital’s surgical unit, with strong support from his mentor. Unable to personally connect with those around him, Shaun uses his extraordinary medical gifts to save lives and challenge the skepticism of his colleagues.

Starring: Freddie Highmore, Richard Schiff

Genre: Medical

Full Series Available: February 21^st

Upcoming Series

Yellowjackets S3 (2025)

The brutal winter is finally over in the wilderness timeline, but the teens are more unhinged than ever. The past is coming back to “hunt” the adult survivors as some mystery force is clearly out to kill them all, and their chances for survival keep dwindling as Shauna reveals that “the only way to truly be safe is to be the only one left.”

Starring: Tawny Cypress, Melanie Lynskey, Sophie Nélisse

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Drama

Available: February 15(2-episode premiere)

Dark City: The Cleaner (2024)

By day, Joe is a cleaner at the police station. But by night, he has another line of work – he’s an infamous serial killer who’s been dubbed The Christchurch Carver. When another woman is murdered, the police suspect The Carver. The twist? Joe knows it wasn’t him.

Starring: Cohen Holloway, Chelsie Preston Crayford, Dea Doglione

Genre: Crime

Available: February 17^th

The Gold (2023)

Inspired by Britain’s biggest gold heist. On 26 November 1983, six armed men break into the Brink’s-Mat security depot, stealing  gold bullion, diamonds, and cash worth £26m. Chaos ensues as the biggest robbery in history is born, leading to a number of international criminal investigations.

Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Emun Elliott, Charlotte Spencer

Genre: Crime

Available: February 24^th

Latest Turkish

Be My Sunshine (2021)*

The paths of city businesswoman Haziran and Poyraz, a handsome and helpful young man, intersect on Swallow Island, and the age-old saying, “opposites attract,” rings true for the pairing.

Starring: Ayça Aysin Turan, Alp Navruz, Nihan Büyükagaç

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Available: February 10^th

*Available in both original Turkish and Arabic Dubbed

Latest Arabic

TahtTahdeed El Selah (2022)

Despite his resolve to trudge through a dreary marriage for the sake of his kids, Khaled dares to chase old flames. That is until a wedding bullet knocks him into a 4-year coma, during which a maze of conspiracies forms, and he awakens in its midst to find his way out.

Starring: Hasan Al Raddad, Mai Omar, Shereen Reda

Genre: Drama, Crime

El Floos (2020)

After robbing an heiress, Saif has a change of heart, and returns what’s rightfully hers. He’s taken aback when instead of turning him in, she asks him to track down a conman who had cheated her of millions and retrieve the stolen wealth.

Starring: Tamer Hosny, Zeina, Khaled El Sawy, Mohamad Sallam

Genre: Drama, Comedy, Action

Ba’ad Al-Khamees (2020)

After inheriting their father’s fortune, brothers Naser and Sultan are unstoppable, recklessly spending it on a whim. Having had enough of their shenanigans, their uncle Rashid decides to put an end to their chaos by subjecting them to a series of hilarious situations that are sure to teach them the value of money, once and for all.

Starring: Abdullah Al-Jumairi, Muhammad Al-HashimAli, A-Tamimi

Genre: Drama, Comedy, Action

New Episodes

FBI International S4 (2024)

In the show’s latest run, the FBI’s Fly Team has their work cut out for them, as they embark on new journeys in pursuit of the season’s elusive villain, Greg Csonka. The upcoming episodes see the team navigate multiple obstacles, from Csonka’s erratic behaviour to their own complex dynamics.

Starring: Luke Kleintank, Vinessa Vidotto, Jesse Lee Soffer

Genre: Crime, Action

Ghosts S4 (2024)

The STARZPLAY exclusive series, Ghosts season 4, will continue to take you through Sam and Jay’s humorous journey to turn their inherited, but haunted, mansion into a hotel. A supernatural sitcom, this month’s upcoming episodes will show more of the sticky situations the couple’s spectral friends put them through.

Starring: Rose McIver, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Brandon Scott Jones

Genre: Sitcom, Fantasy, Comedy

So, sit back, relax and head onto www.starzplay.com to catch the latest and greatest in streaming this February.