Zaira Lakhpatwala

Toronto

Freelance journalist/editor. Views expressed here are strictly my own and subject to change given the time of the month.

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Articles

Fortune reveals 100 Most Powerful Women in Business list for 2025

1 month ago | arabnews.com | Zaira Lakhpatwala

Gary Lineker to leave BBC amid antisemitism row /node/2601439/media May 20, 2025 14:38 Gary Lineker to leave BBC amid antisemitism row Lineker had earlier shared a post criticizing Zionism, accompanied by a rat emoji He will not be part of the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup or next season’s FA Cup coverage DUBAI: BBC sports presenter Gary Lineker will leave the corporation following a controversial social media post that drew accusations of antisemitism, according to a statement....
Fortune reveals 100 Most Powerful Women in Business list for 2025

1 month ago | arabnews.pk | Zaira Lakhpatwala

DUBAI: Fortune has announced the 2025 Most Powerful Women in Business list, featuring 100 leading businesswomen from sectors including finance, tech, healthcare, telecom, retail and energy. Its publication coincides with Fortune’s inaugural Most Powerful Women International conference which is taking place in Riyadh on May 20-21. This year’s edition of the list features 52 women from the US and 48 from other countries, including one each from the UAE and Kuwait.
‘It’s a no-brainer to go where the progress is,’ Fortune editor-in-chief tells Arab News ahead of Riyadh summit on women in business

1 month ago | arabnews.com | Zaira Lakhpatwala

RIYADH: The Fortune Most Powerful Women franchise, which includes an annual list of the 100 Most Powerful Women, began in 1998. Now, nearly three decades on, the publication is entering the Middle East region with the Fortune Most Powerful Women International conference in Riyadh on May 20 and 21. “More and more women were getting into the upper ranks of business,” and “we wanted to be on the ground covering it,” said Alyson Shontell, editor-in-chief and chief content officer of Fortune.
Ray-Ban Meta glasses to launch in the UAE

1 month ago | arabnews.com | Zaira Lakhpatwala

DUBAI: Meta and optical multinational EssilorLuxottica have announced that the Ray-Ban Meta collection will be available in the UAE from May 12. The glasses, when paired with a smartphone, allow users to take hands-free pictures and videos, listen to audio with open-ear speakers, and use the inbuilt Meta AI assistant.
Netflix announces major revamp of app homepage

1 month ago | arabnews.pk | Zaira Lakhpatwala

DUBAI: Streaming giant Netflix will begin rolling out a major revamp of its TV app’s homepage next week. The new design “is simpler, more intuitive, and better represents the breadth of entertainment on Netflix today,” the company’s chief product officer, Eunice Kim, said on Tuesday. It includes a navigation bar at the top of the screen, rather than the current position on the left, and more-responsive recommendations while a user browses the app.
Saudi brands and agencies win seven Grand Prix trophies at Dubai Lynx Awards 2025

2 months ago | arabnews.com | Zaira Lakhpatwala

Dubai Lynx, a prominent creative festival and awards program organized by Cannes Lions, announced its annual winners at an awards ceremony on Wednesday in Dubai. WPP-owned VML was crowned Network of the Year followed by BBDO Worldwide and McCann Worldgroup. Omnicom-owned Hearts & Science was awarded Media Network of the Year followed by other Omnicom agencies OMD and PHD in second and third.
Warner Bros. Discovery investment in OSN Streaming signals broader industry shift, says CEO

Mar 28, 2025 | arabnews.com | Zaira Lakhpatwala

DUBAI: Warner Bros. Discovery this week announced a minority investment in OSN Streaming in a move that “reinforces its commitment to the region’s rapidly growing streaming landscape.” The deal is reportedly valued at $57 million for a third of OSN Streaming. It will take place in phases and is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals.
Majority of listeners tune in to Spotify during Ramadan’s pre-dawn hours

Mar 28, 2025 | arabnews.com | Zaira Lakhpatwala

DUBAI: Streaming and content consumption habits change as audiences adjust to different routines during Ramadan, according to new data from Spotify. This year saw a return of the streaming platform’s Ramadan Hub, with a specially curated selection of playlists, music and podcasts.
India coach Gambhir says focused on winning Champions Trophy, not just Pakistan clash

Feb 2, 2025 | arab.news | Zaira Lakhpatwala |Shahjahan Khurram |Rehmat Mehsud

ISLAMABAD: India’s cricket coach Gautam Gambhir has said he is focused on ensuring his side wins the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy tournament and not just its clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai. India and Pakistan are set to lock horns in the highly anticipated Champions Trophy encounter in Dubai on Feb. 23. The eight-nation tournament is scheduled to kick off from Feb. 19 in Karachi with hosts Pakistan taking on New Zealand.
EXCLUSIVE: Meta AI launches in Middle East, extends support for Arabic language

Feb 2, 2025 | arabnews.com | Zaira Lakhpatwala

DUBAI: Meta on Sunday announced the official launch of its AI assistant Meta AI in the Middle East and North Africa region. Powered by the company’s latest Llama 3.2 large language model, Meta AI is available across all Meta platforms and products, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.