Author: Sam Allcock

The historic Westminster Central Hall became the stage for a unique cultural event last night, where the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir performed alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert, entitled the Marvels of Saudi Orchestra, was a celebration of the rich musical traditions of both Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, highlighting the growing cultural ties between the two nations. The audience was treated to a range of musical performances that seamlessly merged the distinct sounds of traditional Saudi music with classic British compositions. The concert featured joint and solo renditions of pieces such as the Saudi folk song…

BOC Group, a global leader in enterprise modelling software, held its 21st Strategic Partner Meeting on September 12th and 13th at the historic Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. The event brought together industry leaders, business experts, and technology visionaries for an immersive two-day conference focused on sharing the latest innovations in business process management (BPM), enterprise architecture (EA), and governance, risk, and compliance (GRC). The event commenced with a keynote from the BOC Group Management Board, which highlighted the importance of integrating three of the company’s flagship products: ADONIS, ADOIT, and ADOGRC. These tools enable organisations to make informed decisions by…

Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, alongside Charlie Taylor, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, has voiced grave concerns regarding the declining standards in young offender institutions (YOIs). A joint review published today by Ofsted and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) reveals a significant drop in the quality and quantity of education available to children in custody over the past decade. Young offender institutions are designed to house children and young people who have committed criminal offences. They are meant to play a crucial role in rehabilitating these individuals, providing at least…

Veeva Systems (NYSE: VEEV) has announced that 18 of the top 20 medical technology (medtech) companies are utilising its Veeva Development Cloud and Veeva Commercial Cloud applications to enhance processes throughout the medtech product lifecycle. This strategic adoption underscores a growing trend within the medtech industry to transition to connected applications on a single cloud platform to meet the increasing demands for faster time-to-market and improved operational efficiency. Veeva MedTech currently supports over 125 customers, leveraging its deep industry expertise and technological capabilities from the initial stages of product ideation through to commercialisation. As the medtech landscape evolves, companies are…

A recent study has revealed that Spider-Man is the most popular video game character costume for Halloween this year. The study, conducted by the online casino website Nieuwe Casino, analysed search data from over 120 video game characters to determine which are the most sought-after for Halloween costumes. By combining various keywords such as “Halloween costume”, “outfit”, and “makeup” with popular video game characters, the data was then cross-referenced using the search tool Ahrefs to assess average monthly search volumes over the past 12 months. The study identified Spider-Man, Mario, and Princess Peach as the top choices, based on thousands…

Altair, a leader in computational intelligence, has announced the launch of its 2024-2025 Global Student Contest, offering students worldwide the chance to demonstrate their engineering and design skills in robotics and mechatronics. With nearly $30,000 in cash prizes, the contest invites participants to use Altair software to optimise robotics systems and innovations. Running from October 2024 to June 2025, the contest is open to students of all levels. They are encouraged to design and optimise any robotic application of their choosing, including competition robots, industrial robots, robotic arms, and battle bots. Projects can target improvements in various areas, such as…

Fat Bear Week, the beloved annual wildlife conservation event, returns for its 10th anniversary from 2-8 October 2024. In partnership with Katmai National Park, the Katmai Conservancy, and Explore.org, the event highlights the extraordinary transformation of brown bears at Brooks River, Alaska, as they bulk up for their winter hibernation. Fat Bear Week, which has gained a global following, invites the public to participate in an online voting tournament. The competition showcases the bears’ impressive weight gain as they feast on salmon in preparation for the harsh Alaskan winter. Each day of the single-elimination tournament, voters can visit the “Meet…

Broadway Licensing Global, a leading theatrical licensing company, has announced the acquisition of the worldwide stage rights to the Broadway musical Water for Elephants. This critically acclaimed production, with music and lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co. and a book by Rick Elice, is based on Sara Gruen’s bestselling 2006 novel of the same name. The story was also adapted into a film in 2011, starring Reese Witherspoon. The musical, which began its Broadway run in February 2024, has captivated audiences with its striking blend of romance, drama, and the evocative world of a travelling circus set during the Great Depression.…

A recent survey conducted by software development firm Propel Tech reveals growing concerns over the potential for “tech doping” to create significant inequalities in professional sports. Nearly half (48%) of respondents believe that as technology advances rapidly, the practice of using enhanced equipment to gain an advantage over competitors is inevitable. Tech doping refers to the use of advanced technology, such as performance-enhancing wearables or AI, that gives athletes an unfair edge. Often these technologies are not accessible to all participants, compromising the fairness of competition. Notable examples include Nike’s Alphafly running shoes, banned by World Athletics in 2020 for…

A prominent scientist and entrepreneur has released a new book that explores the future of humanity and its evolving relationship with technology. Dr. Majid Riaziat, an expert in technology development and commercialisation, has published The Age of Simorgh: Planning for Human Convergence with Technology, a comprehensive look at how humans may merge with their technological creations in the future. Dr. Riaziat, who holds a PhD in Applied Physics from Stanford University, has been a key figure in advancing technology for over two decades. His work spans multiple industries, including leadership roles at Varian Medical Systems and OEpic Semiconductors, where he…