The Stevie® Awards, renowned for hosting the world’s premier business awards programs, has officially opened submissions for the 2026 Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Stevie Awards. This seventh annual edition, presented in collaboration with the RAK Chamber of Commerce & Industry, celebrates innovation in the workplace across 18 MENA nations, including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The awards are open to all organizations—public or private, for-profit or non-profit, large or small—with no entry fees required. Winners of Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards may opt to pay a nominal fee to maintain their winner status. Nominations can be submitted online through two deadlines: December 3, 2025, for reduced winners’ fees, and January 21, 2026, as the final deadline. Winners will be announced on April 16, 2026, and honored at a gala event on May 14, 2026, at the InterContinental Hotel in Istanbul, Türkiye. The 2026 competition introduces new categories, such as AI Innovation Awards and Public Sector Innovators, reflecting the region’s rapid advancements in technology and modernization. Maggie Miller, President of the Stevie Awards, emphasized the program’s role as a leading platform for showcasing business excellence and innovation. A new website and entry system have been launched to streamline participation, offering multilingual support and seamless nomination management. The 2025 winners included prominent organizations like Abu Dhabi Customs, Deloitte & Touche, and Saudi Aramco, among others. Over 150 global professionals will judge the 2026 entries. For more details, visit: https://mena.stevieawards.com/Judges/you-be-the-judge.
标签: Asia
亚洲
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New Dubai AI platform gives women facing abuse safe, private support
Dubai has introduced a groundbreaking AI-powered platform, ‘Malath,’ designed to provide confidential and secure psychosocial support to women experiencing abuse. Developed by the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, this innovative tool ensures that women can access assistance anytime, anywhere, without fear of exposure or judgment. Launched at GITEX Global 2025, Malath is the first of its kind in the region, offering a private, Arabic-speaking digital space where women can assess their emotional and mental health, and begin their journey toward recovery. The platform uses AI to evaluate indicators such as anxiety, depression, and trauma, generating personalized reports and recommending tailored rehabilitation programs. These programs include up to 22 AI-led interactive sessions covering topics like problem-solving, empowerment, and future planning. Privacy is a cornerstone of Malath, with the platform collecting minimal data and ensuring all information is anonymized and securely processed. This initiative aligns with Dubai’s Social Agenda 33, which aims to enhance the quality of life and mental health of individuals and families. Since its launch on October 13, 2025, Malath has received widespread acclaim for its compassionate and innovative approach. The Women and Children’s Welfare Foundation is now evaluating user feedback and exploring collaborations to expand the platform’s reach. Women can access Malath at https://app.malathhelp.com, where they receive an initial assessment and a personalized self-help plan within minutes.
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Cambodia and Thailand’s border conflict heats up again as Cambodian villager is reported killed
Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand have intensified following a recent clash along their volatile border, resulting in the death of a Cambodian villager. The incident occurred just days after a Thai soldier lost a foot to a landmine in the same region, prompting Thailand to suspend its adherence to a ceasefire agreement brokered in July. The ceasefire, partially mediated by former U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed to end five days of armed conflict that claimed dozens of lives in late July. Trump had threatened to withhold trade privileges from both nations unless hostilities ceased. However, the fragile truce now appears to be unraveling. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reported that Thai troops opened fire on civilians in Prey Chan, a village in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province, killing one and injuring three. Thailand, however, claimed the confrontation began when Cambodian soldiers allegedly fired into Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, prompting Thai forces to respond with warning shots. The two nations have a long history of territorial disputes, rooted in a 1907 map drawn during Cambodia’s French colonial era and exacerbated by a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling awarding sovereignty of the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia. The ceasefire, while halting immediate violence, failed to address the underlying border disputes, leaving the region in a precarious state.
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Chinese Navy’s increasing strength to enhance protection of national sovereignty: spokesperson
China’s Navy has entered a transformative ‘three-carrier era,’ significantly enhancing its capacity to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to a spokesperson from the State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office. Chen Binhua, addressing a press conference on Wednesday, highlighted the commissioning of the Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian aircraft carriers as a monumental achievement in China’s defense and military modernization. The Fujian, China’s first carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, has drawn considerable attention, particularly in Taiwan, for its advanced capabilities. Chen emphasized that this development underscores China’s commitment to thwarting any attempts to undermine its territorial integrity. The spokesperson’s remarks come amid growing regional tensions and reflect China’s strategic focus on bolstering its naval prowess to safeguard its interests.
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Netflix’s new ‘Last Samurai Standing’ pays respect to the original
Netflix’s latest series, ‘Last Samurai Standing,’ premiering this Thursday, transports viewers to a Japan on the brink of the end of the samurai era. The show, directed by Michihito Fujii, known for his works like ‘The Journalist’ and ‘A Family,’ blends the intensity of survival games with the rich legacy of Japanese samurai culture. The protagonist, Saga Kokushu, portrayed by Junichi Okada, is thrust into a high-stakes battle where samurai fight to the death to protect their families, communities, and honor. Each participant wears wooden tags, collecting more by eliminating rivals, with the last survivor claiming a staggering 100 billion yen ($650 million).
The series draws inspiration from modern video games and pays homage to iconic Japanese filmmakers like Akira Kurosawa, while also reimagining the samurai drama genre, known as jidaigeki. Okada, who also served as choreographer and producer, emphasized the team’s desire to create something both authentic and visually striking. ‘We wanted to update the jidaigeki, keeping the essence but making it cool and contemporary,’ he told The Associated Press.
‘Last Samurai Standing’ features a mix of intense action and emotional depth, with meticulously choreographed fight scenes and a focus on character development. The series avoids reliance on CGI, ensuring every battle feels visceral and real. In one harrowing scene, actors wore fireproof gear to perform a sequence where swordsmen’s bodies ignite, risking burns for authenticity.
The cast includes notable actors like Shota Sometani, Kazunari Ninomiya, and Takayuki Yamada, alongside newcomer Yumia Fujisaki, whose character adds a modern twist to traditional samurai narratives. The show explores universal themes of survival and morality in a world undergoing dramatic change, offering a fresh take on a timeless genre.
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IOC President Coventry praises Mengniu’s desert treatment efforts
During her recent visit to China, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry visited the headquarters of Mengniu, China’s leading dairy company, in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. Accompanied by Mengniu CEO Gao Fei, Coventry toured the company’s state-of-the-art dairy production facility and engaged in discussions on the integration of sports, nutrition, and sustainable development. The visit also highlighted Mengniu’s ongoing efforts in ecological restoration, particularly in the Ulan Buh Desert, where the company has been actively combating desertification since 2009. Coventry praised Mengniu’s achievements, describing the transformation of over 220 square kilometers of desert into green land as ‘incredible.’
Mengniu’s innovative approach combines ecological restoration with industrial development, creating a sustainable organic dairy value chain that links farming, livestock breeding, and milk processing. During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the company showcased its desert treatment success by transforming a 140-square-meter area beneath the Eiffel Tower’s beach volleyball venue into a ‘desert oasis,’ drawing global attention to China’s environmental efforts.
In a significant announcement, Mengniu launched the ‘Ulan Buh Ecological Protection Plan,’ pledging to restore 10 million square meters of land over the next five years, enhance biodiversity, and promote rural revitalization through green industries. Coventry commended Mengniu for its dual focus on nutrition and sustainability, expressing hope for future collaborations to advance public well-being through the synergy of sports and nutrition.
As a Worldwide Olympic Partner (TOP), Mengniu remains committed to Olympic values and sustainability. The company’s model of ‘industrial ecology and ecological industrialization’ offers valuable insights for global green transitions. Moving forward, Mengniu aims to expand its sustainability initiatives across its global operations, supporting the long-term development of the Olympic movement and the global sports community.
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China slams Japan leader’s egregious comments about Taiwan
China has vehemently criticized recent comments made by Japan’s leader regarding Taiwan, labeling them as a severe violation of the one-China principle and an unwarranted interference in China’s internal affairs. The remarks, delivered during a parliamentary session in Japan, have sparked significant diplomatic tension between the two nations. Chen Binhua, spokesperson for China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, reiterated China’s stance during a press conference, emphasizing that ‘there is only one China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of it.’ The Chinese government has expressed ‘strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition’ to the statements, which it views as a challenge to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This incident underscores the ongoing geopolitical sensitivities surrounding Taiwan, which China considers a core national interest. The situation has drawn international attention, with observers noting the potential implications for regional stability and Sino-Japanese relations.
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Taiwan’s foreign minister says closer ties with Israel align with the island’s interests
Taiwan is actively pursuing deeper diplomatic relations with Israel, despite facing criticism over Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung emphasized that Israel’s unwavering support for Taiwan sets it apart from other Middle Eastern nations. Speaking at a meeting organized by the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Lin stated that Taiwan remains committed to fostering friendships with countries that reciprocate its goodwill. He highlighted a declaration signed earlier this year by 72 members of the Israeli parliament, endorsing Taiwan’s participation in key international organizations, as a testament to Israel’s backing. Lin also criticized Palestine for aligning with Beijing’s “One-China” principle, which asserts Taiwan as an inseparable part of China. He stressed the importance of aligning human rights with national interests. Earlier this year, Taiwan faced backlash for planning a donation to a medical center in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, a region deemed illegally occupied by the International Court of Justice. When questioned about the status of the donation, Lin avoided a direct response, instead emphasizing Taiwan’s focus on providing humanitarian aid to both sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict. He revealed that Taiwanese diplomats are instructed to remain neutral in the conflict. Lin also suggested that other nations could learn from Taiwan’s strategies in dealing with China, particularly in areas like gray-zone tactics, telecommunications, and data transfers. Last week, Lin accompanied Vice President Bi-Khim Hsiao on a rare visit to Brussels, where Hsiao urged the European Union to strengthen security and trade ties with Taiwan.
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Thousands evacuated as typhoon Fung-wong brings floods to Taiwan
Taiwan faced severe flooding and widespread disruptions as Typhoon Fung-wong, though significantly weakened, unleashed torrential rains across the island. Over 8,300 residents were evacuated from vulnerable areas, particularly in the eastern counties of Yilan and Hualien, where floodwaters reached neck-deep levels. The southern regions bore the brunt of the storm, with businesses and schools forced to close, and 51 people reported injured. Television broadcasts depicted dramatic scenes of soldiers rescuing stranded individuals in Yilan, while the harbor town of Suao recorded a staggering 648 mm (25 inches) of rainfall on Tuesday, a monthly record. Fisherman Hung Chun-yi described the rapid inundation of his home, emphasizing the overwhelming intensity of the downpour. Huang En-hong, a forecaster at Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, linked the unseasonably late typhoon to broader climate change trends, warning of increasingly extreme weather patterns. Typhoon Fung-wong, which claimed 27 lives in the Philippines, is expected to skirt Taiwan’s southern tip before dissipating in the Pacific. Notably, the northern city of Hsinchu, home to TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, remained unaffected by the storm.
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China’s Singles’ Day online shopping bonanza’s sales slow as shoppers opt for more affordable deals
China’s Singles’ Day, the nation’s largest online shopping festival, recorded a 17.6% increase in sales this year, reaching an estimated 1.7 trillion yuan ($238 billion). However, the growth rate slowed compared to previous years, reflecting cautious consumer spending amid economic headwinds. The prolonged property market slump, stagnant wages, and high youth unemployment have led shoppers to prioritize affordability over extravagance.
