Author: Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock is a seasoned media professional and content strategist with a passion for storytelling across digital platforms. As a contributor to Abu Dhabi Week, Sam brings a sharp editorial eye and a deep appreciation for the culture, innovation, and lifestyle that define the UAE capital. With over a decade of experience in journalism and public relations, he covers everything from local events and business trends to travel, dining, and community highlights. When he's not writing, Sam is exploring the hidden gems of Abu Dhabi, always on the lookout for the next story worth sharing.
New Command and Control Centre to Oversee UAE’s Largest Data Centre Portfolio and Integrate into G42’s Global Intelligence Grid Presight, a global pioneer in artificial intelligence and big data analytics, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Khazna Data Centers, one of the world’s leading hyperscale infrastructure providers, to introduce an innovative AI-based facility management system across Khazna’s network of data centres throughout the UAE. The collaboration will see Presight implement a cutting-edge, AI-driven command and control platform to manage 30 data centres nationwide. Operated from a secure, advanced AI hub in Abu Dhabi, the system will leverage…
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 16 October 2025 – Wio Bank PJSC, the Middle East’s premier digital financial platform, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Alibaba Cloud, the digital and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, to promote the integration of artificial intelligence and cloud technology across the region’s fintech landscape. The agreement, signed at GITEX Global 2025, signals a new phase of collaboration aimed at redefining digital banking through innovation and data intelligence. The partnership enhances Wio Bank’s multi-cloud approach and accelerates its use of generative AI, supported by Alibaba Cloud’s state-of-the-art technologies such as the Qwen large language…
The stage is set for one of the year’s most anticipated sporting spectacles as UFC® 321: ASPINALL vs GANE headlines Abu Dhabi Showdown Week 2025. Taking place on 25 October at Etihad Arena, the event will feature Tom Aspinall defending his undisputed heavyweight title and the Arab world’s first-ever UFC women’s championship fight, where Virna Jandiroba faces Mackenzie Dern for the strawweight belt. From 20–26 October, the city will come alive with free fan activations, open workouts, and live appearances at Yas Mall and Yas Bay. Fans can immerse themselves in a full schedule of pre-fight activities. On 22 October,…
XBase Virtual Assets Broker & Dealer Services (XBase), under the XBD Group umbrella, has obtained In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) for its Broker-Dealer Services Licence. This milestone signifies the final phase before XBase launches full operations, pending formal authorisation. It represents another key moment in the evolution of Dubai’s regulated digital finance ecosystem and highlights the emirate’s growing global influence in the virtual asset landscape. The approval reinforces Dubai’s proactive efforts to create a transparent and sustainable framework for virtual assets. As of 2025, Dubai hosts the world’s largest regulated market for digital assets,…
Investment and Grid Bottlenecks Threaten Momentum, IRENA and Partners Warn Ahead of COP30 The world risks falling short of its renewable energy and efficiency targets despite achieving record deployment last year, warns a new report jointly published today by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the COP30 Brazilian Presidency, and the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA). The findings were presented at a high-level pre-COP30 gathering in Brasília. According to the report, global renewable energy capacity grew by an unprecedented 582 GW in 2024 – the largest single-year increase to date. Yet this remains insufficient to achieve the COP28 UAE Consensus commitment…
Metropolitan Capital Real Estate Achieves AED 2.7 Billion in Deals Abu Dhabi’s property sector delivered an exceptional performance over the summer of 2025, with the total transaction value exceeding AED 11.6 billion—more than double the same period last year. The analysis, released by Metropolitan Capital Real Estate, a leading agency under the Metropolitan Group, marks the highest-performing summer in the capital’s real estate history. From June to August 2025, activity remained buoyant, supported by continued investor optimism, new off-plan launches, and government reforms including wider Golden Visa eligibility and the allowance of full foreign property ownership. Insights from the Abu…
Aiming to reshape how hotels engage with guests and manage operations, The First Group Hospitality has entered into a strategic partnership with Inntelo AI, a leading provider of AI-native guest experience and operations solutions. This collaboration marks a bold new chapter in the digital reinvention of hospitality. Building on a successful deployment at TRYP by Wyndham Dubai, the company will roll out Inntelo’s innovative technology across all its properties, including the iconic Ciel Dubai Marina – Vignette Collection by IHG, soon to be recognised as the tallest hotel in the world. Through Inntelo’s AI-powered ecosystem, guests will enjoy instant, intuitive…
The spotlight will be on Riyadh later this month as the city welcomes Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity, the Kingdom’s largest and most influential creative marketing gathering. The festival will bring together top decision makers, leading brands, and emerging talent to celebrate innovation and the power of creative communication. Featuring a remarkable lineup of over 200 renowned speakers, the festival will host some of the industry’s most recognised creative minds, including HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud, Jo Malone CBE, Ellie Norman, Mo Gawdat, and Ali Ali. Together, they will share insights, experiences, and forward-thinking perspectives shaping the…
From spooky dining to fang-tastic fun, Central Hotels & Resorts transforms October into a month of food, festivities, and frightful delights. Dubai, UAE; 14 October 2025 – Central Hotels & Resorts is turning up the excitement this October with a series of themed dining events that combine delicious cuisine with family fun. From Halloween celebrations to Oktoberfest-inspired gatherings, guests can look forward to a vibrant line-up of experiences across the group’s renowned Dubai properties, each promising exceptional flavours and lively entertainment. At Canal Central Hotel Business Bay, guests are invited to “Fangs & Feasts” Night Brunch at Lilly’s Social House.…
The UAE capital is set to welcome the return of world-class women’s tennis as the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, announces the dates for its highly anticipated fourth edition. The tournament will take place from 31 January to 7 February 2026 at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City. Following a record-breaking 2025 event, which saw eight of the world’s top 20 players and thousands of fans attend over eight thrilling days, the 2026 edition promises to deliver even greater excitement, reaffirming Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for top-tier sporting events. The Mubadala…