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.
Dubai-based ultra-luxury real estate developer Omniyat has successfully priced a USD 400 million 3.5-year Sukuk, marking its second issuance in less than six months. The move underscores robust investor confidence in the company’s financial profile and Dubai’s high-end property market. The new Sukuk will be listed on both the London Stock Exchange’s International Securities Market and Nasdaq Dubai in the coming days. It attracted strong regional and international demand, with the orderbook closing at more than USD 800 million — over twice the issue size — after peaking above USD 1 billion. The profit rate of 7.25% reflects a tightening…
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has unveiled an interactive online edition of the Burj Rashid Exhibition, expanding access to a showcase that commemorates one of the emirate’s most significant landmarks. The exhibition was first launched in 2024 to mark the 45th anniversary of Burj Rashid. Curated by Kamla Al Olama, it was hosted at Al Safa Art and Design Library and ran for five months, supported by organisations including 7X, Al Bayan, Gulf News, John R. Harris & Partners and Ramesh Gallery at the Four Seasons Gallery. The digital version builds on the success of that physical exhibition, offering audiences…
Axis Communications has announced the launch of a high-performance recording server designed specifically to optimise artificial intelligence (AI)–based analytics in video surveillance. The new AXIS Camera Station S1228 Rack AI Optimized Server is engineered to handle intensive workloads such as free text search in AXIS Camera Station Pro Smart Search. It promises to deliver significant improvements in speed and efficiency, even in complex, crowded environments. According to Axis, the device can process up to ten times more detections than a standard server, depending on scene complexity and resolution. This allows free text search results to appear up to 1,000 times…
Al Masaood Automobiles, the authorised distributor of Nissan in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, has rolled out a new safety initiative aimed at keeping vehicles in top condition during the capital’s busiest driving season. The “Back on the Road Safely” campaign offers Nissan owners exclusive discounts on replacing all four tyres, alongside a complimentary vehicle health inspection. The company says the initiative reflects its dual focus on road safety and long-term customer value. With more residents expected to travel on highways and off-road tracks in the coming weeks, the campaign underscores the importance of preventative maintenance. Tyre wear…
Apple enthusiasts in the UAE and Kuwait can mark their calendars as pre-orders for the new iPhone 17 series open on Friday, September 12, with official availability beginning a week later on September 19. Revealed during Apple’s highly anticipated event on September 9 at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, the new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max generated buzz for their sleek upgrades, powerful performance, and AI-driven features. Alongside the phones, Apple also introduced its latest Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, SE, and the AirPods Pro 3.2. UAE & Kuwait to…
In a world first, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama has appointed a virtual, AI-generated minister to his new cabinet. Named Dela—which means “the sun” in Albanian—the digital minister will oversee government contracts with a mission to ensure total transparency and eliminate corruption. The unprecedented announcement comes just months after Rama secured a fourth consecutive term in office. With Albania’s long-standing ambition to join the European Union by 2030, good governance and anti-corruption measures remain central to the country’s reform agenda. “Every euro of public money must be handled openly, and every public tender must be free from corruption,” said Rama…
The engineering profession is experiencing a strong resurgence in the UAE, fuelled by technological innovation and the country’s sustainability agenda, according to the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK). As traditional job roles are redefined by automation, AI, and digital transformation, engineering is emerging as a key career path for future-ready students. The School of Engineering and Computing at AURAK says demand for engineers is on the rise, not only in legacy sectors such as construction and petroleum but also in cutting-edge fields like AI, robotics, and renewable energy. “AURAK has always been proactive in bridging the gap between…
Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global leader in IoT and GNSS technologies, has unveiled four new high-performance GNSS antennas, expanding its comprehensive ecosystem of precision positioning products. These latest additions are engineered to deliver centimeter-level accuracy and meet the evolving demands of industries like autonomous vehicles, robotics, agriculture, and surveying. The announcement comes as Quectel showcases its full product lineup, including live demonstrations, at Nepcon Vietnam in Hanoi, where it is exhibiting at Booth S26. Four New GNSS Antennas for a Precision-Critical World Built for the Next Generation of GNSS Modules The new antennas are optimized to pair with Quectel’s latest…
Omani data solutions provider Rihal has successfully closed the first tranche of its Series A funding round, securing $7.5 million from strategic investor ITHCA Group. The company is targeting a total raise of $15 million, with a second close now open to regional strategic investors, as demand for enterprise data solutions surges across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The fresh capital injection marks a significant milestone in Rihal’s journey, reinforcing investor confidence in the company’s business model, which has posted a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 119% since its seed round in 2021. A Regional Data Pioneer on the…
The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, in partnership with international law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, has released the sixth edition of its flagship publication, The Guide to Doing Business in the United Arab Emirates. The newly updated guide provides American companies with a detailed and practical overview of the evolving U.A.E. business environment. This edition comes amid a wave of economic reforms, regulatory shifts, and an intensifying U.S.-U.A.E. commercial partnership, offering a roadmap for U.S. businesses looking to enter or expand within the Emirates. Key Developments Since 2023 The 2025 guide incorporates several pivotal changes and emerging trends: Opportunities for…