Author: Sam Allcock

Oman Air has been named among the world’s leading airlines after winning the 2026 APEX WORLD CLASS™ award, the second year in a row the carrier has secured the accolade. The award, accredited by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), is considered the highest benchmark in the aviation industry, recognising excellence across the entire passenger journey. Airlines are assessed across a range of factors including comfort, personal attention, cuisine, and presentation. The announcement was made during the APEX Global Expo in California, United States, where the award was received on behalf of Oman Air by Renata Rached, the airline’s Vice…

Oman has launched a new initiative to instil sustainability values in young people, with over 100 female students from Safana Bint Hatim Al Tai School in Yiti set to become the country’s first “Sustainability Ambassadors.” The programme, introduced in partnership between the Ministry of Education, Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group), The Sustainable City – Yiti and Carbon 6, with support from the Marriott Business Council, aims to inspire students to champion green practices in their schools and communities. Targeting Grades 7 to 9, the project will involve 111 students in workshops and practical activities covering renewable energy, waste recycling,…

Property developer Aldar has announced the complete sell-out of 450 townhomes at its newly launched Al Deem community in northeast Yas Island, with total sales exceeding AED 1.8 billion. The demand underscores the strong appetite among Emirati families for high-quality, community-focused housing, Aldar said, while reaffirming its strategy to design homes tailored to the needs of Abu Dhabi’s residents. Who bought the homes? The data reveals notable trends in buyer demographics: Aldar described the sales pattern as evidence of rising demand for communities that combine contemporary design with traditional values, particularly from younger families. Homes with a difference Al Deem…

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has officially launched the mezzanine level of its Coffee Centre, adding 500 square metres of premium workspace designed to support global coffee trade, innovation and business growth. The new facility features 16 private offices, flexible hot-desking, and a members-only espresso bar for demonstrations and client hosting. The launch comes at a pivotal time for the industry, as coffee — one of the most widely traded commodities — faces shifting trade dynamics, climate pressures and evolving consumer demand. Coffee at an inflection point DMCC timed the announcement with the release of its latest Future of Trade…

American University of Sharjah (AUS) has been recognised among the world’s leading institutions for sustainability in the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index, published by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). AUS secured second place globally in curriculum and sixth place in research, the highest positions ever achieved by a university in the Middle East. The recognition highlights the university’s growing global impact and its commitment to aligning education and research with pressing environmental and social challenges. The Sustainable Campus Index draws on data from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), a framework used by…

Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi has announced an exclusive offer to mark Saudi National Day, inviting Saudi nationals to enjoy a discounted seaside getaway. Between 20 and 30 September, Saudi citizens booking a stay of two nights or more at the luxury resort will receive 20% off their accommodation. The offer applies across a range of rooms and suites, from intimate one-bedroom options to the expansive four-bedroom Royal Suite designed for family celebrations. Positioned on the edge of the Arabian Gulf, just minutes from Abu Dhabi’s bustling city centre, Rixos Marina combines beachfront leisure with urban convenience. The resort’s facilities cater…

SAP SE has announced a partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team to implement intelligent enterprise solutions aimed at boosting operational efficiency, compliance, and innovation as the sport prepares for new financial regulations in 2026. Under the revised FIA framework, the cost cap will rise to $215 million to account for expanded technical regulations and previously exempted items. While the increase provides greater scope, it also brings more stringent oversight and reporting requirements. For teams, the challenge lies in balancing performance with financial discipline. Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS will adopt SAP Cloud ERP Private as its digital core, providing the team…

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…