Author: Sam Allcock

Maserati has made history in the collector car market after a 2005 MC12 Stradale sold for $5.2 million at Broad Arrow’s Monterey Jet Center Auction in California. The record-breaking result, achieved on 13 August during Monterey Car Week, cements the model as the most expensive modern Maserati ever sold at auction. Only 50 examples of the MC12 Stradale were produced – 25 in 2004 and a further 25 in 2005 – making it one of the rarest road cars from the Italian marque. Its design and performance were closely linked to the MC12 GT1, which dominated international racing in the…

Emirates is marking the annual Kerala harvest festival of Onam with authentic festive dishes onboard flights between Dubai and two of the state’s busiest gateways – Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram – until 6 September. Renowned for menus inspired by diverse cultural celebrations, the airline is serving traditional Onam favourites across all cabin classes, offering a taste of home to travellers from Kerala as well as an introduction to the festival for others. Traditional flavours in the air Passengers in Economy Class will be welcomed with appetisers that set the tone of the celebrations. The offerings include sharkara upperi – banana roasted…

Samsung Electronics has unveiled the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite, a new tablet designed to make productivity, creativity and entertainment more accessible to a wider audience. The device, announced on Thursday, combines a 10.9-inch display, bundled S Pen, intelligent features and AI-powered tools in a lightweight and affordable package. It will be available worldwide from 5 September in three colours: grey, silver and coral red. Changtae Kim, EVP & Head of New Computing R&D Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, said the tablet was built to be “a reliable companion” for everyday life. “We designed it to empower users to…

Two luxury island resorts in the Maldives are extending exclusive offers to Saudi travellers this September as part of the Kingdom’s National Day celebrations. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru have introduced two tailored packages – Blue Skies Ahead and Romance in Paradise – promising Saudi guests discounts, complimentary nights, and a host of luxury experiences designed to mark the occasion in style. Blue Skies Ahead The Blue Skies Ahead package is aimed at families and leisure seekers. Guests will receive 20% off Bed & Breakfast rates, daily breakfast for two,…

Emirati media figure and presenter Anas Bukhash has revealed how he narrowly escaped death after his car was engulfed in flames in a sudden and devastating fire. Bukhash, best known for hosting his popular interview series ABtalks, shared the details of the incident on Instagram, where he posted a video and photos of the burnt-out vehicle. The story quickly spread online, drawing widespread reactions from fans, colleagues, and fellow media personalities across the region. The presenter described the ordeal as both terrifying and extraordinary. He credited “divine providence” and what he called a “technical glitch” for saving his life and…

Dubai-based fashion designer Katya Kovtunovich has built her eponymous label around one of the UAE’s most traditional fabrics — and in doing so, turned a cultural symbol into a global fashion statement. Her brand, launched in 2014, is best known for flowing tunics and dresses made with Sadu, a Bedouin textile historically used for tents, carpets, and camel saddlebags. Over the past decade, Kovtunovich’s designs have reached more than 70 countries, worn by international stars including Lady Gaga, Andrea Bocelli, Lindsay Lohan, as well as senior UAE officials such as Ministers Ohood Al Roumi and Reem Al Hashimy. “This black…

For many professionals, the day begins before the alarm clock has even rung, with competing demands from work, home, and community life. For one Dubai-based executive, however, balance has been found through what she calls the “power of three” – a daily ritual of setting intentions across five areas of her life. In a demanding corporate career within a male-dominated industry, she once leaned heavily into a competitive, high-output approach, believing that success required mimicking masculine leadership styles. But she says the turning point came when she embraced intuition, empathy and creativity – qualities she identifies with feminine energy. “I…

The Middle East’s rapidly evolving technology ecosystem is set to take centre stage later this year, as the 2025 Tech Innovation Awards are announced for Dubai. Organised by Entrepreneur Middle East, the awards will be held on 25 September 2025 at Al Habtoor Palace, recognising individuals and enterprises driving the region’s digital transformation. The event, now firmly established in the MENA innovation calendar, is designed to celebrate achievements across multiple industries. From fintech and healthtech to logistics, agritech, and gaming, the awards seek to showcase both established players and emerging startups making their mark on the sector. Wide-ranging categories Nominations…

Saudi Arabia has launched the second edition of its Estrdad initiative, setting aside SAR1.5 billion (around $400m) to refund government fees for startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The programme, run by Monsha’at, the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, is intended to ease operating costs, stimulate entrepreneurship and drive the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy away from oil. Under the scheme, firms can claim refunds on 10 types of government charges, including up to 80% of the expatriate labour levy, commercial registration, municipality licences, Chamber of Commerce subscriptions, trademark and patent registrations. Officials say…

PayPal, the global digital payments giant, has announced the establishment of its regional headquarters in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a significant step in the country’s drive to strengthen its role as a global hub for commerce and technology. The move adds PayPal to the growing list of multinational firms choosing the Emirates as their base for operations across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Other recent entrants include telecom operator Veon and private equity group Fortress, underlining the UAE’s increasing appeal to international business. Strategic hub The UAE’s strategic location, world-class financial infrastructure, and business-friendly policies are…