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.
As industries worldwide grapple with ageing infrastructure and critical workforce shortages, a new global initiative is tapping into student innovation to bridge the gap. Bentley Systems, a Nasdaq-listed infrastructure software company, has launched the 2025 iTwin4Good Challenge in collaboration with Enactus, the global student entrepreneurship non-profit. The international competition, now in its second year, invites university students from across five regions—the United States, Germany, Canada, the UK and Ireland, and Brazil—to develop digital twin applications aimed at solving pressing social and environmental challenges in their communities. Digital twin technology, which creates real-time digital replicas of physical infrastructure systems, is increasingly…
In a significant cross-continental tech development, Dubai-based crypto infrastructure company Omining has expanded its operations into Kenya, launching one of the region’s first large-scale Web3 facilities established by a UAE entity. The new hub, located within Kenya’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near Naivasha, will begin with a 90-megawatt crypto mining capacity, with plans to increase to 200 megawatts in the near future. The move comes amid growing international interest in Kenya’s SEZ framework. Major global tech companies like Microsoft have already established a presence, while Google and Amazon are reportedly conducting due diligence for entry. Omining’s early-stage investment reflects growing…
The Dubai Sports Council has kicked off its ambitious summer initiative titled “Our Summer is Sporty”, offering a wide variety of sports and wellness activities across the city from now until the end of August. The campaign is designed to foster a culture of year-round physical activity, even during the intense UAE summer, and includes more than a dozen venues and sporting categories to suit all ages and abilities. Aiming to enhance quality of life and maintain Dubai’s reputation as one of the world’s most active cities, the initiative will host events ranging from snow-based cycling to indoor mall races…
Dubai Customs has significantly intensified its operations across all border points in a bid to counter drug smuggling, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a global leader in safe customs practices. These efforts align with a national strategy aimed at shielding society from the dangers of drug trafficking, and are being carried out through cutting-edge inspection technology, enhanced international cooperation, and ongoing training of frontline staff. Speaking on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, marked annually on June 26, Yasser Al-Muslimi, Senior Customs Affairs Consultant and Supervisor of the Customs Inspection Sector, underlined the department’s…
In a bold statement of performance and regional relevance, Nissan premiered the all-new Patrol NISMO in the Middle East on Thursday, unveiling the high-powered SUV to a crowd of motoring enthusiasts and media. A decade after introducing the first Patrol NISMO, this latest model is engineered specifically for Middle Eastern drivers and conditions — a world-first debut that highlights the region’s significance in Nissan’s global strategy. Boasting 495 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque, the new Patrol NISMO becomes the most powerful Patrol to date, featuring a region-specific twin-turbo V6 engine and an aggressive aerodynamic redesign. Developed through extensive customer…
Al Masaood Equipment Rental, a division of the Abu Dhabi-based Al Masaood Group, concluded a successful presence at the Middle East Event Show 2025, engaging with over 5,000 industry stakeholders and underlining its role as a key player in the region’s fast-evolving events sector. Held in Dubai, the show offered a vital platform for leading suppliers and innovators to connect with event planners, venue operators, and government representatives. Al Masaood Equipment Rental, participating as a Gold Sponsor, took the opportunity to unveil its comprehensive suite of rental solutions tailored specifically for large-scale events and outdoor operations. Spotlight on Innovation and…
One of the Middle East’s most iconic aquatic destinations is making waves once again. Miral, the creator behind many of Abu Dhabi’s flagship entertainment projects, has announced the official opening of Yas Waterworld’s largest-ever expansion on July 1, 2025, welcoming visitors to an exciting new realm themed around a “Lost City.” The newly developed 13,445-square-metre area is a continuation of the park’s original story, The Legend of the Lost Pearl, and features more than 20 new rides, slides, and experiences, raising the total to over 60 water attractions—the most of any waterpark in the region. A New Chapter: The “Lost…
Acer Gadget, a subsidiary of Acer Inc., has unveiled its latest ventures into artificial intelligence-powered wearables and smart mobility at COMPUTEX 2025, one of the world’s leading technology trade shows. Among the headline innovations are the Acer FreeSense Ring and AI TransBuds, alongside a comprehensive display of new e-scooters and e-bikes. These announcements underscore Acer’s growing ambition to blend wellness, communication, and smart mobility through technology-driven design. Wellness Reimagined: The Acer FreeSense Ring Taking centre stage is the Acer FreeSense Ring, a sleek, titanium-alloy wearable that combines elegant aesthetics with real-time biometric monitoring. The ring captures core health metrics—such as…
Dubai’s Al Habtoor City is inviting residents and tourists to indulge in a luxurious summer retreat with the launch of its ‘Stay Longer & Save More’ offer. Set within the heart of Dubai, this premier hospitality destination features three distinct five-star properties—Al Habtoor Palace Dubai, Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, and V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton—each catering to a range of tastes and travel styles. From palatial elegance to avant-garde flair, each hotel in the collection offers signature suites and curated experiences designed to make any stay unforgettable. Al Habtoor Palace Dubai: Regal Refinement For those drawn to…
In a move set to reshape how emotional and behavioral development is integrated into classrooms, AnaAkhtar, the first EdTech platform in the MENA region focused on social, emotional, and behavioral (SEB) learning, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Jordan. The signing ceremony, held at the university’s campus in Amman, brought together leading figures in regional education. The MoU was officially signed by H.E. Dr. Nathir Obeidat, President of the University of Jordan, and Ms. Eman Al Otaibi, Founder and CEO of AnaAkhtar, underscoring a shared commitment to embedding emotional intelligence and behavioral well-being into…