Author: 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.
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…
Skoda is accelerating its growth in the UAE with the launch of two new flagship showrooms, reinforcing its commitment to delivering European engineering and digital-first retail experiences to a growing customer base. The first showroom has opened on Airport Road, Abu Dhabi, with a second set to debut next month on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. These launches mark a bold step in Skoda’s regional expansion strategy, which targets tripling sales volume in the UAE within five years, following three consecutive years of double-digit growth in Abu Dhabi. Each showroom spans over 1,000 square meters, featuring an immersive and intuitive layout…
Sophos, a global cybersecurity leader, has released its sixth annual State of Ransomware 2025 report, revealing that 43% of UAE organizations hit by ransomware opted to pay the ransom to recover their data. This figure, while below the global average of 50%, highlights ongoing pressure on companies to resolve attacks quickly amid growing operational and psychological impacts. The study, based on a vendor-neutral survey of 3,400 IT and cybersecurity leaders across 17 countries, offers a sobering view of the current ransomware threat landscape. Despite increased preparedness, many organizations still face serious challenges, including rising attack sophistication, data breaches, and human…
Al Tayer Motors, one of the UAE’s premier automotive retailers, has officially launched the DEEPAL S05, a compact electric SUV from DEEPAL, the intelligent mobility brand of Changan Automotive. Following the successful debut of the DEEPAL S07 earlier this year, the S05 enters the market with a strong promise of affordability, smart design, and advanced EV technology tailored for UAE drivers. Unveiled as a dual-power compact SUV, the DEEPAL S05 is available in two variants: Speaking at the launch, Ashok Khanna, CEO of Al Tayer Motors, said: “We are delighted to unveil DEEPAL’s newest model within just four months of…
Orange Jordan has hosted a specialized job fair for young programmers graduating from its Orange Digital Center’s coding programs, offering a vital bridge between emerging tech talent and employment opportunities in the local market. The event, held under the supervision of the Digital Skills Association, brought together several companies and organizations keen to tap into a pool of newly trained developers. The initiative was supported by the Youth, Technology, and Jobs (DigiSkills) program under Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, and by Proparco, the investment arm of the French Development Agency (AFD). The job fair served as a practical…
Mashreq, a leading financial institution in the MENA region, has officially opened its representative office in Türkiye, deepening its engagement with Turkish financial institutions and corporates. The move marks a significant milestone in Mashreq’s international expansion and underscores its strategic focus on enhancing regional and global connectivity. The new office strengthens Mashreq’s position as a key partner in Türkiye, where the bank has long been a major player in correspondent banking, syndicated loans, and capital market activities. The bank has also served as a leading bookrunner for several high-profile bond transactions by Turkish borrowers, including prominent capital market issuances by…
Dubai-based airline flydubai has announced the resumption of daily flights to Damascus, the capital of Syria, starting 26 June 2025. The flights will depart from Terminal 2 of Dubai International Airport (DXB), marking a significant step in the gradual reopening of regional airspace and the airline’s wider return to its full network schedule. The decision follows the easing of airspace restrictions in the region and the completion of necessary operational assessments. The carrier plans to restore its entire route network by 01 July, with a focus on maintaining flexibility and safety in a still-developing operational landscape. Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO…
Deloitte Middle East and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have announced a major expansion of their regional partnership, with a joint commitment to deliver $1 billion worth of services by 2030, aiming to accelerate digital transformation across the Middle East. Unveiled at a strategic meeting at Deloitte’s offices in Dubai, the alliance builds on the companies’ global collaboration and underscores their shared ambition to support rapid cloud adoption and advanced technology integration in key regional industries. As part of the expanded initiative, Deloitte and AWS will co-invest in scaling local capabilities, building a skilled talent pool, and launching dedicated Centers of…