Author: Sam Allcock

BlueFive Capital, a newly established investment platform from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, has successfully closed its Founding Shareholders Circle investment round, securing a valuation of $120 million. The round was oversubscribed, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company’s ambitious global strategy. Formed at the end of 2024, BlueFive Capital has already emerged as one of the fastest-growing asset managers in the region, with over $650 million in assets under management (AUM). Its leadership and investor base span key financial centres including London, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Singapore, and Beijing. The company is led by Founder and…

Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has announced the launch of 21 new academic programs for the Fall 2025–2026 intake, significantly expanding its educational offering to a total of 65 accredited programs. The expansion spans undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, and is designed to meet the growing demand for talent in AI, cybersecurity, healthcare, education, and law. All new programs have received approval from the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), and are aligned with national goals to foster a diversified, knowledge-based economy in the UAE. In a statement, Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of ADU, said: “With our students being at the core…

Thales has achieved a key milestone in the rapidly expanding Internet of Things (IoT) landscape by earning the GSMA Security Assurance (eSA) certification for its latest eSIM solution, designed to comply with the SGP.32 IoT standard. With over 5.8 billion IoT cellular connections projected globally by 2030 (according to GSMA Intelligence), the need for secure, scalable and easily deployable connectivity has become critical. Thales’ newly certified solution is tailored to meet these demands, enabling seamless remote activation of eSIM-enabled IoT devices — without the need for physical SIM cards or smartphone intermediaries. The SGP.32 standard, developed by GSMA, introduces a…

The Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa has unveiled its newly transformed Beach Villas with Pool, marking a significant upgrade in design, space, and guest experience. Replacing the former Beach Bungalows, these fresh beachfront retreats now offer twice as much outdoor space, a larger pool, and a light, breezy design inspired by the colours of the sea and sun. Designed with couples, honeymooners, and young families in mind, each Beach Villa offers uninterrupted ocean and lagoon views, alongside a tranquil layout that blends indoor and outdoor living. Accommodating up to three adults or two adults and two children (under…

As global travel surges this summer, Emirates has released its 2025 summer trends, spotlighting destinations that have captured the imagination of travellers in July and August. Based on global booking data and search patterns, the airline highlights a shift toward cultural exploration and off-the-beaten-path escapes. Flight searches across the Emirates network have risen 7% year-on-year, with countries such as France, Ireland, Canada, and Saudi Arabia seeing notable increases. France leads with a 35% surge in outbound travel interest, while Vietnam emerges as the standout destination, recording a 61% leap in demand. With 25 weekly flights to Ho Chi Minh City,…

Copenhagen has been named the world’s most liveable city in the 2025 Global Liveability Index, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The Danish capital leads a list that includes Vienna, Zurich, Geneva, and Melbourne, all celebrated for their blend of culture, design, safety, and quality of life. Copenhagen’s top ranking reflects its reputation for sustainability, innovative urban planning, and a thriving culinary and cultural scene. Travellers can experience this award-winning city through IHG Hotels & Resorts, particularly at the Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers. Situated near the Bella Center and Ørestad Metro, the eco-conscious hotel offers easy access to central…

Dubai South Properties has achieved a significant sales milestone with the sell-out of the first two phases of its newly launched luxury residential project, Hayat by Dubai South, within just a few hours. The rapid sales generated over AED 1.2 billion, highlighting strong market demand and investor confidence in the area’s real estate potential. Launched as a master-planned luxury community, Hayat is set to offer approximately 2,500 residential units once completed. The development will feature a diverse mix of townhouses, semi-detached and standalone villas, mansions, apartments, and hotel apartments, with configurations ranging from one to five bedrooms. According to the…

Shell and the Nissan Formula E Team have officially extended their long-standing technical collaboration, marking another chapter in their partnership within the FIA Formula E World Championship. The renewed agreement aims to drive further innovation in electric vehicle (EV) performance, with a strong focus on sustainable mobility and advanced lubricant technologies. As the sport enters Seasons 11 and 12, the two companies will continue their co-development of Shell EV-Plus fluids, which include bespoke E-Transmission and E-Thermal fluids engineered specifically for the intense demands of Formula E racing. These fluids are designed to enhance thermal management and efficiency—critical factors in the…

Kia Corporation has strengthened its reputation for vehicle safety, with three of its 2025 models earning the coveted Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) — the organisation’s highest safety honour. The 2025 Kia K4 (built after January 2025), Kia EV9, and Kia Telluride were each awarded the TSP+ designation, placing them among the safest vehicles available in the U.S. market under the IIHS’s updated and more demanding crash test criteria. These awards affirm Kia’s growing leadership in automotive safety innovation, particularly in structural design and the use of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).…

LG Electronics is turning up the volume on its audio line-up with the help of an unlikely but high-profile collaborator — six-time Grammy winner and tech innovator will.i.am. The partnership marks a new chapter in the company’s XBOOM series, as the Black Eyed Peas frontman worked directly with LG’s audio engineers to improve the sound quality and identity across the entire range. The first product to emerge from this partnership is the XBOOM Stage301, a rugged, portable speaker set to launch next month. Featuring a 120-watt output powered by a 6.5-inch woofer and dual 2.5-inch midrange drivers, the Stage301 aims…