The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its economic growth forecast for the Middle East and North Africa this year, despite a gloomy global prediction. The regional economy is now expected to grow by 3.4%, up from 3.1% in April. Globally, growth is forecast at 3.1%, compared to 3.2% three months ago. IMF largely blames the negative outlook on Brexit, saying the financial and oil markets started recovering earlier this year, under the assumption that the UK would remain in the EU.
Waymo to update software after power outage snarls self-driving vehicles
Alphabet unit Waymo has announced on Tuesday that it will update software used to operate its self-driving vehicles and improve its emergency response protocols after its robotaxis stalled in parts of San Francisco on Saturday due to a widespread power outage that snarled traffic.
Masdar to develop Southeast Asia’s largest floating solar plant
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company – Masdar has announced its first project in Malaysia, with the signing of a power purchase agreement (PPA) to develop a 200-megawatt floating solar photovoltaic project at the Chereh Dam in Pahang State.
New York Times reporter sues Google, xAI, OpenAI over chatbot training
An investigative reporter and author has sued Elon Musk's xAI, Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, Meta Platforms and Perplexity on Monday for using copyrighted books without permission to train their artificial intelligence systems.
New Zealand concludes FTA with India with aim to double trade
New Zealand and India said on Monday they had concluded talks on a free trade deal that would help to double bilateral trade over the next five years.
Mubadala partners with Actis to invest over $350 million in Rezolv Energy
Mubadala Investment Company has committed around €300 million (around $351.5 million) to partner with leading growth market sustainable infrastructure investor Actis in Rezolv Energy, a rapidly scaling independent renewable energy platform in Central and Eastern Europe.
Dubai Municipality has announced that the final phase of the ban on single-use plastic products in the emirate will come into force on January 1, 2026.
The UAE has welcomed the recent agreement signed in Muscat on the exchange of prisoners and detainees in Yemen, calling it an important humanitarian step that eases suffering and supports stability in the region.
The UAE has reinforced its position as a global humanitarian leader in 2025, ranking third worldwide in aid contributions with $1.46 billion, according to data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' (OCHA) Financial Tracking Service.
