Airlines less optimistic for 2025, facing ‘headwinds’: IATA

• The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates fewer than five billion air journeys will take place this year, compared with the previously forecast 5.22 billion.
• Commercial aviation revenues are expected to remain below the $1 trillion forecast in the previous December projections, with IATA now reporting $979 billion.

Indian airline IndiGo orders 30 Airbus A350 widebody planes

• The low-cost carrier, India's biggest by market share, is positioning itself as a significant player in the long-haul market.
• The A350 planes, with ranges of up to 15,000 kilometers (9,300 miles), will allow it to expand its network further.

Oil under $65 a boon for consumers, but a burden on producers

• The fall in oil prices has contributed to a global slowdown for inflation, while also boosting growth in countries reliant on importing crude, such as much of Europe.
• Cheaper crude "increases the level of disposable income" consumers have to be spending on "discretionary items" such as leisure and tourism, experts say.

The five biggest-selling gaming consoles

• Japanese tech and entertainment giant Sony sparked a global frenzy with the release of PlayStation 2 in 2000.
• The Nintendo Switch, released in 2017, had a tablet format allowing users to play on a large screen at home or on public transport, helping to turn it into a sensation.

Silicon Valley VCs navigate uncertain AI future

• Leading the pack is OpenAI, which raised $40 billion in its latest funding round at a $300 billion valuation -- unprecedented largesse in Silicon Valley's history.
• Other AI giants are following suit. Anthropic now commands a $61.5 billion valuation, while Elon Musk's xAI is reportedly in talks to raise $20 billion at a $120 billion price tag.

Saudi Pro League announces long-term partnership with Maaden

• The partnership will focus on strengthening Maaden’s position as an employer of choice in Saudi Arabia
• The collaboration will also explore joint initiatives across community engagement and national talent development

Syria inks $7 bn energy deal with Qatari, Turkish, US firms

Cross-border deals fuel M&A surge in MENA region in Q1 2025

• Cross-border deals were the primary engine behind this growth, accounting for 52 percent of the total deal volume (117 deals) and 81% of the total deal value ($37.3bn).
• The UAE cemented its position as the top target country for M&A activity in Q1 2025, attracting 63 deals totaling a substantial $20.3 billion.

Musk to exit US government role after rare break with Trump

• The South African-born tech tycoon had said Trump's bill would increase the deficit and undermine the work of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
• Musk, who was a constant presence at Trump's side before returning to his businesses, complained that DOGE had become "whipping boy" for dissatisfaction with the administration

Dubai Airport tops air connectivity ranking for Asia-Pacific and Middle East

• Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, hailed the recognition as a testament to the airport’s strategic importance in global aviation
• Griffiths highlighted that DXB’s strength lies not only in the scale of its operations but also in the reliability and quality of its services