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

Saudi Arabia unveils ‘Colour Your Summer’ program, targeting 41 million visitors

• It brings together over 120 partners from across Saudi Arabia's tourism ecosystem, including both public and private sectors, to offer an unparalleled array of experiences.
• Major events include the highly anticipated Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh from July to August, alongside dynamic Jeddah and Aseer Seasons.

ADNOC Drilling secures $1.15bn contract

• The rigs are expected to commence operations around the end of 2Q 2025, delivering revenue in the second half of 2025 onwards.
• This award further de-risks and reaffirms ADNOC Drilling’s current 2025 and medium-term guidance, the company said.