Smart Mobility: Chinese robotaxis are moving from novelty to daily life in Dubai, with Apollo Go already operating and other firms like WeRide and Pony.ai expanding autonomous ride-hailing as the UAE targets 25% smart/driverless trips by 2030. Green Cities: Egypt’s “100 million trees” push is accelerating tree planting and protection, including a national archive for rare long-lived trees as authorities tighten rules on cutting and uprooting. Gulf Security: Saudi Arabia is seeking tighter military coordination with Turkey and Pakistan under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement as Houthi missile and drone attacks intensify, including interceptions near key cities. AI Safety & Policy: Bill Gates warns AI could enable catastrophic misuse and calls for mandatory US regulation and oversight, while Google reports account-creation verification problems for Iranian users. Tech & Space (Oman): Oman’s private space sector investment jumped 270% (to OMR74mn) from 2023 to 2025, alongside growth in companies and jobs. Energy Markets: Hormuz oil flows have rebounded to about two-thirds of prewar levels as Saudi exports rise, easing some chokepoint pressure. Regional Flashpoint Tech: Iran’s IRGC claims it captured a second US Remus 600 drone in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating the tech-and-military contest over the waterway.