Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) transported more than 14 million passengers and 30 million tonnes of freight in 2025, marking record operational performance and highlighting the network’s role in supporting the kingdom’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Rail freight operations removed two million truck journeys, saving 139 million litres of fuel and reducing carbon emissions by 364,000 tonnes.

The year also saw the launch of the ‘Dream of the Desert’ luxury tourism train and the announcement of a SAR6bn real estate fund to develop lands adjacent to Makkah stations.

Saudi Arabia Railways was also awarded the International Union of Railways (UIC) prize for long-distance tourist trains.

Saudi Arabia Railways orders new trains

The company also announced the purchase of 20 new trains from Spanish manufacturer Talgo to expand the Haramain High-Speed Railway fleet.

Deliveries will begin by the end of 2028, with full delivery expected by 2031.

The new trains will serve all five stations on the network, which links Makkah and Madinah and currently operates 35 trains.

With the additions, the fleet will expand to 55 trains. Each train will consist of 13 carriages, including eight economy-class and five business-class carriages, with a total capacity of 417 seats.

The Haramain line operates at speeds of up to 300 km/h, completing the journey between Makkah and Madinah in approximately two hours.

Oracle NetSuite, announced the launch of NetSuite Next, its next-generation enterprise resource planning platform, for the UAE market.

The platform is built to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and automate complex tasks through practical AI capabilities, including embedded conversational intelligence, agentic workflows, and natural language search.

“NetSuite Next is designed to transform how AI works for business and will provide a collaborative, insightful, adaptive, and AI-centric user experience for customers in the UAE,” said Nicky Tozer, SVP, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Oracle NetSuite. “With the latest AI innovations built in, NetSuite Next delivers powerful insights and the ability to autonomously handle both repetitive and complex tasks. By grounding each insight and action in data, which in turn are governed by a user’s existing roles, permissions, and policies, NetSuite Next will enable customers in the UAE to intuitively engage with AI and achieve immediate value.”

A smarter, more intuitive user experience

At the core of NetSuite Next is Ask Oracle, a natural language assistant that allows users to search, navigate, analyse, and act across the entire NetSuite dataset using their own words. The tool delivers context-aware answers, visualisations, interactive content, and reasoning that explain the “how” and “why” behind every response. Ask Oracle works across customizations and extensions built on the SuiteCloud Platform, including partner applications in the SuiteCloud Developer Network, providing seamless contextual insight across the suite.

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Customers can switch to NetSuite Next with a single click, without migrating or disrupting existing customizations. Powered by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), NetSuite Next combines a unified data model with explainable, auditable AI and the modern Redwood Design System. This ensures every insight and action is trustworthy, helps identify opportunities and risks proactively, and allows users to retain full control over operations.

Key features of NetSuite next

NetSuite Next introduces several AI-driven tools designed to improve efficiency and insight:

• AI canvas: A collaborative workspace where users can analyze data, brainstorm solutions, and trigger agentic workflows visually.
• Narrative summaries and insights: Automated explanations in record forms, reports, and pages surface correlations and trends, enabling users to detect opportunities and risks before they escalate.
• Agentic workflows: AI-driven workflows help automate complex tasks such as payment proposals, vendor selection, reconciliations, and supply chain operations. Users can approve key decisions or let agents act autonomously.
• Document and knowledge integration: Large language models extract and validate information from invoices, contracts, PDFs, manuals, and more, turning isolated documents into actionable workflows.

Expanding AI capabilities across the suite

Oracle NetSuite has also enhanced several products to accelerate business processes, drive revenue, and support compliance in the UAE:

• NetSuite AI Connector Service: Connects NetSuite securely with external AI assistants and agent platforms. Users can select models, define accessible data, and govern model interactions.
• NetSuite Exception Management: Detects and manages finance and operational exceptions automatically, helping organisations resolve issues before period close.
• NetSuite E-Invoicing: Enables creation and sharing of electronic invoices with UAE tax authorities, supporting compliance with the UAE Federal Tax Authority’s mandate. Pilot phase starts July 1, 2026, with full rollout on January 1, 2027.
• NetSuite Subscription Metrics: Provides a single view across financial and operational performance for subscription-based businesses. Includes AI-driven insights, SaaS metrics, and visualisations.

Availability: NetSuite Next will roll out within 12 months in English in the UAE, while the AI Connector Service, Exception Management, and Subscription Metrics are already available. E-Invoicing updates align with evolving tax mandates.

Bringing actionable insights to businesses

“Users continuously want more from your business. When they spot something that needs attention, they don’t just flag it, they analyse and propose solutions,” said James Chisham, VP, Product Management, Oracle NetSuite.

He added, “The power is in your hands. Every solution is designed to give you more control, and now we’re taking it further. We want to make sure you can build your own intelligent solutions with AI, which is why we’re introducing Smart Agents. These agents can be customised directly on the Oracle Cloud Platform to work alongside your teams, manage complex workflows, and adapt to evolving policies, all within a single suite environment.”

Designed for speed, simplicity, and smart workflows

The platform is built using the Oracle Redwood Design System, ensuring speed, simplicity, and consistency. Record lists and forms feature smart filters, search, and infinite scrolling, making transactions faster and more intuitive. Reports have been redesigned for clarity, while user-friendly features like Dark Mode enhance the day-to-day experience.

NetSuite Next’s AI is purpose-driven, delivering real value in three key ways:

1. Automation – Eliminates repetitive, time-consuming tasks.
2. Insight – Surfaces actionable information.
3. Agility – Helps businesses adapt as they grow.

Advanced pricing AI allows dynamic rule-setting for costs, promotions, and customer segments. In service management, AI agents schedule technicians more efficiently and optimize workflows in real time.

Enterprise performance management gets smarter

AI in enterprise performance management now analyses, reconciles, plans, and explains processes with greater efficiency, boosting transparency while reducing manual effort:

• Prediction explanation assistant: Details how forecasts are generated to build trust and improve precision.
• Profitability and cost management agent: Automates cost allocation with a Model Builder System and Allocation Trace System, explaining allocation flows in natural language.
• AI-powered account reconciliation: Includes a proactive assistant, an AI Matching System, and automated Flux Analysis for general ledger balances.

“Confidence in insights drives business success,” said Chisham.

Analytics Warehouse: Visual, interactive insights

With Analytics Warehouse Visualisations powered by Oracle Analytics Cloud, users can transform data into dynamic, interactive summaries. Drill-downs, filters, and real-time AI interaction make it ideal for CFOs and executives preparing financial reports.

“Automation helps us move faster. Insight helps us make better decisions. But agility ensures we keep up with change,” said Chisham.

Connecting AI tools with agility

NetSuite Next’s AI Connector Service, built on the Model Context Protocol, allows multiple AI assistants to interact with NetSuite securely and in a governed way. This ensures businesses are not locked into a single vendor or model.

On invoicing, NetSuite is fully prepared for the UAE’s digital transformation and upcoming e-invoicing mandate. Companies participating in the July 2026 pilot will receive full support, with the January 2027 rollout ensuring seamless tax and compliance management.

Oracle NetSuite Next brings actionable AI, automation, and real-time insights to UAE businesses, allowing organisations to make decisions faster, reduce manual work, and adapt to evolving needs. With tools like Ask Oracle, Smart Agents, and AI-driven workflows, NetSuite Next promises a smarter, more intuitive ERP experience, transforming the way businesses operate in the region.

Aster DM Healthcare has unveiled a pipeline of projects worth Dhs1bn in the UAE, aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), aimed at strengthening local healthcare capacity and expanding access to advanced treatment across the country.

One of the GCC’s largest integrated healthcare providers, Aster currently operates 15 hospitals, 126 clinics and 338 pharmacies across the Middle East. Supported by its omnichannel app myAster, the group plans to scale its annual patient reach from 17.6 million to 75 million over the next five years. Beyond the UAE, Aster is also investing $250m to expand its footprint in Saudi Arabia across hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and digital health.

Dr. Azad Moopen, founder chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, said, “For nearly four decades, Aster has been guided by a single purpose — to make quality healthcare accessible to every community we serve. Today’s announcement reflects our deep commitment to the UAE, a country that has consistently championed innovation, excellence and patient-centricity in healthcare. Through these projects, we are strengthening local capacity, bringing advanced treatments closer to patients, and contributing to the UAE’s long-term vision of being a global hub for healthcare. We are thankful to our partners like Fajr Capital and consortium of investors who believed in our vision and have been supporting us in our journey across the region.”

Speaking at World Health Expo (WHX) 2026, Alisha Moopen, managing director & group CEO, Aster DM Healthcare, said, “The future of healthcare will be defined by advanced clinical capability and intelligent digital integration — and the UAE is setting the pace for this transformation. Our AED 1 billion pipeline is not only about adding beds or infrastructure; it is about enabling world-class care pathways locally, supported by technology, specialized talent and a connected patient experience. The new hospitals, three new robotic surgery platforms being added to the existing network, advanced robotic rehabilitation centre bringing in 18 super specialized robots and Sharjah’s first private multi-organ transplant centre, are few of the projects that will help us stay ahead of the curve in meeting fast evolving patient needs and enhance outcomes; while we continue working with the government and partners to redefine industry standards.”

Watch exclusive video interview below:

Major UAE expansion

Aster announced plans to open two new multi-specialty hospitals in Dubai, located in Studio City and Discovery Gardens. The facilities will add more than 250 beds to Aster’s existing UAE capacity of around 920 beds and are expected to serve more than 560,000 additional patients annually, while creating over 675 healthcare jobs.

The group will also expand Aster Hospital in Al Qusais through a new annex building, adding 122 operational beds and reinforcing its Centre of Excellence for Oncology and other high-demand specialties. The expansion, with an investment of AED 300 million, is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

Additionally, Aster has received approval to establish its first multi-organ transplant centre in the UAE, to be operated by Medcare Hospital in Sharjah. The facility will bring together international experts and multidisciplinary teams to deliver advanced organ transplant care, enhancing the UAE’s ability to provide complex tertiary and quaternary treatments locally.

Advanced robotic rehabilitation in Dubai

Building on the success of its Aster Al Raffah Walk Again Advanced Robotic Rehabilitation Centre in Muscat, the group will launch a similar centre in the UAE. The facility will feature 18 advanced robotic devices, including US FDA-approved technologies such as robotic exoskeletons, brain–computer interface systems, neuromodulation therapies and advanced gait and upper-limb rehabilitation solutions.

The centre will also include an Advanced Paediatric Neurorehabilitation Centre to support children with ASD, ADHD, cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental conditions, combining AI-enabled cognitive mapping, immersive VR learning and neuromodulation-supported therapies.

Aster continues to expand its robotic surgery capabilities, introducing the latest Da Vinci platform models across its network to support precision-led, minimally invasive procedures. Medcare recently became the first hospital in the world to treat an international patient with Itvisma, a gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy.

Preventive health and AI integration

Through myAster, the group is introducing Thrive, a preventive health assessment powered by a 100-biomarker test. The system analyses biomarkers across cardiac health, metabolism, hormones, inflammation and nutrition, with insights reviewed by doctors and delivered digitally to support proactive wellness.

Aster is also investing in AI-enabled diagnostics, including advanced cardiac and early-detection tools, and is exploring a unified hospital information system across its UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia operations to enhance patient experience.

At WHX 2026, Aster Pharmacy showcased 38 brands from 15 countries and launched seven new brands in the UAE, including NDL, a sports nutrition brand backed by Rafael Nadal, marking its entry into the UAE market.

Through its continued expansion, digital integration and focus on preventive care, Aster DM Healthcare aims to build a future-ready healthcare ecosystem across the GCC, reinforcing its position as one of the UAE’s leading healthcare providers.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has shut down 230 social media accounts over the past year for illegally promoting domestic worker recruitment services, in coordination with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).

The action followed investigations that confirmed the account holders were operating without the required licences from the Ministry and were not affiliated with any authorised domestic worker recruitment offices. MoHRE said this constitutes a clear violation of the Domestic Workers Law.

The Ministry reaffirmed that it maintains strict oversight of domestic worker recruitment services through an integrated field and digital regulatory framework designed to protect the rights of all parties while ensuring high-quality, competitive services for employers and families across the UAE.

MoHRE also commended TDRA’s role in supporting the shutdown of illegal social media accounts, noting that such collaboration strengthens unified government efforts to curb violations in the sector.

In a press statement, the Ministry urged employers and Emirati and resident families to deal only with licensed domestic worker recruitment offices. It encouraged the public to report misleading advertisements or negative practices via the call centre at 600590000, and to consult the official list of licensed offices available on its website.

MoHRE warned that engaging with unlicensed recruitment offices could result in the loss of legal rights for employers, along with potential non-compliance with mandatory procedures such as medical examinations and background checks. Such lapses, the Ministry said, may pose serious risks to families.

Licensed recruitment offices operate under clearly defined service standards and approved pricing structures. They are required to provide trained and qualified domestic workers who meet regulatory requirements and are prepared to work in safe and healthy environments.

Read: UAE labour ministry shuts down domestic worker recruitment agency in Ajman

SITA has launched its Advance Flight Delay Notification API, designed to give airlines and airports earlier visibility of potential delays, enabling proactive intervention before disruption escalates.

The cost of delayed response is already substantial. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), air traffic flow management delays in Europe alone have cost airlines and passengers $19.18bn (€16.1bn) over the past decade. Much of this impact stems not from delays themselves, but from the lack of timely information needed to reassign resources, adjust schedules and protect network performance.

SITA’s Advance Flight Delay Notification API aims to close this information gap. The solution uses the latest departure data, combined with business logic based on expected flight duration, to anticipate delays and automatically alert destination airports. Automated early warnings and real-time updates give arrival teams additional time to adjust operational plans, reducing knock-on effects across aircraft turnarounds, crew planning, gate allocation and passenger connections.

“Most disruption isn’t caused by the delay itself, but by how late it becomes visible to the teams expected to manage it,” said Martin Smillie, senior vice president, Communications and Data Exchange at SITA. “Across the industry, arrival airports are still forced to react rather than intervene. Advance Flight Delay Notification API shifts that model by giving earlier, reliable signals, so operational decisions are made with time, not under pressure, and the impact on passengers, costs and airline network performance is reduced.”

The solution provides centralised alerts and push notifications to key stakeholders at arrival airports, improving coordination and resource planning. Aircraft service teams, ground handlers and onward crews gain earlier insight into inbound disruption, helping reduce idle time, last-minute changes and operational strain.

Delivered through secure, encrypted HTTP connections, the API removes the need for repeated schedule requests and manual updates. Automated alerts notify stakeholders when a flight is expected to depart at least 15 minutes later than scheduled, providing valuable lead time to adjust passenger processing, aircraft servicing and onward flight plans.

Offered as a subscription service, Advance Flight Delay Notification API forms part of SITA’s broader flight information API portfolio, supporting secure, real-time operational data sharing across the global air transport ecosystem.