Saudi Arabia closed the second half of December with a series of policy decisions, economic indicators and sectoral milestones that underscored a year of broad-based transformation across industry, technology, tourism and trade, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

In a move aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the industrial sector, the cabinet approved the cancellation of the expatriate levy for licensed industrial establishments.

The decision follows six years of exemptions that have contributed to a 56 per cent increase in industrial gross domestic product to more than SAR501bn and a 74 per cent rise in industrial employment, SPA said.

Saudi Arabia: Key highlights in H2 2025

The kingdom’s digital transformation strategy also gained international recognition, with Saudi Arabia ranking second globally in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index, scoring 99.64 per cent and placing it in the “very advanced” category.

In healthcare, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre was ranked first in the Middle East for oncology and orthopaedics and reported the successful use of a new 3D-printing technique to treat inner ear disorders.

Economic and tourism indicators released during the period pointed to strong commercial and religious activity.

E-commerce sales reached a record SAR30.7bn in October 2025, a 68 per cent increase year on year, while non-oil exports grew 32.3 per cent over the same period.

Saudi Arabia recorded 68.7 million worshippers and visitors at the two holy mosques during the month of Jumada Al-Akhira, with 11.9 million Umrah rituals completed.

Riyadh Season 2025 brought in eight million visitors since its launch in October, according to SPA.

Other figures released showed annual inflation at 1.9 per cent in November 2025, citrus production at 158,000 tonnes at the start of the new season, and more than 12,000 industrial facilities operating in the kingdom, up from 8,822 in 2019.

Saudi students won 26 awards at the World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth, securing first place globally, while the Kingdom signed development loans worth $160m with Mauritania for water and electricity projects.

Saudi Arabia also set a new Guinness World Record by storing 95 tonnes of seasonal seeds and secured accreditation for two new Dark Sky Reserves in AlUla, Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah.

The SPA report said the year reflected not only statistical growth but structural changes across major sectors, as the Kingdom advances toward the goals set out under Vision 2030.

Read: Saudi Arabia’s human-centred future: Quality of Life Program’s CEO shares insights

The European Union’s (EU) carbon border tax will enter its definitive phase on Wednesday, January 1, 2026, the European Commission said, marking the start of full implementation of the bloc’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Under the mechanism, EU importers of selected carbon-intensive goods will be required to declare the embedded greenhouse gas emissions in their imports and surrender CBAM certificates corresponding to those emissions, according to the commission.

Applications must be submitted before import and at the latest by March 31 for all concerned import companies.

The carbon border tax applies to imports of certain categories

The system applies to imports of cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen, sectors identified by the EU as having a high risk of carbon leakage.

CBAM is designed to ensure that imported goods face a carbon cost equivalent to that borne by EU producers under the bloc’s Emissions Trading System, the commission said, supporting the EU’s climate objectives and preventing production from shifting to countries with less stringent emissions policies.

The definitive phase follows a transitional period during which importers were required only to report emissions without purchasing certificates.

From January, financial obligations under the mechanism will apply.

The commission said CBAM is a key element of the EU’s climate policy framework and will be progressively integrated alongside reforms to the emissions trading system.

The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said on Wednesday it will raise the minimum wage for Emiratis working in the private sector to Dhs6,000 per month, effective January 1, 2026.

In a statement, the ministry said the new minimum wage will apply to all new citizen work permits, as well as existing permits that are renewed or amended from the start of 2026.

Companies that employed Emiratis before that date will be required to adjust salaries to meet the new minimum threshold by June 30, 2026.

Khalil Ibrahim Al Khouri, Under-Secretary of Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations at the ministry, stated that the move is part of the government’s broader Emiratisation strategy, which follows a phased approach to increasing private-sector wages for citizens.

Minimum wage for Emiratis in the private sector rises to Dhs6,000

He said the strategy initially set a minimum salary of Dhs4,000, which was later raised to Dhs5,000, and will now rise to Dhs6,000 from 2026. The gradual increases are intended to reflect prevailing market wages based on job roles, while giving private-sector employers sufficient time to implement the changes.

Ministry urges companies to amend employment contracts by June

Al Khouri urged companies to amend their employment contracts for Emirati staff in line with the new minimum wage before the June 2026 deadline, adding that all Emiratis employed in the private sector must earn at least Dhs6,000 by that date.

From July 1, 2026, measures will be taken against non-compliant establishments, including excluding Emirati employees with unadjusted salaries from being counted towards Emiratisation targets and suspending the issuance of new work permits until wages comply with the new requirement, the ministry said.

Al Khouri praised private-sector firms for their continued commitment to Emiratisation policies, noting that progress has been supported by the Nafis programme and its digital platform, which connects employers with a pool of qualified Emirati candidates and provides incentives to companies meeting their Emiratisation goals.

Read: Emirati youth seek balance, purpose over perks, Al-Futtaim white paper finds

Dubai’s culinary calendar doesn’t slow down after the fireworks. For both residents recovering from late NYE nights and visitors seeking a relaxed start to the year, January 1 brunches have become one of the most searched and booked experiences in the city — blending international cuisine, vibrant atmospheres and sprawling spreads that stretch well into the afternoon. These brunches are more than meals; they are networking hubs, client entertainment opportunities and social experiences that set the tone for the year ahead.

Below we explore five standout brunch destinations where Dubai’s food culture and festive energy come together.

CÉ LA VI Dubai — panoramic views and uplifted vibes

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CÉ LA VI Dubai (@celavidubai)

Perched high above the cityscape, CÉ LA VI Dubai delivers one of the most stylish ways to usher in 2026. While the venue is synonymous with evening NYE celebrations that stretch late into the night, its New Year’s Day offerings transition that elevated energy into a daytime brunch setting with sweeping skyline views. Guests can expect refined modern Asian cuisine, creative cocktails and an atmosphere that’s as suited to business socialising as it is to relaxed celebrations, making it ideal for corporate groups and hospitality planners who want to blend sophistication with spectacle.

DRIFT Restaurant — chic beachside indulgence

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by D R I F T Dubai (@driftbeachdubai)

At DRIFT, located within One&Only Royal Mirage, the brunch experience leans into relaxed luxury with Mediterranean and Provençal influences that reflect its beachfront setting. Known for its elegant midday offerings and refined culinary approach under Chef-led direction, DRIFT provides a perfect brunch backdrop for high-end business lunches or leisure-focused gatherings. While detailed NYE-specific pricing isn’t always published, the restaurant’s overall positioning — with premium service and seaside exclusivity — makes it a strong choice for those seeking to start 2026 with sunlit views and signature cuisine.

Giardino — vibrant buffet with Versace-inspired interiors

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GiardinoDubai (@giardinodubai)

Located at Palazzo Versace Dubai, Giardino brings a stylish buffet brunch to New Year’s Day crowds with its lush, jungle-inspired decor and broad international spread. Often cited among the city’s top buffet brunches, the venue appeals to both families and business groups due to its lively atmosphere and tiered pricing that typically starts around Dhs400 per adult — a competitive entry point for high-quality hotel brunches. Live performances and relaxed cadence make it particularly suited for corporate offsites or client meals that want a slightly more playful edge while still delivering on culinary variety.

Traiteur Brunch — refined fare on Dubai Creek

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Traiteur Brunch (@traiteurbrunch)

A perennial favourite among Dubai’s New Year’s Day brunches, Traiteur — hosted at Park Hyatt Dubai — blends classic European brunch sensibilities with a contemporary buffet format. Scheduled from 1 pm to 4 pm, the brunch offers tiered pricing from Dhs495 (soft beverages) to Dhs950 (premium bubbly packages), plus children’s rates — giving planners flexibility across budget levels. Live music and a festive lineup of food stations make Traiteur especially appealing for group bookings and hospitality events where a lively yet polished atmosphere is key.

Jou Jou Brasserie — Mediterranean refinement at Four Seasons

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jou Jou Brasserie (@joujoudubai)

At Jou Jou Brasserie inside Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, the New Year’s Day brunch combines Mediterranean-inspired dishes with relaxed luxury. With buffet highlights, live cooking stations and pricing such as Dhs715 for select beverages or Dhs455 for soft packages, Jou Jou balances upscale execution with laid-back charm. The venue’s beach-adjacent location and stylish interior make it a top pick for client entertainment, family brunch bookings and branded hospitality on January 1.

Whether you’re planning post-fireworks recovery, securing corporate hospitality seats or simply curating social content that weekend browsers will search for, these brunches represent the top spots to start 2026 on a high note in Dubai. Bookings are still moving fast in late December, and as always, early confirmation is essential to secure prime seating and preferred beverage packages.

Nvidia NVDA.O is in advanced talks to buy Israel-based AI startup AI21 Labs for as much as $3 billion, the Calcalist financial daily reported on Tuesday.

Nvidia declined to comment, while AI21 was not immediately available to comment.

A 2023 funding round valued AI21 at $1.4bn. Nvidia and Alphabet’s GOOGL.O Google participated in that funding.

AI21, founded in 2017 by Amnon Shashua and two others, is among a clutch of AI startups that have benefited from a boom in artificial intelligence, attracting strong interest from venture capital firms and other investors.

Shashua is also the founder and CEO of Mobileye, a developer of self-driving car technologies.

Calcalist said AI21 has long been up for sale and talks with Nvidia have advanced significantly in recent weeks. It noted that Nvidia’s primary interest in AI21 appears to be its workforce of roughly 200 employees, most of whom hold advanced academic degrees and “possess rare expertise in artificial intelligence development.”

Calcalist said the deal to buy AI21 is estimated at between $2bn and $3bn.

Nvidia, which has become the most valuable company in history at more than $4tr, is planning a large expansion in Israel with a new R&D campus of up to 10,000 employees in Kiryat Tivon, just south of the port city of Haifa – Israel’s third-largest city.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has described Israel as the company’s “second home.”

Nvidia has said that when completed, the campus will include up to 160,000 square meters (1.7 million square feet) of office space, parks and common areas across 90 dunams (22 acres), inspired by Nvidia’s Santa Clara, California, headquarters. Nvidia expects construction to begin in 2027, with initial occupancy planned for 2031.

Read: Lucid and NVIDIA partner to deliver Level 4 autonomous vehicles