As Europe accelerates its green transition, the European Commission has laid out an ambitious roadmap that positions nuclear energy as a central pillar of its long-term decarbonisation strategy.

According to the latest Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC) released by the commission, the European Union (EU) will require EUR241bn in nuclear investments by 2050 to meet its energy and climate commitments under the REPowerEU Plan and the Clean Industrial Deal.

The report underscores a critical message: nuclear power is not fading — it’s evolving. While public opinion and national energy policies remain divided, the EU’s projections signal a net increase in nuclear capacity, from 98GW today to 109 GW by 2050, with an upper-range scenario anticipating up to 144GW.

Nuclear energy a bedrock

Currently accounting for 23 per cent of the EU’s electricity mix, nuclear energy remains a bedrock of low-carbon power generation.

“To truly deliver the clean energy transition, we need all zero- and low-carbon energy solutions. Nuclear energy has a role to play in building a resilient and cleaner energy system. Ensuring the necessary framework conditions will allow the EU to keep its industrial leadership in this sector while also upholding the highest safety standards and responsible management of radioactive waste,” said Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing, in a statement.

Yet, the landscape is fragmented: countries like Germany and Belgium are phasing out nuclear, while others — such as France, Hungary, and Finland — are doubling down on next-generation reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs).

The PINC report acknowledges this diversity but calls for greater alignment and infrastructure investment to realise the collective benefits of nuclear.

EU aims to be decarbonised by 2040

Looking ahead, over 90 per cent of Europe’s electricity is expected to be decarbonised by 2040. Achieving this milestone, the commission argues, will require nuclear to complement intermittent renewables like wind and solar by offering stable baseload power.

As energy demand rises with the electrification of transport, heating, and industry, the resilience of nuclear becomes even more vital.

However, the scale of investment required is daunting. To bridge the funding gap, the commission urges a blended financing model that leverages both public and private capital, coupled with risk-mitigation mechanisms to improve investor confidence.

These could include loan guarantees, state aid frameworks, and EU-backed financial instruments tailored to large-scale nuclear projects.

While the debate over nuclear’s role in a clean energy future continues, the EU’s latest projections make one thing clear: without nuclear, Europe’s path to net zero will be longer, costlier, and less secure.

As the bloc confronts geopolitical instability, energy price volatility, and climate urgency, the commission’s blueprint stakes a bold claim: a decarbonised Europe will be part nuclear-powered — or not at all.

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Adobe has extended its leadership in creative ideation with a major expansion of Adobe Firefly – its destination for AI-assisted content ideation, creation, and production – by bringing Firefly’s powerful image and video generation tools to phones.

The newly launched Firefly iOS and Android app gives creators the freedom to explore ideas and generate or edit images and videos using AI, anytime and anywhere.

Whether starting from scratch or refining content on the go, creators can now experience Firefly as a standalone mobile or web app, with seamless syncing to Adobe Creative Cloud applications, ensuring uninterrupted project continuity from ideation to production.

Also introduced in this expansion is Firefly Boards, now available in public beta on the web. This AI-first moodboarding surface is transforming how creative teams collaborate on concepts.

With the addition of video capabilities, Firefly Boards allows professionals to explore, edit, and iterate across media types using AI-powered tools in a collaborative environment.

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Adobe expands Firefly generative AI ecosystem

Adobe has also significantly expanded its Firefly generative AI ecosystem, integrating models from new partners including Ideogram, Luma AI, Pika, and Runway. These come in addition to existing models from OpenAI, Google, and Black Forest Labs.

The new partner models are initially launching in Firefly Boards and will soon become accessible across the Firefly app, giving creators unprecedented flexibility to work with diverse aesthetic styles and media formats.

The goal is to offer creators a comprehensive, AI-powered toolkit — on mobile and web — that supports everything from early ideation to final production.

And for those wondering about transparency in AI-generated content – Adobe continues to embed Content Credentials into every asset, clearly identifying which models and tools were used.

It’s a move toward trust and accountability in an increasingly AI-driven creative world.

Since its launch, Firefly has generated more than 24 billion assets, and interest continues to climb. Adobe has seen traffic and paid subscriptions to Firefly rise by 30 per cent quarter over quarter, signalling a growing appetite for AI-powered tools that still prioritise creative control.

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national airline, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rolls-Royce to acquire 100 Trent XWB-97 engines for its future fleet of 50 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. The agreement was announced during the 55th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget and marks a major milestone in the airline’s global expansion strategy.

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The Trent XWB-97, developed specifically for the Airbus A350-1000, is recognised as the most efficient large aircraft engine in service. It delivers up to 97,000 pounds of thrust and is expected to significantly boost Riyadh Air’s long-haul capabilities, a Saudi Press Agency report said.

With operations set to begin later this year, Riyadh Air plans to establish a global network connecting the Saudi capital to more than 100 destinations by 2030. The airline ultimately aims to operate 182 aircraft across three models.

Strategic leap in aviation ambitions

Equipped with the Trent XWB-97 engines, the A350-1000s will enable Riyadh Air to link Riyadh to major global cities, reinforcing its position as a key international aviation hub among G20 nations.

“This deal demonstrates our commitment to operational excellence and cutting-edge technology,” the airline said in a statement. “It brings us closer to redefining air travel through an elevated, seamless passenger experience.”

Technology-driven travel with Ink Innovation

In a separate move aimed at enhancing its digital capabilities, Riyadh Air announced a partnership in May with travel technology firm Ink Innovation. The collaboration centers on implementing a next-generation delivery management system aligned with the IATA Modern Airline Retailing (MAR) model.

The platform gives travelers full control over their journeys—allowing changes mid-trip, real-time service upgrades, and access to third-party content. This modular approach replaces outdated booking systems and is designed to meet the evolving expectations of modern passengers.

“Ink is a key partner to Riyadh Air,” said CEO Tony Douglas. “As a like-minded tech innovator, they’re helping us shape a digital-first travel experience starting from the very first touchpoint.”

Redefining air travel for a digital future

With strategic global partnerships and a focus on advanced aviation technologies, Riyadh Air is positioning itself as a digitally native airline. Its combined efforts with Rolls-Royce and Ink Innovation highlight a forward-thinking approach to air travel aimed at convenience, sustainability, and global connectivity.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed the rollout of free Wi-Fi in collaboration with e&, covering 21 public bus stations and 22 marine transport stations. The initiative aims to enhance the commuter experience by allowing public transport users to stay connected via smartphones, tablets, and laptops while on the move, a WAM report said.

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This project is part of RTA’s broader efforts to drive digital transformation across all its services, serving diverse segments of society in line with the UAE’s national vision. It also reflects the RTA’s commitment to making daily commutes more enjoyable and convenient—supporting Dubai’s goal of becoming the world’s smartest and happiest city.

The Wi-Fi service will be continuously assessed for expansion and improvement, in collaboration with e&, to ensure high-quality connectivity for passengers across the emirate’s public transportation network.

RTA enhances seasonal marine transport network with data-driven flexibility

In May 2025, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) also enhanced its Seasonal Network initiative for marine transport services by adopting advanced, flexible scientific and technological methodologies. This move reflects the RTA’s corporate agility and its ability to adapt to the distinct operational dynamics of seasonal service periods. It also enables responsive adjustments to fluctuations in demand during public holidays, festive seasons, and major events in the emirate.

The study supporting the development of the seasonal marine transport network involved the creation of internal algorithms designed to analyze and process big data from diverse sources. These algorithms support the development of a flexible operational plan for the network and are scalable for future data analysis in the sector. The model is intended for seasonal application, with each season evaluated independently. Throughout its development, special consideration was given to maintaining customer satisfaction while enhancing occupancy rates of marine transport modes and optimizing operational efficiency.

The UAE has cemented its position among the world’s most competitive nations, rising two spots to rank fifth globally in the 2025 edition of the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, published by the IMD World Competitiveness Center in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Scoring an impressive 96.09 out of 100 points, the UAE outperformed major economies including the US, Germany, Sweden, and Canada.

The country also retained its status as the most competitive nation in the Middle East and North Africa for the ninth consecutive year.

The achievement was highlighted during a recent UAE Cabinet meeting, where officials reviewed the report and reaffirmed the nation’s strategic focus on economic leadership, business innovation, and institutional efficiency, according to the Dubai Media Office.

IMD World Competitiveness Ranking: Pillars, UAE’s gains

The IMD report evaluated 69 countries using 341 indicators across four main pillars: economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure.

The 2025 edition also introduced five new indicators — food waste, environmental performance, freely elected government, passport mobility, and media bias — offering a broader view of national competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global context.

The UAE posted significant gains in the business efficiency category, jumping seven places to rank third globally. It also ranked second in economic performance and fourth in government efficiency, underscoring the country’s strong policy frameworks and private sector dynamism.

In total, the UAE led in 113 global indicators, ranking first worldwide in 22, including employment rate, absence of bureaucracy, availability of global expertise, digital transformation in companies, venture capital, energy infrastructure, inbound mobility of higher education students, and female parliamentary representation.

The country also ranked second in social cohesion, flexibility of residency laws, and adaptability of government policies, and placed third in graduates in science disciplines, healthcare infrastructure, and digital technology leverage.

The UAE’s continued rise in the global rankings reflects a long-term national vision focused on diversification, talent attraction, and public-private collaboration — a model that appears increasingly influential on the world stage.

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