Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, has launched Hub71+ Life Sciences, a new specialist platform aimed at accelerating innovation and commercialisation across biotechnology, medical technology, and digital health.

The initiative strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for healthcare and life sciences, offering founders direct access to regulators, hospitals, investors, and industry partners.

Announced during Hub71’s annual Impact Event, Hub71+ Life Sciences provides startups a structured entry point into the UAE capital’s expanding medical innovation sector.

Founders will be able to leverage Abu Dhabi’s integrated health cluster for clinical validation, regulatory support, and market access, helping translate research from lab to patient-ready solutions.

Hub71+ Life Sciences to support healthcare innovation

“Since 2019, Hub71 has supported hundreds of startups that have helped shape Abu Dhabi’s innovation landscape,” said Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71. “With Hub71+ Life Sciences, we are channeling that experience into a dedicated environment where founders, researchers, market players, and investors can collaborate to advance healthcare innovation.”

The ecosystem has been launched in alignment with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), and the HELM cluster (Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine). The collaboration underscores Abu Dhabi’s ambitions to build a high-performing life sciences economy anchored in advanced research and sustainable healthcare.

The DoH, EDE, and HELM cluster by ADIO join as founding partners, while the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and Ultrahuman act as anchor partners

.In total, 12 partners will work with startups to identify investment opportunities and accelerate the commercialisation of transformative medical technologies.

“As a founding partner, EDE will work side-by-side with innovators to engage early with regulators, clarify evidence expectations, and make use of collaborative pathways so safe, effective solutions reach patients faster,” said Dr Shaikha Al Mazrouei, director of the Reference National Laboratory, Drug Department, at EDE. “Through Hub71+ Life Sciences, we aim to turn strong science into clear regulatory packages, accelerate approvals, and support international recognition for products developed in the UAE.”

The launch follows momentum from startups such as BioSapien, Ovasave, and Biotwin, which are developing oncology, fertility, and AI-driven medical solutions within Abu Dhabi’s ecosystem.

Their progress highlights the emirate’s growing depth in translational research and innovation infrastructure.

Hub71+ Life Sciences will connect regulators, corporates, investors, and entrepreneurs to drive collaboration, regulatory efficiency, and access to funding, clinical trials, and proof-of-concept projects.

The goal is to enhance research output and establish Abu Dhabi as a competitive global center for life sciences innovation.

Hub71 currently hosts nearly 300 startups that have collectively raised Dhs9bn and generated Dhs5bn in revenue. Hub71+ Life Sciences joins the platform’s growing suite of sector-focused ecosystems, including Hub71+ Digital Assets, Hub71+ ClimateTech, and Hub71+ AI.

Startups in biotech, medtech, and digital health can apply to join Hub71+ Life Sciences and become part of Abu Dhabi’s expanding innovation community.

Hub71 Impact Event marks new programme launches

At the Hub71 Impact Event 2025, held under the theme “Impactful Momentum”, the organisation also unveiled a series of new partnerships and initiatives designed to drive the next phase of innovation-led growth in Abu Dhabi.

Hub71 announced Initiate, a new programme empowering early-stage founders to transform bold ideas into viable startups from Abu Dhabi. Operated in partnership with global venture builders SC Ventures and VentureOne, Initiate provides hands-on venture-building support to validate concepts, refine business models, and prepare founders for scale, positioning Abu Dhabi as one of the few global hubs offering an end-to-end pathway from idea to market-ready venture.

The Impact Event also saw the expansion of Hub71+ AI, adding 15 new strategic partners, including the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) and BECO Capital as anchor partners. This growth strengthens Abu Dhabi’s ambitions to become the world’s first AI-native government by 2027 and a global testbed for responsible AI innovation.

In addition, Hub71 announced new collaborations with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) and Numou, expanding access to pilot funding, working capital, and entrepreneurial support. Through its partnership with ECA, Hub71 will integrate the Anjal Z initiative into its Access Programme, securing Dhs3m in pilot funding and up to Dhs500,000 in incentives for startups developing early-childhood solutions.

Meanwhile, the partnership with Numou, an ADGM subsidiary, introduces procurement financing for SMEs, improving liquidity and accelerating business growth.

“Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem continues to be shaped by a shared purpose of driving impact through innovation and collaboration,” said Alwan. “The launches we announced today reflect how far we have come in our mission to expand opportunities for founders and entrepreneurs and how we are strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role as a platform for technology growth.”

The event also reinforced Abu Dhabi’s growing international connectivity, with eight high-potential Web3 startups from Hong Kong joining Hub71 through the Hub71 x Hong Kong Immersion Programme.

The move further establishes Abu Dhabi as a cross-border gateway for global startups expanding into the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports in August rose to their highest level in six months, data from the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI) showed on Wednesday.

Crude exports increased to 6.407 million barrels per day (bpd) from 5.994 million bpd in July, marking their highest level since February 2025.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, recorded crude output of 9.722 million bpd in August, up from 9.201 million bpd in July.

Refinery crude throughput in the kingdom fell to 2.902 million bpd in August, a 2.6 per cent decline from July’s 2.978 million bpd, JODI data revealed, while direct crude burning decreased slightly by 1,000 bpd to 607,000 bpd.

Read more-Unexpected drop in Middle East oil premiums raises Saudi pricing dilemma

“They have unwound the production cuts, so they produce more and there is more oil available, but considering that the official selling prices were still very elevated, the demand remains somehow contained,” said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

“For September we should see a further increase just out of the fact that temperatures in the Middle East were declining, so there was more crude available for exports.”

Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members submit monthly export figures to JODI, which publishes them on its platform.

Earlier in October, OPEC+ announced it would raise oil output targets by 137,000 bpd starting November, maintaining the same incremental increase as October amid concerns over a potential supply glut.

The OPEC+ alliance, which includes Russia and other smaller producers, has boosted oil production targets by over 2.7 million bpd this year, equivalent to roughly 2.5 per cent of global demand.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicted earlier this month that the global oil market could see a possible surplus of up to 4 million bpd next year, as OPEC+ and rival producers increase output while demand remains weak.

In contrast, Saudi crude exports to China are expected to drop in November to about 40 million barrels, with Chinese refiners likely shifting to cheaper spot supplies from other Middle East producers, sources familiar with the matter said earlier this month.

In a significant stride toward the future of personal computing, Apple has unveiled the M5 chip, its most powerful silicon yet, setting a new benchmark in AI performance and graphics capability. As AI-driven applications become increasingly integral to creative workflows, productivity, and immersive experiences, Apple’s latest innovation promises to redefine how users interact with their devices across multiple categories.

The M5 chip’s advanced architecture, built on third-generation 3-nanometer technology, fuels a trio of Apple’s flagship products: the iPad Pro, 14-inch MacBook Pro, and the spatial computing visionary, Apple Vision Pro. By embedding Neural Accelerators within the GPU cores and boosting CPU performance, the M5 delivers unprecedented speed, efficiency, and intelligence, empowering professionals, creators, and consumers alike. This comprehensive upgrade solidifies Apple’s leadership in blending raw power with intelligent computing, paving the way for a new generation of applications and experiences previously unimaginable on mobile and desktop platforms, Apple newsroom report conveyed.

Read more-Apple launches slim iPhone 17 Air, new AirPods and watch in holiday refresh

Apple officially announced M5, the next big leap in AI and performance for Apple silicon, delivering substantial advances to nearly every aspect of the chip’s architecture. Built using third-generation 3-nanometer technology, M5 introduces a next-generation 10-core GPU architecture that features a Neural Accelerator in each core, a first for Apple, enabling GPU-based AI workloads to run dramatically faster.

This innovation results in over 4x the peak GPU compute performance compared to the previous M4 generation.

Beyond raw compute power, the GPU also offers enhanced graphics capabilities, including third-generation ray tracing technology. This enables more realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows in graphics-intensive applications and games. According to Apple, the graphics performance on M5 is up to 45 per cent higher than M4. These enhancements allow developers and creatives to push the boundaries of immersive visuals and AI-based rendering.

At the heart of M5 is the world’s fastest CPU core, integrated into a 10-core CPU consisting of six efficiency cores and up to four performance cores. Together, these deliver up to 15 per cent faster multithreaded performance than M4. The M5 also features an improved 16-core Neural Engine, a powerful media engine, and a nearly 30 per cent increase in unified memory bandwidth, now reaching 153GB/s, all of which contribute to smoother multitasking and more complex AI workloads running on device.

Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies, highlighted the significance of the upgrade: “M5 ushers in the next big leap in AI performance for Apple silicon. With the introduction of Neural Accelerators in the GPU, M5 delivers a huge boost to AI workloads. Combined with a big increase in graphics performance, the world’s fastest CPU core, a faster Neural Engine, and even higher unified memory bandwidth, M5 brings far more performance and capabilities to MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Vision Pro.”

iPad Pro with M5: Redefining power in an ultraportable package

Apple’s new iPad Pro, powered by the M5 chip, represents the pinnacle of tablet performance, bringing an unprecedented level of power and AI capability into a highly portable form factor. Designed for professionals, creatives, and everyday users seeking a versatile device, the new iPad Pro delivers up to 3.5x the AI performance of the previous M4.1 chip and up to 5.6x faster AI performance than the M1-powered iPad Pro.

M5’s next-generation GPU includes a Neural Accelerator in every core, boosting performance dramatically for demanding AI and graphics tasks. The chip also integrates the new N1 wireless networking chip, supporting the latest generation Wi-Fi 7 technology, which ensures faster and more reliable wireless connectivity. Cellular models now feature the C1X modem, delivering up to 50% faster cellular data speeds with improved power efficiency, critical for users who rely on fast and stable connections while on the go.

The iPad Pro is offered in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes with a stunning Ultra Retina XDR display that offers unparalleled color accuracy and brightness, ideal for creative professionals and media consumption. Available in space black and silver, the device also runs the new iPadOS 26, which introduces game-changing features to supercharge creativity and productivity.

John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, emphasized the leap in performance: “Powered by the next generation of Apple silicon, the new iPad Pro delivers our most advanced and versatile iPad experience yet. iPad Pro with M5 unlocks endless possibilities for creativity and productivity, with a huge leap in AI performance and a big boost in graphics, superfast wireless connectivity, and game-changing iPadOS 26 features, it pushes the boundaries of what iPad can do yet again.”

The performance benchmarks of the iPad Pro with M5 include:

• Up to 6.7x faster 3D rendering with ray tracing in Octane X compared to the M1 iPad Pro
• Up to 6x faster video transcode in Final Cut Pro
• Up to 4x faster AI image generation in Draw Things
• Up to 3.7x faster AI video upscaling in DaVinci Resolve

This combination makes the iPad Pro with M5 an exceptional tool for graphic designers working with complex vector graphics in apps like Adobe Illustrator, architects multitasking across apps such as SketchUp and Morpholio Trace, and business users handling large files across multiple apps.

Pre-orders for the iPad Pro with M5 begin today, with availability in stores starting Wednesday, October 22.

14-inch MacBook Pro with M5: Next-level performance for professionals

Alongside the iPad Pro, Apple unveiled an updated 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the M5 chip, delivering the next big leap in AI and graphics performance for the Mac lineup. The 14-inch MacBook Pro is tailored for professionals and creatives who demand power and portability, offering a blend of high-end performance and impressive battery life.

M5 integrates a next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators in each core, delivering up to 3.5x the AI performance and 1.6x faster graphics than the previous generation. The CPU is both faster and more efficient, with enhanced memory bandwidth accelerating workflows from app launching to running large language models (LLMs) on-device.

Battery life is also a highlight, with the MacBook Pro boasting up to 24 hours of use, allowing users to take demanding workflows anywhere without compromise. The device features the latest storage technology, improving SSD performance, particularly important for users working with RAW image files or exporting large videos.

The MacBook Pro retains many renowned features that define Apple’s pro laptops, including a gorgeous Liquid Retina XDR display with a nano-texture option, a 12MP Center Stage camera, a six-speaker sound system, and a wide array of ports. It also ships with macOS Tahoe, which leverages Apple Intelligence capabilities to enhance productivity.

John Ternus noted, “MacBook Pro continues to be the world’s best pro laptop, and today, the 14-inch MacBook Pro gets even better with the arrival of the M5 chip. M5 marks the next big leap in AI for the Mac and delivers a huge boost in graphics performance, accelerating demanding workflows for everyone from students to creatives, developers to business professionals, and more.”

Key performance metrics for the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 include:

• 7x faster AI video-enhancing performance in Topaz Video (vs. 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro)
• 8x faster 3D rendering in Blender
• 2x higher frame rates in games
• 1x faster build performance when compiling code in Xcode

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,599, available to pre-order now and shipping from October 22.

Apple Vision Pro with M5: Redefining spatial computing

Apple also upgraded its Vision Pro spatial computing headset with the M5 chip, significantly boosting performance, display rendering, and battery life. This leap forward brings enhanced AI-powered workflows and sharper visuals, providing a more immersive spatial computing experience.

Complementing the hardware upgrade is a new Dual Knit Band, a soft, cushioned strap designed for extended comfort, essential for longer usage sessions.

Vision Pro runs on visionOS 26, introducing innovative spatial experiences, including interactive widgets, new Personas, and an immersive Jupiter Environment. The update also brings new Apple Intelligence features with support for additional languages, further broadening the device’s accessibility and appeal.

Users can access over 1 million apps, thousands of games, and hundreds of 3D movies through the App Store and Apple TV app. Apple Immersive also offers new series, films, and a selection of live NBA games coming soon, positioning Vision Pro as a leader in entertainment and productivity.

Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, remarked, “With the breakthrough performance of M5, the latest Apple Vision Pro delivers faster performance, sharper details throughout the system, and even more battery life, setting a new standard for what’s possible in spatial computing. Paired with the comfortable Dual Knit Band, innovative features in visionOS 26, and all-new Apple Immersive experiences spanning adventure, documentary, music, and sports, spatial computing is even more capable, entertaining, and magical with the new Vision Pro.”

Vision Pro with M5 and the Dual Knit Band is available to pre-order now, with in-store demos available at Apple Stores starting today. The device will be widely available beginning October 22.

M5: One chip, infinite possibilities

With its breakthrough architecture and innovations, the M5 chip is more than just an incremental upgrade; it is a complete reimagining of Apple silicon’s potential. Across the iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro, M5 brings to life a future where AI is seamlessly integrated into everyday computing, enabling faster workflows, richer visuals, and new forms of immersive interaction.

Its 10-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, third-generation ray tracing, world’s fastest CPU core, improved Neural Engine, and expanded memory bandwidth provide the foundation for a new class of applications and experiences. Whether it’s accelerating AI image and video processing, rendering complex 3D scenes, or powering spatial computing environments, M5 sets a new industry standard.

Apple’s launch of the M5 chip and its integration into key devices signals a transformative moment for the tech giant and its users. By combining industry-leading AI performance, graphics power, and energy efficiency, Apple is not only enhancing the user experience but also expanding the boundaries of what technology can achieve.

From empowering creators with ultra-fast rendering and AI tools on iPad Pro, to enabling developers and professionals to accelerate complex workflows on MacBook Pro, and redefining immersive computing with Apple Vision Pro, the M5-powered ecosystem is poised to drive innovation across industries and consumer markets.

As these devices hit the market on October 22, the message is clear: Apple’s M5 chip isn’t just an upgrade, it’s a bold leap into the future of intelligent, AI-enhanced personal computing.

Accor, a global hospitality leader with a portfolio of more than 5,700 properties in over 110 countries, has announced the signing of the Creekside Hotel in Dubai, one of the city’s most iconic hospitality and sporting landmarks.

Owned by Dubai Duty Free and operated by United Hospitality Management (UHM), the hotel will join the Accor network under a white-label franchise agreement before being fully repositioned and added to the MGallery Collection following a detailed renovation plan.

Located in Al Garhoud, the Creekside Hotel encompasses the Aviation Club, home of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, and enjoys close proximity to Dubai International Airport, Festival City Mall, the Gold Souk, and historic districts such as Al Fahidi (Bastakiya). Overlooking the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, the property combines modern design with panoramic views and connectivity to both leisure and business hubs.

The hotel features 292 rooms and suites, each offering views of the creek and city skyline. It also houses an extensive art collection of 482 commissioned works by 52 artists, reflecting MGallery’s brand identity centred around storytelling and cultural depth. Amenities include two outdoor pools with a rooftop deck, the Akaru Spa with 14 treatment rooms, sauna and steam facilities, and access to the Aviation Club Fitness Centre, which features a gym, indoor squash courts, outdoor tennis and paddle courts.

The Creekside Hotel also holds a special place in Dubai’s cultural and sporting landscape as the home of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, a world-renowned venue that hosts the annual Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The white-label management agreement aligns the property’s legacy with Accor’s focus on individuality, story-driven guest experiences, and local cultural expression.

Jean-Baptiste Recher, chief development officer, Luxury Brands Middle East, Africa and Türkiye at Accor, said: “We are proud to expand our partnership with United Hospitality Management and Dubai Duty Free through the repositioning of this iconic property. This hotel holds deep cultural and sporting significance in Dubai, and we believe this leading Accor hospitality brand with its emphasis on storytelling, character and local charm, is the perfect fit to elevate its legacy.”

Xavier Grange, global chief development officer, Sofitel, Emblems, MGallery, added: “The signing of this new MGallery in Dubai marks an exciting milestone in our global journey. We are committed to expanding MGallery through franchise and management partnerships across all continents including in the Middle East, working hand in hand with trusted local partners and experienced third-party operators to bring our unique collection of hotels to new horizons.”

Klaus Assmann, COO of United Hospitality Management Middle East, India & SE Asia, said: “The Creekside Hotel holds a special place in Dubai’s history, and we are privileged to be working with Dubai Duty Free and Accor to curate its next chapter. Reintroducing the property under Accor elevates its unique character and allows us to craft bespoke guest journeys that blend modern luxury with the hotel’s deep connection to sport and culture. This partnership represents exactly the type of collaboration that defines UHM’s global growth strategy.”

Ramesh Cidambi, managing director of Dubai Duty Free, added: “This property and the Tennis Stadium, which incorporates the original Irish Village bar and restaurant, have long been popular with Dubai residents as well as business and leisure visitors. By partnering with UHM and Accor, we are ensuring that the Creekside Hotel is not only managed with operational excellence but also refreshed with a bold new vision. Guests can look forward to an elevated experience that continues to reflect Dubai Duty Free’s commitment to excellence in hospitality, and world-class sporting events.”

The announcement marks a key milestone in UHM’s expansion, reinforcing its strong partnerships with global brands across Europe, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. For Dubai Duty Free, the collaboration ensures that the property continues to thrive at the intersection of hospitality, sport, and entertainment—cementing its role as a defining landmark in Dubai’s lifestyle offering.

Accor currently operates more than 85 hotels in the UAE, spanning brands such as Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, MGallery Collection, Rixos, Swissôtel, Pullman, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, ibis Styles, and ibis.

Electric vehicle infrastructure company EVIQ has signed a landmark agreement with Apsco, a national energy provider, to deploy fast EV charging stations across Saudi Arabia, in a move aimed at strengthening the kingdom’s electric mobility network.

The partnership will combine EVIQ’s advanced charging technologies with Apsco’s extensive network of service stations, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to accelerate the country’s transition toward sustainable transportation.

EVIQ, Apsco aligns with Vision 2030 goals

“This collaboration with Apsco marks another milestone in our mission to enable a seamless, accessible, and sustainable EV charging ecosystem across the kingdom,” said Mohammad Bakr Gazzaz, CEO of EVIQ. “Together, we are taking a significant step towards realising the kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for greener mobility, paving the way for the future of electric transportation in Saudi Arabia.”

Dr Azzam Qari, CEO of Apsco, said the partnership was “an important milestone in Apsco’s journey toward sustainable mobility.”

He added, “By joining forces with EVIQ, we are enabling the infrastructure required for the future of electric transportation, empowering our customers with reliable and accessible charging options across the kingdom.”

Rollout of EV charging infrastructure to begin soon

The rollout will begin with installations at high-traffic highways, major urban centers, and key service stations, aiming to maximise accessibility and convenience for EV drivers nationwide.

The agreement marks another step in Saudi Arabia’s drive to build a robust EV ecosystem, part of its wider effort to diversify energy use and cut carbon emissions under Vision 2030.