Meta-owned social media platforms Facebook and Instagram have largely recovered after a brief outage disrupted access for thousands of users, with reports of problems emerging across several countries.

The disruption began at around on Sunday, September 20, with outage-tracking platform Downdetector recording more than 17,000 reports of problems with Facebook and more than 5,000 reports for Instagram in the US.

Users in other markets, including Singapore, the Philippines, Australia and Mexico, also reported disruptions. In Singapore, reports peaked at around 220 for Facebook and 120 for Instagram at approximately 9.20am local time on Monday, with many users reporting problems accessing the platforms’ websites.

Facebook Messenger also experienced an increase in reported problems during the disruption. Downdetector data cited by The Economic Times showed 172 reports involving Messenger at one point, compared with a normal baseline of four. WhatsApp saw a smaller increase in reports.

The scale of the outage could be different from the figures reported by Downdetector, as the service aggregates reports submitted by users and does not represent the total number of people affected.

Meta had not provided an explanation for the disruption and did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The latest incident follows another disruption in July, when Downdetector recorded as many as 4,808 reports involving Facebook and 2,829 for Instagram

Oman will open registration for citizens and residents wishing to perform the Hajj pilgrimage during the 1448 AH season from September 28, with applications to be accepted through October 11, the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs said.

Eligible applicants will be able to register electronically through the designated Hajj system at www.hajj.om during the specified period.

The ministry said Hajj companies will not be permitted to interfere in the registration process, a measure intended to support transparency and give eligible applicants the freedom to select their preferred Hajj company, according to an Oman News Agency report.

Electronic contracts to be binding

Applicants who are eligible to perform Hajj must select a Hajj company through the electronic system, with the selection carrying the financial obligations associated with the service.

Read more-Saudi announces new Umrah calendar: Visa details, key dates revealed

The ministry said the selection will constitute the applicant’s consent to contract with the chosen Hajj company. Applicants will also be required to pay the prescribed percentage electronically through the system.

Contracts concluded through the electronic platform will be binding on both parties before the competent authorities, the ministry said. It added that an application may be cancelled if the required financial payment is not made within the prescribed deadline.

The ministry also stressed that applications submitted before the official registration window, after its closure, or without the required attachments will not be considered.

Hajj company selection dates announced

The ministry has set a phased schedule for notifying eligible applicants and selecting Hajj companies.

For first-priority pilgrims, notification and company selection will take place from October 21 to November 11, 2026. The selection period for second-priority pilgrims is scheduled for November 16-22, followed by the third-priority group from November 24-27.

Meanwhile, the Hajj Conference and Exhibition will be held from October 22-24, 2026.

The ministry has set Feb. 27, 2027, as the deadline for receiving cancellation requests. The final date for air travel for the Hajj season has been set for May 12, 2027.

The new BMW 7 Series made its regional debut in Dubai this month. It is a car that says a good deal about where luxury is heading, and about the part the Middle East now plays in setting that direction.

The 7 Series has set the standard since 1977. That is 49 years of forward-thinking innovation, from safety breakthroughs to new ways of controlling a car to digital features that reset what buyers expect. Now in its seventh generation, the car carries that history forward. This time, though, something feels different.

BMW describes the new car as the most extensive model update the group has ever carried out, and for Karim-Christian Haririan, MD of BMW Group Middle East, that ambition is the whole point.

“The regional debut of the new BMW 7 Series represents an important moment for BMW Group Middle East and a powerful expression of what modern luxury means to our customers today,” he says.

“More than progressive design or advanced technology, true luxury is defined by the quality of the experience it creates,” he adds.

This is not a facelift, in other words. It is a rethinking of what the car should be, and that rethinking says a great deal about where BMW believes luxury is heading.

What drives demand in the Middle East specifically is the balance the car strikes. Flagship comfort sits alongside advanced technology, and the pleasure of driving meets a wide scope for personalisation. “Customers are not simply looking for transportation,” Haririan says. “They are looking for an experience that reflects their lifestyle and personal taste.” That, he argues, is what the new 7 Series is built to deliver.

What makes it stand out
The 7 Series looks different this time. Cleaner. A monolithic exterior, the new BMW kidney with Iconic Glow, and minimalist crystal headlights give it presence without anything decorative.

Step inside and the shift is immediate. The new BMW Panoramic iDrive dominates. The BMW Passenger Screen, making its debut, puts entertainment and information within easy reach of the front passenger. An upgraded BMW Theatre Screen handles 8K streaming, gaming and video calls, and intelligent voice control now integrates Amazon Alexa+ AI, so the car responds to natural language.

Over-the-air updates keep the software current, while a Bowers & Wilkins sound system with Dolby Atmos support, ambient lighting and four-zone automatic climate control round out the cabin. It is seamless, and none of it feels intrusive.

That restraint is deliberate. “The most significant change is not what customers see first, but how they experience the vehicle,” Haririan explains. Buyers will quickly notice the Panoramic iDrive, BMW Operating System X, the Passenger Screen and much-improved assistance systems, but, he says, “these technologies are designed to feel natural and effortless rather than overwhelming.”

That is the philosophy at work. For BMW, luxury is not about packing in the most technology. It is about technology that genuinely makes life better, an idea the company sums up as “innovation with purpose.” As Haririan puts it: “Technology only becomes luxurious when it genuinely improves comfort, confidence and enjoyment. The new 7 Series offers a more immersive digital experience while remaining unmistakably a BMW to drive.”

Personalisation stays key
The 7 Series story is not only about technology. It is also about personalisation. BMW Individual has offered bespoke customisation for 34 years, and the new car pushes that further still.

Buyers can choose from 12 upholstery variants and 130 paint colours, and the two-tone option alone unlocks more than 500 bespoke colour combinations. The real headline, though, is the BMW Individual Dual-Finish paintwork, a world first that took two and a half years to perfect and exists nowhere on earth but BMW’s Dingolfing plant.

The idea is deceptively simple. A matt finish on the lower body meets a hand-applied metallic finish above it, with no visible line where the two meet. Each car spends more than 75 hours in the paint shop, over three full days, and almost six times longer than a conventional finish. More than 20 specially trained staff tape, sand and apply it by hand.

That level of craft is not accidental, and it says something about how the region sees luxury. “In the Middle East, individuality is central to how many customers define luxury,” Haririan says. “Whether through exclusive paint finishes, carefully selected materials or highly tailored specifications, customers want vehicles that feel uniquely theirs.”

Those regional preferences, he adds, are increasingly shaping BMW’s global thinking. “Luxury today is becoming more personal and experience-led. The Middle East consistently demonstrates strong demand for craftsmanship, personalisation and memorable luxury experiences. The expectations of customers in this region often provide an early indication of where luxury trends are heading globally.”

Put plainly, what buyers in Dubai and Riyadh want today often becomes what the rest of the world wants tomorrow.

Electric options
On electrification, BMW takes a different line from much of the field. Where some rivals push all-electric futures with fixed deadlines, BMW’s message is to choose what suits you.

The new 7 Series comes in three forms: efficient combustion engines with 48V mild-hybrid technology, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric variants.

The electric models now travel beyond 720 kilometres on a charge (WLTP), a genuine step up thanks to sixth-generation BMW eDrive.

BMW is not steering anyone into that lane, though, because the region does not move at a single pace.

“Electrification is progressing across the region, but at different speeds depending on customer preferences, infrastructure maturity and market conditions,” Haririan says. “This is precisely why BMW remains committed to a technology-open strategy.” The UAE has been an early adopter, helped by infrastructure and strong consumer awareness, while Saudi Arabia is evolving quickly as investment in mobility and future technologies picks up. “Our role is not to push customers towards a specific technology, but to ensure we offer the right solution for every customer journey. This commitment to choice is one of the strengths of the BMW 7 Series portfolio.”

The new 7 Series brings a more capable, AI-assisted approach to driving. The Motorway Assistant allows hands-off driving up to 130 km/h, certified for now in a number of European countries.

The City Assistant supports navigation-guided, address-to-address journeys in urban areas, and BMW Symbiotic Drive balances what the driver wants with what the car can offer.

These are more than conveniences. They offer a glimpse of how luxury is evolving, with SAE Level 2 assistance that keeps the driver involved rather than sidelined.

On safety, the car adds digital tyre-conditioning monitoring with AI, an integrated braking system and near-actuator wheel-slip limitation.

For customers who want maximum protection, the BMW 7 Series Protection provides armouring with VR9 certification, and VPAM 10, the highest level, is available as an option.

Why the Middle East matters
The thinking behind BMW’s strategy comes down to this: the Middle East does not just follow luxury trends, it helps create them.

“The Middle East is one of the world’s most sophisticated luxury markets,” Haririan says. “Customers here are highly knowledgeable, globally connected and have exceptionally high expectations when it comes to design, craftsmanship, innovation and personalisation.” More to the point, they help shape what the wider world eventually wants. “In many ways, the region does not simply follow the future of luxury; it helps shape it.”

That is why the regional debut took place in Dubai, and why BMW pays close attention to what this market asks for. Expectations here do not trail the rest of the world. In BMW’s view, they lead it.

Competition in the premium segment is fierce, with new players arriving, pushing technology and cutting prices. Haririan does not treat it as a threat. “Competition is accelerating across the industry, and we welcome that. More choice benefits customers and encourages all manufacturers to innovate faster.” Even so, he says, “luxury has never been defined solely by technology specifications or pricing. True premium value is measured across the complete ownership experience, including design, engineering excellence, craftsmanship, customer service, aftersales support and long-term trust.”

BMW, then, is not chasing a spec sheet. It is backing the whole of the ownership experience. “BMW’s focus remains firmly on creating meaningful innovation rather than technology for its own sake,” Haririan says. “We respect every competitor, but our benchmark has always been ourselves, to continue delivering products and experiences worthy of the BMW badge, supported by over a century of engineering excellence and generations of flagship innovation.”

What comes next
Over the next two to three years, Haririan points to three forces driving BMW Middle East: digitalisation, electrification and customer experience. “We will continue bringing more Neue Klasse thinking, digital innovation and premium ownership experiences into the region while maintaining a technology-open approach that gives customers freedom of choice,” he says. “Customers are increasingly looking for personalisation, seamless digital experiences, high levels of service and long-term trust in the brands they choose.”

Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia matter commercially. The UAE remains an important centre for innovation and luxury, while Saudi Arabia is one of the most dynamic growth markets, given its scale, ambition and continuing transformation. “The Middle East remains strategically significant because customers here value quality, individuality, innovation and premium experiences at a very sophisticated level,” Haririan says.

That is the real story of the new 7 Series. It is not just a new car, but a commitment: to a region that helps set the direction of luxury rather than follow it, and to the idea that luxury, at its heart, is about experiences that fit the way people actually want to live.

Sharjah and Dubai are stepping up their wildlife and eco-tourism offerings as two of the UAE’s leading safari attractions prepare to welcome visitors for new seasons, with expanded experiences, conservation programmes and stronger international tourism initiatives on the agenda.

Sharjah Safari will open its fifth season on Monday, September 21, introducing new wildlife experiences, educational programmes and behind-the-scenes tours that give visitors a closer look at animal care and conservation.

Meanwhile, Dubai Safari Park is preparing to reopen for its eighth season on October 12, building on strong growth in travel-trade business and unveiling a new brand platform, premium visitor experiences and an expanded international market strategy.

Sharjah Safari expands conservation and visitor experiences

Sharjah Safari’s new season comes as the attraction continues to expand its role as a conservation, education and eco-tourism destination.

The safari’s breeding and animal care programmes recorded 186 births during the second quarter of 2026, including South African giraffes, elephants, lions, oryx, blue wildebeest, impala, nyala and zebra, a WAM report said.

The attraction also recently welcomed six critically endangered radiated tortoise hatchlings, adding to its species conservation and biodiversity efforts.

Aisha Rashid Deemas, chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA), said the fifth season represents another step in developing Sharjah Safari’s role in wildlife conservation while providing visitors with an educational and engaging experience.

She said the safari aims to deepen visitors’ understanding of wildlife and the importance of conservation through programmes that combine observation, education and direct engagement.

A key addition this season will be exclusive behind-the-scenes tours offered during selected periods. The tours will provide visitors with insight into the daily care of animals and the specialised expertise required to manage and maintain the safari’s diverse wildlife population.

Educational and recreational activities will continue throughout the season, allowing visitors to observe animals across expansive environments designed to reflect their natural habitats.

Sharjah Safari will welcome visitors daily from 08:30 to 18:00 from Monday, September 21.

Dubai Safari Park targets international growth

Dubai Safari Park is entering its eighth season with a strong focus on travel-trade partnerships and international visitors, following significant growth during its seventh season.

The park reported a 16 per cent year-on-year increase in business-to-business ticket sales, while B2B revenue climbed 26 per cent. Travel-trade visitors accounted for 62% of total weekday footfall, highlighting the importance of international and trade audiences to the attraction’s business.

Safari experiences also remained a major part of the visitor offering, with 72 per cent of guests opting for the safari bundle during the previous season.

Building on that momentum, Dubai Safari Park will introduce the ‘Royal Safari Experience’, a premium product created exclusively for travel-trade partners. Designed for groups of up to 10 guests, the four-hour experience will include VIP treatment, reserved seating and private guided tours across the park.

The offering gives travel partners another premium experience to incorporate into bespoke Dubai itineraries, while strengthening the park’s positioning as a destination for more personalised and immersive tourism experiences.

The park is also expanding its reach in key international markets through the appointment of Buzz Marketing as its official sales and marketing representative in India, and Action Global as its official representative across Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) markets.

The appointments are part of a broader strategy to strengthen relationships with international travel-trade partners, expand reach across priority markets and support the continued growth of Dubai’s tourism ecosystem.

A new brand platform for Season Eight

Dubai Safari Park will reopen on October 12 with its new brand platform, ‘Live More Wild Life’, which aims to encourage visitors to develop a deeper connection with wildlife, nature and conservation.

The new platform follows a landmark seventh season during which Dubai Safari Park became an official member of both the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).

Season seven also saw the arrival of 144 newborn animals, including Salam, a Southern White Rhino classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, and Zuri, a newborn giraffe.

Muna Al Hajeri, Park Director, Dubai Safari Park, said: “The strong growth we have seen from our travel trade partners this season gives us great confidence as we look ahead to Season eight. We are continuing to strengthen our international partnerships and introducing new experiences that give our trade partners even more ways to showcase Dubai Safari Park to their clients.”

She added: “Our new brand platform, ‘Live More Wild Life’, captures what we want every visitor to take away from their time with us – a greater sense of connection, curiosity and appreciation for wildlife and the natural world. We look forward to welcoming even more visitors from the UAE and around the world to experience the park in new ways.”

Together, the two attractions reflect the UAE’s growing emphasis on wildlife conservation, experiential tourism and nature-focused visitor experiences, with Sharjah Safari placing a strong emphasis on conservation and education while Dubai Safari Park combines those themes with international tourism partnerships and premium experiences.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has launched Tawrid Company for Financing Solutions, a digital platform designed to provide supply-chain financing products to companies operating in the kingdom, the sovereign wealth fund said on Sunday.

PIF said Tawrid had obtained a permit from the Saudi Central Bank, or SAMA, to operate within its regulatory Sandbox environment and had already started operations.

The platform will connect buyers, suppliers and funders and offer products including early settlement against approved invoices, which PIF said could help businesses improve working capital and manage liquidity more efficiently.

The fund said the platform was expected to support Saudi Arabia’s private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, while expanding access to supply-chain financing.

Local banks registered on the Tawrid network will be able to engage with registered suppliers through the platform, supporting the digitisation of trade and broader development of financial services in the kingdom, PIF said.

“Tawrid will make Saudi supply chains stronger and more resilient,” Sultan Alsheikh, PIF’s head of Financial Institutions in MENA Investments, said.

Tawrid has signed binding agreements with Gulf International Bank, Saudi National Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi, ROSHN Group and construction company Nesma & Partners, according to PIF.

PIF reorganises its investments into three portfolios

The launch forms part of PIF’s effort to increase private-sector participation in its projects and portfolio companies and deepen domestic supply chains.

Under its 2026-2030 strategy, approved in April, PIF has reorganised its investments into three portfolios and is focusing its domestic Vision Portfolio around six ecosystems: tourism, travel and entertainment; urban development and livability; advanced manufacturing and innovation; industrials and logistics; clean energy, water and renewables infrastructure; and NEOM. PIF has described financial services as a strategic enabler across those ecosystems.

In other news, PIF earlier this month launched Gulf Coast Development Company to develop an integrated tourism and residential destination on the Al Khafji coast in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

The project, which will be developed with the private sector and local and regional investors, will cover about 20 square kilometres with a 10-kilometre waterfront.

Once completed, it is planned to include eight residential neighbourhoods with more than 16,000 housing units, around 1,400 hotel keys, commercial, tourism and educational facilities and dedicated boat marinas.

Development is planned in three phases, with the first, comprising three neighbourhoods, scheduled for completion in 2030.