Meta-owned WhatsApp has announced two major updates aimed at expanding its reach and strengthening user security. The company is introducing an all-new WhatsApp app for Apple Watch, while also making it easier for users to secure their chat backups with passkey encryption.
Together, these updates reflect WhatsApp’s broader effort to deliver seamless communication experiences while maintaining strong privacy protections.
In what it calls a “big upgrade for your wrist,” WhatsApp has officially launched its Apple Watch app. The new experience lets users stay connected and manage conversations without pulling out their iPhone, offering an array of new features designed for convenience and accessibility.
For the first time, Apple Watch users can read and respond to full WhatsApp messages directly from their wrist, even long ones. The app also supports call notifications, allowing users to see who’s calling without checking their phone, and introduces the ability to record and send voice messages straight from the watch.
Adding to the interactive experience, WhatsApp has included the option to react to messages with quick emoji responses and view clear images and stickers, enhancing the visual appeal of chats on a smaller screen. Users can also access more of their chat history when reading messages, making the wrist-based experience more complete.
WhatsApp emphasised that this is just the beginning of building a better Apple Watch experience, with future updates expected to bring even more functionality. Importantly, all personal messages and calls remain private with end-to-end encryption, consistent with the company’s privacy-first design.
The new WhatsApp app requires Apple Watch Series 4 or later, running watchOS 10 or newer.
Making encryption easier for everyone
In a parallel development, WhatsApp has also unveiled a new way to protect chat backups through passkey-encrypted backups. This upgrade simplifies how users keep their old messages, photos, and voice notes safe, especially when switching devices or recovering data.
Previously, WhatsApp users relied on manually managed passwords or lengthy 64-digit encryption keys to secure their backups. The new system eliminates that hassle by letting users encrypt backups using their fingerprint, face, or device screen lock code. This makes the backup process faster and more intuitive, while maintaining the same level of privacy and end-to-end encryption that protects regular chats and calls.
WhatsApp says this rollout will take place gradually over the coming weeks and months, giving users a straightforward path to enhanced security. To activate the feature, users can go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > End-to-end Encrypted Backup.
With this dual update, one focused on accessibility and the other on security, WhatsApp continues to strengthen its position as a leading global messaging platform.
Accor, a global leader in hospitality, has announced the signing of Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah, a landmark luxury hotel that will be the largest Sofitel property in the world. The new flagship, developed in partnership with Jabal Omar Development Company (JODC), will open in 2026 and mark a major milestone in the Kingdom’s growing luxury tourism sector.
Located within Jabal Omar master development, just steps away from the Holy Mosque, Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah will feature 1,141 rooms and suites across two towers — Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah North and Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah South — offering panoramic views of the Haram and Makkah’s skyline.
Maud Bailly, CEO Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems, said: “We are honored to introduce Sofitel in Makkah, a city that holds immense spiritual and cultural importance. Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah will stand as a symbol of hospitality, serenity, and connection — a place where our French zest meets Saudi authenticity. This extraordinary project reflects our ambition to create meaningful cultural bridges through luxury hospitality in one of the world’s most sacred destinations.”
Blending French art de vivre with Saudi heritage, the hotel will feature six distinctive dining venues, including elegant all-day dining restaurants, a signature fine-dining concept merging French and Middle Eastern flavors, and intimate lounges designed for reflection and gathering. Guests will also have access to a Club Millésime executive lounge, fitness centers, and exclusive wellness experiences inspired by local traditions and crafted by Saudi artisans.
The project underscores Accor’s partnership with Jabal Omar Development Company, one of the Middle East’s largest publicly listed real estate firms and a key driver of Makkah’s urban transformation. JODC’s masterplan integrates hospitality, retail, and residential offerings to support the city’s spiritual and economic growth.
Jean-Baptiste Recher, chief development officer luxury brands Middle East, Africa and Turkiye, said: “Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah is a landmark achievement for Accor in the Middle East luxury sector. The hotel exemplifies our commitment to creating world-class properties that harmonize local heritage with French luxury, offering guests an unparalleled experience at the heart of Makkah.”
Xavier Grange, chief development officer, Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery & Emblems, added: “The Jabal Omar development represents a cornerstone of Makkah’s urban transformation, reinforcing Accor’s leadership in the Kingdom’s luxury segment, and supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The signing of the world’s largest Sofitel in Makkah reflects our ambition to grow the brand’s presence through landmark projects in key strategic markets, bringing the spirit of French luxury hospitality to a global stage. Sofitel’s proven expertise in operating large-scale hotels ensures we deliver exceptional guest experiences at any scale.”
With its scale, design, and proximity to the Holy Mosque, Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah reinforces Accor’s long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 — advancing the Kingdom’s position as a leading global tourism destination while celebrating cultural connection through luxury hospitality.
Egypt and ExxonMobil have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand natural gas exploration and production activities in the Egyptian Mediterranean, the Egyptian Petroleum Ministry said on Tuesday.
Under the MOU, ExxonMobil plans to invest in a new concession area located west of Egypt’s Zohr field, according to the ministry’s statement.
DP World has partnered with Parkin to roll out a fully automated smart parking system at the Al Aweer Central Fruit and Vegetable Market, managing around 2,500 parking spaces for light vehicles and another 500 for trucks.
The advanced system will use license plate recognition technology and real-time data analytics to enable barrier-free access, easing congestion and improving traffic flow within one of Dubai’s most active trading hubs.
According to a Dubai Media Office report, the initiative is designed to streamline high-volume movements for market traders and supply chain operators, enhancing operational efficiency across the site.
The project supports Dubai’s wider Smart City agenda and the emirate’s long-term vision to transform the Al Aweer site into the world’s largest integrated food trading and logistics centre. Once complete, the development is expected to strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading global gateway for the fresh produce trade.
Enhancing logistics efficiency
Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and managing director of DP World GCC, said the partnership reflects DP World’s focus on innovation beyond the port gates. “Efficient logistics go far beyond the port gates to every link of the supply chain, from traffic flow and parking management to the movement of goods and their timely delivery,” he said. “In the perishables trade, every second counts. By partnering with Parkin, we will make operations at one of the region’s busiest food hubs faster, smarter and more seamless.”
Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, said the collaboration allows the company to apply its technology-driven parking solutions to one of Dubai’s most important commercial destinations. “By introducing seamless barrierless parking at Al Aweer Market, we aim to ease congestion, improve traffic flow and ensure more efficient use of parking space,” he said. “This will directly benefit the thousands of traders, logistics providers and visitors who rely on the market each day, while supporting Dubai’s wider Smart City ambitions.”
The new system builds on the 2023 agreement between Dubai Municipality and DP World to develop the world’s largest logistics hub dedicated to foodstuffs, fruit and vegetables. The hub aims to double the size of Dubai’s existing market and connect the zone to international markets, further reinforcing the city’s role as one of the Gulf’s leading centres for global food trade.
A major fuel supplier in Turkey has told its wholesale customers it will raise diesel prices after Western sanctions on Russian oil companies led to supply issues and increased insurance and financing costs, according to a document seen by Reuters.
Turkey is highly dependent on diesel supply from Russia and has been the top importer of Russian diesel since 2022, when Western countries shunned Russian oil due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Turkish fuel supplier Guzel Enerji, owned by the country’s army pension fund Oyak, raised wholesale diesel prices as of November 3 citing sanctions imposed by the U.S. against Russian oil majors Lukoil and Rosneft on October 22, according to a letter sent to its customers seen by Reuters.
Guzel Enerji, the fourth largest fuel retailer in Turkey in 2024, said in the document its diesel import costs had greatly increased due to the sanctions. The company declined to comment when asked about the document on Tuesday.
Fuel suppliers in Turkey have requested more diesel from local oil refineries Tupras and SOCAR, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter, with some seeking non-Russian diesel cargoes to meet domestic demand, one said.
Tupras and SOCAR have been buying more non-Russian crude recently in response to the Western sanctions, Reuters reported over the weekend.
Turkish imports of diesel from Russia rose above 300,000 barrels per day in 2023 and 2024 from just 117,000 bpd in 2022, according to shipping data from Kpler. Brazil also ramped up its Russian diesel imports in that timeframe.
Turkey is a net diesel importer, with annual demand of around 534,000 bpd in 2024, according to data from its energy regulator EPDK.
Global trading firm Vitol owns Turkey’s biggest fuel retailer, Petrol Ofisi, while local conglomerate Koc Holding KCHOL.IS and oil major Shell own shares in separate joint-venture retailers in the country.
Russian oil producer Tatneft also owns a major fuel retailer in Turkey.
Dubai once again took centre stage in the global conversation on women’s leadership and empowerment as the WE Convention (Women’s Empowerment Convention) convened on November 1–2 at the Atlantis The Royal. Organised by the WE Council, the event drew over 100 world-renowned speakers and 2,500 participants from more than 100 countries, solidifying its position as a prominent women’s empowerment event.
Tickets for the convention sold out nearly a month in advance, a strong signal of the growing global appetite for conversations around financial independence, career growth, and leadership among women. Delegates represented key regions including the UAE, wider Middle East, the UK, the US, CIS nations, and the European Union.
“This year’s WE Convention has exceeded every expectation, in scale, impact, and spirit,” said Mila Semeshkina, founder of the WE Convention. “We have grown not only in numbers but in the depth of dialogue, the excellence of our speakers, and the engagement from our global audience. Our voice is now heard by over a billion women worldwide. Each year, the WE community becomes stronger, more ambitious, and more united in shaping the future of women’s leadership.”
Held under the theme “ALL IN: Career, Money, and Life,” the 2025 edition spotlighted financial independence as a catalyst for personal and professional empowerment. The two-day programme featured an impressive lineup: 24 keynote sessions, 14 industry roundtables, 6 workshops, 4 topic-specific meetups, and 42 mentorship meetings. The discussions ranged from redefining women’s roles in global business to building brands, nurturing innovation, and exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping entrepreneurship.
Image credit: Supplied
Anna Wintour on leadership, collaboration, and balance
Among the most anticipated sessions was a keynote from Dame Anna Wintour, chief content officer at Condé Nast and global editorial director of Vogue. Wintour shared candid insights into her leadership philosophy and the challenges that persist for women in power.
“Of course, the glass ceiling still exists for women. And we just have to keep knocking on the glass, we will get there,” said Wintour. “We have to use our voices and our platforms. We have to stand up for what we believe in.”
She underscored the importance of surrounding oneself with trusted, capable teams. “As a leader, I believe in surrounding myself with people I trust and genuinely enjoy working with, individuals who bring diverse ways of thinking to the table. I empower my team to make their own decisions; I don’t micromanage. My strength lies in recognising talent and good ideas in others,” she shared.
Wintour also touched on work-life balance as essential to sustained success. “Weekends are very important to me, a time to unwind, read, play sports, walk my dogs, and go to the theatre. That balance is so important, and I encourage my team to do the same,” she concluded.
Candace Bushnell champions financial independence
Equally interesting was a conversation with Candace Bushnell, international best-selling author and creator of the iconic Sex and the City series. Bushnell reflected on how her work continues to inspire women to define success on their own terms.
“Even as a little girl, I realised I didn’t think the way women were expected to think,” Bushnell said. “In the 1960s, women were encouraged to pursue only a few professions. I wanted to show women a different way to think and a different way to look at their lives.”
She emphasised financial empowerment as the cornerstone of women’s autonomy. “The most important thing is being independent and making your own money,” she said. “Always have some part of yourself you can rely on. My one piece of advice to young women would be simple: focus on building your confidence and independence. Financial empowerment gives women freedom, security, and choice.”
Bushnell closed with a call for solidarity among women: “Women need to come together more to lift each other up. We’re stronger when we stand side by side and celebrate each other’s success.”
Image credit: Supplied
Global leaders and industry titans share the stage
The convention featured a powerhouse roster of leaders across government, business, and the arts. Distinguished speakers included Ohood Al Roumi, UAE minister of state for Government Development and the Future, and Hala Badri, director general of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.
From the corporate world, notable figures included Dr Maky Zanganeh, US self-made billionaire and co-CEO and president of Summit Therapeutics; Amira Sajwani, managing director of Sales and Development at DAMAC Properties; Mary Gukasyan, managing director at Kraft Heinz Middle East and Africa; Mirna Arif, general manager for Microsoft Middle East and Africa Growth Markets; Alina Nazarova, director of Premium and Private Banking at Alfa-Bank; Nisha Jagtiani, group director of Landmark Group; and Tina Ghafurian, COO of Omorfia Group.
Sports and culture were also well represented, with Nawal El Moutawakel, Olympic champion and vice president of the International Olympic Committee; Svetlana Kuznetsova, Grand Slam tennis champion and sports-fashion designer; Joelle Mardinian, celebrity entrepreneur; and Angela Orlov, co-founder and head of design at ORLOV Jewelry.
A glamorous night of networking and culture
Adding to the momentum of the two-day summit, WE Night on November 1 stood out as one of Dubai’s most glamorous social events of the season. Hosted at the Michelin-acclaimed estiatorio Milos at Atlantis The Royal, the evening combined high fashion, art, and business networking.
Guests enjoyed red-carpet arrivals, an exclusive ORLOV Jewelry fashion show, a Schiaparelli Couture presentation, live music by Jodok Cello, and a gourmet dinner that encouraged top-level networking among business and creative leaders. The event underscored the WE Convention’s dual focus on empowerment and community, fostering professional growth while celebrating cultural excellence.
The WE Convention 2025 was made possible by a roster of partners representing diverse industries and sectors, including ORLOV Jewelry, Eywa by R.Evolution, Lectera.com, Kraft Heinz, Omorfia Group, META, LinkedIn, Oracle, Migems Dubai, La Biosthétique, OKX, Shiseido, Philip Morris International, Aeon & Trisl, AM Wealth, LITT, LETOILE, Keto Kartel, Divinom, Milena Aesthetic Clinic, Privé7 Dubai, the female factor, and Women in AI.
As the convention concluded, its message resonated powerfully across sectors, women’s empowerment is not a movement, but a sustained global force driving economic growth, innovation, and leadership. With Dubai’s growing influence as a global business hub, the WE Convention has cemented its role as a platform for shaping the future of women’s participation in the global economy.
