The evolution of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology has catalyzed a new era in urban mobility, with mainland Chinese robotaxi companies emerging as global leaders. As domestic competition intensifies and profitability remains elusive in mainland China, firms like Baidu’s Apollo Go, WeRide and Pony.ai are accelerating their international expansion, marked with recent actions in the Middle East.

Stunning photos show progress on the 'world's biggest construction site' that promises to redefine the look of cities and urban living.  Fresh aerial images have emerged showing remarkable progress on what's being called the world's largest construction site. The project, known as NEOM, is slowly taking shape near the Red Sea in the Arabian Desert, with its centrepiece development called THE LINE now visibly rising from the desert floor.

The Danish logistics group DSV entered a $10 billion joint venture with NEOM in late 2023, positioning itself as the exclusive logistics partner to one of the most ambitious urban development projects in the world. The joint venture was structured with NEOM holding a 51% stake and DSV 49%, aimed at delivering full-scope supply chain management, infrastructure development, and transport services—by land, sea, and air.

Andre Kikoski Architect (AKA), a New York office, recently completed a greenhouse for Topian, NEOM's food company. The NEOM Agricultural Complex opened last year, and has since yielded its first round of crops. According to the firm, the building and its operations denote NEOM's first built operational asset.

In Saudi Arabia, the promising NEOM City project seems to be in trouble. On Friday, Semaphore reported that NEOM is planning to lay off approximately 1,000 employees, an estimated 20% of its workforce, suggesting the Saudi government is downsizing its flagship giga project.

Saudi Arabia, a nation long defined by its oil wealth, is closing in on one of the most transformative energy projects the world has ever seen. In the remote northwestern desert, at the heart of the massive NEOM mega-project in the floating city of OXAGON, the Kingdom is building a green hydrogen plant the size of Chicago.

If you’re an expat living in Saudi Arabia or the UAE, there’s good news: Starting January 2026, foreign nationals and companies will be permitted to own property in the Kingdom. This major policy shift is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and attract international investment.

In the heart of the desert, a quiet revolution is taking root. Repositioning itself as a leader in sustainability, especially with the NEOM project designed to operate entirely on renewable energy, Saudi Arabia’s green shift is driving new infrastructure and reshaping how Saudis perceive their place in the world, transforming sustainability into a way of life.