Abu Dhabi posts record tourism year as hotel revenue hits Dh9.1bn
Abu Dhabi Tourism 2025 concluded with a record of 26.6 million visitors, as reported by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). This annual figure represents the emirate’s highest tourism performance on record, according to DCT Abu Dhabi’s 2025 report.
DCT Abu Dhabi reported that the hotel sector generated Dh9.1 billion in revenues in 2025 as the emirate welcomed 26.6 million visitors, highlighting the significant tourism-driven demand for accommodation and related services.
DCT Abu Dhabi also noted an increase in visitors at major cultural sites in 2025, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, as part of the broader visitor surge. This is important for trip planning and spending patterns because museum-focused itineraries often lead to longer stays and higher per-visitor spending on tickets and food and beverages, especially around Saadiyat Island.
The 2025 results boost Abu Dhabi’s non-oil growth story focused on travel, culture, entertainment, and business events, with DCT Abu Dhabi leading destination marketing and sector oversight. Looking ahead to 2026, the practical impact may result in increased peak-period demand, limited hotel availability during major events, and heightened competition for last-minute bookings.
Quick Intel
- Headline number: Abu Dhabi recorded 26.6 million visitors in 2025 (DCT Abu Dhabi).
- Hotel money: Abu Dhabi hotel revenues hit Dh9.1 billion in 2025, supporting higher cashflow for hospitality supply chains.
- Culture driver: DCT Abu Dhabi reported double-digit growth in attendance at cultural attractions in 2025, reinforcing the role of museums and heritage sites in sustaining longer stays and higher visitor spend with Louvre Abu Dhabi was cited by DCT Abu Dhabi among cultural attractions showing visitor growth in 2025.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said the 26.6 million visitors recorded in 2025 were supported by a strong calendar of cultural attractions and major MICE events that lifted attendance across key venues by double digits with flagship sites such as Louvre Abu Dhabi contributing to the emirate’s tourism momentum.
9.39s Sprint at World Robot Games Beijing Beats Bolt Record
9.39-Second Sprint Shatters Human 100m Mark at Beijing Robot Games
A headless Chinese humanoid robot sprinted 100 meters in 9.39 seconds over the weekend at Beijing's Olympic speed skating arena during the World Robot Games. Autonomous hardware developers and robotics engineering teams demonstrated new benchmarks in machine locomotion as multiple humanoids competed across track events, football matches, and boxing bouts.
Tiangong Ultra Clocked 38.15 Seconds in 400-Meter Dash to Edge Out Previous Benchmarks
Developed by a Beijing government-backed research center, the Tiangong Ultra humanoid completed its 100-meter sprint faster than Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second mark set in 2009, state broadcaster CCTV confirmed. The same machine model returned to the track on Sunday to log a 38.15-second finish in the 400-meter event, cutting nearly five seconds off the previous record despite wobbling off-balance during its heat.
Beyond the track wins, competing models displayed mixed operational performance, with several failing to start, pacing at a slow walk, or collapsing at the opening gun. Spectators observed toddler-sized humanoids kicking footballs over barricades and a boxing model folding over the ring ropes until operators removed it. Hou Yali, a 72-year-old Beijing resident attending the games, noted that the speed trials demonstrate mechanical movement limits rather than practical household assistance or task intelligence.
The sprint performance eclipsed the human 100-meter world record of 9.58 seconds set by Jamaica's Usain Bolt in 2009.
Saudi Arabia arrests 14,260 in week-long law sweep
14,260 Detained in Saudi Security Sweep as Deportations Pass 13,700
Saudi security authorities arrested 14,260 people for residency, border security, and labor law violations during joint nationwide inspections conducted between August 13 and August 19, 2026. The sweeps target undocumented workers, border trespassers, and third parties facilitating illegal employment or shelter across all regions of the kingdom.
Nationwide Sweep Triggers Mass Deportations and Heavy Financial Penalties
Ministry of Interior inspections netted 6,900 residency offenders, 3,982 border security violators, and 3,378 labor rule breaches over the seven-day period. Security forces also caught 1,524 individuals attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally. Border enforcement figures show Ethiopians accounted for 63 percent of those detained during entry attempts, Yemenis comprised 36 percent, and other nationalities made up the remaining one percent. Another 38 individuals were arrested while attempting to leave the kingdom illegally, while 24 people face legal action for transporting, sheltering, or employing violators.
Deportation enforcement has already removed 13,724 individuals from the country. Diplomatic missions are processing 18,808 people to issue travel documents, while 5,386 individuals are completing final travel arrangements. A total of 31,922 expatriates, 29,961 men and 1,961 women, remain subject to ongoing enforcement procedures.
Facilitators face strict legal consequences. The Ministry of Interior warned that transporting, sheltering, or assisting violators carries up to 15 years in prison, fines reaching SR1 million, and the confiscation of vehicles and real estate used to hide or convey unauthorized residents.
The joint security campaigns reflect ongoing enforcement efforts by Saudi government agencies to address labor infractions and maintain strict control over national borders.
iPhone 18 Pro Split: Standard Models Delayed to 2027
Apple Splitting iPhone 18 Lineup With Pro Models and Foldable Dropping First
What Apple’s Split Launch Schedule Means for Your Next Upgrade
Apple is preparing its official event announcement for next week, but the release timeline for late 2026 is already taking shape. If you were planning to buy a standard base-model iPhone this autumn, you'll need to adjust your expectations. Apple is splitting its primary smartphone launch, bringing only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a new foldable device to market in September 2026, while delaying the entry-level iPhone 18 until early 2027.
The flagship iPhone 18 Pro lineup carries several notable hardware changes. Both Pro variants are expected to feature a smaller Dynamic Island, an upgraded OLED display, and Apple's next-generation A20 Pro processor built on a 2-nanometer process. For camera performance, the main lens is moving to a variable aperture system designed to function similarly to a DSLR camera. In terms of styling, Apple is replacing the previous generation's Cosmic Orange shade with a new Dark Cherry color option.
Alongside the Pro tier, Apple is preparing to release its first foldable smartphone, referred to as the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra. The hardware design features a 5.3-inch external cover screen that opens into a 7.6-inch interior display. When fully unfolded, the device measures 4.5mm in thickness, relying on advanced display construction and a high-durability hinge to minimize the center crease.
Key Hardware Upgrades Across Mac, Watch, and Home Devices
Beyond smartphones, the 2026 refresh cycle extends into Apple’s computing, wearable, and smart home platforms.
- M6 MacBook Pro: Apple is introducing its 2-nanometer chip technology to the Mac lineup starting with the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, powered by the new M6 processor.
- iPad Mini 8: The compact tablet transitions to an OLED display, paired with a more water-resistant body and a vibration-based speaker system.
- Apple Watch Series 12 & Ultra 4: The Series 12 gets an internal upgrade via a faster processor built to improve Siri AI performance, keeping the existing outer design. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 transitions to a refreshed design with new integrated sensors.
- Smart Home Hardware: A dedicated smart-home hub is expected to serve as the core of Apple's home ecosystem, operating alongside an updated HomePod Mini 2 (powered by an S-series chip derived from the Apple Watch Series 10), a new Apple TV 4K featuring an A17 Pro chip with upgraded Wi-Fi and Bluetooth hardware, and Apple's first HomeKit-compatible indoor security camera.
Alex Eala Lands in New York Eyeing Career-High No. 18 Spot
Ranked No. 20, Alex Eala Begins US Open Prep at Arthur Ashe Stadium
World No. 20 tennis player Alexandra Eala began training at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on August 23 ahead of the US Open main-draw matches running from August 30 to September 13. The 21-year-old Filipino athlete's arrival signals a high-stakes campaign for international sports followers and tour competitors as she targets a career-high ranking.
Eala Pairs With Auger-Aliassime and Eyes Projected No. 18 Ranking
Under the direction of coach Joan Bosch, Eala took to the practice courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center following a strong run on tour. WTA live projections indicate her ranking is set to reach a career-best No. 18 during the tournament. Ahead of the main-draw ceremony scheduled for later this week, Eala committed to competing in the mixed doubles draw alongside Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, who holds the No. 4 position in the ATP standings. She is also scheduled to face world No. 16 Iva Jovic in the Stars of the Open exhibition match on August 27.
The Stars of the Open exhibition exhibition fixture featuring Eala and Jovic takes place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, exactly three days before main-draw competition opens on August 30.
The New York appearance follows Eala's earlier hard-court campaign at the Cincinnati Open.
Strait of Hormuz Closure Deepens as Trump Claims 'US Territory'
Energy Route Closure Escalates as US Claims Hormuz and Expands Sanctions
US President Donald Trump reshared a graphic on Truth Social on August 23 designating the Strait of Hormuz as "NEW US Territory" while Washington prepared new economic sanctions against Tehran. Global energy markets, maritime shipping operations, and regional governments face severe disruption as Iranian authorities reiterated that the strategic oil transit passage will remain closed to unapproved traffic until the United States alters its policy stance.
Washington Readies Strict Sanctions as Tehran Threatens Regional Neighbours
The Strait of Hormuz remains shut to unapproved tanker traffic, severely disrupting global oil movements as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent prepares to outline what he characterized as "the toughest sanctions in history" against Tehran. The upcoming economic restrictions target Iranian crude exports, with Washington appealing directly to Beijing to cease shipments of Iranian oil. In response, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denounced the planned secondary sanctions on August 22, stating on X that such unilateral enforcement actions find no legal foundation in international law.
Rejecting Washington's jurisdictional claims over the narrow maritime channel, Iranian Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei issued a direct warning to nearby nations against siding with American punitive efforts. Rezaei stated that Tehran will view any neighboring government participating in the US economic action as an enemy, adding that the physical gap between Washington's inability to reopen the waterway and its territorial claims exceeds the 7,000-mile distance between the two points.
While Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for diplomatic engagement to resolve the standoff while protecting national dignity, Tehran maintains that countermeasures will enforce the waterway's closure. The latest social media post by Trump repeats an identical graphic shared on August 18, following his August 14 statement to a police academy gathering on Long Island where he first declared intentions to assert control over the passage.
