Business
Data from official national economic monitoring released on Friday affirms that the Canadian economy experienced a 0.3 per cent expansion in May, marking the second month of sustained recovery and surpassing earlier government predictions. As per monthly Gross Domestic Product figures published by Statistics Canada, real output rose in 13 of the 20 primary industrial sectors, driven by widespread increases in goods-producing industries and steady demand in the services sector. This monthly growth outperformed the preliminary flash estimate of 0.1 per cent growth, providing positive momentum for the national economy after revised growth of 0.6 per cent in April.
Travel
The expanded routes to Milan-Bergamo and Naples continue to function under the established codeshare partnership between flydubai and international flag carrier Emirates. The cooperative arrangement allows passengers to access integrated travel itineraries, unified single-ticket purchasing options, synchronized flight schedules, and through-checked baggage handling across both airline networks. By leveraging the joint network through the central Dubai aviation hub, travelers connecting from Italian airports gain streamlined access to popular long-haul destinations across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, including direct connectivity to Kenya, Oman, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Zanzibar.
Emirates and Crypto.com now offer passengers an alternative payment method, stemming from a strategic memorandum of understanding initially signed in July 2025. This digital asset payment gateway is accessible to residents of the United Arab Emirates for both international and domestic flights paid for and settled in Emirati Dirhams (AED). Payments are handled through Crypto.com’s checkout platform, giving users direct access to their digital wallets when securing their tickets.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi revealed on Tuesday that the iconic Guggenheim Abu Dhabi museum will officially open its doors on December 11, 2026, on Saadiyat Island. Official reports issued by Emirates News Agency confirmed the opening date, marking a significant milestone in the UAE’s emergence as a leading international center for contemporary art and cross-cultural dialogue. Designed by the late Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, the 80,000-square-metre complex is situated in the Saadiyat Cultural District and stands as the largest museum within the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation’s global network.
During the first six months of the year, the Republic of Korea saw nearly 2 million international tourists visit in June alone, pushing the total number of foreign arrivals past a significant milestone. Official figures released by Emirates News Agency confirmed that Korea’s foreign tourist entries surpassed 10 million in H1, driven by consistent double-digit growth across major regional markets. Data from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism indicate that June alone contributed 1.99 million foreign visitors, representing a 23.1 percent rise compared to the same month in the previous year. This strong monthly increase brought the total for the first half of the year to 10.71 million visitors, reflecting a 21.3 percent increase from the 8.8 million recorded during the same period in 2025 and surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 26.9 percent.
New government data shows South Korea’s travel account posts surplus for 3rd consecutive month in May amid rising tourist arrivals. The post May foreign tourist arrivals drive South Korea travel surplus appeared first on Arabian Observer: Observe more. Understand Arabia..
Automotive
Porsche to cut 5000 more jobs under restructuring plan after reaching agreement with German labor unions, data confirms.
Japan’s new car sales rose 1.8% in the first half of 2026, reaching 2.39 million units as registered vehicles and kei cars grew overall.
FIA expands Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life into the Middle East and Africa, extending road safety training, mentoring and local support.
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the electric C-Class in Seoul, bringing its first battery-powered C-Class sedan with up to 762 km of WLTP range.
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class adds an illuminated grille, optional lit hood star, and DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps, pairing new styling cues with flagship cabin tech and comfort features.
Tesla’s China-made EV sales rose 9.9% in November 2025, reaching 86,700 units, signaling a strong recovery for the automaker in the world’s largest EV market.