Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay to debut Saudi cooking institute

In the realm of technological advancements, M42 - a unit of state-backed AI firm G42 - is reaching out to foreign countries to gather genetic data and major pharmaceutical companies to tap into its growing dataset. This move is part of the UAE's strategy to address the gap while tackling public health issues and expanding personalized health care offerings.

Meanwhile, in the healthcare sector, the cost of Ozempic, a popular diabetes medication, has been halved in the US for patients without health insurance, bringing some relief to those struggling with diabetes management costs.

On a different note, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is making strides in the culinary world. Gordon Ramsay is opening his first Gordon Ramsay Academy in Saudi Arabia, marking a new era where Saudi chefs are trained and judged to international standards. This development, alongside the arrival of the nation's first Michelin Guide next year, is expected to elevate the Saudi culinary scene.

In another significant move, Abu Dhabi is gathering the DNA of Emirati newborns in a national genomic sequencing project. The aim is to detect over 800 treatable childhood genetic conditions, a step towards personalized healthcare and early intervention.

The UAE's vision for the future is evident in the construction of the Kairos plant, which could power 50,000 homes with a small modular nuclear reactor. This project showcases the UAE's ambition to be at the cutting-edge of health care and energy solutions.

In the world of business, SoftBank is investing $2 billion in Intel, deepening its partnership with the kingdom's ALAT. Lenovo is also expanding into Saudi Arabia, the latest win for Riyadh's strategy of using state resources and contracts to back foreign firms that agree to use the kingdom as a hub for their Middle East operations.

However, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia is facing challenges. A former IMF mission chief to the kingdom argued that PIF should review its investment plans after a "less than stellar" recent performance. The criticism points to a particular worry: the economic and financial viability of the investments being made.

Elsewhere, the situation in Ukraine has seen a shift with a post-Vision 2030 grassroots campaign called "there's no shame in work." This campaign has helped normalize Saudis taking up service sector jobs, a significant change from a decade ago when few Saudis worked in restaurant kitchens.

In the political sphere, European leaders will join Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy when he meets US President Donald Trump at the White House. The meeting comes amidst efforts to facilitate a ceasefire in Ukraine, with a desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize appearing to be a motivating factor for President Trump.

On a more local note, Spain is deploying 500 more soldiers to fight wildfires ravaging the country. In a positive development, a new public beach in Jeddah is open, making the waterfront more accessible under Vision 2030's push to expand public spaces.

Lastly, two new electric-vehicle records have been set, showcasing the growing capacity of EVs. These achievements highlight the potential for a greener, more sustainable future in transportation.

In conclusion, these developments span various sectors and regions, reflecting the dynamic and interconnected nature of our globalized world. From technological advancements to healthcare innovations, business expansions to political meetings, and environmental initiatives to social changes, the world continues to evolve at a rapid pace.