Gulf Times

Saudi Arabia has withdrawn from a China-led cross-border currency platform, according to the Financial Times. The move is seen as a setback for Beijing's efforts to build alternatives to the dollar-based global payments system, and observers are weighing what it signals about the Gulf kingdom's financial alignment with Washington versus its deepening economic ties with China.

Oman has called on members of the United Nations to refrain from resorting to the use of force. The appeal, reported by regional media, reflects the Gulf state's long-standing position in favour of diplomacy and peaceful resolution of disputes. The statement comes amid ongoing international tensions, prompting discussion of Oman's neutral, mediation-oriented role in regional and global affairs.

Education experts are cautioning that students may be leaning too heavily on artificial intelligence tools, raising concerns about weakened critical thinking, reduced writing skills, and academic integrity. The warning, reported by Gulf Times, adds to a growing debate among teachers and researchers worldwide about how AI should be used in classrooms and how schools can balance its benefits with the risks to genuine learning.