NEW YORK: The White House clashed with environmentalists on Wednesday over President Donald Trump’s retreat from tough future auto emission standards, with both sides predicting potentially big consequences for America’s car fleet.
Appearing in Detroit, Trump ordered a review of the Obama administration’s decision in January to finalize stiff fuel economy standards for the 2022-2025 period.
Trump cast his decision as a defense of American jobs, while his new Environmental Protection Agency administrator, Scott Pruitt — an avowed skeptic of climate-change science — decried the rules as “costly for automakers and the American people.”
But the Natural Resources Defense Council warned the move would lead to a proliferation of gas guzzlers, while Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer called the decision “one of the first steps in an all-out assault by the Trump administration to dismantle important environmental protections.”
Although Trump’s action opens the door to a potentially big change, auto industry experts said it is more likely the actual consequences will turn out to be less monumental than suggested by the rhetoric on both sides.
“It’s safe to assume, I imagine, we’ll have a less strict proposal sometime in the future,” said David Whiston, an auto industry equity analyst at Morningstar who predicted major investments in hybrid and more efficient internal combustion technology would have lasting impacts.
“Long term, companies are still going to invest in electric, and plug-in hybrids and hydrogen regardless of what these rules are.”
US automakers have already sunk large amounts into factories and technology programs to meet tough fuel economy standards in America and other key markets, such as Europe and China, the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) said.
“Anything that puts the US 2025 standards at risk carries with it the risk that the US could once again become a relative technology laggard in the industry, with clear implications for US-based companies’ competitive position,” the think-tank said.
Trump’s move on Wednesday concerns a deal originally struck between Barack Obama and many leading automakers in 2011 that envisioned a series of gradual increases through 2025, when average fuel economy would rise to 54.5 miles per gallon.
To meet the standards, automakers have adopted lighter-weight materials such as aluminum and structural tweaks to promote better aerodynamics, among other moves.
As part of the agreement, the auto industry won a promise for a “midterm evaluation” of the deal scheduled for 2018 to assess the standards in light of technological changes and business conditions.
Obama administration officials finalized the review and upheld the standards in their final days in office, drawing criticism from the industry, which argues the rules are costly and out of step with current market dynamics, including the rising popularity of light trucks in the US.
Automakers cheered Trump’s move Wednesday.
“By restarting this review, analysis rather than politics will produce a final decision consistent with the process we all agreed to... for greenhouse gases and fuel economy standards,” said Mitch Bainwol, president of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
Efraim Levy, an auto industry analyst at the research group CFRA, said relaxing the rules should result in lower costs for automakers that can be passed on to consumers, boosting sales.
At the same time, analysts predict automakers will continue to invest heavily in hybrids and other fuel-efficient and electric vehicles to meet changing consumer tastes in an era when companies like Tesla are pushing the envelope with electric cars.
Pressure is also coming from US states that have adopted tough environmental rules, especially California, which has taken advantage of a provision under the Clean Air Act that permits states to set fuel emissions standards that go beyond federal rules.
An effort by the Trump administration to challenge California’s authority would almost certainly wind up in court, where it would create a legal quagmire.
“As much as automakers might want some leniency from the standards, they don’t want leniency with much greater uncertainty,” ICCT program director Nic Lutsey said.
One outcome of the review could be greater leniency in how automakers are tested for fuel economy, he said, permitting more technologies that boost fuel economy but are difficult to account for during the rule-setting process.
More gas guzzlers due to Trump? Not necessarily
More gas guzzlers due to Trump? Not necessarily

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,411

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 132.17 points, or 1.14 percent, to close at 11,411.50.
The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR3.5 billion ($944.3 million), as 41 stocks advanced and 198 retreated.
Similarly, the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 116.45 points, or 0.41 percent, to close at 28,013.32. This comes as 30 of the listed stocks advanced while 39 retreated.
The MSCI Tadawul Index lost 20.74 points, or 1.41 percent, to close at 1,451.17.
The best-performing stock of the day was Umm Al Qura for Development and Construction Co., whose share price surged 2.77 percent to SR25.95.
Other top performers included National Industrialization Co., which saw its share price rise 2.26 percent to SR9.49, and Arabian Contracting Services Co., whose share price increased 1.69 percent to SR132.00.
Zahrat Al Waha for Trading Co. recorded the most significant drop, falling 7.05 percent to SR27.70.
Saudi Automotive Services Co. saw its stock prices fall 5.67 percent to SR61.50.
Emaar The Economic City also saw its stock prices decline 4.50 percent to SR14.00.
On the announcements front, Dar Alarkan Real Estate Development Co. reported its interim financial results for the period ending March 31.
According to a Tadawul statement, the company posted a net profit of SR209.34 million in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 36.2 percent increase compared to the same quarter in 2024.
The rise in net income was primarily driven by higher property sales. Increased lease revenues, lower finance costs, and greater non-operating income from Islamic Murabaha deposits also contributed to the gains, though these were partially offset by higher operating expenses and reduced earnings from associates.
Dar Alarkan Real Estate Development Co. ended the session at SR21.04, down 1.05 percent.
Saudi Aramco Base Oil Co. – Luberef has announced its interim financial results for the first quarter of 2025. A bourse filing showed the company recorded a net profit of SR221.5 million for the period ending March 31, reflecting a 7.3 percent decline compared to the same quarter last year. The drop in earnings was mainly due to lower by-product crack margins, despite an increase in base oil crack margins.
Luberef’s shares closed the session at SR98.70, down 0.20 percent.
Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group has announced its interim financial results for the period ending March 31. According to a Tadawul statement, the firm posted a net profit of SR557.01 million in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 1.09 percent increase compared to the same quarter in 2024. The growth was primarily driven by higher revenue, although fixed operating costs from recent strategic expansions have temporarily weighed on profit margins. These expansions are still ramping up and are expected to gradually reach full operational efficiency.
The company’s shares closed at SR289.00, down 2.15 percent.
The National Agricultural Development Co. reported its consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2025, posting a net profit of SR103.42 million for the period ending March 31 — a 2.06 percent rise compared to the year-earlier period.
The increase was supported by higher revenue, reduced general and administrative expenses, stronger operating profit, and increased treasury income. These gains were partially offset by higher cost of sales, increased impairment losses on trade and other receivables, and a decline in finance costs.
NADEC shares ended the session at SR22.20, down 1.54 percent.
Saudi Basic Industries Corp. announced a net loss of SR1.21 billion for the first quarter of 2025, compared to a net profit of SR250 million in the same period last year. The loss was primarily due to a SR1.05 billion decline in gross profit, driven by higher feedstock prices and increased operating expenses. These included non-recurring costs of SR1.07 billion linked to a strategic restructuring initiative aimed at improving long-term performance and reducing costs.
SABIC shares closed at SR60.70, down 2.77 percent.
Jeddah unveils 29 real estate projects across industrial, residential, retail sectors

RIYADH: Jeddah Municipality has announced 29 new investment opportunities across more than 1.4 million sq. meters, targeting sectors such as commercial, industrial, residential, and recreation.
Jeddah’s investment package includes 13 commercial opportunities featuring developing and operating retail shops and commercial complexes across various districts. The initiatives include the development of an integrated container city spanning 846,684 sq. meters and a second container park at 429,223 sq. meters.
This latest undertaking also follows a similar wave of investment opportunities recently launched in Riyadh, underscoring a nationwide push to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and enhance urban livability.
Jeddah’s additional projects feature a 145,472-sq.-meter barley milling and packaging facility, eight worker residential compounds, and eight public parks equipped with kindergartens and retail outlets.
A food truck zone under the municipal incubator program in South Obhur has also been introduced. In the education sector, a health college project has been announced.
The strategically distributed initiatives aim to meet neighborhood needs while ensuring synergy between activities.
The municipality has invited investors to submit proposals through the Furas Saudi investment portal. It noted that the bid submissions will be accepted from May 1 until July 8, as per the scheduled timeline. The Furas portal streamlines investor access, reflecting a unified approach to municipal investments.
This undertaking underscores Jeddah’s commitment to economic growth and urban development in alignment with national objectives.
Riyadh’s 2025 investment portfolio — spanning commercial, industrial, and leisure projects — mirrors the Kingdom’s strategic focus on private-sector-driven development under Vision 2030.
In March, the Riyadh Municipality unveiled 20 new investment prospects across 175,000 sq. meters, including mixed-use spaces, retail hubs, and industrial zones, with contracts ranging from five to 25 years.
Key districts like Jarir, Al-Rawdah, and Al-Qadisiyah are prioritized to ensure balanced growth. Complementing these efforts, the city has expanded its green infrastructure, adding 87 parks since 2022 to reach over 745,000 sq. meters of green space — transforming them into multifunctional community venues.
These parallel initiatives highlight Saudi cities’ commitment to sustainable urbanization, economic diversification, and elevated quality of life, cementing the Kingdom’s position as a regional leader in transformative urban development.
Saudi Arabia rolls out new guidelines for off-plan property deals

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has issued a detailed procedural guide to implement its previously approved off-plan real estate regulation, aiming to enhance transparency, protect buyers, and formalize developer obligations.
The new framework was formally approved by Real Estate General Authority CEO Abdullah bin Saud Al-Hammad on May 2 and took effect immediately, according to the official gazette Umm Al-Qura.
This guide is part of the regulatory rollout following the Cabinet’s 2023 decision to formalize off-plan real estate sales and leasing. It is designed to strengthen investor confidence in a sector that accounts for approximately 7 percent of Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product and plays a crucial role in supporting related industries such as construction and finance.
In a post on its official X handle, REGA stated: “The Real Estate Authority issued the procedural guide for the sale and rent of real estate projects off-plan, with the aim of clarifying the requirements of the procedures that regulate and control the stages of licensing, marketing, selling, leasing, and managing real estate projects off-plan, including requests for amendments or changes, opening and managing an escrow account, and other regulatory procedures.”
The updated model outlines 55 defined scenarios, covering applications by legal and individual developers to register or update their status, improve evaluation scores, or request project modifications. It also details processes for certifying completion, changing contractors, switching project banks, and reallocating escrowed funds.
Refunds to buyers from escrow accounts are permitted in cases such as the cancellation of marketing permits, project delays exceeding 180 days, or failure to secure a sales license. The guide also addresses scenarios involving project restructuring, title transfers, license revocations, and developer substitutions for delayed projects.
The reforms are intended to provide legal clarity and investor assurance as off-plan development becomes an increasingly prominent feature of the Kingdom’s residential and commercial real estate landscape.
Legal entities and individuals seeking to develop off-plan properties must now comply with strict registration and reporting requirements, including updates to developer evaluations and the appointment of certified consultants and accountants.
The regulatory update underscores Saudi Arabia’s push to build a robust legal infrastructure for its real estate sector, positioning the Kingdom as a competitive and secure environment for local and foreign investors.
Qatar welcomes over 1.5m international visitors in Q1 2025

RIYADH: Qatar received more than 1.5 million international visitors in the first quarter of 2025, according to newly released figures, as the country continues to push forward with its comprehensive tourism strategy anchored in major events, strategic partnerships, and diverse travel offerings.
While slightly below the 1.6 million visitors recorded during the same period in 2024, the latest numbers highlight Qatar’s sustained momentum in attracting global travelers.
Visitors from Gulf Cooperation Council countries accounted for 36 percent of arrivals, followed by Europe at 28 percent and Asia and Oceania at 20 percent, underscoring Qatar’s growing appeal across varied markets.
The increase aligns with the nation’s long-term objective of drawing six million visitors annually by 2030. It also coincides with the third phase of the Qatar National Development Strategy (2024–2030), launched in January 2024, which designates tourism as a critical pillar in the country’s economic diversification agenda.
“The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 demonstrate some of the planned outputs of our long-term approach to tourism development,” said Saad Bin Ali Al-Kharji, chairman of Qatar Tourism and chair of the board of directors of Visit Qatar.
“Part of the development transcends into deepening collaboration across local, regional and international markets and continue to diversify source markets, enhance visitor experiences, and reinforce Qatar’s position as a dynamic, year-round destination. We are excited to have welcomed 1.5M in Q1 and look forward to welcoming more guests throughout this year,” he added.
Qatar’s multi-access strategy also appears to be paying off. Of the total visitors, 51 percent arrived by air, 34 percent by land, and 15 percent by sea.
During the Eid Al-Fitr holidays, the country recorded its highest holiday visitor count in three years, attracting 214,000 travelers over an eight-day period — a 26 percent increase from 2024. Nearly half (49 percent) of those visitors came from GCC countries, representing an 18 percent year-on-year rise. Hotel occupancy during this period reached 77 percent, up from 67 percent the previous year.
The hospitality industry reported robust performance overall in Q1, with an average hotel occupancy rate of 71 percent and 2.6 million room nights sold. Key drivers included major international events such as Web Summit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, and the Qatar International Food Festival.
Reinforcing its position as a regional tourism hub, Qatar also hosted the 51st UN Tourism Regional Committee for the Middle East. The gathering focused on leveraging the country's strengths in sports, innovation, and infrastructure to promote sustainable tourism across the region.
Looking ahead, Qatar is set to continue its tourism push with a strong slate of upcoming events. The country will annually host the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final in partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organization through 2030. Additional highlights include the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, the Visit Qatar E1 Grand Prix of Electric Boats, and a series of high-profile festivals and sports events, all aimed at enriching Qatar’s tourism offerings and supporting its continued growth.
Syria to sign deal to import electricity from Turkiye, minister says

CAIRO: Syria is set to sign a deal to import electricity from Turkiye through a 400-kilovolt transmission line between the two countries “soon,” the Syrian state news agency cited the country’s energy minister as saying on Sunday.
Syria is also working on establishing a natural gas pipeline connecting the Turkish border town of Kilis and Syria’s northern city of Aleppo, minister Mohamed Al-Bashir said.
“The pipeline will allow the supply of 6 million cubic meters of gas per day to power plants in Syria which will contribute in improving the country’s energy situation,” he added.
Syria has suffered from severe power shortages. On separate occasions, the country said it was working with partners including Gulf states, in the energy and electricity sectors.