Travel Tech & Hospitality: RateGain’s APMEA Direct Booking Friction Report 2026 says hotels aren’t losing direct revenue to weak demand, but to friction in their own digital journey—42% don’t show on page one for unbranded searches, 72% miss the 3-second mobile load target, and 44% hold taxes/fees until the final screen. Renewable Energy: AirPlus Renewables is preparing to launch its XEVA “Edge Wind Tech” turbine, built to generate power closer to where it’s used, with planned deployments including the Maldives. Underwater Safety: Maldives cave diving deaths keep raising questions about technical diving risk, equipment readiness, and decision-making after reports that victims were minutes from the surface. Digital Tourism & AI Search: The same RateGain coverage warns AI search could push hotel websites out of the booking journey, reshaping how travellers discover and book stays. Local Skills & Training: Four Seasons Maldives marked 25 years of its Hospitality Apprenticeship Programme, graduating 1,058 Maldivians and welcoming the next class of apprentices. Global Health Watch: An Ebola-like alert in northern Italy follows two aid workers returning from Uganda with symptoms; officials say public risk is low while testing continues.