Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project, initially envisioned as a 105-mile linear city, has been drastically scaled back to 1.5 miles, resembling more of a dot than a line.

In planning Neom spans 26,500 km2 (10,200 sq mi) with diverse regions, featuring a floating industrial complex, a global trade hub, tourist resorts, and a linear city fueled by renewable energy sources.

Despite setbacks, NEOM’s confinement to the digital realm offers a silver lining—a potential future where megalomaniacal projects exist solely in virtual spaces.

In other news, British passengers on a SunExpress flight to Turkey quickly depleted all onboard alcohol within 25 minutes, highlighting unique passenger behaviour challenges for airlines.

Amazon’s covert tactics through Big River, attending competitor conferences incognito and gathering intel, underscore its competitive edge.

Meanwhile, a rural Colorado school district’s attempt to ban smartphones faced parental pushback, sparking a broader debate about technology in education.