Saudi Arabia taps China’s MiniMax for Arabic AI model The development signals that the kingdom continues deepening AI ties with China while simultaneously pursuing major US technology partnerships, keeping the Gulf state at the center of an intensifying technology race between the superpowers. Saudi Arabia
Starlink expands Middle East footprint with UAE launch: What to know Starlink’s Emirati debut expands the range of connectivity options available and is a significant step in the country’s efforts to bolster its digital infrastructure. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
China's Xi to visit Egypt for first time in decade as military, Huawei ties grow The visit comes as Chinese telecoms giant Huawei seeks to supply more than 2,000 advanced AI chips for Egyptian government data centers. Egypt
Culture Iran war hits Saudi gaming drive as Esports Nations Cup pushed to 2027 The postponement is a blow for the kingdom, which has made growing its esports sector one of the main priorities under its Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia
Interview Why Strait of Hormuz no longer rattles oil markets as much: IMF Jihad Azour Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund
Interview Saudi labor localization will take ‘generation or two': Armada CEO Olivier Badard CEO of Armada Holding
Ex-Israeli space program head claims aliens exist and Trump is aware Haim Eshed told an Israeli newspaper that the US government had struck an "agreement" with the extraterrestrials. Israel
In a changing Middle East, Abraham Accords will usher in new era for technology Collaboration in the form of partnerships and joint ventures around technology between Israel and the United Arab Emirates could be indicative of the wider shift expected in a post-Abraham Accords Middle East. United Arab Emirates
Israel ventures into space for second time The Ramon Foundation participates in preparing the mission of Israel’s second-ever astronaut Eytan Stibbe — a first nonprofit organization to be partnered with such a mission. Originals
US warns Egypt to avoid Chinese companies on 5G connections As part of the growing conflict between Washington and Beijing over the introduction of 5G networks in the world, the US State Department warned Egypt against resorting to Chinese companies for the launch of 5G networks and called on Egyptian companies to boycott their Chinese counterparts. Egypt
UAE announces first Arab mission to the moon The United Arab Emirates seeks to become the fourth country in the world to land on the lunar surface, its leader announced today. Originals
Egyptian tech startups offer hope for economy in post-COVID world While Egypt's economy faces pressure from several factors, such as coronavirus preventative measures, a sudden stop in tourism and record-high debt levels, one bright spot in the economy is a tech boom that has continued even throughout the global pandemic. Egypt
Inside Morocco’s digital divide: girls fighting for education in lockdown While the internet has kept many going through coronavirus lockdowns, the digital divide could mean that many Moroccan students will fall behind. Morocco
UAE's Mars probe launches following weather delays Hope lifted off on Monday in the first-ever Mars mission for a country in the Arab world. Originals
UAE Mars mission again delayed due to weather The Hope probe is now scheduled to launch Monday from Japan. United Arab Emirates
UAE’s historic mission to Mars postponed over poor weather The orbiter is now scheduled to launch from the Japanese island of Tanegashima on Thursday. Originals
Amnesty loses battle against Israeli spy-technology company The Tel Aviv court ruled that Amnesty International failed to present sufficient evidence in its claim against spy-technology company NSO. Israel
Amnesty blasts Bahrain, Kuwait for 'highly invasive' COVID-19 tracing apps Amnesty International has warned apps used to trace the movements of possible COVID-19 cases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Norway put the privacy of citizens at risk. Bahrain
