Iran internet blackout estimated to cost $37M+ daily, crippling businesses and society The ongoing digital disconnection is severely stalling commerce, draining millions of dollars daily and pushing many businesses toward collapse. Iran
Interview Qualcomm sees growing demand for edge AI in the Middle East The Middle East's young population is increasingly adopting AI through mobile devices rather than data center-based solutions, Wassim Chourbaji, Qualcomm's president for the Middle East and Africa, told Al-Monitor. Wassim Chourbaji Qualcomm president for the Middle East & Africa
Iran plans to create closed internet network offering tiered access: Report The shift heralds a new era in which internet access is no longer a right but a government-granted privilege, according to FilterWatch, a US-based group that monitors internet freedom in the Middle East. Iran
Tehran jams Starlink as Iranians take risks to skirt internet blackout Iranians have turned to the US internet provider to get online amid a government-imposed network blackout that began Jan. 8. Iran
Interview Youth, strong AI adoption make MENA leading region for smartphones: OPPO Lay Ren President of OPPO MENA
Arabs in video games often out of step with times Popular video games often depict minorities as exaggerated stereotypes restricted to predictable roles, but game developers in the Middle East could help break that mold for Arab characters. Pan Arab
New app assesses Islamic preachers in Gaza Gaza’s Ministry of Religious Endowments launched a smartphone app allowing worshippers to assess preachers and find out in which mosque they will be delivering Friday sermons across the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Here’s how Iran wants to take its financial system on the blockchain A major project commissioned by the Central Bank of Iran aims to incorporate blockchain technologies in the country’s banking and financial system, and potentially employ a sovereign rial-backed cryptocurrency. Iran
Netanyahu’s government neglects scientific education Judging by budgets and funding, Israel is focused on settlements, not advancing scientific education. Israel
Israelis not giving up on moon mission Despite the crash of the Israeli spacecraft Beresheet on the surface of the moon, young Israelis feel inspired. Israel
Egypt switches to digital payments The Egyptian government will start implementing a law soon, regulating non-cash payments and switching to electronic payments in some cases. Egypt
Iraqis leading efforts to enrich Arabic Wikipedia Young Iraqis, along with regional partners, lead the efforts to promote knowledge and enlightenment in the Arab World. Iraq
How this blockchain startup could help people transform traffic in Iran A private sector Iranian blockchain startup is offering a unique mix of decentralized facilities that could enable the general public to meaningfully tackle traffic congestion in Iran and beyond. Iran
Intel: How Trump administration is using loophole to transfer nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
Iran turns to crypto to enable easier spending by tourists Iran’s government and private sector are eyeing cryptocurrencies to resolve a decadeslong lack of international payment channels in the Islamic Republic. Iran
Turkey’s incredible algorithm designed to root out Gulenists Turkey is expanding its use of software that analyzes an exhaustive array of aspects of people's lives to determine whether they might be members of the Gulenist movement. Turkey
Digital safety training keeps Syrians from being arrested A group of Syrians in al-Bab are working as part of the SalamaTech project to train people on the risks of using cellphones and the internet, in light of the regime’s arrests. Syria
