France blames Iran for supermarket fridge hack, seeks EU sanctions French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday blamed Iran for the October cyberattack that disabled refrigeration at supermarkets across France. Iran
Turkey probes Google’s AI search tools, orders protections for news websites Turkey’s competition watchdog said it is assessing whether AI-generated answers appearing on Google Search divert traffic from news sites and impose unfair content-use terms. Turkey
OpenAI's Altman signs UAE energy, government deals amid Gulf funding push The deals deepen the company’s ties to the UAE as the ChatGPT creator pursues a massive new funding round with help from Middle East investors. United Arab Emirates
Explainer What Iran’s threats to Hormuz internet cables mean for Gulf Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to cut crucial internet and communications routes in the region if US aggression escalates. Iran
PayPal bets $100M as Middle East’s Gulf fintech giants amplify competition The move from the US payments giant comes amid a flurry of activity that has further cemented the Gulf’s fintech sector on the map for global investors — including Saudi Arabia's Tamara, which recently secured a $2.4 billion financing deal. United Arab Emirates
Google Pay, China’s Alipay+ launch in Saudi Arabia amid cashless push Both payment platforms will use mada, the kingdom’s national payment system. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
China-made flying car makes first test flight in UAE: What to know The Chinese company is facing competition from a US firm that is currently developing an air taxi service in Dubai. United Arab Emirates
Lebanon grants license to Musk's Starlink in bid to address sluggish telecomms Starlink’s arrival in Lebanon could give businesses a vital lifeline, but the impact could be limited as long as access is restricted to corporate customers only. Lebanon
Iran eyes launch of 4 satellites, open Chabahar space port by spring 2026 Iran is set to launch four domestic-made satellites into orbit by next March, in the latest milestone for Iran's space program. Iran
After sanctions, GitHub reopens to Syrian coders in boost for digital revival Syrian developers regain GitHub access despite blocked platforms and shaky internet. Syria
World's largest illegal sports streaming site shut down after Egypt arrests Streameast, believed to be the world’s largest illegal sports streaming network, was taken down in August during a sting operation conducted by Egyptian authorities in collaboration with a US anti-piracy group. Egypt
Syria partners with Nokia to rebuild digital infrastructure after years of war The new Syrian government wants to expand internet access in the country after damage during the civil war and years of underinvestment due to sanctions. Syria
Saudi Arabia escalates Arabic AI race with new state-backed chatbot The app is available only in Saudi Arabia, but the company plans to expand across the region and eventually globally. Saudi Arabia
From Kuwait to Turkey, why are countries cracking down on Roblox? The fast-growing gaming platform has been banned in countries including China, Iran, Oman, Qatar, and Turkey. Kuwait
Iran plans 20 satellites, test launch by end of 2025: What to know Iran is seeking investment in its space agency and has made progress in developing satellites in the face of sanctions, though reliance on Russia remains a factor. Iran
Starlink targets Saudi skies as Musk’s Middle East push rolls on The satellite internet service operated by SpaceX had been on an expansion spree in the Middle East in 2025, most recently launching in Israel as it also targets a deal with Saudi Arabia's national airline. Saudi Arabia
