Analysis

Gulf space sector attracts private companies, including Bezos' Blue Origin

The Middle East and North Africa is one of the world's most active regions in expressing interest in space technology and travel.

By Salim A. Essaid

Iraqi Kurdistan's first solar plant helps with power outages, boosts agriculture

The Kurdistan Regional Government’s efforts to increase renewable energy usage come amid persistent electricity shortages throughout Iraq, as well as rising environmental concerns.

Iraq

Analysis

UAE gets whiff of metaverse's smell potential

The United Arab Emirates's metaverse-friendly environment is attracting ambitious projects like Meta-nose, which can identify thousands of smells and convert them into digital data.

By Salim A. Essaid

Meet Rayyanah Barnawi, Saudi Arabia's first female astronaut to go to space

Rayyanah Barnawi said she’ll be taking Arabic coffee with her to drink aboard the International Space Station, teaching children, and practicing zero-gravity space flips with her colleagues.

Saudi Arabia

King Mohammed IV launches Morocco's first hydrogen car

The development of the hydrogen-powered vehicle, due to be released in 2025, is a response to the rising global demand for sustainable cars.

Morocco

Coinbase 'welcomed' to Abu Dhabi's Hub71, hinting at new base in UAE

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said at a Dubai-based tech event that the UAE could serve as a hub for parts of the Middle East, North Africa and Asia.

United Arab Emirates

UAE axes $879m military helicopter deal with Airbus

Muammar Abdulla Abushehab, defense and security industry affairs sector chief for the UAE’s Tawazun Council, stressed that the decision was not a political one.

United Arab Emirates

UAE reprimands cryptocurrency firm OPNX

The company, which is planning a transparent crypto platform, allegedly did not receive the necessary regulatory authority from the UAE.

Legacy: Gulf

In water-starved Middle East, large ChatGPT data centers are a threat

The UAE announced its record-breaking green data center in February of this year. The Moro Hub, created by the digital arm of DEWA, became the largest solar-powered data center, according to Guinness World Records.

Legacy: Gulf

Israel's Netanyahu calls domestic rise of lab meat part of 'global revolution'

Investment in lab-grown meat and other plant-based proteins is taking off in Israel, which has a relatively large vegetarian and vegan population.

Israel

CENTCOM hires first-ever AI adviser as it fields new tech in Middle East

US CENTCOM became the first combatant command to appoint an AI, machine learning and robotics adviser this week as the Pentagon looks to keep ahead of China’s technological advances.

Washington Pulse

Cyberattacks strike Israeli banks as Iran celebrates Quds Day

A group called "Anonymous Sudan" took responsibility for coordinated cyberattacks on Israeli banks and the Israel Post.

Israel