Newsletter: FutureVerse Gulf espionage fears rattle Silicon Valley Abdulrahman Alfozan’s arrest last week drew immediate attention to the 35-year-old engineer’s connections to the Saudi government and elite circles. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse Gulf tech ambitions face Trump-Xi test Gulf tech powers have plenty at stake as Xi and Trump discuss US-China AI competition. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse Middle East confronts AI risks In the Middle East, governments are pouring billions into AI ambitions as Anthropic’s own Claude chatbot comes under scrutiny for creating national security risks. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse China holds its ground in Middle East AI race Last Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Egypt for the first time in a decade, with the trip coinciding with efforts by Beijing to expand its AI footprint in the country. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse LEAP’s comeback By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse Economic D-day’s tech risks By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Israeli crypto firm Celsius files for bankruptcy Cryptocurrencies have plummeted in value this year. Israel
Iraqi company to build solar-powered street lights The Iraqi government is making efforts to develop solar energy. The country suffers from widespread power cuts. Iraq
Turkey, UAE continue to mend ties with space agreement Turkish-Emirati economic ties have gradually strengthened this year, reducing tensions between the two regional powers. Turkey
'Ethical hacking' courses proliferate in Gaza Some centers in Gaza are providing courses on ethical hacking under the pretext of helping citizens protect their online data, while in some cases hacking and piracy operations are being taught. Palestine
UAE announces measures to attract ‘digital companies’ The Emirates wants to attract more high-tech companies, especially those working on artificial intelligence. Some cryptocurrency firms are moving to the Gulf state. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt licenses first power unit at Dabaa nuclear power plant The Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority licensed the construction of the first power unit at the Dabaa nuclear power plant, in a step showing that the Russian-Egyptian venture has not been affected by Russia’s war on Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions imposed on Moscow. Egypt
Dubai to test 'zero-emission' electric bus The UAE is investing in an array of green and renewable energy projects. Legacy: Gulf
Israeli tech companies take fertility treatments to next level With generous state financing for fertility treatments, the in vitro fertilization field is booming in Israel and several Israeli start-ups are working to innovate it. Israel
Egyptian government pushes bike project to reduce traffic, pollution ahead of COP27 In lead-up to COP27, the Egyptian government is exploring ways to encourage citizens to ride bicycles. Egypt
Dubai prepares for launch of first 'self-driving' taxis Dubai has begun a digital mapping project for a fleet driverless taxis. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt to build desalination plant in Iraq Egypt plans to build a desalination plant on the Euphrates River to help address acute water shortages in southern Iraq amid lack of rainfall and poor management of water resources. Egypt
Egypt announces Kharga as first green city ahead of COP27 summit Egypt, which is hosting the COP27 climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh in November, is seeking to attract more tourists by marketing eco-tourism. Egypt