What we know about UAE blocking X accounts accused of misinformation A number of X accounts including Al Arabiya Breaking are now not accessible in the Gulf state as Abu Dhabi navigates regional turmoil. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: FutureVerse The Gulf’s new front: data corridors Amid a broader rift between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the two Gulf powers are backing rival connectivity corridors in the region. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Interview AI, cybersecurity high on Mideast priorities amid global tech rivalry: Tech Mahindra The Indian tech company's Middle East head, Sahil Dhawan, believes these three forces are reshaping business priorities in the region.
Mideast’s AI startups capture record $858M in funding during 2025, doubling share The growth represents a sizable jump from recent years, when local AI companies captured just a sliver of dealmaking, and Magnitt now predicts funding for MENA’s AI startups will easily surpass $1 billion in 2026. United Arab Emirates
Interview Qualcomm sees growing demand for edge AI in the Middle East Wassim Chourbaji Qualcomm president for the Middle East & Africa
Dubai’s AMEA Power wins solar contract in South Africa Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are seeking better ties with sub-Saharan African states, including in regards to energy. Legacy: Gulf
The strength of Iran’s startup ecosystem put to the test amid protests Bijan Khajehpour In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics
UAE to open facility that converts waste to green hydrogen The Gulf state already has one waste-to-energy plant and is looking to build more. Legacy: Gulf
Iraqi startup Lezzoo expands with purchase of Saydo The delivery startup is one of several in the autonomous Kurdistan Region, and the autonomous government is hoping to spur more startup growth. Iraq
Israel earmarks residential rooftops for electricity production The new strategy of the Ministry of Energy includes encouraging residential buildings to install solar panels that would then be connected to the national electricity grid. Israel
Egypt launches first city on metaverse Egypt opens the first city on the metaverse inspired by Egyptian civilization. Egypt
Egypt builds on COP27 with electric bus deal The deal follows Egypt hosting the COP27 climate change conference, during which Egypt also announced a plan to develop high-speed rail. Egypt
Middle East climate tech startups to be hot investment in 2023, but market still lags Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Another vertical farm comes to Saudi Arabia Vertical farming has great potential to help alleviate rising desertification in the Middle East, which could threaten the region’s food supply in the future. Legacy: Gulf
Globes, Statista publish list of fastest growing companies in Israel Israeli tech is experiencing a downturn even as the Israeli government is working to attract new workers to the sector. Israel
Israel launches $17m self-driving public bus project The Transportation Ministry decided on the companies that would be authorized to launch a two-year pilot program of autonomous public transportation. Israel
Dubai’s AMEA Power advances wind, solar projects in Egypt The project is one of many that Emirati entities have announced this year. Egypt could benefit from more renewable energy, but already has some solar and wind plants in the country. Egypt