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
Who is Amir Yaryab, IRGC’s cyber commander in US crosshairs? The US State Department has offered up to $10 million for information on Amir Yaryab, who oversees a key part of Iran’s cyber operations. Iran
Saudi Arabia taps China’s MiniMax for Arabic AI model The development signals that the kingdom continues deepening AI ties with China while simultaneously pursuing major US technology partnerships, keeping the Gulf state at the center of an intensifying technology race between the superpowers. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: FutureVerse LEAP’s comeback The fifth edition of the gathering offers a temperature check for the Gulf’s AI ambitions amid fallout from the US-Israel-Iran war. 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
Newsletter: FutureVerse Coinbase joins UAE crypto rush By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse Middle East's EV bet faces reality check By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse Red Sea tech risks resurface By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Explainer: Waste-to-energy plant opens in UAE Masdar's new facility in the Emirati city of Sharjah will burn garbage to produce electricity. Some observers believe the process is relatively harmful to the environment due to its carbon emissions, but others say it is a good way to reduce landfill waste. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Egyptian woman takes on water shortages with new recycling system An Egyptian engineering student has devised an onsite treatment unit to treat small-scale agricultural wastewater, which may become one strategy for reducing the country's many water challenges. Egypt
More fintech startups come to Abu Dhabi The UAE wants to attract more entrepreneurs and startups to the country. United Arab Emirates
Google Translate adds Sorani Kurdish Google previously only offered its translation service for the Kurmanji dialect of Kurdish. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Paymob credits Egypt’s Central Bank for successful fundraising and growth The fintech startup Paymob raised $50 million in its Series B financing round. Egypt
Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala to develop electric car charging stations with France’s ENGIE The UAE is in the early stages of a transition from oil and gas to cleaner energy sources. United Arab Emirates
Israeli company reveals nasal spray of psychedelic mushrooms Madrigal Mental Care says the spray treats post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and other mental challenges. Some experts believe magic mushrooms have health benefits, though they come with risks. Israel
Syrian rapper embraces NFTs to shake up Middle East music industry Nonfungible tokens are charting a new course for artists, and one Syrian musician hopes they will help more Arab artists gain independence. Legacy: Gulf
Etihad tests out environmentally friendly flights The airline said that sustainable aviation fuel will be needed to make planes pollute significantly less, but the technology is not ready for mass use. United Arab Emirates
Beersheba evolves into Israeli tech powerhouse With financial benefits, investment in infrastructure and a vibrant university, Israel's southern city of Beersheba is swiftly becoming a hub for both international and local high tech companies. Israel
Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, Dubai's Vy Capital help Elon Musk buy Twitter Musk's takeover of Twitter has several implications for the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Qatar
Israeli cybersecurity firm protects gas transfers between Poland, Lithuania Waterfall deployed its system to the eastern European countries in response to the war in Ukraine. The move comes at a low point in Israel-Russia relations. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change