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
Intel delays work on $25B Israel plant as tech sector feels impact of Gaza war Israel’s tech sector has been impacted by the Gaza war as well as the government’s judicial reform plans and the global tech downturn. Israel
China’s EV giants target Turkey as trade wars intensify Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Saudi Arabia joins China, UAE in digital currency project The kingdom is joining the Switzerland-based Bank for International Settlements' central bank digital currency platform. Saudi Arabia
Turkey-China in 'advanced' talks on EV manufacturing as Beijing footprint grows Turkey and the Gulf states are aggressively pursuing electric vehicles with entities eyeing cooperation with China. Turkey
What Binance's new Dubai license means for UAE cryptocurrency sector Binance, one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world, has experienced some legal setbacks recently and is the latest firm to receive Dubai’s coveted VASP license. United Arab Emirates
PKK claims to down 15 Turkish drones in Nowruz announcement The announcement comes one day ahead of the Kurdish New Year, or Nowruz, which is celebrated by millions of Kurds worldwide, and less than two weeks before Turkey's local elections that are due to be held nationwide on March 31. Turkey
Israeli cryptocurrency exchange to launch shekel-backed stablecoin Stablecoins, which are digital currencies that are pegged to stable assets such as fiat currencies, have a degree of appeal in the Middle East. Israel
What to know about MGX, UAE’s latest AI investment firm The launch of the AI-focused firm follows the UAE’s largest company appointing an AI bot to its board, as Abu Dhabi seeks to become a world player in artificial intelligence. United Arab Emirates
UAE's largest company IHC appoints AI bot to board Several international companies have named AI-based entities to their leadership structures in recent years. The UAE is seeking to become a world leader in artificial intelligence. Legacy: Gulf
How UAE fits into China’s electric vehicle push The United Arab Emirates’ electric vehicle ambitions and restrictions from the United States make the Gulf state an attractive partner for Chinese firms, but Abu Dhabi has a way to go before it meets its electric vehicle ownership targets. Legacy: Gulf
Twitter/X removes verified status of Iranian state media accounts The move followed a report suggesting X may be violating US sanctions by offering paid services to sanctioned Iranian organizations. Iran
Convicted Binance founder Zhao denied permission to travel to UAE Dubai-based cryptocurrency businessman Changpeng Zhao, who pled guilty to violating US laws against money laundering, has been denied permission to return to the United Arab Emirates for a family emergency. Legacy: Gulf