Technology

Elon Musk (L) and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (C) are directed to greet the Saudi crown prince at the Royal Court in Riyadh, on May 13, 2025.

Starlink targets Saudi skies as Musk’s Middle East push rolls on

The satellite internet service operated by SpaceX had been on an expansion spree in the Middle East in 2025, most recently launching in Israel as it also targets a deal with Saudi Arabia's national airline.

Players in action during day one of the Girl Gamer Esports Festival at Meydan Racecourse on Feb. 21, 2020, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Dubai Police to host expanded esports event amid UAE gaming push: What to know

The UAE wants to grow its esports sector as part of its economic diversification plans, mirroring a similar endeavor in neighboring Saudi Arabia.

United Arab Emirates

Analysis

Netflix teams up with MBC’s Shahid in Saudi Arabia: An end to streaming wars?

A new agreement between MBC Group and the US industry giant appears to signal a shift in the Middle East's streaming market, with top players opting for collaboration over competition.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - MAY 16: U.S. President Donald J. Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Trump is on the fourth and final day of his visit to the Gulf to underscore the strategic partnership between the United States and regional allies including the UAE, focusing on security and economic collaboration. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Analysis

AI pivot: Trump loosens export rules, opening path for Gulf tech surge

Gulf states have been lobbying the Trump administration to loosen export restrictions on AI technology, although concerns have lingered among some within the current administration over security risks regarding China.

Jared Szuba

Samuel Wendel

By Jared Szuba , Samuel Wendel

Latest News

Meet Karim Attiyeh, youngest Arab American billionaire of Lebanese origin

An image of Karim Attiyeh.

Citing security threats, Sudan blocks WhatsApp calls: What to know

Israeli startups raise $1.6B in June as war with Iran fails to rattle investors

People visit the "EcoMotion Week" trade show on May 11, 2022, in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv.

Elon Musk calls Lebanon’s Aoun, signals plans to bring Starlink to Beirut

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday held a phone call with billionaire businessman and former senior figure in the Trump administration Elon Musk, during which the two discussed the potential of Musk entering Lebanon’s telecom and internet sectors. What happened: A statement from the Lebanese presidency said that in their phone call, Musk “expressed his deep interest in Lebanon and its telecommunications and internet sectors.” Musk also expressed his desire for his companies to “have a presence

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Human Rights Watch staffer hacked with Pegasus spyware

A digital forensic analysis determined phones belonging Lama Fakih, HRW’s crisis and conflict director, were hacked between April and August 2021.

YURI CORTEZ/AFP via Getty Images

El Salvador journalists reportedly targeted by Pegasus spyware

A cyber watchdog report found the phones of at least 35 journalists and activists in the Latin American country were infected with the controversial Pegasus spyware.

An Egyptian worker assembles car doors at a BMW factory, 6th of October City, Egypt, May 29, 2011.

Egypt aims to localize car industry with Emirati support

Egypt is trying its best to deliver its plan to localize the automobile industry, as it cooperates with Abu Dhabi to produce and manufacture a specific car in Egyptian factories to meet the needs of the Egyptian local market on the one hand and export it to African countries on the other.

A robot waitress at the White Fox Restaurant in Mosul.

Mosul restaurant features robot servers in first for Iraq

After all recreational activities, especially western ones, were prohibited in it, the first-ever resto-café opened in Mosul, serving Western dishes to customers using a robot.

Alex Pantling/Getty Images

EU urged to sanction Israeli cyberfirm NSO Group

Dozens of human rights groups called on the European Union to place the controversial cybersurveillance firm on its global sanctions list.

US State Department phones reportedly hacked with Israeli-made spyware

The apparent hack targeted US diplomats based in Uganda or officials whose work focused on the country.

Egypt Defense Expo.

Egypt reveals new drones at Cairo defense expo

Cairo is hosting the Egypt Defense Expo (EDEX) through Thursday.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, Nov. 30, 2021.

The Takeaway: Israel’s military threats shadow Iran nuclear talks

Erdogan digs in on lira; Egypt, Ethiopia tensions rise again over Nile Dam; Assassins "carefully planned" attack on Iraqi PM; Iraqi Shiite scholars ponder post-Sistani era; Children become breadwinners in besieged Idlib; The return of Mohammed Ali Pasha’s palace … all in less than 1,200 words.

The solar tower of Israel's Ashalim power station

Israel eyes solar opportunities in Egypt

Israel is working with Egypt to build solar power plants in the country, taking advantage of Egypt's vast areas of unused land.

Attendees look around the Dongfeng electric Honda ENS1 on Oct. 21, 2021, in Wuhan, China.

Egypt's dispute with Chinese company stalls electric car production

The manufacture of the first-ever locally made electric car in Egypt has hit a bump due to failed negotiations between the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry and Dongfeng Motor Corporation regarding the agreement to manufacture the E70 electric car.

Omar Al Olama in November 2019.

AI played 'big role' in approach to pandemic, says UAE artificial intelligence minister

Omar Al Olama, the UAE’s AI Minister, explains how COVID-19 has been an accelerator for AI applications; why the US and China would benefit from a ‘constant dialogue’ on AI; and why ‘the new roads that we need to be building right now are roads in the digital realm.’

WAW Machine

Vending machine dispenses kindness in Dubai

Created by two Emirati friends, a new vending machine installed at Dubai Design District (d3) is dispensing kindness and promoting positivity as part of Dubai Design Week 2021.