Exclusive 'Cloud First' policies give Saudi Arabia, UAE edge in AI race: Amazon exec In March 2024, AWS announced plans to invest $5.3 billion in Saudi Arabia to launch a cloud infrastructure region in the kingdom by 2026. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
How UAE AI firm's past China links stalled this US chipmaker's IPO Cerebras Systems executives had been hoping that the Trump administration would fast-track the national security review that has left the chipmaker’s initial public offering in limbo for five months, Reuters reported Tuesday. United Arab Emirates
UAE seals cloud deal with Microsoft, Core42 as Sheikh Tahnoon visits US The deal follows Microsoft's $1.5 billion investment last year in G42 to accelerate AI development. United Arab Emirates
UAE’s Sheikh Tahnoon makes first US visit since Trump reelection: What to know The UAE's influential national security advisor, who chairs some of the country's most important funds and firms, will reportedly meet with White House officials and business leaders including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. United Arab Emirates
Analysis US stock plunge poses dilemmas for Gulf investors while exposing PIF, Mubadala risks By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Interview As AI superpowers clash, Saudi tech diplomat pushes collaboration over competition Deemah AlYahya Secretary General, Digital Cooperation Organization
Israeli firm NSO Group tied to high-level hacks A sweeping investigation found the names of world leaders, human rights defenders and journalists included on a leaked list of 50,000 alleged surveillance targets. Israel
Microsoft says Israeli company's malware used to hack dissidents, activists Microsoft said around half of the victims were located in the Palestinian territories, and many of the remaining targets were based in the Middle East. Israel
Facebook says Iranian hackers spied on US military personnel using fake accounts The social media company said the hackers baited targets into clicking on malicious links that would infect their devices with malware. Iran
Iran rolls out matchmaking app to curb declining birthrate The Hamdan app aims to create "healthy" families and pair "bachelors seeking permanent marriage” with a wife. Iran
US-made drones downed over Yemen weren't military's, CENTCOM says The Houthis said they wrecked two US drones over Yemen's contested Marib province. Yemen
Imagery suggests Iran failed to launch satellite, set to try again Iran appears to be planning to launch a Simorgh satellite that the Islamic Republic may have failed to get off the ground earlier this month. Iran
Israeli women lead food tech revolution Israeli women researchers are developing award-winning projects in the fields of food tech and smart agriculture. Israel
Iran to acquire Russian high-resolution recon satellite Russia is set to give Iran a satellite that could spy on Tehran's potential military targets. Russia
US air defenses shoot down drones near Iraq air base Drones were intercepted and brought down near the air base that hosts US forces. Iraq
Can modernization of Egypt’s railway network avert train accidents? Egypt signed an agreement worth 145 million euros ($177 million) with the African Development Bank as part of its recent plan to improve its railway system to prevent crashes. Egypt
Israel to get own cloud in deals with Amazon, Google In a bold move, Israel has signed a series of contracts with Amazon Web Services and Google to provide the government with cloud services. Israel
Is Muslim Brotherhood using Clubhouse app to mobilize Egyptian support? Many security sources and social media activists fear the Muslim Brotherhood could exploit the Clubhouse app to promote its ideas and recruit new operatives in Egypt. Egypt