What does Amazon war damage mean for Gulf cloud expansion? Amazon’s cloud computing unit said the damage was sustained to its facilities in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, casting doubt over multibillion-dollar investments in the region. Bahrain
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
Starlink expands Middle East footprint with UAE launch: What to know Starlink’s Emirati debut expands the range of connectivity options available and is a significant step in the country’s efforts to bolster its digital infrastructure. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
China's Xi to visit Egypt for first time in decade as military, Huawei ties grow The visit comes as Chinese telecoms giant Huawei seeks to supply more than 2,000 advanced AI chips for Egyptian government data centers. Egypt
Interview Why Strait of Hormuz no longer rattles oil markets as much: IMF Jihad Azour Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund
Interview Saudi labor localization will take ‘generation or two': Armada CEO Olivier Badard CEO of Armada Holding
UAE deals with Anduril, Palantir deepen US tech footprint in Gulf defense A new generation of Silicon Valley-linked US defense players are strengthening Gulf ties, representing a challenge to America’s legacy weapons giants in the region. United Arab Emirates
Microsoft to invest $7.9 billion in UAE to scale AI with new Nvidia chips Microsoft plans to spend over $5.5 billion on cloud and AI infrastructure and another $2.4 billion on operational expenses and local hiring in the United Arab Emirates through 2029. United Arab Emirates
Billion-dollar AI, clean energy deals headline Saudi 'Davos in the Desert' Humain, an AI firm backed by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, the PIF, signed a $3 billion deal with AirTrunk, a company backed by US asset manager Blackstone, to build a data center campus in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Interview Al-Futtaim targets 2026 UAE rollout for game-changer ultrafast EV charging The technology, which has only been deployed in China, will enable up to 400 kilometers of car recharging in five minutes, roughly the same time as filling a petrol tank. Lucas Bellieud Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Managing Director
Gaming giant Electronic Arts taken private in $55B Saudi-backed buyout The transaction represents a significant deal involving entities close to the Saudi Arabian and US governments. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Gulf investors emerge as key players in US social media giants TikTok, Snap, X With UAE tech investor MGX set to take a stake in TikTok's US operations, investors from the Middle East could cement their role in America's social media landscape. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
PayPal bets $100M as Middle East’s Gulf fintech giants amplify competition The move from the US payments giant comes amid a flurry of activity that has further cemented the Gulf’s fintech sector on the map for global investors — including Saudi Arabia's Tamara, which recently secured a $2.4 billion financing deal. United Arab Emirates
Google Pay, China’s Alipay+ launch in Saudi Arabia amid cashless push Both payment platforms will use mada, the kingdom’s national payment system. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
China-made flying car makes first test flight in UAE: What to know The Chinese company is facing competition from a US firm that is currently developing an air taxi service in Dubai. United Arab Emirates
Lebanon grants license to Musk's Starlink in bid to address sluggish telecomms Starlink’s arrival in Lebanon could give businesses a vital lifeline, but the impact could be limited as long as access is restricted to corporate customers only. Lebanon
Iran eyes launch of 4 satellites, open Chabahar space port by spring 2026 Iran is set to launch four domestic-made satellites into orbit by next March, in the latest milestone for Iran's space program. Iran
After sanctions, GitHub reopens to Syrian coders in boost for digital revival Syrian developers regain GitHub access despite blocked platforms and shaky internet. Syria
