Technology

Lebanon's short-lived venture into outer space

In the early 1960s, the Lebanese Rocket Society developed rockets to explore space and for other peaceful purposes, but its projects quickly attracted the attention of governments seeking military advantage.

Lebanon

Netanyahu against anti-porn bill, rejects online regulation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, fearing the very concept of regulating internet use, objects to proposed legislation that would limit and block visits to pornography sites on the internet.

Israel

Young Egyptian engineers race ahead in electric vehicles

Nine teams of Egyptian engineering students qualified for a mentorship program and funding to build their own designs and compete in Egypt's first electric vehicle competition.

Egypt

Why do Palestinians opt for Israeli SIM cards?

Due to the poor quality of Palestinian cellular companies that are crippled by Israeli restrictions, Palestinians in the West Bank are opting for Israeli SIM cards provided by illegal Israeli mobile network operators.

Palestine

Will new e-payment regulations boost Gaza's gig economy?

The Palestine Monetary Authority introduced new regulations and licensing to secure and expand electronic payment services, a step that could allow more Gazans to receive remittances for work conducted online for foreign companies.

Palestine

Soaring unemployment pushes Gaza’s tech sector forward

Ever-rising unemployment in the Gaza Strip has pushed young Palestinians to explore the technological sector, which largely sidesteps the Israeli siege by conducting business online.

Palestine

Palestinians opt for illegal SIM cards smuggled from Israel

West Bank authorities are combating the use of black-market Israeli telecom services, which Palestinians prefer over the pricier internet packages offered by local operators.

Palestine

Transparency-hungry Turkey eyes blockchain

The Turkish Informatics Foundation has launched a platform to promote and support the development of blockchain technologies for use in everything from banking and law to public opinion polls and elections.

Turkey

Electronic vote counting sparks controversy ahead of Iraqi polls

Despite the advantages offered by electronic counting and sorting devices in the Iraqi elections, fears remain that the results will be falsified.

Iraq

Is Iran ready to block Telegram?

The popular messaging app Telegram may soon be replaced by Soroush, a domestic messaging service.

Iran

Virtual zoo app brings animals to Gazans

As Gaza's actual zoos struggle, a group of students have developed an app that creates a virtual version.

Palestine

Turkish government readies to squeeze internet service providers

Ankara is tightening its grip even further over the media in Turkey with a new law increasing its censorship powers over online content, threatening both independent news outlets and domestic access to international reporting.

Turkey