UAE’s Sheikh Tahnoon discusses AI, tech with Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk in US His meetings came after UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed met earlier this week with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. United Arab Emirates
Uber, China's WeRide to launch self-driving robotaxis in UAE WeRide already operates the largest robotaxi fleet in the UAE, where residents can access its robotaxi services through the TXAI app. United Arab Emirates
In White House visit, UAE leader seeks cooperation on Gaza and AI UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will meet with President Joe Biden in his first official visit to Washington since 2017. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Israel detects Hezbollah limitations, doubles down on tech edge, attacks Recognizing Hezbollah's limitations, Israel has frequently pushed the boundaries of its military engagement, including the targeted killing of senior Hezbollah commanders and the strikes this Friday. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Analysis Telegram CEO's arrest spotlights UAE’s investment-based citizenship laws By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
UAE asks France for 'urgent' consular services to arrested citizen Telegram’s Durov United Arab Emirates
Russian company begins construction at Egypt’s first nuclear power plant Russia's state-owned atomic energy company, Rosatom, and the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy have begun work at the Dabaa nuclear power plant, Egypt’s first. Egypt
Bahrain’s CoinMENA to offer crypto services in Egypt Crypto is particularly growing in Bahrain and the UAE, in part due to evasion of sanctions on Russia in the latter. Egypt
UAE bank to allow cryptocurrency trading in dirhams A bank in the United Arab Emirates will soon allow its customers to trade cryptocurrencies using Emirati currency. Gulf
West Bank hosts first digital tourism hackathon For the first time, Palestinians hold a digital tourism hackathon to develop innovative solutions to the problems facing the tourism industry. Palestine
UAE requests bids to build another waste-to-energy power plant The Emirates recently unveiled a power plant in Sharjah that converts garbage into electricity. Some environmental groups believe such facilities are harmful due to their carbon footprint, but burning garbage also reduces landfill waste. Gulf
Jordan increases renewable energy use Jordan does not have large oil and gas reserves, unlike other countries in the region. Jordan
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to work with France’s TotalEnergies on carbon capture The deal came during UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to France, where he strengthened energy relations with the European country. The two countries have grown closer over Libya and energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean. Gulf
Israeli startup to build quantum computing center Israel is making progress in the development of quantum computing, as are Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Israel
Israeli crypto firm Celsius files for bankruptcy Cryptocurrencies have plummeted in value this year. Israel
Iraqi company to build solar-powered street lights The Iraqi government is making efforts to develop solar energy. The country suffers from widespread power cuts. Iraq
Turkey, UAE continue to mend ties with space agreement Turkish-Emirati economic ties have gradually strengthened this year, reducing tensions between the two regional powers. Turkey
'Ethical hacking' courses proliferate in Gaza Some centers in Gaza are providing courses on ethical hacking under the pretext of helping citizens protect their online data, while in some cases hacking and piracy operations are being taught. Palestine