Tech
UAE and India partnership council support startups in both countries
UAE's RAKEZ partners with India economic council to launch startup series supporting entrepreneurship and global expansion opportunities for both countries.
Iranian deputy IT minister admits the local web is "unsafe"
Iranian communications deputy admits filtering policies have created unsafe, polluted internet network whilst domestic messaging platforms show significant growth.
Israeli movie actors targeted in alleged Iranian phishing campaign
Dozens of Israeli actors fall victim to an alleged Iranian phishing campaign disguised as a film casting call, prompting security warnings over identity document theft.
Turkey blocks access to Grok’s X account
Move comes in wake of Ankara court's zapping of tweets from AI chatbot seen as directing insults at country's leader Erdogan.
Amazon bets on Rappi to take on MercadoLibre in Latam
Amazon has acquired a stake in Colombian delivery platform Rappi through a $25mn convertible note, gearing up to challenge MercadoLibre's dominance across Latin America's booming e-commerce landscape.
First Istanbul IPO since February as Dof Robotik sells 29% stake
No more listings expected until BIST-100 index achieves a new Turkish lira-based record and liquidity improves.
Nebius shares surge 50% after $17.4bn AI cloud deal with Microsoft
The shares of Nebius Group, the AI cloud company founded by Yandex co-founder Arkady Volozh, jumped 50% in after-hours trading on September 8 after the announcement of a major agreement with Microsoft.
Qatar backs AI firm Anthropic in $13bn Series F, doubling valuation to $183bn
Qatar Investment Authority joins $13bn funding round for AI company Anthropic, supporting the Claude developer's rapid revenue growth and international expansion plans.
Serbian president promises flying cars by 2026
Aleksandar Vucic says flying cars will debut in Serbia ahead of Expo 2027 in Belgrade, which will showcase the country’s modernisation strategy.
Electric flying taxis to launch in Saudi Arabia within two years
Austrian firm FlyNow Arabia plans electric helicopter services in Saudi Arabia starting 2027, targeting urban transport with €350,000 aircraft offering zero emissions and 55-decibel noise levels.
Russian state Max messenger mandatory across all devices
As of September 1, the Max messenger of state-controlled internet major VK is legally prerequired to be preinstalled on every smartphone and tablet sold in Russia, as well as be featured mandatory on the Russian app store RuStore, including on Apple.
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Croatia launches new digital platforms to streamline public services
Zagreb hopes the initiative will simplify bureaucratic procedures, boost transparency and improve user experience across Croatia’s public administration.
Migrants in Moscow spooked by government order to download geolocation app by Sept 1
“Amina” surveillance will inform interior ministry of guest workers’ exact whereabouts.
Moldova sets up fund to back tech startups
Chișinău aims to harness its growing IT potential by financing startups in strategic fields.
Croatia signs €285mn deal to expand broadband network to rural and island areas
Project is intended to support digital transformation, boost regional development and strengthen national security.
Russia builds major signals intelligence hub near Nato borders in Kaliningrad
Russia is constructing a large-scale signals intelligence facility near Chernyakhovsk, in the Kaliningrad exclave, less than 100 kilometres from the borders of Poland and Lithuania, United24 Media reported on August 24.
Trump policies wipe out $19bn in US renewables projects putting China in the lead to dominate the AI race
Donald Trump’s rollback of clean energy incentives has derailed nearly $19bn worth of renewable energy projects this year, raising concerns over the US’s ability to meet soaring power demand from the artificial intelligence boom.
US-based Marlabs buys Bulgarian INDEAVR
Acquisition to allow Marlabs to deepen its service offerings in sectors including energy, pharmaceuticals and industrial engineering.
Russian government draws up action plan to tighten control over internet
The Russian government has approved a sweeping action plan mandating operators to monitor user activity and granting law enforcement agencies powers to restrict communication services.
London-listed TBC Bank expands digital ecosystem with OLX Uzbekistan acquisition
OLX Uzbekistan is the sixth-most visited website in Uzbekistan with with 5.4mn monthly active users and 2.2mn active listings.