Author: Emirates Insight

Apart from antivirus apps, the cybersecurity industry has traditionally been business to business, with regular internet users left on their own to protect themselves. And older people, who did not grow up with the internet and smartphones, are perhaps the most vulnerable.  ZoraSafe, a startup founded by sisters Catherine Karow and Ellie King Karow wants to step in and help them out. Their idea is to create an app that not only protects older people against scammers and hackers, but also teaches them how to stay safe through gamified microlearning, as Catherine and Ellie told TechCrunch ahead of the TechCrunch…

If your feed’s gone blank, your posts disappeared, or Instagram told you to “create your first post” (even though you’ve been posting since 2012)… you’re not alone. Want instant updates? Follow Lovin on WhatsApp, and never miss a beat! Feed’s gone missing Over the past few days (since around October 1–3), Instagram users worldwide, including plenty in Dubai, have been dealing with major glitches. Profiles are showing zero posts with the dreaded “No Posts Yet” message, while the post count still weirdly appears normal. Basically, your photos exist, but Instagram’s pretending they don’t. Users took it to X People went straight…

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has banned sales of tobacco within 500 meters of mosques and schools. Aimed at promoting public health and creating a safe and orderly commercial environment across the country, the new regulatory requirement applies to all stores selling tobacco products and accessories, including cigarettes, shisha, and e-cigarettes. Obtaining a license would require a valid commercial registration, Civil Defense approval, and full compliance with the Municipal Licensing Procedures Law and its executive regulations. Saudi Arabia bans tobacco near schools, mosques As per the requirements, stores will have to be located within a commercial building, and…

A proud moment for the Arab world! Dr. Omar Mwannes Yaghi has just been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Only a year after winning the Great Arab Minds Award in Natural Sciences. Background In 2024, Dr. Yaghi was honored by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for his groundbreaking work in chemistry. His research led to the creation of metal-organic frameworks—materials that can capture carbon, harvest water from air and store clean energy. These innovations could help solve some of the world’s biggest challenges!…

IP is the other massive gainer today. Following the massive meltdown experienced on Friday evening and Saturday morning, bitcoin has expectedly calmed at around $112,000. Most altcoins have shown similar behavior over the past day, but there are some gainers even from the larger caps, such as BNB. BTC Calms at $112K The business week began in an impressive manner for the BTC bulls as the cryptocurrency skyrocketed to two consecutive all-time highs last Sunday and Monday. The latest record came at just over $126,000. What followed was a minor correction and sideways trading at around $122,000. That level…

Thinking Machines Lab, the AI startup led by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, has lost one of its co-founders to Meta. The Wall Street Journal reports that AI researcher Andrew Tulloch announced his departure to employees in a message on Friday. A Thinking Machine Labs spokesperson confirmed Tulloch’s departure to the WSJ, saying he “has decided to pursue a different path for personal reasons.” Back in August, the WSJ reported that Mark Zuckerberg’s aggressive AI recruiting blitz included an offer to acquire Thinking Machines Lab — and when that failed, Zuckerberg reportedly tried to lure Tulloch with a compensation package…

Aramco has advanced its strategic downstream expansion with the acquisition of an additional 22.5 per cent stake in Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Company (Petro Rabigh) from Sumitomo Chemical Corporation (Sumitomo) for $702m (SR7 per share). Following the transaction, Aramco becomes Petro Rabigh’s largest shareholder with an equity stake of approximately 60 per cent, while Sumitomo retains 15 per cent. Aramco said the transaction reflects its commitment to partners and affiliates as it continues a downstream strategy focused on value creation, business integration and portfolio diversification. Aramco downstream strategy The company noted that the deal also enhances its ability to support…

Scammers might be getting smarter, and this Dubai resident learned that the hard way. A Dubai-based man recently came across what looked like a legit Instagram AD promoting concert tickets at a discount price. Sounds tempting, and surely too good to be true. Thinking it was an official promo, he clicked through, entered his card details… and that’s where things went south A few days later, he had to say hello to fake concert tickets and goodbye to AED6,000 from his account. The ad was quite believably packaged with the Coca-Cola Arena branding, but with one minor difference – the…

The Tooba Padel Cup brought together athletes, partners, and supporters in Dubai for a tournament that combined sport, collaboration, and social purpose. Held at World Padel Academy, the event raised awareness and support for charitable initiatives run in partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation. Fourteen pairs took part in the competition, creating a dynamic and friendly atmosphere on court. Among the players were Islam Makhachev, Zubaira Tukhugov, and Movsar Evloev, while Usman Nurmagomedov, Umar Nurmagomedov, Alistair Overeem, Nick Santonastasso, and other guests joined to support the event. Tooba is a digital charity platform that makes global giving simple and transparent. It allows users to support verified charitable projects directly from their…

The Middle East and Africa are no longer simply “emerging” markets – they are fast becoming epicentres of digital commerce innovation. The region’s blend of youthful demographics, smartphone ubiquity, and rising demand for cashless experiences is creating a fertile environment for transformation. For Jamal Mohammed Al Nassai, Group Managing Director – Merchant Services, MENA at Network International, the opportunity is clear: MEA is no longer just a promising frontier – it is a proving ground for the future of digital commerce. Several structural factors make the region uniquely attractive: high mobile adoption, a growing appetite for cashless transactions, and strong…