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WIRED Middle East

Digital Culture

The Internet Put Lamine Yamal’s Girlfriend on Trial

Lamine Yamal’s girlfriend became the target of an online investigation, exposing how little Gen Z has learnt about digital hygiene.
By Megan Tomos
Tourism and Entertainment

Why FIFA Wants a 64-Team World Cup in 2030

FIFA says a 64-team World Cup will open football to more nations. Critics say it could dilute the tournament while making FIFA even richer.
By Malak Saleh
Buying Guides

Which Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 or Flip8 Phone Should You Buy?

Samsung’s folding phone family has a new middle child with a fresh form factor, but which of its eighth-gen foldables is right for you?
By Simon Hill
Books and Music

Over Half of All New Music Uploaded to Deezer Is AI Generated

Deezer now receives around 90,000 fully AI-generated tracks every day – and says most streams of them are fraudulent.
By Fernanda González
Health

Do You Actually Need Electrolytes?

Electrolyte powders promise better hydration, energy and recovery. But unless you’re losing serious fluid, water and food probably have you covered.
By Megan Tomos

Business

Fintech

Tabby Taught You to Pay Later. Hosam Arab Says You Should Save Now

The launch of Tabby Cash sparked a conversation with cofounder Hosam Arab about credit, savings and financial stress.
By Dana Alomar
Big Tech

Microsoft Investigated Its Role in Gaza. Will Big Tech Follow?

As Microsoft publishes the findings of its human rights inquiry, other tech companies facing scrutiny over their work with Israel are being asked why they haven't done the same.
By Jumana Naim
Big Tech

OpenAI’s CEO of AGI Deployment, Fidji Simo, Is Stepping Down

The move comes after Simo took significant medical leave. She will stay on as a part-time adviser.
By Maxwell Zeff
Startups

Messi and Ronaldo Are Building Tech Portfolios. Mo Salah Is Playing a Different Game

Messi and Ronaldo are betting on AI, health tech and startups. Salah is taking a more traditional route beyond football.
By Omnia Al Desoukie

THE BIG STORY

The Big Story

This Social Media CEO is Sick of the Algorithm

Upscrolled’s founder Issam Hijazi says algorithms were built to make you addicted to social media platforms. Now he’s trying to build one without them.
By Carla Sertin
Security News

Hassan Akkad Released After Detention in Post-Assad Syria

By Dana Alomar
Invisibile Labour

Over 600,000 Syrian Refugees Have Left Lebanon. Nobody Knows the Economic Cost

By Yasmina El Zein
Digital Deen

Meet the Accidental Editor-in-Chief of Muslim Media

Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh was just trying to find an outlet for Muslim news. Now he has more than 12 million followers.
By Carla Sertin
THE LAUNCH ISSUE

Our First Print Issue Is Here. It's About the Future, And Who Gets To Shape It

In the AI era, being connected is more crucial (and complicated) than ever before.
By Carla Sertin
Humane Tech

You Cannot Trust AI, Says Cisco's Global Innovation Officer

To benefit from AI, billions still need internet access, says Cisco’s Guy Diedrich – and humanity may matter more than ever.
By Carla Sertin
GETTING HANDSY

I’ve Covered Robots for Years. This One Is Different

From sorting chicken nuggets to screwing in light bulbs, Eka’s robotic claw feels like we’re approaching a ChatGPT moment for the physical world.
By Will Knight

Science

Health

Even Just a Little Sleep Deprivation May Lead to Weight Gain, Study Finds

Weight-watchers might lose sleep over a new study that points to the possibility of mild sleep deprivation over the long term leading to weight gain.
By Ritsuko Kawai
Environment

How To Heatproof a City: The Gulf’s Blueprint for a Hotter World

As temperatures rise, Gulf cities are pioneering smarter ways to stay cool – from shaded streets to AI-designed neighbourhoods.
By Jumana Naim
Health

We Tracked Everything Else. Now We're Tracking Our Blood.

Built for diabetes, glucose monitors are now a wellness accessory for healthy people too. But should they be?
By Megan Tomos
Health

Lionel Messi's Final World Cup–and the Death of Early Retirement

Messi was supposed to be done years ago. Now, sports science is helping football’s biggest stars rewrite the rules of ageing.
By Malak Saleh

Security

Security News

Six Everyday Online Habits That Could Violate UAE Cybercrime Laws

From Google reviews to WhatsApp forwards, the UAE's cybercrime laws cover far more than hacking and online scams.
By Omnia Al Desoukie
Security News

The UK Just Lost Its Sixth Prime Minister of the Decade

Keir Starmer’s resignation on Monday morning paves the way for yet another leadership battle.
By Isabella Ward
Security

OpenAI Launches Full-Scale Effort To Patch Open-Source Bugs as It Takes on Anthropic’s Mythos

Amid concerns about AI models’ cybersecurity capabilities, OpenAI revealed an improved version of GPT-5.5-Cyber and its “Patch the Planet” initiative to fix open-source software bugs.
By Lily Hay Newman
Security News

The UAE Is Banning Children Under 15 From Social Media

The UAE has banned children under 15 from social media, forcing platforms to verify users’ ages and strengthen safeguards.
By Dana Alomar

Culture

Movies and TV

Actually, Watching The Odyssey in 4DX Is What Homer Would’ve Wanted

Viral videos of The Odyssey’s pitching seats, wind and water effects are turning Nolan’s epic into this summer’s wildest cinema experience.
By Megan Tomos
Movies and TV

The 9 Best Shows to Stream This Month

From House of the Dragon to Silo, these are the series dominating streaming platforms across the Middle East right now.
By Megan Tomos
Movies and TV

The Odyssey Is Playing on 41 Perfect Screens, But None of Them Are in the Middle East

Christopher Nolan shot his Homer epic on a format so rare the projectors had to be rescued from storage. The Gulf didn’t get one – so what, exactly, are we missing?
By Megan Tomos
Digital Culture

Saudi Arabia’s World Cup Exit Became an Internet Block Party

Saudi Arabia's World Cup exit produced an unlikely internet phenomenon: more conversation, not less. The reason may say as much about the future of social media as it does about football fandom.
By Megan Tomos

The Iran War

Logistics and Transportation

The Strait of Hormuz Has Been Closed for 100 Days. Why Isn’t Oil Higher?

President Trump says a secret mission moved 100 million barrels of oil through the blocked Strait of Hormuz. That number is impossible to verify.
By Carla Sertin
Water Risk

Iran Attacked Kuwait’s Desalination Infrastructure. How Resilient Is the Gulf’s Water Supply?

Kuwait’s damaged desalination facility has exposed one of the Gulf’s biggest and least discussed vulnerabilities.
By Dana Alomar
Logistics and Transportation

Iran Says the Strait of Hormuz Is Closed. US Says Otherwise. What’s Happening?

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most sensitive pressure points in the global economy.
By Carla Sertin
Security

Is the Iran-Israel War Over? What Does A Ceasefire Actually Mean?

Most people think a ceasefire ends a war. History, law and decades of conflict suggest otherwise.
By Megan Tomos

Gear

Gear News

OpenAI Finally Enters the Hardware Market With the Launch of Codex Micro

The result of its collaboration with tech company Work Louder, OpenAI describes Codex Micro as “your control center for autonomous work with agents.”
By Fernanda González
How To and Advice

Here’s How Apple Is Updating Its Child Safety Features in iOS 27

Apple has announced several new child safety features coming soon to iPhones and other devices. Here’s what’s changing.
By Julian Chokkattu
Gear News

Anthropic Wants You To Pay up for Claude Fable 5

Claude subscribers must soon pay usage-based fees to access Anthropic’s best consumer AI model – a sign that the golden era of AI subscriptions is ending.
By Maxwell Zeff
Gear News

Oura’s New Ring 5 Is Smaller and Lighter – And Adds an AI Health Coach

It’s slimmer, lighter and more durable. But the real upgrade is Oura’s push into AI-powered health insights and proactive monitoring.
By Boutayna Chokrane