Bridging Gaps in Cybersecurity: Threat Intelligence is a Top UAE IT Priority

Kaspersky’s latest research reveals that the majority of compromised passwords not only violate password-safety guidelines but also remain unchanged for extended periods, which drastically reduces their security. To provide users with access to more sophisticated and modern ways to log in Kaspersky Passwords Manager has been enhanced with Passkey technology, enabling users to securely access their accounts while enjoying seamless cross-device synchronization.

Although passwords still remain one of the major authentication methods, they no longer top the security charts. Often crafted by users themselves, passwords are heavily influenced by human factors, which makes them potentially vulnerable. Kaspersky experts analyzed major password leaks from 2023 to 2025 and identified several recurring patterns:

• Users frequently append predictable elements like numbers, dates, and personal identifiers to their passwords. For example, 10% of passwords in datasets analyzed contain a number resembling a date (from 1990 to 2025), 0.5% of all leaked passwords end with the number 2024, which is every 200th password! 
• The most commonly occurring password combination is ‘12345’, which drastically reduces cryptographic strength and shortens the time required for brute-force attacks to succeed. Among other popular password components are the word ‘love’ and users’ names, as well as countries’ names which are also often included in passwords.
• Moreover, the majority of leaked passwords remain unchanged for years. In 2025, 54% of leaked passwords had already been part of prior data breaches, underscoring widespread reuse of outdated passwords. According to data analysis the average lifetime of the password found in these leaks is 3.5-4 years.

What makes Passkeys more secure?

All these findings highlight the critical vulnerability of password-based authentication when protocols for creation, management, and storage are not rigorously followed. In response to the growing need for robust security, the industry is increasingly shifting its focus toward next-generation solutions like Passkeys, which offer stronger protection against evolving threats.

Passkey technology is based on cryptographic keys and biometrics, and is not subjected to threats like phishing or data leaks. A passkey is created for a particular account on a particular platform and is stored directly on the user’s device or in a password manager. 

New Passkey feature in Kaspersky Password Manager 

When a user registers on a platform that supports Passkey, the device creates a private key and shares a public key with the service. The private key is stored directly on the device, which is good from a security point of view, but complicates authorization from other devices. 

Now Passkeys can be created and stores directly in Kaspersky Password Manager, which allows users to not only sign in to supported services with a single tap, but also access Passkeys on all their devices owing to secure synchronization.

“From our own experience, we’ve seen how constantly juggling logins and passwords for work, study and even leisure can erode both time and security. Kaspersky Password Manager has long streamlined this process with tools like our secure password generator and auto-fill functionality – ensuring users never sacrifice safety for speed. In addition to that, we are happy to offer to our customers a new Passkey feature – an enhanced level of accounts protection which makes authentication even simpler and, most importantly, more secure,” comments Marina Titova, Vice President for Consumer Business at Kaspersky.

Passkey functionality is now available on all platforms in the latest version of Kaspersky Password Manager. To create a passkey in Kaspersky Password Manager, first update the app to the latest version and grant it all necessary permissions. Then, open the website where you want to create the passkey and simply follow the in-app guidance to register and save it.

Turkish Airlines, the airline flying to more countries than any other, has entered into a partnership with Samsung, marking yet another milestone towards its digital transformation efforts aimed to enhance the travel comfort of its guests. Beginning on December 1st, passengers will be able to seamlessly track their baggage using Smart Tagged Baggage Service, powered by SmartThings Find, which enables faster and more efficient tracking of misplaced or delayed baggage that are equipped with Galaxy SmartTag.

Through this collaboration, Turkish Airlines has become the launch airline to implement SmartThings technologies in passenger baggage tracking worldwide, showing the national flag carrier’s commitment to digital transformation with passenger-first mindset to elevate the travel experience. Utilizing Samsung’s technology, passengers will also be able to upload a photo of their luggage within SmartThings Find app, helping identify their baggage more easily. The airline aims to extend the use of SmartThings Find beyond baggage services, integrating location-based capabilities into future passenger-focused digital solutions.

Commenting on the partnership, Turkish Airlines Chief Information Technologies Officer, Kerem Kızıltunç stated: “Turkish Airlines continues to lead the industry on its road to digitalization. We are delighted to partner with Samsung to leverage their cutting-edge technology for the benefit of our passengers. We will continue to strengthen our industry leadership with technological collaborations that prioritize guest satisfaction and set new standards for the aviation industry.”

Samsung Electronics Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings Jaeyeon Jung said: “Samsung is expanding the SmartThings Find experience through partnerships across industries to help customers stay connected and at ease wherever they are. We are delighted to work with Turkish Airlines to deliver a more convenient and streamlined travel experience.”

This strategic collaboration represents another significant step in Turkish Airlines’ unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. As the national flag carrier of Türkiye, the airline remains dedicated to developing technologies and partnerships that enrich every stage of its guests’ journey.

In tears and almost rendered speechless by the sheer weight of emotion, what winning his debut Formula One world championship meant to Lando Norris was writ large across every inch of his face. What had begun as a childhood dream and at one point this season had ­seemingly slipped from his grasp was, finally, a reality he clearly found hard to take in, as he sealed it with third place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

It would have taken truly a heart of stone not to have been moved by it all as he secured the title after what has been an enormously hard‑fought season across 24 grueling races that went to the wire at the Yas Marina ­Circuit.

Despite his title rivals ­finishing ahead of him in the race – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen winning and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri taking ­second – ­Norris did enough to close it out with a gutsy, nerveless drive that gave way to untrammeled emotion as his podium place was just enough to pip Verstappen to the title by two points.

“I’m not crying,” Norris said through the sobbing inside his ­helmet before being embraced by his equally tearful mother, Cisca, as he then tried to embrace as many of his team as he could. Twenty minutes later, as he stood on the podium as world champion, the tears were still streaming.

This was stirring stuff indeed and while Formula One can at times be a cold, technocratic sport, this was a reminder that it is very much made up of all too human participants and Norris was a popular victor, embraced ­enthusiastically by his fellow drivers at the end.

There were understandably ­moving moments at McLaren too, where tears were not being held back in the garage. As Norris becomes the 11th British driver to take a world championship it finally brought to an end McLaren’s drivers’ championship drought that stretched back to 2008 when Lewis Hamilton last won it for the team. It was 27 years since McLaren had secured the ­drivers’ and constructors’ double in 1998, with Mika Häkkinen the ­champion and David Coulthard third.

Moreover they did it after a ­serious wobble, having floundered at the ­previous two rounds, with a double disqualification in Las Vegas and then an egregious strategy call at the penultimate round in Qatar last weekend. Norris’s fourth‑place ­finish in that race, overtaking Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli in the final stages to gain the two points by which the ­British driver won the title, proved to be one of many key moments.

It marks a remarkable ­turnaround for the team since a nadir in the mid‑2010s, when they twice ­finished ninth in the constructors’ cham­pionship. It is a revival helmed by Zak Brown, the chief executive who joined in 2016, and recently by Andrea Stella, who as team principal has delivered an operationally sharp outfit with a hugely competitive car.

Norris used it to do exactly what was required of him in an enor­mously intense and high‑pressure contest at the Yas Marina Circuit, including making a series of bold overtakes and with flawless execution by himself and McLaren.

For the Australian Piastri – who had looked so strong in the championship leading from the fifth round in Saudi Arabia to the 20th, the Mexican GP – there was clear disappointment that he had faltered in the final third to be surpassed by his teammate, but he gave his all in Abu Dhabi.

Piastri emerges having demonstrated that he, too, is world champion material. To have been so competitive in only his third season in F1, taking seven wins, was very impressive and he feels his time is still yet to come. Brown was not the only person to predict that Piastri was a future world champion.

Verstappen, too, had been brilliant to force the fight to the wire and he did all he could in Abu Dhabi with the win but, having come back from 104 points behind in August, he just did not quite have enough to overhaul Norris and he finished only two points short, that margin the Briton had gained on the ­closing laps in Qatar when Antonelli ran off the track. Verstappen was not ­disappointed, however, feeling that he and his team had given their all in a fight to the end.

For Norris it was no little achievement for the 26-year-old driver in his ­seventh season in F1. He has done a hugely impressive job to stick at his task, maintain composure and belief even when under the cosh. After ­failing to finish at the Dutch GP with a mechanical issue, which dropped him to 34 points back, he maintained his resolve and, in the final third, regained the lead and ultimately the title with a swathe of strong finishes and victories.

While Norris became the first Briton to take the title since Hamilton last did so in 2020, the contrast in fortunes between the two could not be starker. As the young guns fought for the title Hamilton, the grand champion of the old guard, could manage only eighth place in Abu Dhabi, a dismal ending to what has been a dismal season for him.

Making his debut with Ferrari had been greeted with such enthusiasm and optimism but has yielded only what has comfortably been his worst season. He finished sixth in the championship and has failed to take a podium for the first time. He has looked jaded and disillusioned at these last few races and clearly cannot wait to reset over the winter in the hope of better things in 2026.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has granted membership to the Emirate of Fujairah in its Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) as part of its latest expansion. Fujairah now joins 72 cities from 46 countries, recognized for their commitment to making the right to education a reality for people of all ages at the local level. With this update, the Global Network of Learning Cities, launched in 2013, now includes 425 cities from 91 countries, collectively supporting lifelong learning opportunities for nearly 500 million citizens.

Commenting on Fujairah’s admission to UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities, H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture, affirmed that this milestone reflects the UAE’s unwavering commitment to advancing education, culture, and human development. H.E. stated: “The emirate’s inclusion in the network stands as a testament to its strategic vision in expanding lifelong learning opportunities and cultivating a sustainable knowledge-based economy. It also underscores the enduring dedication of the UAE’s wise leadership to empowering communities through education excellence, innovation, and sustainability.

As part of this national effort, the Ministry of Culture supported Fujairah’s candidacy for GNLC membership through the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, ensuring strong alignment with UNESCO’s priorities and reinforcing the UAE’s role as a proactive contributor to global learning and cultural exchange.

Fujairah’s participation in the network will enhance international cooperation, facilitate the exchange of global best practices, and strengthen the UAE’s leadership in fostering cultural dialogue and shaping a future driven by knowledge and creativity.”

His Excellency Mohammed Al Dhanhani, Director of the Fujairah Emiri Court, stated, “Fujairah secured GNLC membership due to its strategic efforts in expanding educational infrastructure, enhancing digital literacy, and establishing community learning hubs. Our long-term objectives in education, guided by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, aim to strengthen Fujairah’s position in the educational sector and knowledge-based economy. This aligns with UAE Vision 2031 and the National Strategy for Education 2030. This recognition will further enhance current learning initiatives in Fujairah and contribute to the sustainable growth of the Emirate.”

In a press release issued by UNESCO, H.E. Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education, noted that the 72 new UNESCO Learning Cities are redefining what it means to learn – turning every street, library, workplace, museum, and home into a space for knowledge and innovation. By making education a priority, from early childhood through adulthood, these cities are empowering people and unlocking opportunities for all.

Fujairah’s Learning City Project envisions a future where lifelong learning is central to sustainable development. In the medium term (3-5 years), the project aims to strengthen educational infrastructure, promote digital skills, foster community-based learning, enhance local artistic talent, and develop a localized Learning City Strategy. Long-term goals (5-10 years) include establishing Fujairah as a regional leader in lifelong learning, achieving educational equity, developing a skilled workforce, expanding international collaborations, and implementing systems to measure the impact of learning initiatives. This vision is rooted in cultural identity, sustainability, and innovation, ultimately creating a resilient society equipped to face future challenges.

The various educational and cultural initiatives in Fujairah under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah, namely Majlis Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Fujairah’s Young Techpreneurs and Fujairah Children’s Book Fair, contribute significantly to the lifelong learning initiatives and development of a sustainable knowledge economy in the Emirate. The Majlis Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi serves as an inclusive platform for dialogue on culture, innovation, and community priorities to enhance civic engagement and influence local policy while fostering intergenerational and intercultural learning. Additionally, Fujairah’s Young Techpreneurs initiative, launched in 2025 in collaboration with Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University, aims to equip children aged 7-15 with essential skills in programming, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Furthermore, the Fujairah Children’s Book Fair, launched in 2024, which features workshops and storytelling sessions, including inclusive panels for children with diverse learning needs, aims to promote literacy, creativity, and partnerships with authors and publishers to enhance access to reading and cultural education.

Furthermore, Fujairah promotes sustainability and health through initiatives such as the Wadi Wurayah Protected Area Education Programme, which engages students in biodiversity studies and conservation efforts, and the Together We Move campaign, which offers free fitness classes and wellness workshops in public parks.

The city advances equity and inclusion with programs such as the Year of Tolerance in schools, promoting intercultural dialogue, and offers vocational training for individuals with disabilities and low-income families through the Majlis Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi. Further support is extended to migrant workers, seniors, and rural residents via community centers and digital platforms.

To link education with employment, Fujairah’s Chamber of Commerce runs a Business Incubation Programme focusing on essential skills training, while the Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi Leadership Programme develops public-sector capabilities, and entrepreneurial clubs in schools encourage youth business planning, ensuring that technical education aligns with the local labor market’s needs. Fujairah is also dedicated to promoting gender equality in lifelong learning, ensuring equal access to educational and professional development for both women and men through initiatives by the Fujairah Businesswomen Council and the Fujairah Research Center.

Etihad Airways performed a low-altitude flypast over Yas Marina Circuit at 500ft, giving a flying start to the 2025 Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Race day tradition and awe-inspiring spectacle, the manoeuvre has become the signature moment that precedes the final race at the region’s biggest sport-and-entertainment weekend.

The Superjumbo was accompanied by the Al Fursan Aerobatic Team, which colored the air with red, green and black trails as a tribute to the colors of the UAE flag.

Led by Etihad’s senior pilots, Captain in command Adel Al Zubaidi, along with Captain Azizan Bin Othman, Captain Harris Kynigos and Captain Abdulla Alafeefi, the Airbus A380 delivered a precisely timed twilight flypast as Yas Marina Circuit transitioned from sunset to floodlights. 

Captain Adel Al Zubaidi commented, “Yas Marina Circuit is incredible from the air and we know tens of thousands of people are watching. It’s a very special moment to represent my country and pass over the track just after the national anthem plays. To represent the UAE while the eyes of the world are watching us, is very special.”

This marks Captain Al Zubaidi’s eighth Grand Prix flypast. He also led the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix flypast in 2009, piloting the first Etihad-liveried A340 to perform the tradition.

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said, “The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is one of the most exhilarating times in Abu Dhabi, attracting thousands of international visitors from around the world. The fly-past over Yas Marina Circuit is a tradition which Etihad began with the first race in Abu Dhabi in 2009, and we’re honored to see the Etihad livery fly over this spectacular circuit, accompanied by the talented Al Fursan jets.”

Etihad Airways, a title partner of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix,  brought thousands of fans from almost 90 destinations, Etihad Guests members enjoyed accessed to exclusive trackside Hospitality on the Hill, while F1 Village featured  Etihad activation with culinary showcase, activities for children and simulator experiences for the Grand Prix visitors to enjoy.

The thrilling decider has arrived in Abu Dhabi and the stage is set for one of the most explosive season finales Formula 1® has seen. Fans from 105 countries descended on the UAE capital  to witness the title showdown between RedBull’s Max Verstappen, and McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Whether you’re exploring the venue or planning your route in, here are the five things you need to know about Yas Marina Circuit this weekend.

1. A circuit built for championship drama

Yas Marina Circuit is one of the most technically advanced tracks in Formula 1® featuring a 1.2 km straight where cars exceed 330 km/h, the underground pit lane exit tunnel beneath the track, and a layout that places fans at the heart of the action.   It has hosted some of the sport’s most unforgettable championship deciders: Vettel’s first title in 2010, Rosberg’s emotional win-and-retire moment in 2016, and Verstappen’s last-lap title fight in 2021. This weekend, as the final race of the season, it may claim another historic chapter. 

2. Moving around the circuit made easy

Moving around Yas Marina Circuit during Race Weekend is seamless thanks to the circular shuttle service running all day, connecting fans between the main gates, fan zones, Yas Marina and Etihad Park for the Emirates NBD Yasalam After-Race Concerts and Yas Mall, while the Abu Dhabi GP app offers instant wayfinding at your fingertips.

3. Yes, you can arrive by yacht

Fans docking at Yas Marina or accessing one of the yachts can access the circuit easily via dedicated water taxis, offering a uniquely Abu Dhabi arrival experience. Those staying onboard can also enjoy exclusive trackside views, with several mooring points positioned with key sections of the circuit in sight.

4. The circuit was made for hospitality, entertainment, and parties

The circuit was designed for hospitality at scale, with 40+ trackside suites built into the architecture.It is also home to the iconic W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, which straddles the circuit with Sector 3 of the track running beneath it. Unlike most circuits that retrofit hospitality as an add on, Yas Marina integrated premium suites, lounges, clubs and marina berths into the initial plans of the track from day one. It’s why Abu Dhabi is one of the most sophisticated and lively Race Weekends in the world when it comes to entertainment, hospitality, and parties.

New this year is 360 at Sixteen, a multi-level open-air lounge above Turn 16 with panoramic views, a sunset soundtrack and elevated dining. Returning favourites include Deck at Two with Dani García’s fire-led LEÑA, Deck at Nine serving Greek-inspired dishes from OPA, and Luna Lounge by Cé La Vi, all back by popular demand.

The unique podium location within the circuit transforms post-race celebrations into a full-scale trackside party visible from multiple fan areas across the venue.

5. Your ticket is your pass to multiple experiences on and off the circuit

With a single ticket, families can unlock Family Fridays, where kids go free and enjoy entertainment, roaming performers, and interactive racing-themed activities that bring their motorsport dreams to life. Ticket holders can also upgrade their access to reach the grandstands and fanzones, offering the best race views and enhanced hospitality experiences.

Beyond hosting the Formula 1 season finale, Yas Marina Circuit operates year-round as one of the world’s most advanced motorsport venues, offering public driving experiences, karting, drag racing, venue tours, fitness programmes, and community events that bring the circuit to life far beyond race weekend.

And no matter which ticket you hold, every fan receives access to the Emirates NBD Yasalam After-Race Concerts, bringing world-class performances to the heart of race weekend.

Visa and AWS have teamed up to enable AI agents to transact securely and autonomously on behalf of users. By combining Visa’s global payment infrastructure with AWS’s AI and cloud capabilities, the companies aim to simplify commerce and unlock faster innovation for developers while delivering seamless experiences for consumers and businesses worldwide.

The companies will also publish open blueprints on the Amazon Bedrock AgentCore public repository, to help developers create intelligent agentic workflows for retail shopping, travel booking, and payment reconciliation. These blueprints will enable AI agents to handle complex, multi-step transactions—from product discovery and price comparison to secure checkout and order tracking.

“Visa Intelligent Commerce is designed to be the trust layer for the agent economy,” said Rubail Birwadker, SVP and global head of Growth at Visa. “With AWS’s scalable cloud capabilities and Visa’s global payment network, Visa Intelligent Commerce enables AI agents to transact securely and contextually at scale.”

The collaboration brings together industry partners including Expedia Group, Intuit, lastminute.com, Eurostars Hotel Company, and others to review blueprint designs spanning travel, retail, and B2B payments. For example, users could instruct an AI agent to “Buy me basketball game tickets if the price drops below $150,” and the agent would be instructed to execute those tasks on behalf of the user.

Locals in Pawleys Island have a special affection for classic vehicles. The coastal South Carolina town is home to many nostalgic retirees, and on weekends its streets see plenty of restored ‘60s-era muscle cars.

Of all the classics motoring past Parlor Doughnuts on Ocean Highway, none has captured the community’s attention like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Volkswagen.

“Everybody in town rubber necks and waves when this Beetle drives by,” says Rev. Wil Keith, a 47-year-old priest. “It’s one of the much-adored cars in our little town right now.”

It is a 1971 red Super Beetle and its story is special.

Jeff Siegrist was a student at the University of Tennessee when he first set eyes on her at a Knoxville dealership.

Siegrist pounced, handing over his father’s old Ford Falcon and $2,278.54 for the Bug. He kicked in $67.45 for an AM radio and $5.95 for a cigarette lighter.

“So that was my car from that day forward,” says Siegrist, an executive search consultant specialising in the forest products industry.

The Beetle was a sales phenomenon and a pop-culture hit that ushered in the era of mass European auto imports. It was also a Hollywood star, thanks to Herbie from the “Love Bug” movie franchise.

Siegrist road-tripped his Beetle all over. When he met his future wife, Mary, he took her on a first date in the red Bug. When the couple had their first child, the baby boy came home in the backseat.

“It was part of the family,” says Siegrist. Mary gave the car its name, around Christmas time in 1972: Rudolph.

The couple had two more children and ultimately sold the car in 1996. “It just wasn’t practical anymore,” he says. “There were tears in my eyes.”

Up to this point, the story isn’t much different from many of the more than 21.5 million original Beetles that Volkswagen sold.

But during the pandemic, things got interesting.

“I kept thinking, ‘Boy, I wish I knew where my old Beetle was,’” says Siegrist. “I wondered whether other people loved it the way my wife and I did.”

Eventually he got serious. He dug up the car’s original bill of sale, which had a vehicle identification number. He had sold the car to someone in Georgia, a quarter century earlier.

So he called the Georgia department of motor vehicles. Turns out the car was still registered and on the road. But that’s all the office would say.

Siegrist got an attorney involved. Two weeks later, the lawyer called with a name and a phone number for a woman he believed to be the current owner. So Siegrist called.

“I was shocked,” says Tracy Swift, who teaches dental hygiene at Albany State University in Georgia. “He started the conversation with, ‘You’re going to find this phone call very weird.’” Swift thought she had a stalker, and recalls Siegrist saying, “I’m not crazy, I promise. Just let me tell you my story.”

Swift did drive a 1971 Beetle. She checked the VIN number and it was a match.

Siegrist traveled to Georgia, met Swift at her office, and drove the car in the parking lot. “I didn’t want to sell the car,” she says, “but because of his story, I felt like it needed to go back to its owner. It was the sweetest story.”

They agreed on a price (he says “many times over the original cost”) and the car showed up on a truck in Siegrist’s driveway days later. It was just before Christmas in 2022.

The first thing Siegrist and his wife did was drive around the block, with tears in their eyes. “Rudolph is back!” his wife yelled as they drove.

Siegrist went digging in a bucket full of coins and junk for a key chain. At the bottom, he found Rudolph’s original key. He didn’t remember saving it.

The Beetle needed restoration. So Siegrist asked advice from someone he trusted. Enter Keith, the rector at Siegrist’s church.

“When you’re at church,” Keith says, “and the service is over and everyone is filing out, that’s when folks share, often, important information about their lives.”

Keith, it turns out, had grown up the son of a car restorer and worked on cars himself in his garage. He was not a professional. He worried if he would have enough time. But a parishioner needed help. How could he say no?

It took about a year. “Aside from the paint and some engine work,” Keith says, “I ended up doing more than I was expecting, with no complaints whatsoever. In some ways, it was like I gained a parishioner. Only it was a car.”

In 2024, Siegrist began driving Rudolph around Pawleys Island. “Rarely can I go anywhere where somebody doesn’t stop me,” he says.

“Because probably 50% of the people of my generation have owned a Beetle or have had an adventure in a Beetle. People want to know the car’s story. So I tell it.”

As for Keith, he says, “It’s a point of pride that I had a hand in it.” Like most classic car stories, this one continues.

“As soon as Jeff stops finding little things for me to fix, then the story will be over,” he says. “But he keeps finding things for me to do! Which I don’t mind one bit.”

The UAE’s Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office announced that Google Gemini has ranked first in the “AI in the Ring” Index,  the world’s first benchmark designed to evaluate how effectively AI language models reflect Emirati culture, dialects, traditions, and national values through a challenge centered on cultural intelligence within the UAE context.

Gemini earned the top ranking following a review of over 400 questions across 7 cultural dimensions and 5,200 generated responses from 11 major language models. A Committee of Emirati experts evaluated the outputs to identify which models demonstrated the strongest cultural understanding.

Following Gemini 2.5 Pro, the list of the top five high-performing models included: ChatGPT (OpenAI GPT-4o), ChatGPT (OpenAI o1), Cohere, and Grok.

His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, emphasized that national identity remains a priority for the UAE, especially as digital transformation accelerates. Al Olama noted that emerging technologies must reflect and reinforce the country’s authentic values, ensuring that AI systems enhance save the UAE’s cultural heritage forward with clarity and respect. His Excellency stressed that innovation is strongest when it is anchored in the roots of a nation’s identity.

Underscoring the urgency of culturally grounded AI, less than 5% of Arabic content worldwide exists in digital form, while 48% of Generation Z now relies on AI as their primary source of information, a reality that makes training models on accurate, UAE-relevant cultural data essential to safeguarding national heritage for future generations.

Kaspersky reports that in 2025, cybercriminals continued to use seasonal shopping periods to distribute phishing pages and fraudulent promotions aimed at collecting personal and payment information. Gaming platforms also remained a prominent target throughout the year.

Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) shows that from January through October 2025, the company blocked 6,394,854 phishing attempts impersonating online stores, banks, and payment systems, with 48.2% targeting online shoppers. Over the same period, Kaspersky identified more than 20 million attempted attacks on gaming platforms, including 18.56 million abusing Discord.

Black Friday-related promotional campaigns continued to play a major role. In the first two weeks of November, Kaspersky detected 146,535 spam emails referencing seasonal sales, including 2,572 tied to Single’s Day promotions. Many campaigns reused templates observed in previous years, imitating well-known retailers such as Amazon, Walmart and Alibaba, offering early-access discounts that direct users to fraudulent pages. An extensive phishing activity abusing entertainment platforms was also detected, with 801,148 Netflix-themed and 576,873 Spotify-related attempts recorded in 2025.

Threat activity extended well beyond e-commerce. In 2025, Kaspersky detected 2,054,336 phishing attempts impersonating gaming platforms such as Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox. Malware disguised as gaming software saw significant activity as well:  20,188,897 attempted infections were recorded, with Discord accounting for 18,556,566 detections, more than 14 times higher than in 2024.

The number of attempted attacks on platforms beloved by gamers

“This year’s data shows that attackers increasingly operate across the full digital ecosystem,” said Olga Altukhova, Senior Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky. “They follow user activity across shopping platforms, gaming services, streaming apps, and communication tools, adapting their methods to blend into familiar environments. For consumers, this makes consistent vigilance and basic security hygiene essential, especially during periods of heightened online activity.”

While looking for the best offers it’s highly important to stay truly protected, so that shopping brings positive emotions and benefits, not financial losses and data leaks. Kaspersky Premium protects users from fraudulent online stores through advanced detection technology that analyzes website characteristics and URLs to identify suspicious patterns. For its outstanding fake shops detection capabilities and excellent performance in AV-Comparatives Fake Shops Detection certification Kaspersky Premium was awarded an “Approved” certificate, making it the perfect choice for confident online shopping during the sales.

beIN MEDIA GROUP (“beIN”), the leading global sports, entertainment and media organization, is participating at the inaugural edition of Mobile World Congress (MWC) Doha 2025, showcasing key developments in its digital transformation journey, including new cloud-based and AI-enabled broadcasting technologies, while reaffirming its ongoing contribution to the Qatar National Vision 2030.

The two-day MWC Doha 2025 opened today at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre and marks the first time the MWC series has been held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The landmark event, aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Digital Agenda 2030, aims to bring together global leaders, innovators, and policymakers to accelerate digital transformation and help build a more connected, intelligent, and sustainable economy.

beIN will demonstrate how it is transforming the way audiences engage with live content amid a profound shift in the global sports and entertainment media landscape. Recognized internationally for its coverage of major sports events, beIN is committed to elevating broadcasting standards across the MENA region and globally. It also continues to support Qatar’s ambitions to develop a diversified, knowledge-driven economy through innovation and digital capability building.

As artificial intelligence, interactivity, and personalized experiences become central to fan engagement, beIN is accelerating development of proprietary technologies that redefine how audiences connect with live content in the future. By showcasing its two digital platforms, the newly launched beIN STREAM, a cloud-enabled streaming service powered by a compact Wi-Fi cloud connector, and TOD, its award-winning OTT platform, the media conglomerate is highlighting how it is building next-generation capabilities designed to enhance live and on-demand sports experiences, including multi-view streaming, real-time statistics overlays, dynamic player profiles, and AI-driven predictions, all forming part of beIN’s long-term digital innovation roadmap.

“MWC Doha 2025 provides a powerful platform for us to share beIN’s journey to becoming a technology-driven broadcaster,” said Israel Esteban, Chief Technology Officer, beIN MEDIA GROUP. “We continue to align our work with the ambitions of Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly in advancing knowledge, innovation, and digital capability. As such, in parallel with the evolving global media landscape, we are investing in AI, interactivity, and personalization to create richer, more meaningful ways for audiences to engage with our content.”

beIN STREAM is a new subscription-based OTT service that utilizes a dedicated streaming device for access, marking a major shift toward cloud-based content delivery. The service demonstrates how cloud technology enables rapid updates, advanced graphics, and AI-enhanced content while eliminating the need for complex on-premise hardware. By moving all processing to the cloud, beIN STREAM delivers faster deployment, greater flexibility, and broader reach—allowing beIN to offer live sports and entertainment seamlessly on any TV and expand into new markets without traditional broadcasting constraints. Meanwhile TOD, delivers high-quality live and on-demand sports and entertainment content and continues to enhance its viewing experience through ongoing advancements in personalization and platform design.

Both services reflect beIN’s long-term strategy to become a technology-driven broadcaster serving global audiences with unprecedented depth and flexibility. beIN is located at Stand C20 at MWC Doha 2025, which is taking place today and tomorrow at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The United Arab Emirates said it will invest $1 billion to expand AI infrastructure and AI-enabled services across Africa, with the aim of helping countries meet national development priorities.

UAE Minister of State Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri announced the “AI for development initiative” at the G20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg, saying it would bring AI technology to areas such as education, healthcare, and climate adaptation.

“We consider AI not just as a future industry but a cornerstone of humanity’s future,” he said in a statement.

“Therefore, my country is actively accelerating innovation to enhance productivity and drive significant advancements in the global economy, with a strong commitment to developing responsible and inclusive AI for the benefit of everyone.”

The UAE is one of the biggest investors in Africa. Its bilateral trade in 2024 reached approximately $107 billion, a 28% increase from the previous year, and its total investments in Africa were over $118 billion between 2020 and 2024, the statement said.

Abu Dhabi is investing heavily in AI, with plans to build one of the world’s largest data-center hubs in the country with U.S. technology.

The UAE is not a member of the Group of 20, which brings together the world’s biggest economies, but was invited to the meeting by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is hosting the G20 leaders’ summit for the first time in Africa.

New Murabba, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, concluded its participation as a Founding Partner at Cityscape Global 2025, held under the patronage of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MoMAH), 

The four-day event, themed “The Future of Urban Living,” took place at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center from 17 to 20 November. It brought together global leaders, investors, developers, and urban design experts to explore how next-generation cities can redefine the way people live, work and connect.

As part of the event, the New Murabba team joined a series of sessions focused on the key forces shaping the urban landscape, including real estate trends, large-scale destination development, smart city systems, customer experience, and emerging investment opportunities. Across these sessions, New Murabba shared insights from its work delivering Riyadh’s new downtown and engaged with international partners on future collaboration.

New Murabba was honored to welcome H.E Mr. Majid Al-Hogail, Minister of Municipalities and Housing, and Eng. Abdullah Al-Hammad, CEO of the Real Estate General Authority. The company also welcomed other esteemed partners and high-ranking officials, they were received by members of the company’s leadership team, who presented the latest developments of the New Downtown Riyadh project and its ambitious urban vision.

The company also welcomed official visitors and dignitaries to its interactive pavilion, where guests explored the masterplan and experienced The Mukaab, Riyadh’s emerging global icon and centerpiece of the destination.

The pavilion served as a platform to strengthen relationships with government entities, private-sector leaders, and global stakeholders interested in the Kingdom’s next era of sustainable and human-centric urban development. New Murabba’s presence at Cityscape Global reflects its commitment to collaboration and its role in advancing national goals under Vision 2030. The event showcased the progress of the downtown development and reaffirmed the company’s ambition to set new global benchmarks in livability, innovation, and urban design.

Ethara, the organizers of the FORMULA 1® ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX, have officially launched ticket sales for the 2025 race, inviting fans to experience the thrilling conclusion of the F1® season at Yas Marina Circuit from 4th – 7th December.

As the defining moment of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been the host for four high-stakes title-deciding races and remains an unmissable spectacle where championships can be won or lost. Following McLaren’s historic 2024 World Constructors’ Championship victory at Yas Marina Circuit, anticipation is already building for what could be another decisive showdown in 2025.

The grand season finale in a historical season for F1 will take place as part of the 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi GP weekend, as the sport celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025. Fans can now secure their tickets to the region’s biggest event weekend, with organizers confirming a variety of highly sought-after experiences are now available for purchase.

Following record attendances in 2024, where the Abu Dhabi GP continued to grow in scale and excitement, Ethara has announced that tickets are recording unprecedented demand, urging fans to secure their spot ahead of another landmark season.

Weekend ticket holders will enjoy exclusive access to top attractions across Yas Island and Abu Dhabi including Ferrari World Yas Island Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Yas Island Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Yas Island Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Yas Island Abu Dhabi, and cultural landmarks like Qasr Al Watan and Louvre Abu Dhabi. Access is included for weekend ticket holders as part of the event offering fans the opportunity to experience landmarks across the emirate. 

Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, CEO, Ethara said,  “Following a record-breaking edition of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2024, we are thrilled to build on that success and welcome fans from across the globe to the 2025 Formula 1 season finale as we celebrate F1’s 75th anniversary. Bringing over 192,000 spectators to Yas Marina Circuit over race weekend is a remarkable achievement, and with unprecedented demand already recorded, we anticipate another incredible year of world-class racing and entertainment.

As the region’s premier sport and entertainment event, we remain committed to delivering an exceptional fan experience. With tickets now on sale, we look forward to welcoming visitors from around the world to Abu Dhabi for an unforgettable season finale at Yas Marina Circuit.”

With even more ways to experience the high-speed action of the Abu Dhabi GP weekend, fans can choose from an expanded selection of ticket options, including General Admission, Grandstands, and Luxury Hospitality experiences. Popular fan zones such as Abu Dhabi Hill, and the North and West Straight Grandstands return, offering panoramic views of Yas Marina Circuit’s impressive 5.281km track.

The 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi GP also welcomes back an array of luxury experiences, with globally renowned restaurant brands and exclusive trackside views. Returning favorites include Deck at Nine featuring Opa, Luna Lounge featuring CÉ LA VI, Club 58 starring Japanese high-end cuisine ROKA, as well as collaborations ranging from Michelin star restaurant Hakkasan, Nobu, Estiatorio Milos featured at Deck at Two to Gohan and Ninive at the captivating Shams Suite.

The Formula 1® 2025 sets the stage for one of the most competitive seasons in recent history as the top teams battle for the coveted Constructor’s Title, crowning the official champions at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Major driver and team changes, including Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, add to the drama, while rising stars seize new opportunities in a field tighter than ever. With the title fight expected to go down to the wire, the F1® Grand Finale at Yas Marina Circuit promises an unforgettable end to a landmark season in the sport.

As anticipation soars for a finale weekend in Abu Dhabi, the event’s music and entertainment program, Yasalam, presented by e&, is set to take the Grand Prix experience to new heights with 4-days of world-class entertainment across Yas Island. Building on the incredible 2024 lineup featuring global icons Eminem and Maroon 5, the After-Race Concerts are gearing up to deliver groundbreaking performances to fans following record-breaking attendance of 110,000 at Etihad Park across race weekend in 2024.

Dubai is a city that embodies dynamism and technological progress like few others. This is where the Cayenne Electric is making its first public appearance – after proving its ability to handle terrain off the beaten track beyond the city limits. Just an hour’s drive outside the city begins one of the most challenging test sites in the world: the Arabian Desert. Here, during its testing, the Cayenne Electric impressively demonstrated how E-Performance can take the off-road experience to a new level – especially when it comes to the traditional part of the product requirements for every generation of Cayenne: ‘dune surfing’.

“The Cayenne Electric drives like a much lighter vehicle in the dunes,” says Michael Schätzle, Vice President Product Line Cayenne. “This ease of handling surprised even us. Especially in situations with low speeds and large steering angles, the Cayenne Electric demonstrates a level of control that we have never experienced in this form before.

One SUV, two worlds: city performance and desert prowess

On the road, the Cayenne Electric offers the driving dynamics of a sports car and the comfort of a sedan. Off-road, it demonstrates the uncompromising off-road capability that has been at the core of the model series since its market launch in 2002. During test drives in the dunes with fine powder sand, gradients of more than 25 degrees and temperatures beyond the 40-degree mark, the SUV impressed with its precise, instantly available power.

A key factor in this is the new drive system that, in the Cayenne Electric Turbo, generates up to 850 kW (1,156 PS^) and 1,500 Nm of torque when launch control is activated. The low inertia of the electric motors, together with the ‘Sand’ off-road driving mode and the sensitive accelerator pedal, ensures precise control of the power. “This makes it much easier to make optimal use of the necessary ‘target slip’ for maximum grip on loose surfaces,” explains Schätzle.

The camouflaged prototypes of the Cayenne Electric completed desert testing on standard summer tyres – and with different chassis systems. The standard Adaptive Air Suspension with PASM impressed with its high level of off-road capability. When equipped with this system, the Cayenne Electric’s ground clearance can be increased by 55 millimetres to up to 245 mm at the dedicated off-road ride-height.

For the Cayenne Electric Turbo, the optional Porsche Active Ride significantly in-creases traction even further. “The body is virtually suspended in the air,” says Schätzle. “Unevenness is compensated for directly at the wheel so that the body re-mains still and the wheel load varies less.” This ensures noticeably greater control, especially in deep sand.

Technology for maximum traction and temperature control

The impressive off-road capabilities of the Cayenne Electric are ensured by numerous innovations and equipment features:
Porsche Traction Management (ePTM): the electronically controlled all-wheel drive system works about five times faster than conventional systems and supports all off-road modes (sand, gravel, mud, rocks).
Offroad Package: increased approach angle of up to 25 degrees, modified lower front section, reinforced side skirts with skid plates, and horizontal cooling air flaps for additional air supply.
New battery cooling strategy: for the first time, two cooling plates are used per module, which efficiently regulate the temperature of the 113 kWh high-voltage battery from above and below.
Direct oil cooling: motorsport technology for a long-lasting, sustained high power output from the electric motor on the rear axle of the Cayenne Turbo.
Adaptive Air Suspension with PASM: ground clearance increased to up to 245 mm at the dedicated off-road ride height.
Porsche Active Ride (optional for Cayenne Turbo): the premium active suspension almost completely compensates for body movements – for stability and traction even in demanding dune landscapes.
Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus): the combination of electronically controlled differential lock and targeted braking interventions on the rear axle of the Turbo model improves traction, stability and lateral dynamics – particularly effective even on loose surfaces.