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WIRED Middle East

YouTube Star AboFlah Made Streaming His Life. He Wants His Kids to Live Offline
THE ESCAPE ISSUE

YouTube Star AboFlah Made Streaming His Life. He Wants His Kids to Live Offline

AboFlah talks about his new goals, streaming for charity, and when it's time to log off.
By Carla Sertin
Roger Waters and Mona Miari Refuse to Become “Comfortably Numb”
Movies and TV

Roger Waters and Mona Miari Refuse to Become “Comfortably Numb”

Millions watch Gaza on their phones. Little changes. In a nine-minute reworking of a 47-year-old song, Roger Waters and Mona Miari refuse the numbness the feed is selling.
By Dana Alomar
There’s a Third Person in Your Relationship. It’s AI
THE ESCAPE ISSUE

There’s a Third Person in Your Relationship. It’s AI

AI is becoming a relationship mediator, rewriting texts and settling arguments – but outsourcing conflict may come at an emotional cost.
By Ellie Zolfagharifard
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Is the Superhero Movie the Online Generation Needs
Movies and TV

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Is the Superhero Movie the Online Generation Needs

The movie packs emotional punches that land especially hard in the age of AI and endless scrolling.
By Carla Sertin
The UAE Is Banning Children Under 15 From Social Media
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 and Carla Sertin

Business

How Escaping Overstimulation Became Big Business
THE ESCAPE ISSUE

How Escaping Overstimulation Became Big Business

Overstimulation made ambient YouTube a digital refuge. Now AI is industrialising the internet's favourite form of escape.
By Megan Tomos
Environment

As Europe Overheats, Gulf Travellers Are Going Further To Escape Summer

For decades, Europe was the Gulf's summer refuge. Now record-breaking heatwaves are forcing travellers to rethink where they go to cool off.
By Rand Al-Hadethi
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
Tabby Taught You to Pay Later. Hosam Arab Says You Should Save Now
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

THE BIG STORY

This Social Media CEO is Sick of the Algorithm
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
Hassan Akkad Released After Detention in Post-Assad Syria
Security News

Hassan Akkad Released After Detention in Post-Assad Syria

By Dana Alomar
Over 600,000 Syrian Refugees Have Left Lebanon. Nobody Knows the Economic Cost
Invisibile Labour

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

By Yasmina El Zein
Meet the Accidental Editor-in-Chief of Muslim Media
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
Our First Print Issue Is Here. It's About the Future, And Who Gets To Shape It
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
You Cannot Trust AI, Says Cisco's Global Innovation Officer
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
I’ve Covered Robots for Years. This One Is Different
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

Gaza’s Water Crisis Is Becoming a Heat Emergency
Environment

Gaza’s Water Crisis Is Becoming a Heat Emergency

As temperatures rise, Gaza’s destroyed water and sanitation systems are turning extreme heat into a deadly crisis.
By Rachel Hagan
Do You Actually Need Electrolytes?
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
Even Just a Little Sleep Deprivation May Lead to Weight Gain, Study Finds
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
How To Heatproof a City: The Gulf’s Blueprint for a Hotter World
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

Security

How Morocco Turned Football Into a Tool of Statecraft
Power play

How Morocco Turned Football Into a Tool of Statecraft

The kingdom’s World Cup ambitions stretch far beyond the pitch, intertwining football with diplomacy, domestic politics and the contested future of Western Sahara.
By Karim Zidan
Six Everyday Online Habits That Could Violate UAE Cybercrime Laws
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
Microsoft Investigated Its Role in Gaza. Will Big Tech Follow?
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
The UK Just Lost Its Sixth Prime Minister of the Decade
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

Culture

The Internet Put Lamine Yamal’s Girlfriend on Trial
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
Over Half of All New Music Uploaded to Deezer Is AI Generated
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
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
The 9 Best Shows to Stream This Month
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

The Iran War

The Strait of Hormuz Has Been Closed for 100 Days. Why Isn’t Oil Higher?
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
Iran Attacked Kuwait’s Desalination Infrastructure. How Resilient Is the Gulf’s Water Supply?
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
Iran Says the Strait of Hormuz Is Closed. US Says Otherwise. What’s Happening?
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
Is the Iran-Israel War Over? What Does A Ceasefire Actually Mean?
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

What the Gulf Summer Heat Does to Your Smartphone, and How To Fix It
How To and Advice

What the Gulf Summer Heat Does to Your Smartphone, and How To Fix It

Your phone’s thermal design is built around a global average climate. But Gulf summers don’t exactly fit that model.
By Megan Tomos
Which Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 or Flip8 Phone Should You Buy?
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
OpenAI Finally Enters the Hardware Market With the Launch of Codex Micro
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
Here’s How Apple Is Updating Its Child Safety Features in iOS 27
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