Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will soon join a US-led initiative to secure AI and semiconductor supply chains, Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg told Reuters in an interview.

The addition of those two countries is notable given the Middle East’s history of political divisions and reflects a US-led effort to bring Israel and Gulf states into the same technology-focused economic framework.

The program, dubbed Pax Silica, seeks to safeguard the full technology supply chain, including critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, computing and data infrastructure. It is a key pillar of the Trump administration’s economic statecraft strategy to reduce dependence on rival nations and strengthen cooperation among allied partners.

“The Silicon Declaration isn’t just a diplomatic communiqué,” Helberg said. “It’s meant to be an operational document for a new economic security consensus.”

The group

The group including Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Britain and Australia. Qatar is expected to sign the Pax Silica declaration on Jan. 12, followed by the UAE on Jan. 15.

Unlike traditional alliances, Helberg said, Pax Silica is a “coalition of capabilities,” with membership driven by the industrial strengths and companies of each country.

Helberg said he hopes the initiative can help accelerate the Middle East’s economic transition away from energy dependence, toward a more diversified, technology-driven economy.

“For the UAE and Qatar, this marks a shift from a hydrocarbon-centric security architecture to one focused on silicon statecraft,” he said,

The moves come against the backdrop of The Future Minerals Forum, a government‑led global minerals and supply chain conference hosted by Saudi Arabia that will bring together senior officials, industry leaders and investors in Riyadh from January 13‑15.

Helberg said the Pax Silica group will focus this year on expanding membership, building strategic projects to secure supply chains and coordinating policies to protect critical infrastructure and technology.

The group met in Washington last month. Helberg said he hopes it will meet a few times this year.

Read: UAE to launch first Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence

He said discussions are under way on projects that could modernize trade and logistics routes, including the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, using advanced US technology to boost regional integration and expand America’s economic footprint.

US and Israeli officials plan to launch a Pax Silica-linked Strategic Framework, including the “Fort Foundry One” industrial park in Israel to accelerate projects. AI cooperation will also be discussed, with a memorandum of understanding tentatively planned for January 16.

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) on Tuesday implemented an updated regulatory framework for crypto tokens in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), aimed at enhancing market integrity, providing clarity for participants, and supporting innovation in the digital assets sector.

The enhanced rules build on the DFSA’s original crypto token regime, launched in 2022, and reflect feedback from an October 2025 consultation with industry stakeholders.

Over the past three years, the DFSA has monitored market developments and engaged with regulatory counterparts to ensure its framework remains robust, globally aligned, and conducive to innovation.

Charlotte Robins, MD of Policy & Legal at the DFSA, said the updated framework “strengthens the DFSA’s regime, provides greater clarity for market participants, and supports the development of a safe, transparent, and well-regulated digital assets environment.”

Read: DFSA’s Charlotte Robins on how its Tokenisation Sandbox is gaining traction

The updated regulatory framework for crypto tokens aims to boost transparency

The revisions aim to enhance investor protection, reinforce market transparency, and provide clear guidelines for firms operating in the DIFC crypto ecosystem, while supporting innovation in financial services and digital asset solutions.

The DFSA, which regulates banking, financial services, and markets within DIFC, noted that the updated rules are part of its ongoing efforts to maintain Dubai’s position as a global financial centre that fosters innovation while maintaining high standards of governance and market integrity.

Temu, the global e‑commerce marketplace backed by Chinese group PDD Holdings, said on Monday it has expanded its operations in the United Arab Emirates with the launch of a local seller programme aimed at boosting deliveries and broadening its product selection.

The initiative, part of Temu’s “local‑to‑local” model, allows UAE‑registered businesses with locally stocked inventory to sell on its platform, giving them access to a new distribution channel and consumers quicker delivery times, the company said.

Temu’s Local Seller Program is already active in more than 30 markets, including the US, the UK, Germany, France and Japan. Its rollout in the UAE is the latest step in the company’s strategy to support small and medium enterprises while enhancing its service offering in international markets.

“With our local‑to‑local initiative, we aim to create new growth opportunities for UAE businesses, while giving consumers access to a wider selection of affordable, quality products with faster delivery,” a Temu spokesperson said.

Read: Here are 6 ways how retail will be different by 2035, reveals report

Temu launched in the UAE in 2023

Temu launched in the UAE in September 2023 and has gained traction among shoppers drawn to its broad assortment and competitive pricing. According to analytics firm SimilarWeb, Temu was the top-ranked shopping app on Android in the UAE as of January 1, 2026, based on usage data.

The expansion underscores increasing competition in the region’s e‑commerce sector, where established players and new entrants are investing in faster logistics and localised offerings to capture market share.

Electricity supply has been fully restored across Sharjah following a temporary power outage that disrupted residential, commercial and government activities on Sunday, authorities confirmed.

The Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) said the interruption, which occurred around midday, was triggered by a localised emergency fault in the power network that activated automatic protection systems designed to safeguard grid stability.

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The fault led to a brief loss of electricity in several neighbourhoods, including Al Majaz, Al Taawun, Al Nahda and parts of Muweilah and Buhairah Corniche, affecting homes, shops and major retail hubs such as Sahara Centre. Government services, commercial operations and ATM withdrawals were temporarily disrupted during the outage.

SEWA’s technical teams

According to Sharjah24, SEWA’s technical teams responded promptly, isolating the affected sections of the network and carrying out safety inspections before restoring supply. Power was re-established progressively across all impacted areas, with full restoration confirmed by the authority in the afternoon.

In a statement, SEWA reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high standards of reliability and service continuity, highlighting ongoing investments in grid modernisation, preventive maintenance and rapid response mechanisms to minimise the impact of unforeseen faults.

Residents reported that the outage lasted only a few hours, with many confirming that normal operations had resumed by mid-afternoon. The authority has not indicated any lasting infrastructure damage and said regular monitoring and maintenance work will continue to bolster network resilience.

Read: How Sharjah dealt with adverse weather: Inside the emirate’s rapid response

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced the launch of the Package Preference Phase via the Nusuk Hajj platform for the 1447 AH – 2026 Hajj season, targeting pilgrims from countries under the Direct Hajj Program.

This phase enables pilgrims to review available service packages, compare offerings based on service level, content, and cost, and select up to five preferred options. The initiative aims to empower pilgrims to make informed decisions in advance of the official booking phase, while simultaneously providing service providers with insights to better prepare for the upcoming season, a Saudi Press Agency report said.

Read-Up to SAR100,000 in fines: Saudi authorities tighten rules for Hajj transportation

The Nusuk Hajj platform simplifies the pilgrimage experience with digital features such as package comparison tools, preference indicators showing popularity trends, installment-based deposits via a digital wallet, and access to an officially approved list of service providers.

The ministry called on pilgrims eligible for the Direct Hajj Program to register or update their existing information through the platform, and to ensure the accuracy of all personal data and documentation. It also encouraged pilgrims to add family members wishing to perform Hajj under the same application to facilitate verification and accelerate application approvals.

Official platform and compliance emphasis

In its statement, the ministry reaffirmed that Nusuk Hajj is the sole official and approved platform for Hajj services in countries under the Direct Hajj Program. It emphasised the importance of avoiding transactions with any unauthorised entities or unaccredited service providers. All deposits and bookings must be made exclusively through the Nusuk Hajj platform to ensure procedural integrity and safeguard pilgrim rights.

For more information on the countries included in the Direct Hajj Program, visit Nusuk.sa. To register or update your details, please visit Hajj.nusuk.sa.

This announcement applies exclusively to countries.