AI & Digital Infrastructure: Bahrain is doubling down on AI readiness, with officials pointing to secure telecom networks, digital trust, flexible rules, and AI skills as the backbone for an AI-driven economy at WSIS+20 and the AI for Good summit. University Expansion: The University of Bahrain is pushing ahead after its 2026 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings win, with plans for a new College of Design, stronger partnerships, and research-focused growth. AI-Native Engineering: L&T Technology Services wrapped its EI OpenHack 2026 across nine locations, bringing nearly 4,000 engineers to build AI-led solutions for mobility, energy, digital manufacturing, cybersecurity, and MedTech. Food Delivery Regulation: MPs in Bahrain are moving to regulate food delivery apps to curb high charges and commissions, aiming for a clearer framework that balances consumers, restaurants, and platforms. Islamic FinTech Hub: Meezan Bank and Iqra University launched a Centre of Excellence in Islamic FinTech to drive Shariah-compliant innovation and capacity-building. Cyber Fraud Crackdown: Interpol says a global operation led to 5,811 arrests and $293m in illicit assets seized or frozen across 97 countries. Strait of Hormuz Pressure: Europe is studying navigational fee proposals for Hormuz, while US-Iran tensions keep disrupting shipping and energy flows. UN Diplomacy: India’s Jaishankar will launch its 2028–29 UN Security Council bid next week and meet UN chief Guterres, with Bahrain included in his recent Gulf tour. Defense Tech Watch: Reports say Türkiye may explore transferring its Russian S-400 systems to a GCC state, tied to renewed F-35 discussions.