DUBAI WORKS Business Podcast

HEADLINES:♦ House of Pops CEO Responds After Sugary Drinks Added to Orders Without Approval♦ Candace Owens Says She's Accused of Taking Qatar, Iran Funding♦ World Bank Approves $1.3 Billion to Rebuild Infrastructure in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq♦ U.S. Approves $30 Million Gaza Aid Grant Despite Concerns Over Safety and Oversight Newsletter: https://aug.us/4fZIDusWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQSmashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:♦ Fadel Al Ali Named Chairman of Majid Al Futtaim Group in Major Governance Shakeup♦ Maersk Cuts Ties With Firms Linked to Israeli Settlements After Activist Pressure♦ Replit Hits $100 Million in Revenue, Founder Amjad Masad Reveals Rapid Growth♦ UAE's Baraka Launches AI Assistant to Help Retail Investors in the GulfNewsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:• Oil Markets Steady Despite Iran's Missile Strikes on US Bases in Gulf• Saudi CEOs Are Getting Younger and More Local, Says New Korn Ferry Report• Oman to Introduce First Personal Income Tax in Gulf by 2028• The Arab Influx of London Is More Than Just Shopping at Harrods Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:♦ Mohamed Alabbar Launches New AI-Driven Arabic Media Platform "Lana"♦ Iran Considers Strait of Hormuz Closure After US Strikes♦ Valu Set to Debut on Egyptian Exchange in Landmark Fintech Listing♦ Airlines Reroute Flights After Unprovoked U.S. Strikes on Iran Escalate Airspace Risk

HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia's HUMAIN Launches Media and Gaming Division♦ Mohammed Al Abbar-chaired Americana Looking to Add Five Guys, Cinnabon to its Portfolio of KFC, Pizza Hut♦ Citi Group Says Oil May Touch $90 per Barrel if Strait of Hormuz is shut♦ Syria Conducted its First Direct International Bank Transfer via the SWIFT System

HEADLINES:♦ Aramco CEO: Oil and Gas ‘Crucial in Times of Conflict' Amid Israel-Iran Tensions♦ Flight Detours and Fuel Costs Hit Gulf Airlines During Peak Travel Season♦ Dubai's Binghatti Launches $1 Billion Shariah-Compliant Asset Management Firm♦ Iranian State TV Accuses WhatsApp of Sharing User Data with Israel

HEADLINES:• Al Habtoor Group is looking at potential IPO for Hospitality Portfolio• Kris Fade's Fade Fit is a local success story• UAE Was World's Second-Fastest Growing USD Millionaire Hub in 2024

HEADLINES:♦ The Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit is starting today from June 17 till June 18♦ Adam Neumann Tapped Saudi Investors For $300M Flow Expansion In Kingdom♦ Dubai's Salt is Heading to Egypt's North Coast?♦ Israel furious as France shuts four weapons stands at Paris Airshow

HEADLINES:♦ Emirati Billionaire Khalaf Al Habtoor Calls for Peace between Iran and Israel♦ Podcast-Born Thmanyah Wins Saudi Football Streaming Rights♦ Following Backlash, Modrić's Deal With Israeli Firm Skillset Disappears From Web♦ Egypt Postpones Grand Egyptian Museum Opening Amid Regional Tensions

HEADLINES:• Egypt Revamps Giza Pyramids Site in $30M Push to Elevate Tourism• Oil Soars, Markets Slide After Israeli Strikes on Iran Trigger Regional Tensions• After Khaleej Times Exit, Michael Jabri-Pickett Launches New Dubai-Focused Media Brand• Talabat Prioritizes Profit and Patience Over Saudi Expansion Post-IPO

HEADLINES:♦ Nvidia Approves UAE's G42-Backed Khazna to Host Its Most Advanced AI Chips♦ Emaar Launches VYOM, a Digital Resale Platform to Transform Property Transactions♦ How Syrian Founder Yasmeen Jisri Baked Dubai's Most Beloved Digital Dessert Brand♦ Brand Strategist Sparks Debate Over Saudi Fast-Food Giant AlBaik's Dual Logos 

HEADLINES:♦ UK and Allies Sanction Israeli Ministers for Inciting West Bank Violence Amid Gaza Crisis♦ Emirati Billionaire Khalaf Al-Habtoor to Lead Delegation to Syria for Investment Talks♦ Nigeria's $5 Billion Aramco Loan Stalls as Oil Prices Drop♦ BCG Boss Says Sorry, Quits Controversial Gaza Aid Project Backed by Israel♦  The Reel Deal: How Katara Studios is Reshaping Arab Cinema—With Hussein Fakhri  

HEADLINES:♦ Huda Beauty Donates AED1 Million to UNRWA in First Move as Fully Independent Brand♦ Dubai Appoints New Board at Majid Al Futtaim to End Billionaire Heir Dispute♦ Emirates Partners with Emirati Brand Home Bakery for First-Class Experience♦ Warner Bros. Discovery Split Puts OSN+ Under Streaming Spotlight♦ Smashi Business Talks to Jassim Al-Nashmi, Creative Director and Partner at Qudra Global

HEADLINES:♦ Turning Qatar's Jet into Trump's Air Force One Could Cost $400 Million♦ Huda Beauty Donates 1 Million Dirhams to Mark Eid and Take Back Control♦ UAE Helped the U.S. Shape Crypto Rules, Says Circle President♦ Zara's Russia Exit Was a Setup for a Comeback, FT Reports

HEADLINES:♦ Huda Kattan Has Officially Reclaimed Full Ownership of Huda Beauty♦ Mubadala Emerges as World's Most Active Sovereign Fund in May♦ Ex-Lebanese PM Saad Hariri Launches Abu Dhabi-Based AI Investment Firm♦ Kuwait Joins $30B Global AI Push Backed by Microsoft, MGX, and xAI

HEADLINES:♦ HH Sheikh Hamdan Visits World's Largest Diamond Exchange at DMCC♦ Cloud Kitchens Are Booming in the GCC — And Kaykroo Is Leading the Charge♦ UAE-Based Flower Company Creates Labubu Bouquet Worth $8,100♦ Dubai Real Estate CEO Pushes Back on Fitch's 15% Property Drop Forecast

HEADLINES:♦ Shaikha Al Nowais Makes History as First Woman to Lead UN World Tourism Organization♦ Elon Musk Tried to Block Sam Altman's Big AI Deal in the UAE♦ Saudi Arabia, Qatar Pledge Joint Financial Support To Syria's Public Sector Amid Warming Ties♦ Dubai's Al Habtoor Tower Nears Completion — 800 Units to Be Delivered

This weekend on Smashi Business Show: Weekend Edition, we break down three major stories shaping the region. India moves to exempt Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund from key investment rules, paving the way for deeper financial ties and major capital inflows. In Dubai, property prices may drop by up to 15% as a record housing supply threatens to outpace population growth. And billionaire landlord Asif Aziz—who owns major parts of London's West End—is relocating to Abu Dhabi, joining a growing wave of wealthy individuals fleeing UK tax changes and investing in the UAE's booming real estate scene.Instagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQNewsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUTiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:• Saudi Arabia's HUMAIN Plans $10 Billion Global VC Fund to Power AI Ambitions• Dubai's Viral Chocolate Brand FIX Lands in Ultra-Luxury Marsa Al Arab Hotel• Dubai Wellness Brand Humantra Secures JamJar Investment Ahead of Boots UK Launch• John-Paul McKerlie on How TOD Is Shaping the Future of Sports & Streaming in MENA

HEADLINES:♦ Dubai Residential REIT's Big Debut: $584M IPO, 15% Surge, and Market Buzz♦ UAE Citizen Pavel Durov, Elon Musk Sign $300M Deal to Bring xAI's Grok to Telegram♦ Saudi Fintech Stitch Raises $10M to Expand Across MENA and East Africa♦ Syria to re-open stock market starting June 2, finance minister says

HEADLINES:♦ Kings League MENA: SURJ Sports And Gerard Piqué's Kings League Launch Football Format In Saudi♦ Dubai's Dune 23 To Be Acquired By M&C Saatchi In Strategic Middle East Expansion♦ Majid Al Futtaim And Dubai Future Foundation Launch People-First Retail Robotics Pilot At City Centre Mirdif♦ Fadi Ghandour Warns of AI Tsunami as Microsoft Layoffs Signal Shift in Software Industry

HEADLINES:• Saudi Arabia Denies Alcohol Legalization Rumors Amid World Cup Buzz• UAE will Become the First Country to Offer Free ChatGPT Plus to All Residents• Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Strike New Oil in Partitioned Zone• Piers Morgan's Shift on Gaza Reflects Global Moral Shift, Says Khalaf Al Habtoor• Middle East's Wealthy Family Offices are Look to the West

HEADLINES:• Fact Check: Is Saudi unbanning Alcohol in 600 Tourist Locations?• Omani Huda Al Lawati Raises $200M for Gulf's First Woman-Led Equity Firm• Tabby and Tamara Report Strong Profits as Saudi Fintech Sector Surges• UAE Citizen Pavel Durov's Telegram Posts $540M Profit in 2024 Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:• Highlights of Day 3 of Qatar Economic Forum• Noor Sweid Warns of “Massive Funding Gap” in Middle East at Series B Stage• Saudi Arabia Launches AI Startup Incubator to Accelerate Digital Innovation• Abu Dhabi AI Giant G42 Has Brought Stargate to the UAE• Global Investors Expected to Put $10 Billion into Dubai Property by 2025

HEADLINES:• Highlights from Day 2 of the Qatar Economic Forum• Flynas Raises $1.1 Billion in IPO Priced at Top Range, Fueling Saudi Aviation Push• U.S. Officially Accepts Qatari Jet as Trump's Air Force One• Moniify Officially Appoints Lana Sawiris as CEO

HEADLINES:♦ Key Announcements and Global Deals at Qatar Economic Forum Day 1♦ UK Halts Trade Talks, EU Reassesses Israel Ties Amid 'Horrifying' Genocide in Gaza♦ Saudi Arabia Plans $100 Billion ‘Project Paradise' in Riyadh♦ Saudi Proptech Startup Ejari Eyes Expansion as Rental Demand Surges

HEADLINES:• Nvidia, UAE's MGX Plan to Build Europe's Largest Data Center• Saudi PIF Opens Paris Office, Aims to Double Europe Investments• Pavel Durov slams Mark Zuck, calls WhatsApp a cheap copycat of Telegram• UAE's travel and tourism sector to add more than 26,000 jobs this year• Codex: Will coding become obsolete as AI automates it in ChatGPT?

HEADLINES:• Sarwa Enforces No-Negotiation Pay Policy to Ensure Fair Salaries for New Hires• Trump Tower Dubai Launch Sparks Investor Frenzy with Promises of 30% Resale Gains• Dubai Holding Upsizes Dubai Residential REIT IPO Amid Strong Investor Demand• Syria to Print New Currency in UAE and Germany, Ending Russian Partnership• OpenAI, Oracle to Help UAE Develop Massive Data Center

HEADLINES:♦ US and UAE Sign Partnership to Build Largest Data Center Complex Outside of the US♦ Emirates in Talks With SpaceX to Bring Starlink Wi-Fi Onboard Widebody Fleet♦ UAE-Jordan CEPA Takes Effect, Set to Boost Bilateral Trade to $8 Billion by 2032♦ Etihad Rail Passenger Service to Launch in 2026, Transforming UAE Travel

HEADLINES:♦ Qatar Signs $200 Billion Deal to Buy Jets from Boeing During Trump Visit♦ Trump Meets Syria's Interim Leader, Lifts Sanctions in Push to Rebuild Ties and Trade♦ Elon Musk says Starlink was approved in Saudi Arabia♦ Nvidia and AMD Join Forces with Saudi Arabia's Humain to Build AI Superstructure

HEADLINES:♦ Trump Lands in Riyadh to Grand Welcome, Crown Prince Meets Global Tech and Business Titans♦ Trump Announces Major Policy Shift: U.S. to Lift Sanctions on Syria Amid Gulf Tour♦ Trump Secures Historic $600 Billion Investment Commitment from Saudi Arabia♦ Saudi Startup Kilow Secures $2.5M to Power AI-Driven Weight Loss Revolution

HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Launches HUMAIN to Power Nation's Bold AI Push♦ Elon Musk Set to Join Trump Delegation at Saudi-U.S. Forum as Gulf Tour Begins♦ MBC Group Posts $70M Q1 Profit Surge as New CEO Michael Sneesby Takes Helm♦ Money Without Borders: Hubpay's CEO on the Future of Fintech in the UAE

HEADLINES:♦ Trump May Receive Luxury Jet from Qatar Amid Air Force One Delays: ABC News♦ Syria Seeks Meeting With President Trump, Offering Oil Access and Trump Tower in Damascus: Reuters♦ Saudi Hospital Operator SMC's $500 Million IPO Fully Subscribed Within Hours♦ Mike Thurston, Vadim Fedotov Launch Hack You Media with $1.5M Backing in Dubai♦ Gold Prices Hit $3,500, Up 27% So Far This Year

HEADLINES:♦ U.S. Backs Qatar's $87M Syria Salary Plan, Easing Sanctions Post-Assad ♦ Abu Dhabi's XRG Eyes Billions in U.S. Investments with Trump Support ♦ Profit Rises But Share Price Falls as Emaar Reports Strong Q1 2025 Results ♦ Emirates Group Posts Record Profits and Rewards Staff with 22-Week Bonus

HEADLINES:- Disney to Open First Middle East Theme Park in Abu Dhabi- Qatar Airways lines up Boeing order for Trump visit- Meta Wins $168 Million Verdict Against Israeli Spyware Firm NSO Group- Tabby and Kitopi Weigh IPO Plans Amid Investor Limits and Oil Market Volatility

HEADLINES:- UAE Unveils Ambitious Islamic Finance and Tourism Strategy- Wall Street Leaders to Join Trump in Riyadh Ahead of US-GCC Power Talks- Egyptian-American WHOOP Founder Reveals First Prototype- Inside BNI UAE: 20 Years Of Building Business Through Relationships

HEADLINES:- Trump's Gulf Itinerary Revealed: Riyadh May 13, Doha May 14, Abu Dhabi May 15- Shark Tank Dubai Season 3 Launches with Star Investors and Bold Entrepreneurs on Dubai TV- Cairo's MoneyFellows Raises $13M to Expand Its Digital Savings Circles Beyond Egypt- STV Launches $100 Million Fund to Support Saudi Tech Startups- Egypt's Rabbit Launches in Saudi Arabia, Backed by Regional Investors

HEADLINES:- UAE to have AI as core subject in government institutions - UAE lifts ban on Emiratis to travel to Lebanon, starting May 7- Abu Dhabi's AI powerhouse G42 plans US investments- Etisalat And (e&) launches regional office in Miami, US- Dubai's DAMAC saves the day for Chelsea 

HEADLINES:- MrBeast Signs Riyadh Season Deal- Saudi CEO Warns Against Misleading Digital Consultants- Dubai Real Estate Market Starts Strong in 1Q 2025- US May Ease Nvidia Chip Restrictions for UAE- Trump stablecoin is being used in a $2B investment from MGX into Binance

HEADLINES:- TWG Global and Mubadala Capital to Enter Multi-Billion Dollar Investment Alliance- Pakistani startup MedIQ Raises $6 Million for Expansion into GCC- Dubai Always Strives to be Number One: Dubai Future Foundation CEO- Don't Rush to Fire Your Team for AI: Damac's Ali Sajwani- HH Sheikh Khaled, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Meets Open AI CFO Sarah Friar

HEADLINES:- Mark Zuckerberg Has Launched the Standalone App for Meta AI- UAE Entrepreneur Raises Inclusivity Questions about AI- Dubai's Skyline Gets a New Addition - Trump International Hotel and Tower- BFL's Toufic: Retail in GCC is Changing- British Wealth Firm Azura Swaps Monaco for Abu Dhabi After Lunate Deal

HEADLINES:- Dubai has become the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere- UAE-based Zest Has Raised $4.3 Million in Pre-Series A Funding- Bahrain-born, Saudi-HQed Calo Expands into the UK- Etihad CEO says Trump's Tariffs Have No Effect on Airline

HEADLINES :- Saudi Arabia's PIF has raised its target for assets under management by 2030 to $2.67 - trillion- Saudi Arabia and Qatar to pay back Syria's debt to the World Bank- Trump poised to offer Saudi Arabia over $100 billion arms package, reports Reuters- Trump Wants a 'Free' US Ride in the Suez Canal- All-time AED100-million record set at latest RTA number plate auction

HEADLINES : - Highlights of Day 4 of Dubai AI Week- Cafu exploring first-ever 'stake sale': Bloomberg- Damac used AI to boost monthly financial collections by a staggering $54.4 million- Paypal chooses Dubai for first-ever regional headquarters for the Middle East and Africa- Dubai-based logistics giant Aramex has announced a leadership change 

HEADLINES:- Highlights of Day 3 of Dubai AI Week- Celebration of OSN's $57 Million with Warner Bros Discovery in Dubai - Emaar waives 4-month rent for F&B outlets facing Dubai Fountain - Most UAE firms paused hiring in Q1 2025 as corporate tax and costs add up 

HEADLINES:- US President Donald Trump's Middle East visit dates confirmed- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes Saudi Arabia visit- Highlights of Day 2 of Dubai AI Week- The UAE bucks the trend in the IMF's latest growth forecast- Saudi Arabia to appoint acting CEO of NEOM to permanent role

HEADLINES:- Highlights of Day 1 of the Inaugural Dubai AI Week- Aramco and BYD partner for EV Technology- PepsiCo Opens regional HQ in Riyadh; will invest SAR30 million in R&D center- Saudi Cash Revives Boxing's Don King Era, Says World Boxing Council Chief- After Pistachio, Cocoa price rise can be concerning for UAE's $736 million chocolate market

HEADLINES:- UAE set to use AI to write laws in world first- Adnoc on shortlist to buy Shell South Africa fuel stations- B'Laban's Facebook Account Announces the Reopening of Its Branches in Saudi Arabia- Tourism to hit 13% of Abu Dhabi's GDP in 2025, 13% of Total GDP- Dubai's RTA inks MoU with China's Baidu to launch trials of self-driving taxis

HEADLINES:- UAE has become the 11th largest merchandise exporter in the world- Abu Dhabi investors are stepping up their presence in the UK market- Dubai-listed companies outperformed their Gulf peers in Q4 of 2024- Deel CEO spotted in Dubai as Rippling struggles to serve corporate espionage lawsuit- Russia and Qatar sign 2 billion euro investment deal

HEADLINES:- UAE Tops Saudi Arabia's Arab Export Markets in Q4 2024, Trade Surplus Soars 37%- B'laban Denies Poison Rumors as Giza Closes 12 Dessert Shop in Egypt- Red Sea Global Unveils New Island Despite PIF Budget Cuts- Women invest AED118 billion in Dubai real estate sector

HEADLINES:- Majid Al Futtaim has announced a AED5 billion investment to transform Mall of the Emirates- Dubizzle Group buys UAE's Property Monitor portal amidst IPO talks- Team ownership could be next F1 step for Saudi Arabia- Dubai's Property Market Sees Rising Prices and Investor Demand in Q1 2025- Saudi-born Barn's Coffee Eyes IPO On Saudi Tadawul- Meta's Zuckerberg eyed Instagram spinoff amid antitrust scrutiny, document shows