DUBAI WORKS Business Podcast

In this episode of Smashi Business, Wael Hossam covers the UAE's $1.4 trillion US investment pledge, Lush's Eid collaboration with Emirati brand Home Bakery, and Saudi's Savvy Games acquiring Mobile Legends studio Moonton, exploring the latest in global business, tech, and market strategy.

Today's Smashi Business Show covers three major global developments shaping media, energy, and finance. From IMI's response to Sky News Arabia reports, to Adnoc's warning on global energy risks, and Kalshi's $1 billion funding surge.

Iran Strikes Hit QatarEnergy, UAE Response, Saudi Real Estate Boom

HEADLINES:• STARLINK LAUNCHES IN UAE WITH PLANS STARTING AT DH230 PER MONTH• UAE MAY JOIN US-LED EFFORTS TO SECURE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, DIPLOMATIC ADVISER TO UAE President• UAE CENTRAL BANK APPROVES RESILIENCE PACKAGE TO SUPPORT BANKING SECTOR• NEOM RESTRUCTURES THE LINE PROJECT, STREAMLINES $1BN TUNNEL CONTRACTNewsletter: 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:• Paistani ship passes Strait of Hormuz• Praise for Dubai• Ukraine President Offers Help to Middle EastNewsletter: 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:• Dubai Gold Shipments Resume Slowly As Flight Disruptions Keep Trade Below Normal• TikTok US Deal, Backed by UAE's MGX, Could Deliver $10 Billion To Trump Administration• MBC Group Profit Jumps 70% As Advertising And Shahid Drive Growth• Meta Pauses Gulf Segment Of 2Africa Cable As Iran's Attacks Disrupt WorkNewsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

In today's episode, we discuss the official arrival of Starlink in Kuwait through a strategic local partnership. We also look at the rapid recovery of oil operations at the UAE's Fujairah port following a weekend incident, and finally, we examine the growing backlash against online platforms allowing massive financial bets on the Iran war.

This episode covers Talabat's share buyback on the DFM, Yalla Group's record revenue, and why global banks are rescheduling major UAE events. All the essential business updates in one place.

HEADLINES:• UAE Economic Momentum Challenges Goldman Sachs' 5% Contraction Warning • DHL Pushes $577M Middle East Investment Despite Iran Attacks• Jordanian-American Amjad Masad's Replit Raises $400M at $9B valuation • UAE Hiring Slows Slightly but Job Market Remains Resilient: Recruitment Startup Founder 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:• Iranian Drones Strike Oman's Strategic Port; Oil Markets Surge Past $100 • Middle East War Costs Tourism Industry $600 Million a Day • Major International Banks Move to Remote Work Settings in Gulf Offices • “My Priority Is the Safety of Our People,” Says ADNOC CEO Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber 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:• Saudi Aramco CEO warns of “catastrophic” fallout if oil disruption persists• Abu Dhabi's Ruwais oil refinery complex shut down after fire breaks out• Saudi is in negotiations with Ukraine to buy Million of Dollars worth of Ukrainian-made interceptor drones: WSJ• Azizi Developments plans to invest Dh75 billion to build 151 hotels across the UAE 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:• Saudi Aramco Announces $3B Share Buyback Despite Profit Dip • Kuwait and Bahrain Declare Force Majeure as Conflict Disrupts Gulf Energy Supply • Gulf Sovereign Wealth Funds Could Expand Global Influence Amid Crisis: GlobalSWF 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:• Oil is rising as everything else is falling everywhere • ADNOC says its operations continue despite disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz • Businesses across the Gulf are rushing to buy political violence insurance, per FT  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:• Gulf States Review Global Investments as War Strains Budgets: FT Report • UAE Weighs Freezing Iranian Assets as Conflict With Tehran Escalates • David Ellison Pledges CNN Editorial Independence as Gulf-backed Paramount Wins $111B Warner Bros. Deal 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:• UK Media Divided Over Who Should Pay to Evacuate Britons From Middle East • Abu Dhabi-Backed RedBird IMI to Merge All 3 Media With Banijay in €4.4B TV Production Giant • Qatar Halts LNG Exports After Iranian Strikes, Declares Force Majeure • Kalshi Refuses to Pay Out Khamenei Bets, Reimburses Traders Instead

As geopolitical tensions grip the Middle East, markets swing violently and evacuation flights scramble to extract 300,000 British expats from the UAE. But back in Westminster, a political firestorm erupts: Should these "tax exiles" be taxed by the UK government? Meanwhile, the entertainment industry undergoes seismic consolidation as Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. clears regulatory hurdles, promising a unified streaming giant. And in a stunning act of defiance, bootstrapped AI startup Thaura—founded by Syrian refugee brothers—publicly exposes and rejects a suspicious acquisition bid from an Israeli company, declaring its mission to the people is non-negotiable. Markets, money, and morality collide.  Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dAkTDhJ6WhatsApp: aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): aug.us/3BTU2MY

In today's Smashi Business Show, we cover three major stories shaking the region. Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura refinery — processing 550,000 barrels a day — has been shut down after a drone strike, as Qatar simultaneously halts LNG production following Iranian attacks on key energy facilities. Brent crude is already surging past $79. Amazon Web Services confirms drone strikes have damaged data centres in the UAE and Bahrain, disrupting cloud services and forcing warehouse closures across the Gulf. And on a lighter note, the UAE dirham is set to get its own Unicode symbol — coming to keyboards worldwide this September. Stay informed with us.Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dAkTDhJ6WhatsApp: aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): aug.us/3BTU2MY

In today's episode of the Smashi Business Show, we break down three stories defining the Gulf crisis in real time. Telegram founder Pavel Durov calls Iranian missiles "free fireworks" and insists Dubai is safer than Europe — even as the UAE intercepts hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones. Gulf stock markets take a battering, with the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar shutting down entirely while Saudi Arabia and Egypt bleed in open trading. And Amazon Web Services confirms its Dubai data center was struck by mysterious "objects," triggering fires and a major cloud outage.  Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dAkTDhJ6WhatsApp: aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:• Gulf-Backed Paramount Emerges as Frontrunner in $111 Billion Warner Bros. Discovery Takeover • Al Nassr Star Cristiano Ronaldo Enters Club Ownership With 25% Stake in Saudi-Owned Almeria • DoorDash Exits Qatar and Three Other Markets in Global Profitability Push  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

Three stories today, all pointing in the same direction. The UAE is too wealthy to stay on JPMorgan's emerging market list — a milestone that reflects decades of economic transformation. Abu Dhabi's G42 is pioneering an AI chip monitoring system so impressive that Washington is calling it a model for the world. And Saudi Arabia is channeling billions into data centers as the kingdom positions itself as the region's AI infrastructure capital. From bond indexes to Nvidia chips to megawatt data centers, the Gulf is playing at a completely different level. Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dAkTDhJ6WhatsApp: aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:• UpScrolled Hits 5 Million Users Amid Growth, Controversy and a Brief Google Play Ban • Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has reported a record annual profit in 2025 • Former WWE head Vince McMahon is NOT trying a buyback with Saudi backing  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:• Gulf-Backed Anthropic Accuses Chinese Rivals of Mass AI Capability Extraction • Al Habtoor Group Moves Toward Washington Arbitration Against Lebanon Over Investment Dispute • Elie Habib Launches Free Global Intelligence Dashboard After Building Anghami 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:• UAE Thwarts AI-Powered “Terrorist” Cyber Attacks Targeting Critical Infrastructure • Saudi Arabia Eases Regional HQ Rule, Reopens Government Projects to Foreign Firms • Regional Outrage After Mike Huckabee Remarks, Tech Founder Amjad Masad Speaks Out 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

This episode traces the rise of Jordanian-Emirati entrepreneur Abdallah Abu-Sheikh — from hustling at 17 under family pressure to building billion-dollar platforms before 30.We unpack his journey from renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa to launching Rizek in the UAE, scaling electric mobility with Barq, and architecting Astra Tech's ultra-platform strategy through PayBy and Botim. Instead of building apps, Abu-Sheikh built systems — communication, finance, mobility — all designed to reduce friction across daily life in MENA.Now, he's entering his most ambitious chapter yet: Mal, an AI-driven Islamic fintech platform headquartered in Abu Dhabi, backed by a $230 million seed round — one of the largest in MENA history.

In today's Smashi Business Show, Gulf-backed Anthropic triggers a cybersecurity selloff, Lakshmi Mittal expands ArcelorMittal in Sharjah, and the Trump administration advances a proposed civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia.

HEADLINES:• Gulf States Commit Over $4 Billion to Gaza Reconstruction at Trump's Board of Peace Meeting • Cristiano Ronaldo invests $7.5 million in Herbalife health tech company, stock jumps • Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Arrives in New Delhi for India AI Impact Summit  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:• Gulf-Backed OpenAI Targets $850 Billion Valuation in Historic $100 Billion Funding Push • Abu Dhabi's Mubadala doubles investment in Bitcoin ETF to $630mln • Saudi's Humain invested $3 billion in xAI's Series E funding round  

HEADLINES:• Gulf Sovereign Funds Back in Play as Warner Bros. Reopens Paramount Talks • Stake Secures $31 Million Series B Led By Emirates NBD To Scale Global Real Estate Investing • Prince Alwaleed's Combined Stake in Elon Musk Companies Reaches $9.2 Billion

HEADLINES:• US AI firm Luma AI opens Riyadh hub to advance Arabic-native AI with HUMAIN• UAE legaltech pioneer Clara acquired by Singapore's Ascentium• Smashi Business Show Guest: Demetrios Bradshaw - CEO Of Aeras Aviation

HEADLINES:• Abu Dhabi's MGX Builds Stakes in OpenAI, xAI, and Anthropic, Cementing Role in Global AI Race • Ex-Google X Executive Mo Gawdat Launches AI Dating App Focused on Lasting Relationships • UK and Canadian Funds Resume DP World Investments After Leadership Shake-Up

Smashi Business Show Live with Foodics Founder Ahmad AlZaini from STEP Dubai 2026

HEADLINES:• Emaar Posts Record 2025 Results as Revenue Jumps 44% With Highest-Ever Sales • Saudi Arabia names PIF head Fahad Al-Saif as new investment minister• Naguib Sawiris Backs UAE Digital School Plan to Train 100,000 Egyptian Youth 

 Live From Step Dubai Day 2 Smashi Business Proud Media Partner At STEP 

 Live From Step Dubai Day 1 Smashi Business Proud Media Partner At STEP 

HEADLINES:• Smashi Business Show live from Web Summi Qatar 2026 - Day 2• Disney CEO Bob Iger just revealed the location of Disneyland Abu Dhabi.• Saudi Arabia's PIF Lifts Year-Long Ban on PwC Advisory Services• Saudi Arabia Plans to Expand Premium Residency Program to Ultra-WealthyNewsletter: 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:• Emirates Misses $10 Billion in Revenue Due to Aircraft Delays• Abu Dhabi's G42 to Build AI Data Centers in Vietnam • Giannis Antetokounmpo Joins Lebanese founder Tarek's Kalshi as Shareholder • Step Dubai 2026 Appoints Augustus Media as Official Media Partner

HEADLINES:• Middle East Markets Hold Firm as Wall Street Crumbles • Boeing and Airbus in Talks With Saudia for Potential Record Jet Order • Inside ADNOC Distribution's Financial Results with Ali Siddiqi, Chief Financial Officer

HEADLINES:• HH Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Acquires Major Stake in Trump Family Crypto Company• Miral CEO Congratulates Disney's New CEO Josh D'Amaro• Saudi Arabia to Announce Multi-Billion Dollar Investment Package for Syria

HEADLINES:• Dubai Begins Construction of $680m Underground Transport Loop with Elon Musk• Aldar and Mubadala Launch $2.72bn Retail Platform• Ronaldo Misses Al-Nassr Match Amid Reports of Strike Over Lack of Transfer Activity 

Smashi Business Show live from Web Summi Qatar 2026 - Day 2

HEADLINES:• Upscroll Surges Past One Million Users As Alternative Social Platform Goes Viral• ADQ Chief Steps Down To Join Lunate As Abu Dhabi Targets Rapid Asset Growth• Gulf Stocks Slide As Wall Street Weakens On Fed Uncertainty And Tech Turmoil• Saudi-Backed LIV Golf Moves To Sell Team Stakes At Up To $300 Million Valuation

HEADLINES:• PwC Returns to Pitch for Saudi Arabia's $1 Trillion Wealth Fund After Year-Long Ban• Al Habtoor Group to Shut Down Lebanon Operations and Fire All Employees• Palestinian Journalist Bisan Owda Says TikTok Permanently Banned Her Account 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:• Mubadala Joins Property Finder's $170 Million Fundraise• Al Habtoor Group Flags $1.7 Billion Lebanon Losses, Prepares Legal Action• Palestinian-Owned App UpScrolled Surges to the Top of App Store ChartsNewsletter: 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:• Telegram's Durov Slams WhatsApp Security as "Braindead"• Disney CEO Bob Iger just revealed the location of Disneyland Abu Dhabi• Saudi Arabia's PIF Lifts Year-Long Ban on PwC Advisory Services• Saudi Arabia Plans to Expand Premium Residency Program to Ultra-WealthyNewsletter: 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:• Palestinian App Climbs the Apple App Store • Saudi Arabia Plans to Expand Premium Residency Program • Saudi Arabia Delays 2029 Asian Winter Games at NEOM 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:• DAMAC Secures $12bn in US AI Data Centre Projects • ‘There Is No Plan B': Jared Kushner's Gaza Master Plan Draws Backlash in Davos• Altman Courts Middle East for $50bn OpenAI Funding RoundNewsletter: 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:• Qatar's $580bn Wealth Fund Plans Major Portfolio Split• Netflix Goes All-Cash in $30bn Battle for Warner Bros.• NBA Courts Gulf Sovereign Wealth for European League Pus• HP's Peter Oganesean: How AI and Hybrid Work Are Redefining Productivity in 2025

HEADLINES:• UAE Joins Trump's ‘Board of Peace' as Gaza Plan Anchors New Initiative• First Phase of Stargate UAE to Come Online Within Months• Saudi Banks Turn Overseas for FundingNewsletter: 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:• World Economic Forum Day 1: Who said What? • MENA Media & Entertainment Market Seen Hitting $76.8bn by 2031 • Trump Invites Putin to Join Gaza ‘Board of Peace' as Global Scrutiny Grows • Abu Dhabi Plans Dedicated Power Tariff to Support AI Data Centres  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:• Qatar to Hold Proceeds of First US-Run Venezuelan Oil Sale• Hacking Campaign Targeted High-Profile Gmail and WhatsApp Users Across the Middle East• Sela Emerges as PIF Weighs Fresh IPO Push• Today on the Show: Clint Khan, Director at Y-Axis Middle East DMCCNewsletter: 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:• IHC Partners With US Investment Arm in Deal Aligned With US Foreign Policy• PwC Names Laura Hinton as Middle East Senior Partner After Saudi Advisory Ban • HSBC and Presight Sign Strategic AI Partnership  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