DUBAI WORKS Business Podcast

In this episode, we break down Dubai's resilient real estate market as it records AED 11.7 billion in a single week. We also explore Tabby's major shift into digital banking services following its new Central Bank license, and highlight UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov's $70 million entry into Dubai's premium property development scene.

In this episode, we break down Abu Dhabi's plan to consolidate its Chinese investment strategy under a new powerhouse entity. We also explore the high-stakes "cash-for-uranium" negotiations between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad and analyze Axight's billion-dollar entry into the Australian financial market through its latest acquisition.

HEADLINES:• Sheikh Hamdan announces first air taxi station now 'ready'• Prince Alwaleed to Take 70% Stake in Al Hilal • UAE Investor Buys Stake in General Atlantic's Joe & the Juice

HEADLINES:• Public Investment Fund Weighs Scaling Back LIV Golf Funding in Strategic Reset• Riyadh is opening its metro map to monetization• Bain Capital Expands to Abu Dhabi Despite Regional ConflictNewsletter: 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 to reduce salary top-ups for Emiratis in private sector • Pakistan Secures $3 Billion in Saudi Loans to Lift Reserves • Iran Used Chinese Spy Satellite to Target US Bases Across the Middle East

HEADLINES:• Gulf Allies Rethink Defense as U.S. Supply Delays Mount• Zelenskyy Says Ukrainian Systems Downed Iranian Drones in Gulf • Mytheresa CEO Bets on Middle East Growth Despite Regional Tension • Apple Denies Removing Southern Lebanon Villages From Maps • Gulf Sovereign Wealth Funds Deploy $25 in Q1 2026: Global SWF report

HEADLINES:• Oil, Gas Surge as US Moves to Blockade Strait of Hormuz After Failed Iran Talks • Social Media Bank on 16 Year Olds in UAE? A UAE Entrepreneur has Started a Convo • Pistachio Prices Hit 8-Year High as Iran War Disrupts Supply, Demand Surges • HH Sheikh Tahnoon-led Firm to Acquire Majority Stake in Richard Caring's Hospitality Empire

In this episode, we cover the billion-pound acquisition by IHC's Diafa of the iconic British hospitality empire "The Ivy." We also break down the stalemate in U.S.-Iran talks over the nuclear file and the Strait of Hormuz. Finally, we highlight the powerful display of national unity as global giants like Microsoft and ADNOC join the UAE community in raising the national flag.

This episode analyzes Iran's dual strategy of asset negotiation and cryptocurrency transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz. We also cover Abu Dhabi's successful bid to host the 2029 World Bank and IMF meetings and explore how the UAE's TruKKer is transforming regional land freight to overcome maritime shipping disruptions.

HEADLINES:• Al Jaber: Hormuz must be reopened without restriction • Saudi Arabia's $100 billion electronics fund removes CEO • FMubadala assets under management grow 17 percent to $385 billion in 2025

HEADLINES:• Qatar Moves to Restart LNG Production as Ceasefire Reopens Path Through Hormuz• UAE AI Firm G42 Pushes Ahead With Expansion Despite War Risks• Fox Partners With Kalshi to Bring Prediction Markets to Mainstream MediaNewsletter: 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 Prices Plunge After Trump Announces Two-Week Iran Ceasefire Deal• BlackRock and State Street Stay Bullish on Abu Dhabi Despite Tensions• HH Sheikh Khaled Meets Nubank CEO as Digital Bank Expands into Abu DhabiNewsletter: 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 Prepares Major Tourism Relief Package as Regional Tensions Bite• Abu Dhabi-Backed Redbird IMI Aims to Be World's Largest Independent Studio• Saudi Media Giant Looks to Build “Netflix of MENA” with Thmanyah Sports EcosystemNewsletter: 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 breaks into global top 10 exporters for first time, as per WTO• Dubai property sales hit AED176.7bn in Q1 as prices hold firm • American publisher Semafor doubles down on Gulf expansion amid rising global focus

Today's episode covers fires at Abu Dhabi's Borouge facility, Pavel Durov's claim that millions in Iran still use Telegram despite a ban, and Abu Dhabi's quiet stake in venture capital firm Insight Partners.

Today's episode covers rising regional tensions impacting tech infrastructure in the UAE, Khalaf Al Habtoor's response to Jeffrey Sachs' warning on Dubai, and growing backlash over war-related betting platforms like Polymarket.

HEADLINES:• The Oracle Attack in Dubai Is Fake News • SpaceX in Talks With Saudi PIF for $5 Billion IPO Investment • Dubai Property Market Defies War Jitters With $5 Billion Sales Surge

HEADLINES:• Majid Al Futtaim Opens Malls to UAE SMEs• UAE Airlines Restrict Iranian Travel• Saudi-Backed Newcastle Reports ProfitNewsletter: 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 Sovereign Funds Invest in Whoop• Abu Dhabi's IHC Is Investing Nearly $1 Billion in an Indian Finance Company• Jeff Bezos Recently Visited the Gulf to Raise CapitalNewsletter: 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 APPROVES AED 1 BILLION ECONOMIC BOOST PACKAGE • TRUMP EYES GULF CASH TO FUND IRAN WAR • US DEFENSE SECRETARY'S BROKER SOUGHT DEFENSE STOCK INVESTMENT BEFORE IRAN STRIKE• IRANIAN DRONE STRIKES KUWAITI TANKER OFF DUBAI COAST

HEADLINES:• UAE Remains Open And Resilient Despite Attacks, Minister Says • Big Money Speaks: $16B Cain CEO Sees Gulf Winning Long-Term • FII Priority Summit Miami 2026: Key Takeaways • Iran Strikes Hit Gulf Aluminium Giants, Production Risks Emerge

Today's episode covers major developments shaping global markets—from Mubadala's strategy amid regional tensions to Saudi startup Ninja's IPO ambitions, and how Saudi Arabia is rerouting oil flows as the Strait of Hormuz faces disruption.

Today's episode covers major developments shaping the region and global markets, from Trump's $14 billion Oracle investment in Saudi Arabia to Al Habtoor Group's expansion plans in the UAE, and Israel's $57 billion economic losses from the Gaza genocide.

The Smashi Business Show breaks down four transformative stories reshaping the Arab business world in real time. First, investment giant Blackstone defies geopolitical uncertainty with a $250 million commitment to UAE gaming infrastructure—a bold signal that major capital still sees the Middle East as a long-term opportunity despite the Iran conflict. Second, UAE fintech Alaan launches a stunning AED 3 million initiative supporting 1,000 SMEs, proving companies can lead with purpose while building ecosystem loyalty. Third, Saudi Arabia's Neom mega-project cancels a $5 billion dam contract, signaling a critical pivot in Vision 2030 as execution costs, supply chain chaos, and lower oil revenues force a reckoning on spending. Finally, personalized nutrition startup Bioniq—backed by Cristiano Ronaldo—gets acquired by Herbalife for up to $150 million, demonstrating how data-driven health tech scales globally. Host Abdul Majid Awan unpacks what these stories reveal about capital flows, SME resilience, government strategy, and the future of wellness innovation.  Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dAkTDhJ6WhatsApp: aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:• Emaar ‘Not Worried' by Iran War Impact• OpenAI Eyes $10bn Raise Backed by MGX• QIA Eyes 10% Stake in Golden GooseNewsletter: 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:• Iran Charges Some Ships Hormuz Transit Fees for Safe Passage• Amazon Cloud Disrupted in Bahrain After Alleged Drone Activity• Saudi Startup Ninja Eyes Riyadh IPO as Market Holds SteadyNewsletter: 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:• ADNOC CEO: Energy Security Means Light on or Light Off• Primark Has No Plans to Postpone Opening in Dubai Mall• US President Trump Privately Pressed by Media Mogul Rupert Murdoch for Iran War: Bloomberg• Dubai Property Inquiries Are on the Rise: Betterhomes ReportNewsletter: 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 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.