DUBAI WORKS Business Podcast

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

HEADLINES:• UAE is Worried About 25% Tariff Imposed by Trump on Countries trading with Iran • DP World CEO says ready to Enter Venezuela in 24 hours if cargo opportunities arise • UAE Becomes Ninth Member Of US-Led Pax Silica •  Emaar's Alabbar Says He's in A Hurry, so Pardon his Mistakes   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:• Dr Sultan Al Jaber opened ADSW 2026 and hailed UAE as 'corridor to future• Meta has appointed Egypt-born Dina Powell McCormick as its new president and vice chairman• Former botim CEO has just raised $230 million to build Mal, an AI-native Islamic digital bank• On Smashi Business Show today: Amr Henna, Managing Partner and Co-founder of fan engagement at DsquaresNewsletter: 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 Real Estate Hits Record AED 917 Billion in Historic 2025 Performance• Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Named Chairman of L'IMAD Holding as Sovereign Fund Expands Global Reach• MCG Talent Completes Seven-Figure Management Buy-Out, Names Charlie Bowsher CEONewsletter: 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:• 1 Billion Followers Summit concludes• Alabbar's Symphony Global signs exclusive 20-year joint venture to develop future Armani Hotels & Resorts• Dar Global to develop $10bn Trump-branded projects in Riyadh and JeddahNewsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

Updates from day 3 of the 1 Billion Followers SummitPrypco and Amira Sajwani gauge interest for tokenization in PakistanKris Fade and Sarah Omolewu launched KS Konnect to bring global talent, sports, and entertainment to the Middle EastNewsletter: aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): aug.us/3BTU2MY

 Day 1 of the 1 Billion Summit

HEADLINES:• Abdulla Al Hamed Appointed Chairman of UAE National Media Authority • MGX, QIA Deepen Backing as xAI Raises $20bn in Oversubscribed Series E • Dubai Residential Property Transactions Hit AED 541bn in 2025, Up 27% Year-on-Year  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 Arabia Opens Stock Market to All Foreign Investors in Bid to Boost Capital Inflows• Dubai Basketball Takes Long-Term View in EuroLeague Debut, Rejects Big-Spending Model• Kayali Launches “Kayali Cares” With $250,000 Donation for Sudan Relief 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:• Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2026 starting today in Las Vegas • Revolut Launches Major Hiring Drive as UAE Launch Approaches • Dubai chocolate helps propel Dubai Duty Free to record AED 8.68 billion sales in 2025  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:• Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth hits $1.7tn, rivaling Norway and China• Saudi Arabia launches 480MW Hexagon Data Center in Riyadh • Saudi marcom expert warns MBC–Shahid rebrand could dilute brand value 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:• Dubai Court Cancels Dh150 Million Fine in Abu Sabah Money Laundering Case • Warner Bros Discovery Poised to Reject $108 Billion Paramount Skydance Bid• Saudi AI Firm Humain Receives First Shipment of Nvidia's Advanced AI Chips  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

What would you do if someone offered you $1 billion for your six-person startup? Jordanian-American founder Amjad Masad said no—and today, Replit is worth $3 billion. In this episode, we break down his gutsy decision and Marc Andreessen's game-changing advice. Plus: dealmaker Amanda Staveley reveals why Gulf sovereign funds won't be buying more Premier League clubs (and what they're doing instead), and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority places a $65M bet on Chinese AI startup MiniMax—despite it losing half a billion dollars a year. From billion-dollar rejections to shifting investment strategies, here's everything happening in Arab business and tech. Newsletter: aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): aug.us/3BTU2MY

2025 Recap: The Driven, Dreamers and Doers of the Year 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:• Syria Just Introduced New Post-Assad Banknotes, Drops Portraits• Pentagon Awards Boeing $8.6 Billion F-15 Fighter Jet Contract for Israel• Presight Wins Multi-Year Albania Smart Nation AI 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:• Leaked Memo Shows TikTok's New US Owners Won't Run Core Business• Manchester City Owner CFG Exits Mumbai City FC• Crypto Billionaire CZ Named Richest Expat in the UAE by Forbes 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:• Huda Kattan Sparks Influencer Backlash Over Kim Kardashian Store Opening• Prince Alwaleed Nears $400 Million Al Hilal Deal, Semafor Reports• Nvidia Agrees to Acquire Saudi-Backed AI Chip Startup GroqNewsletter: 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:• Boucheron and Al Tayer Group Form Joint Venture for UAE Operations• BinDawood Acquires Majority Stake in UAE's Wonder Bakery• Emaar Founder Alabbar Invests in Paytm's Arab Payments Unit• Saudi AI Firm Humain Awards Mega Data Center Contract to MIS

HEADLINES:• Christmas spending is getting bigger in the MENA region• We Are Still Dramatically Undershooting Our Potential, Careem CEO• So FAST: The Future of Streaming with LG ChannelsNewsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY