The Smashi Business Show

In this episode, we break down the immediate plunge in global oil prices and the stock market rally triggered by the historic US-Iran framework peace agreement. We also look at the logistics at sea as nearly 600 stranded tankers cautiously await the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and highlight the UAE’s major governance leap with the creation of the federal Artificial Intelligence and Data Aut...

In this episode, we break down private credit titan Blue Owl Capital’s move to establish its regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi amid macroeconomic shifts. We also explore the intense bidding war brewing in the food delivery sector as Saudi startup Ninja threatens Uber’s Middle East acquisition strategy, and highlight the major regulatory milestone in Washington as the DOJ clears Paramount’s $110 b...

SpaceX Mints Saudi Billions; Al Habtoor Eyes Syria; Altman Cancels Abu Dhabi Trip

HEADLINES: • Emaar just launched a Dh200 billion megaproject in Dubai for 150,000 residents • The $22 billion prediction market Kalshi just became a World Cup sponsor of Argentina • How two Saudis turned camel racing into a professional sports franchise Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModr WhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLU Instagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQ Tiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8 Smashi Busine...

HEADLINES: • Saudi Arabia lifts five year Lebanon import ban as Riyadh backs Beirut reforms  • SpaceX IPO Draws Billions in Orders From Middle East Funds  • FII appoints Princess Maha Al Saud as CEO ahead of Rome summit   Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModr WhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLU Instagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQ Tiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8 Smashi Business Show (Mon-Frid...

HEADLINES: • Real Madrid land €100 million-a-year Emirates sponsorship deal • Meta Says Israeli Spyware Firm Targeted WhatsApp Users Again • Mubadala Is Reportedly Exploring a €3 Billion Deal for Burger King Operator in Spain and Portugal Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModr WhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLU Instagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQ Tiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8 Smashi Business Show (Mon-Fr...

HEADLINES: • Saudi Ninja Founder Ebrahim Al Jassim Is Trying to Acquire HungerStation and Parts of Talabat: FT • US Is Considering Using Iranian Assets to Pay for Gulf Attack Damage • UAE company to fund $2bn New Botswana City   Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModr WhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLU Instagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQ Tiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8 Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday)...

HEADLINES: • Saudi Arabia faces $16 billion bill to scale back parts of NEOM: Semafor • UAE says $1.4 trillion US investment plan is ahead of schedule • US states prepare antitrust challenge as Gulf-backed $110B Paramount–Warner deal faces scrutiny   Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModr WhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLU Instagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQ Tiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8 Smashi Busi...

Today’s Smashi Business Show brings you four global stories shaping markets, sport, aviation, and geopolitics. Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first active athlete to surpass $2 billion in career earnings, driven by Saudi contracts and global investments. Rising tensions in the Middle East escalate as the U.S. considers redirecting Iranian assets amid ongoing regional conflict and fragile ceasefire...

Is the UAE becoming the world's safest investment destination? In today's Smashi Business Show, Abdul Majid Awan breaks down Abu Dhabi's massive $1.7 billion Sphere project, why Dubai's real estate market could be heading for a major consolidation, and why billionaire investor Naguib Sawiris says he is "doubling down" on the UAE despite growing global uncertainty. Plus, we examine the shocking HSB...

HEADLINES: • State Street is Deepening its Gulf Presence With Oman Expansion Plan • Saudi PIF is Actively Replacing Foreign Executives With Local Talent in Strategic Shift: FT • Glazers’ sale debate at Manchester United heats up as Qatar bidder rules out return • Man City Leadership Has 'Winning' Mentality: Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak    Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModr WhatsApp: http...

HEADLINES: • SpaceX Targets Record-Breaking $75B IPO, Set to Eclipse Aramco Listing • Berenjak Expands to Abu Dhabi Amid Regional Conflict and Gulf Hospitality Push • Greek shipping tycoon Marinakis Says Shipowners Could Accept Hormuz Transit Fees • 20,000 Seafarers Remain Stranded in Gulf Despite Ceasefire Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModr WhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLU Instagram: https://aug....

HEADLINES: • UpScrolled Has Just Been Banned In Saudi Arabia • IAEA Chief Says Barakah Attack Tested UAE Nuclear Safety Systems • Mohamed Alabbar Takes Direct Control Of Emaar Misr After CEO Exit

HEADLINES: • Former Sky News Arabia boss slams Guardian reporting on Sky UAE exit • Alabbar and IHC show interest in debt-hit IFFCO • e& sells 12.5% Careem stake to Uber in $100 million deal Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModr WhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLU Instagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQ Tiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8 Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES: • PSG turns from football gamble to $5 billion global asset machine  • Kingdom Holding jumps as SpaceX stake re-rates the stock ahead of IPO  • UAE scientists build AI system that predicts heatwaves with 96% accuracy before they hit

we explore the UAE’s strong 6.2% economic growth in 2025, the leadership approach that continues to make Dubai a magnet for entrepreneurs and investors, and how Qatar transformed PSG from a $100 million football club into a global sports brand worth over $5 billion.

A proposed $300 billion reconstruction programme for Iran, Saudi Arabia push to build Riyadh Air despite regional tensions, and Qatar latest position on Strait of Hormuz transit fees. Here are the three stories shaping the region today.

From AI megadeals to food delivery consolidation and a new wave of defense manufacturing, today’s stories highlight how capital, technology, and power are converging across the US, Europe, and the Gulf. Anthropic’s rise above OpenAI marks a reshaping of the global AI hierarchy, but Abu Dhabi’s quiet cross-investments tell an even bigger story. Meanwhile, Uber’s push for Delivery Hero puts Talabat...

Calo shuts down its UK operations despite IPO ambitions, Iran reconnects after an 88 day internet blackout, and Kalshi pushes toward a $22 billion valuation as prediction markets surge across America.

On today’s episode of the Smashi Business Show, Abdul Majid Awan breaks down four major stories shaping business across the region. We look at why the Trump-backed Gaza reconstruction board remains stalled despite billions in pledges, Bahrain’s Mumtalakat reporting an 87 percent jump in earnings driven by McLaren and Alba, the UAE’s trade response to regional disruption as outlined by Dr. Thani Al...

In this episode, we break down Abu Dhabi-backed MGX’s entry into Isomorphic Labs' $2.1 billion funding round to revolutionize AI-driven drug discovery. We also track the Saudi El-Khereiji family’s multi-million dollar stake in Italy's luxury hospitality group, Barletta, and analyze the strategic launch of the Syrian Youth and Entrepreneurs Council designed to economically empower a resilient new g...

HEADLINES: • Oil Falls as US-Iran Talks Ease Supply Fears, but Trump Cautions Against Rushing Deal  • Guardiola Exit Marks New Era for Abu Dhabi-Owned Manchester City  • Pure Harvest CEO Sees Food Security as Gulf’s Next Strategic Frontier

Saudi Arabia slows down parts of NEOM as capital shifts toward ports and AI infrastructure, Abu Dhabi doubles down on entertainment with a $1.7 billion Sphere project, and Qatar Airways faces mounting fallout from the Iran war after reportedly suspending staff bonuses. Gulf economies are increasingly being reshaped by logistics, tourism and geopolitical disruption.

Saudi Arabia weighs creating a logistics giant to rival DP World, Qatar billionaire-backed Estithmar Holding explores a rare Doha IPO with Rothschild, and Dubai-based media mogul Richard Desmond faces a £40 million-plus legal fallout after losing a UK lottery lawsuit. Gulf business really decided subtlety was overrated this week.

HEADLINES: • Dubai Crown Prince just approved a $408 million economic relief package  • Saudi Arabia Freezes Consultancy Payments as Iran War Pressures State Spending  • Alabbar Says Noon Will Cut Staff by 50% Within Three Months