The Smashi Business Show

HEADLINES: • UAE Oil Pipeline Bypassing Strait of Hormuz Hits 50% Complete • Microsoft Israel Head to Step Down After Inquiry Into Military Surveillance Links • Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya Turns to Google AI to Run Future Mega Theme Park 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: • Dubai-born GymNation just secured $100m BlackRock-backed investment • Emaar Exits $500 Million Syria JV While Mohamed Alabbar Doubles Down on Damascus • Swiss bank UBS Is Losing Some of the Middle East Wealth Bankers It Hired Just Two Years Ago Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModr WhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLU Instagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQ Tiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8 Smashi Bu...

HEADLINES: • UAE scraps salary grace period as late-pay crackdown kicks in June 1  • PIF explores outside investors as Newcastle eyes £1bn stadium decision  • Dubai Holding goes all-in on AI with Microsoft in major enterprise rollou  • Syria to join G7 finance talks in Paris in sign of gradual global return

HEADLINES: • Saudi emerges Gulf’s most resilient economy amid Strait fallout, IMF says  • Mubadala Capital added Palantir stock to its portfolio in Q1 2026  • Alabbar's Noon plans to launch operations in Syria

UAE–India Investment Push Saudi-Iran Non-Aggression Pact Israel vs New York Times

HEADLINES: • Abu Dhabi to become home of first Sphere outside of US  • Israel threatens New York Times lawsuit over Palestinian prisoner abuse report  • HH Sheikh Khaled-chaired L’imad joins BlackRock and Temasek on $30 billion infrastructure push

HEADLINES: • Thmanyah Founder Resigns as SRMG Raises Stake to 75% • Careem pulls back most Saudi consumer services amid strategic pause 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: • UAE tycoon Mohamed Alabbar plans up to $18 billion Syria investment • SRMG subsidiary raises stake in Thmanyah to 75% • The Giving Movement founder says he sold the Dubai streetwear giant to existing investors 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://a...

HEADLINES: • UAE's Habshan gas plant to stay below full capacity until 2027 • Dubai Holding has tightened it control of Emaar in $6.5B stake shift as property market cools  • UAE-backed Cerebras targets $34bn valuation in blockbuster US IPO   • UAE delivery orders surge 18% as dine-in demand drops sharply

HEADLINES: • Oil Jumps as Trump Rejects Iran Peace Proposal  • Pakistan Secures Qatari LNG Lifeline Through Hormuz  • Aramco Posts Record Quarterly Profit Surge  • UAE Emergency Loan Relief Hits AED6.2bn

In this episode, we analyze the impact of the first batch of advanced U.S. AI chips arriving in the UAE to accelerate the nation's digital transformation. We also dive into Mubadala’s strategic investment in Power Factors, a global leader in renewable energy management, and examine the successful crossing of Abu Dhabi’s LNG carriers through the Strait of Hormuz amidst ongoing regional trade disrup...

HEADLINES: • UAE Retains Global Lead in AI Adoption With 70% Usage Rate, Microsoft Report Finds  • Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Restore U.S. Military Access After Hormuz Tensions, WSJ Reports  • Iran Creates New Strait of Hormuz Transit Authority, Tightens Control Over Key Shipping Lane

HEADLINES: • Alabbar-led Eagle Hills studies $50 billion Syria projects • CEO Evgeny Ratskevich on Why Global Investors Are Flooding Abu Dhabi Real Estate   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: • Sarwa Crosses $1bn AUM as UAE Retail Investing Comes of Age • Telegraph, Politico owner says staff must align with pro-Israel principles or leave • World’s largest listed hedge fund manager Man Group to set up in Abu Dhabi Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModr WhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLU Instagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQ Tiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8 Smashi Business Show (Mon-Frida...

HEADLINES: • GameStop Seeks Gulf Sovereign Wealth Funds to Plug $26.1 Billion Gap in $55.5 Billion eBay Bid  • Dubai Launches Two-Year Push to Make Agentic AI Core of Private Sector Transformation  • Saudi Arabia Positions Neom Port as Red Sea Trade Hub to Reduce Dependence on Strait of Hormuz

HEADLINES: • “Those who invest in Dubai are investing in the future”: Sheikh Mohammed launches Blue Line tunnelling • Commercial vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz after Trump announces US escort mission • UAE is set to acquire $147.6 million worth of advanced US military systems  • Fitch affirms Abu Dhabi’s AA rating despite higher spending pressures

Today’s Smashi Business Show covers a major disruption in global energy markets as Kuwait’s exports are halted through the Strait of Hormuz, a $400 million Qatari-linked Bel-Air mansion reflecting shifts in ultra-luxury wealth, and escalating tensions over media ownership and editorial independence in Western outlets. From oil flows to capital power and information control, the episode tracks how...

In this episode, we analyze Eddie Howe’s comments on PIF’s unwavering commitment to Newcastle United amidst a broader sports portfolio review. We also examine the implications of the U.S. approving $8.6 billion in military sales to the region. Finally, we highlight the strategic milestone for the UAE’s Dana Gas as it settles all outstanding receivables with the Egyptian government, signaling a boo...

HEADLINES: • UAE Charges 19 Sudanese, Including Former Intel Chief Salah Gosh, Over $13M Arms Smuggling • PlotSaudi Arabia pulls funding from LIV Golf, WSJ reports • Amazon: UAE Cloud Recovery Could Take Months After Iran Strikes

HEADLINES: • Dubai Lowers Property Threshold for Two-Year Residency Visa • UAE startup CarniStore founders discuss scaling a digital-first butcher model in a fragmented market

HEADLINES: • UAE To Exit OPEC After Nearly 60 Years • Gulf funds to own 38.5% of Paramount–Warner Bros as $111bn deal moves forward • Citadel Gets Greenlight to Begin Operating in Dubai 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: • Electronics prices set to rise as key Saudi plant shutdown squeezes global supply • We want to be bold in the US”: ADNOC eyes multi-billion gas expansion • Amira Sajwani calls out ‘delusional’ media as Dubai unveils $9.3B Metro Gold Line • Gaza teenage sisters’ low-cost brick model gains global attention     Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModr WhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLU...

HEADLINES: • Iran proposes phased deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz, delay nuclear talks  • UAE launches AED 1 billion industrial resilience fund to boost local production  • BlueFive Capital joins consortium in Bugatti acquisition as Rimac takes control

In this extended episode, we analyze the massive $110 billion Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount merger and the strategic role of Gulf sovereign funds. We also look at why international law firms are calling their teams back to the UAE and how SRMG is taking the reins of Saudi Arabia’s "Al Thaqafiya" channel in a multi-million riyal deal.

Today’s episode covers Dubai’s Al Habtoor launching a $1.7bn legal battle with Lebanon, billionaire Nassef Sawiris exiting the UK as wealth shifts to the UAE, and Saudi Arabia pulling back a $200m Met Opera deal while reprioritising domestic spending.