The Smashi Business Show

HEADLINES : • UAE President and Elon Musk Discuss AI, Space in Phone Call • Brazilian legend Ronaldo named brand ambassador for Abu Dhabi developer Aldar • PIF backs Saudi ETF launch by $4tn asset manager State Street

HEADLINES: • UAE to run 50% of government on agentic AI within two years • Israel eyes control of $40bn Qana gas field • Investcorp invests $200m in US residential real estate portfolio 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 ambassador dismisses external funding claims, cites Dh7.34 trillion in assets • Trump’s Board of Peace holds Gaza reconstruction talks with UAE’s DP World • Gulf-backed SpaceX secures $60bn option to acquire AI startup Cursor Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModr WhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLU Instagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQ Tiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8 Smashi Business Show (Mo...

HEADLINES: • John Ternus to Succeed Tim Cook as Apple CEO, Facing AI and Product Innovation Push • Dubai-HQed and Egypt-born Swvl is not Delisting from Nasdaq • MBZUAI Retains 80% of Graduates as UAE Bets on Talent and Stability • UK Job Cuts Surge as Iran War Hits Home After Gulf Warnings • UK Universities Paid Private Intelligence Firm to Monitor Student Protest Activity, AJ Investigation ...

HEADLINES: • IEA warns Middle East oil output recovery could take two years amid war damage and Hormuz disruption  • stc group and Netflix expand partnership to bundle streaming services in Saudi Arabia via stc tv  • Tabby secures UAE central bank licence to launch full financial services platform across the Gulf • Abu Dhabi’s EIIC buys stake in Joe & The Juice at $1.8bn valuation in...

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 Conflict 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 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 Media 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): h...

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 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-Friday): htt...

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 Ecosystem Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModr WhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLU Instagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQ Tiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8 Smashi Business Show (Mon...

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 Profit 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: • 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 Capital 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: • 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