The Smashi Business Show

HEADLINES:

• Man City Chairman Says Club Still ‘Confident’ After Reports of 114 Guilty Findings 

• Dubai Crown Prince Shares Etihad Rail Ticket on Snapchat Before Dubai-Abu Dhabi Launch 

• ADIA Joins $2.34 Billion Takeover of US Shopping Centre Portfolio

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In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we explore Mohamed Alabbar's vision to transform the Maldives into a long-term residential and lifestyle hub with Eagle Hills. We then track Dubai developer Sobha Realty's $600 million entry into the US housing market across Texas and other high-growth states. Finally, we examine QatarEnergy extending its force majeure on Asian and European LNG shipments amid ongoing shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.

In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we analyze Saudi Aramco hiring Evercore to restructure its gas operations into a standalone $100B+ unit ahead of a potential IPO. We then break down Manchester City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak's open letter asserting the club's innocence following 114 reported Premier League financial breaches. Finally, we cover Swedish private equity titan EQT opening a new regional hub in Abu Dhabi to deploy capital across Middle Eastern growth sectors.

Manchester City faces a defining moment as its long running Premier League financial case puts wider questions around governance and the league’s global reputation into focus. Palestinian fashion brand Resolute RGL has raised $1.27 million after turning traditional tatreez into a growing luxury sneaker business with international ambitions. Meanwhile, $9 billion AI company Replit has acquired analytics startup Atta, expanding beyond coding into enterprise data analysis. Today’s show looks at how governance, cultural entrepreneurship and AI consolidation are reshaping three very different businesses and the markets around them.

HEADLINES:

• Dubai Based Huda Kattan Says Brands Were ‘Screwed Over’ in Eye Patch Gate 

• UAE suspends flights by Iranian airlines until further notice 

• Microsoft Plans More Than $10 Billion Gulf Investment Through 2030

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HEADLINES:

• Katy Perry to Headline Atlantis Dubai NYE With Tickets Going Up to AED 400,000 

• UAE Cuts Bank Melli Iran Branches Off From Iran Transactions 

• Paramount CEO Considers Bringing Elon Musk Into $111 Billion Warner Bros Deal

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HEADLINES:

• National Bank of Egypt to Acquire Banque Misr UAE Branches After US Sanctions Threat 

• Paramount Clears Final Legal Hurdle for $110 Billion Warner Bros Merger 

• Dubai Billionaire Hussain Sajwani Linked to Manchester United Stake

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HEADLINES:

• Saudi Crown Prince launches CEER's first electric vehicles 

• Amazon Shifts Regional Operations From Dubai to Istanbul 

• Red Sea Film Festival cancels 2026 event

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In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we examine Qatar setting up "Doha Investment" to reshape and grow its $580 billion wealth fund’s domestic portfolio. We then break down the Qatar Investment Authority's upcoming $20 billion partnership with JPMorgan Asset Management spanning public and private markets. Finally, we cover UAE developer Eagle Hills planning a massive $12 billion mega-development in the Maldives.

In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we analyze Saudi Arabia’s planned withdrawal from the Beijing-led mBridge digital currency platform. We then celebrate EgyptAir’s landmark achievement at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, where it was named the World's Most Improved Airline. Finally, we break down the massive real estate deal between TMG Saudi and Roshn Group to develop over 55,000 residential units in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia’s Juffali dynasty is shifting its investment firm from London to Dubai, Uber has launched in Kuwait, and Yara Alnamlah’s Moonglaze is appearing across Sephora billboards ahead of Saudi National Day. Today’s show looks at the movement of private wealth into the UAE, Uber’s expanding Gulf footprint and the rise of Saudi founded consumer brands.

HEADLINES:

• UAE Opens New Five Year Retail Sukuk From AED 1,000 

• US Clears Way for $24.3 Billion F 35 Sale to Saudi Arabia 

• Squatwolf Founder Slams Sydney Sweeney Ad Over Sexualizing Women in Sports

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HEADLINES:

• AWS cannot restore Bahrain data centre, UAE data zone access 

• Dubai developer Emaar's board approves Dh4.4 billion special dividend for shareholders 

• The Giving Movement CEO Weighs In on Macklemore Fallout

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HEADLINES:
• Syria’s Al Sharaa Targets $200 Billion Economy in Free-Market Push
• Qatari Billionaire Moutaz Al-Khayyat Wins $221 Million Saudi Stadium Contract
• RedBird Meets PIF to Evaluate Takeover Bid for Al-Nassr FC

HEADLINES:

• Arab Media Summit 2026 kicks off in Dubai 

• DP World is expanding its truck fleet by 40%, from 700 to 1,000 vehicles, 

• Saudi Arabia Discovers 110 Million Tonnes of Rare Earth Ore and Uranium

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Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:

• US President: We may stay in Iran and "keep the oil" 

• UAE and Iran leadership meet at BRICS Summit in New Delhi 

• Dubai Tourism Rebounds as Visitors and Hotel Demand Surge 

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In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we look at why OpenAI is holding off on an IPO as Sam Altman raises concerns over AI safety. We also unpack BRICS’ call for restraint in the Middle East as regional tensions weigh on trade and energy markets, before heading to China, where Mubadala is taking a minority stake in Luckin Coffee as part of a USD 1 billion transaction.

Saudi Arabia shuts its East-West oil pipeline after a drone attack from Iraq, an Israeli Air Force post puts Apple’s Israel ties back under scrutiny, and Anthropic says Claude was used to help develop guided weapons in Yemen. Here’s what matters across energy, technology and regional security.

HEADLINES:

• UAE Announces €40 Billion Investment Push Into Germany 

• Elon Musk’s The Boring Company plans 150km of tunnels in UAE, raises $3 billion 

• UpScrolled Founder Issam Hijazi on Palestine, Censorship and Big Tech

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Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:

• Saudi Arabia And Arab, Muslim States Welcome UK Ban On Israeli Settlement Goods 

• UAE Says Strait Of Hormuz Is A ‘Red Line’ 

• Bahrain Airshow Cancelled As Iran War Continues 

• Replit Founder Reveals How a Company Walkout Sparked a Billion-Dollar AI Turnaround 

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Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:

• Saudi-Backed LIV Golf Files for Bankruptcy After PIF Pulls Funding 

• L’imad unit has satisfied nearly all conditions to take AD Ports private 

• Freely Founder Ian Ohan on Building the Infrastructure for Autonomous Mobility

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Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:

• Adidas Arabia Apologizes After Single Shoe Ad Featuring Ex-Israeli Soldier

• ADNOC Eyes Stake in Dangote Refinery Ahead of $1.6 Billion IPO: Bloomberg 

• Hussain Sajwani Opens Türkiye Data Centre With Vodafone

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Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:
• Saudi Nuclear Deal Could Open Door To Uranium Enrichment Of Nearly 20%

• G42 Explores Selling Majority Stake To US Companies Amid AI Chip Push
• Mubadala Capital Joins $3 Billion Crusoe Funding Round At $30 Billion Valuation

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Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we examine Iran's targeted strikes against oil tankers and U.S. naval assets in the Strait of Hormuz following American attacks. We then look at Egypt's $2.1 billion plan to build two fuel oil conversion complexes in Suez to boost local diesel production and curb imports. Finally, we break down how Saudi AI firm HUMAIN, backed by PIF, is assembling an elite team to prepare for its upcoming initial public offering.

The US approves a proposed $5 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom faces heightened regional threats. Washington also sanctions Turkey’s Golden Global Bank over alleged Iran-linked transactions, while the lender denies the accusations and prepares legal action. In Lebanon, Alvarez & Marsal begins a new forensic audit of Banque du Liban, examining crisis-era foreign asset operations and fund flows. Today’s show looks at how regional conflict, financial sanctions and accountability are reshaping the Middle East’s economic landscape.

HEADLINES:

• Saudi AI Firm HUMAIN Invests in Nour Al Hassan’s Arabic.AI 

• Adidas Faces Backlash Over Campaign Featuring Former Israeli Soldier 

• Dubai Sotheby’s Faces $119 Million Lawsuit

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Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:

• Replit Opens First International Office in London After Hitting $9 Billion Valuation 

• ADNOC’s Ruwais Refinery Returns to Full Capacity After Iran War Hit 

• Kuwait Decree Allows Government to Borrow From Wealth Fund 

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Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:
• Prince Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding Completes $224 Million Deal for 70% of Al Hilal

• Saudi Arabia in preliminary talks to borrow $8B from banks: Report
• Former WeWork CEO Adam Neumann Launches Flow in UAE With Major Hiring Push

HEADLINES:

• LEAP 2026 Opens With $15 Billion AI Push as Saudi Arabia Lands Global Tech Deals 

• LIV Golf prepares for bankruptcy filing in September, FT reports 

• UAE’s Arada Plans $7 Billion Syria Development in First Investment

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Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:

• Brent crude surges back above $90 as US-Iran strikes resume 

• Banque Misr UAE branches continue business as usual despite US warning 

• Roblox is establishing its MENA regional headquarters in Riyadh 

• Huda Beauty and global superstar Cardi B have officially unveiled their new collaboration

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In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we examine the UAE Central Bank's urgent investigation into Banque Misr branches following U.S. money laundering warnings. We then look at the Board of Peace’s firm denial regarding the alleged misuse of Gaza reconstruction funds. Finally, we discuss Dubai Airports’ operational recovery, zero-layoff policy, and updated passenger forecasts in the wake of regional conflicts.

Saudi Arabia appoints PIF veteran Sabah Barakat to lead New Murabba as the kingdom elevates Saudi executives across major institutions. Washington targets Banque Misr’s UAE branches in the first measure since Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared an “economic D-Day” against Iran. And Mohamed Alabbar-led Americana Restaurants signs an exclusive agreement to bring Taco Bell back to the UAE after 14 years, starting in Dubai. Today’s stories track changing leadership, financial pressure and consumer expansion across three of the region’s biggest markets.

A UAE-backed entity emerges as a major shareholder behind World Liberty Financial’s planned crypto bank, Emirati entrepreneur Rihab Al Gurg builds Mina Creamery, and Dubai Airports avoids layoffs despite a sharp drop in passenger traffic.

HEADLINES:

• Two Saudi Brothers Just Hit a $1.4 Billion Fortune as Humain Deal Expands 

• Mubadala in Line for Payout as Shein’s Valuation Drops to $27 Billion 

• Meet Mr Pratik Kachroo, Executive Director at Khamas Hospitality

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Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:

• AED1.4B Economic Driver: Abu Dhabi GP Gets Green Light 

• ADNOC’s Ship-Buying Spree Reaches $2.7 Billion 

• Blank Street Raises $75 Million to Fuel Expansion

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HEADLINES:

• US removes Syria from 'state sponsor of terrorism' list 

• Saudi Arabia to Finance €6 Billion Dragon Ball Z Theme Park Near Paris 

• Pavel Durov Questions Political Motives in Two-Year French Probe 

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Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:

• Oil Prices Slide Ahead of New US Sanctions on Iran

• Binance Says Employees Cleared After UAE Inquiry 

• MBS in France as Saudi Arabia and France Deepen Strategic Business Ties

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In this episode of The Smashi Business Show, we look at the UAE-Russia trade and investment agreement coming into effect as the Emirates pushes ahead with its global trade ambitions. We then turn to Qatar, where the regional conflict is putting pressure on government spending and energy revenues. Finally, we examine Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s defense of the US memorandum and why he sees ending the current stalemate as critical for Iran’s economy and investment prospects.

In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we break down four stories reshaping the region's economy. Dubai's property market shows remarkable resilience, bouncing back to over 90% of normal transaction volumes just six weeks after regional tensions flared. Huda Beauty and Dubai burger joint DIME team up for a bold, unconventional PR campaign that's rewriting the marketing playbook. Qatar's economy faces its sharpest contraction in the Gulf as war disrupts LNG exports and forces deep spending cuts. And Anghami co-founder Eddy Maroun launches a $100 million platform to turn Arabic music catalogs into global entertainment franchises. Real estate, beauty, energy...

HEADLINES:
• Disney Reveals Why Abu Dhabi Was Chosen for Its New Theme Park
• Dubai Completes AED111 Billion In Real Estate Projects In First Half Of 2026
• Dubai’s Iconic Toyota Building to Be Demolished in 2027
 

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