Dubai Works Business Podcast

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 geopolitics is reshaping global business.

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 boost in regional energy investment.

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 DubaiNewsletter: 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:• 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/4jqModrWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

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.

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 portfolioNewsletter: 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 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 CursorNewsletter: 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:• 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 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:• 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 continued Gulf dealmaking push

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 ConflictNewsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY