Dubai Works Business Podcast

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 MediaNewsletter: 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:• 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 DhabiNewsletter: 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 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 EcosystemNewsletter: 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 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 ProfitNewsletter: 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:• 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 CapitalNewsletter: 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:• 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

HEADLINES:• UAE Remains Open And Resilient Despite Attacks, Minister Says • Big Money Speaks: $16B Cain CEO Sees Gulf Winning Long-Term • FII Priority Summit Miami 2026: Key Takeaways • Iran Strikes Hit Gulf Aluminium Giants, Production Risks Emerge

Today’s episode covers major developments shaping global markets—from Mubadala’s strategy amid regional tensions to Saudi startup Ninja’s IPO ambitions, and how Saudi Arabia is rerouting oil flows as the Strait of Hormuz faces disruption.

Today’s episode covers major developments shaping the region and global markets, from Trump’s $14 billion Oracle investment in Saudi Arabia to Al Habtoor Group’s expansion plans in the UAE, and Israel’s $57 billion economic losses from the Gaza genocide.

The Smashi Business Show breaks down four transformative stories reshaping the Arab business world in real time. First, investment giant Blackstone defies geopolitical uncertainty with a $250 million commitment to UAE gaming infrastructure—a bold signal that major capital still sees the Middle East as a long-term opportunity despite the Iran conflict. Second, UAE fintech Alaan launches a stunning AED 3 million initiative supporting 1,000 SMEs, proving companies can lead with purpose while building ecosystem loyalty. Third, Saudi Arabia's Neom mega-project cancels a $5 billion dam contract, signaling a critical pivot in Vision 2030 as execution costs, supply chain chaos, and lower oil revenues force a reckoning on spending. Finally, personalized nutrition startup Bioniq—backed by Cristiano Ronaldo—gets acquired by Herbalife for up to $150 million, demonstrating how data-driven health tech scales globally. Host Abdul Majid Awan unpacks what these stories reveal about capital flows, SME resilience, government st