Dubai Works Business Podcast

HEADLINES:♦ House of Pops CEO Responds After Sugary Drinks Added to Orders Without Approval♦ Candace Owens Says She’s Accused of Taking Qatar, Iran Funding♦ World Bank Approves $1.3 Billion to Rebuild Infrastructure in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq♦ U.S. Approves $30 Million Gaza Aid Grant Despite Concerns Over Safety and Oversight Newsletter: https://aug.us/4fZIDusWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQSmashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:♦ Fadel Al Ali Named Chairman of Majid Al Futtaim Group in Major Governance Shakeup♦ Maersk Cuts Ties With Firms Linked to Israeli Settlements After Activist Pressure♦ Replit Hits $100 Million in Revenue, Founder Amjad Masad Reveals Rapid Growth♦ UAE’s Baraka Launches AI Assistant to Help Retail Investors in the GulfNewsletter: 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 Markets Steady Despite Iran’s Missile Strikes on US Bases in Gulf• Saudi CEOs Are Getting Younger and More Local, Says New Korn Ferry Report• Oman to Introduce First Personal Income Tax in Gulf by 2028• The Arab Influx of London Is More Than Just Shopping at Harrods 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:♦ Mohamed Alabbar Launches New AI-Driven Arabic Media Platform "Lana"♦ Iran Considers Strait of Hormuz Closure After US Strikes♦ Valu Set to Debut on Egyptian Exchange in Landmark Fintech Listing♦ Airlines Reroute Flights After Unprovoked U.S. Strikes on Iran Escalate Airspace Risk

HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia's HUMAIN Launches Media and Gaming Division♦ Mohammed Al Abbar-chaired Americana Looking to Add Five Guys, Cinnabon to its Portfolio of KFC, Pizza Hut♦ Citi Group Says Oil May Touch $90 per Barrel if Strait of Hormuz is shut♦ Syria Conducted its First Direct International Bank Transfer via the SWIFT System

HEADLINES:♦ Aramco CEO: Oil and Gas ‘Crucial in Times of Conflict’ Amid Israel-Iran Tensions♦ Flight Detours and Fuel Costs Hit Gulf Airlines During Peak Travel Season♦ Dubai's Binghatti Launches $1 Billion Shariah-Compliant Asset Management Firm♦ Iranian State TV Accuses WhatsApp of Sharing User Data with Israel

HEADLINES:• Al Habtoor Group is looking at potential IPO for Hospitality Portfolio• Kris Fade's Fade Fit is a local success story• UAE Was World’s Second-Fastest Growing USD Millionaire Hub in 2024

HEADLINES:♦ The Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit is starting today from June 17 till June 18♦ Adam Neumann Tapped Saudi Investors For $300M Flow Expansion In Kingdom♦ Dubai’s Salt is Heading to Egypt’s North Coast?♦ Israel furious as France shuts four weapons stands at Paris Airshow

HEADLINES:♦ Emirati Billionaire Khalaf Al Habtoor Calls for Peace between Iran and Israel♦ Podcast-Born Thmanyah Wins Saudi Football Streaming Rights♦ Following Backlash, Modrić’s Deal With Israeli Firm Skillset Disappears From Web♦ Egypt Postpones Grand Egyptian Museum Opening Amid Regional Tensions

HEADLINES:• Egypt Revamps Giza Pyramids Site in $30M Push to Elevate Tourism• Oil Soars, Markets Slide After Israeli Strikes on Iran Trigger Regional Tensions• After Khaleej Times Exit, Michael Jabri-Pickett Launches New Dubai-Focused Media Brand• Talabat Prioritizes Profit and Patience Over Saudi Expansion Post-IPO

HEADLINES:♦ Nvidia Approves UAE’s G42-Backed Khazna to Host Its Most Advanced AI Chips♦ Emaar Launches VYOM, a Digital Resale Platform to Transform Property Transactions♦ How Syrian Founder Yasmeen Jisri Baked Dubai’s Most Beloved Digital Dessert Brand♦ Brand Strategist Sparks Debate Over Saudi Fast-Food Giant AlBaik’s Dual Logos 

HEADLINES:♦ UK and Allies Sanction Israeli Ministers for Inciting West Bank Violence Amid Gaza Crisis♦ Emirati Billionaire Khalaf Al-Habtoor to Lead Delegation to Syria for Investment Talks♦ Nigeria’s $5 Billion Aramco Loan Stalls as Oil Prices Drop♦ BCG Boss Says Sorry, Quits Controversial Gaza Aid Project Backed by Israel♦  The Reel Deal: How Katara Studios is Reshaping Arab Cinema—With Hussein Fakhri  

HEADLINES:♦ Huda Beauty Donates AED1 Million to UNRWA in First Move as Fully Independent Brand♦ Dubai Appoints New Board at Majid Al Futtaim to End Billionaire Heir Dispute♦ Emirates Partners with Emirati Brand Home Bakery for First-Class Experience♦ Warner Bros. Discovery Split Puts OSN+ Under Streaming Spotlight♦ Smashi Business Talks to Jassim Al-Nashmi, Creative Director and Partner at Qudra Global

HEADLINES:♦ Turning Qatar’s Jet into Trump’s Air Force One Could Cost $400 Million♦ Huda Beauty Donates 1 Million Dirhams to Mark Eid and Take Back Control♦ UAE Helped the U.S. Shape Crypto Rules, Says Circle President♦ Zara’s Russia Exit Was a Setup for a Comeback, FT Reports

HEADLINES:♦ Huda Kattan Has Officially Reclaimed Full Ownership of Huda Beauty♦ Mubadala Emerges as World’s Most Active Sovereign Fund in May♦ Ex-Lebanese PM Saad Hariri Launches Abu Dhabi-Based AI Investment Firm♦ Kuwait Joins $30B Global AI Push Backed by Microsoft, MGX, and xAI

HEADLINES:♦ HH Sheikh Hamdan Visits World’s Largest Diamond Exchange at DMCC♦ Cloud Kitchens Are Booming in the GCC — And Kaykroo Is Leading the Charge♦ UAE-Based Flower Company Creates Labubu Bouquet Worth $8,100♦ Dubai Real Estate CEO Pushes Back on Fitch’s 15% Property Drop Forecast

HEADLINES:♦ Shaikha Al Nowais Makes History as First Woman to Lead UN World Tourism Organization♦ Elon Musk Tried to Block Sam Altman’s Big AI Deal in the UAE♦ Saudi Arabia, Qatar Pledge Joint Financial Support To Syria’s Public Sector Amid Warming Ties♦ Dubai’s Al Habtoor Tower Nears Completion — 800 Units to Be Delivered

This weekend on Smashi Business Show: Weekend Edition, we break down three major stories shaping the region. India moves to exempt Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund from key investment rules, paving the way for deeper financial ties and major capital inflows. In Dubai, property prices may drop by up to 15% as a record housing supply threatens to outpace population growth. And billionaire landlord Asif Aziz—who owns major parts of London’s West End—is relocating to Abu Dhabi, joining a growing wave of wealthy individuals fleeing UK tax changes and investing in the UAE’s booming real estate scene.Instagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQNewsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUTiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

HEADLINES:• Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN Plans $10 Billion Global VC Fund to Power AI Ambitions• Dubai’s Viral Chocolate Brand FIX Lands in Ultra-Luxury Marsa Al Arab Hotel• Dubai Wellness Brand Humantra Secures JamJar Investment Ahead of Boots UK Launch• John-Paul McKerlie on How TOD Is Shaping the Future of Sports & Streaming in MENA

HEADLINES:♦ Dubai Residential REIT’s Big Debut: $584M IPO, 15% Surge, and Market Buzz♦ UAE Citizen Pavel Durov, Elon Musk Sign $300M Deal to Bring xAI’s Grok to Telegram♦ Saudi Fintech Stitch Raises $10M to Expand Across MENA and East Africa♦ Syria to re-open stock market starting June 2, finance minister says