The Smashi Business Show
Episodes
Saudi Residency for Homebuyers, Dubai Luxury Boom & Ronaldo Backs Tourism
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia To Offer Lifetime Residency To Foreign Home Buyers: AGBI Reports ♦ Saudi Fintech Firm Lean Eyes Expansion And IPO Op...
Trump Meets al-Sharaa, Dubai's Top School Opens, Microsoft Wins UAE Chip
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Trump Hosts Syrian President al-Sharaa at White House as U.S. Suspends Caesar Act Sanctions ♦ Dubai’s Most Expensive School Has...
Dubai Tops New York; Ms Rachel vs NYT; Bella Hadid in Dubai
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Dubai Surpasses New York as Top Destination for the Global Elite ♦ YouTube Star Ms Rachel Drops New York Times Amid Middle East L...
Emirates' Profit Surge, Varkey's $400M, Qatar's $3.5B Project
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Emirates Reports Record First-Half Profit As Premium Travel Demand Surges♦ Dubai’s Varkey Group In Talks To Raise $400 Million In De...
Abu Dhabi boosts UK investment, Saudi F-35 deal, and ADNOC’s smart energy partnership.
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Abu Dhabi Doubles UK Investment Despite Strained Ties♦ Saudi F-35 Jet Deal Moves Forward Ahead of Crown Prince’s U.S. Visit♦ Volks...
Abu Dhabi Media Shuts ADtv, Aramco Beats Expectations, Emirates Deals
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Abu Dhabi Media is shutting down ADtv app and moving Content to e& and ADQ-owned STARZPLAY♦ Oil Pressures Ease as Aramco Beats Exp...
MENA Capital, Sequoia Scrutiny, and Sultan Al Jaber's $4T Energy Call
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ MAGNiTT’s Philip Bahoshy Calls for ‘Constructive Candor’ in MENA’s Private Capital Ecosystem ♦ Sequoia Faces Renewed Scru...
Grand Egyptian Museum Opens, AI Surge Warning & UK Vet Moves to Dubai
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ $1 Billion Grand Egyptian Museum Opens, Poised to Boost Egypt’s Economy and Tourism♦ Lebanese-French Entrepreneur Elie Khouri Has Ca...
FII Finale, PIF Fund Shift, and IOC Esports Games Canceled in Riyadh
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES: ♦ FII9 Concludes in Riyadh with Syria’s Market Comeback and Saudi Policy Shifts ♦ Saudi Arabia and IOC cancel 12-year dea...
FII9 Day 2: WHOOP Expands in Gulf, Al-Futtaim’s $2.7B Saudi Investment
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Highlights of Day 2 of FII9 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia♦ WHOOP Expands Across the Gulf With New Lab, Health Partnerships, and Fitness Init...
FII9 Day 1: PIF & Aramco’s AI Deal, Tabby’s $4.5B, PSG’s Loss
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Highlights of Day 1 of FII9 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia♦ PIF and Aramco to Partner in HUMAIN, Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s AI Ambitions♦...
Snapchat Opens in Doha, Saudi AI Win, Goldman’s $10B Kuwait Investment
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ HH Sheikh hamdan Tells Apparel Group Founder to Double 2,400-Store Empire♦ ASnapchat Opens New Doha Office to Strengthen Ties with Qat...
Qatari Founder Backs Mamdani, G42 Denies Claims, UAE Opens Bond Market
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Snoonu Founder Backs Mamdani After Criticism for Eating with Hands♦ Abu Dhabi-Based G42 Denies US Claims of Links to Chinese Missiles&...
Property Finder Invests, Saudi ATP 1000, Sequoia Controversy
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Property Finder Invests in Stake to Boost MENA’s Real Estate Tech Ecosystem♦ Saudi Arabia to Host New ATP Masters 1000 Tournament in...
MBS Meets Trump as Dubizzle Halts IPO, UAE Talks Gaza, AttiasEyes Riyadh
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:• Dubizzle has Halted its dubai IPO just a Day Before Bookbuilding was due to start• Reuters NEXT Gulf Debut: UAE Leaders Tackle Gaza, G...
Dubai Airports IPO; Amazon enters UAE Q-Commerce; UK's Alphageek in Dubai
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Dubai Airports CEO Says Potential IPO Would Attract Global Investors♦ Amazon Launches 15-Minute “Amazon Now” Delivery Service Acro...
Prince Khaled Slams Meta; AWS Outage; Salary Negotiations in UAE
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Gulf Users Were also Affected by AWS Outage with Many Big Services Shut Down ♦ Saudi Prince Khaled Slams Meta for Prioritising Sa...
UAE Bans Compound Interest, Sharjah Property Hits AED 44B, Sinner Wins $6M
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ UAE Supreme Court Rules Against Compound Interest on Loans♦ Sharjah Property Market Hits Record AED 44.3 Billion in 2025 ♦ Sinn...
Careem Exclusive, G42 Stargate Update, King Salman Gate Project
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:• Dubai’s FIX Dessert Chocolatier Ditches Deliveroo for Exclusive Partnership With Careem• G42 Speeds Up Work on Stargate UAE AI Clust...
North Star 2025 & GITEX; MGX+BlackRock $40B Deal; ALEC IPO Records
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ I2025 Expand North Star Concludes and GITEX Global Continues Strong in Dubai♦ MGX and BlackRock Strike Record $40 Billion Texas Data C...
Live from Day 4 of Expand North Star 2025 in Dubai
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Live from Day 4 of Expand North Star 2025 in DubaiNewsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4i...
Live from Day 3 of Expand North Star in Dubai
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Live from Day 3 of Expand North Star in Dubai
Live From Expand North Star 2025
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Live From Expand North Star 2025Newsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: https://aug...
Man United Takeover, Free Internet Warning, UAE Finance Index Ray Dalio
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Is Manchester United being sold? Turki AlShikh says Yes, Sources Say No!♦ Telegram Founder Durov Warns of ‘Death of the Free Interne...
UAE Secures Nvidia Chips, Multiply Acquires Stake, Riyadh Air's Flight
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ UAE Secures First Batch of US Nvidia Chips in Major AI Partnership♦ Multiply Group Acquires Majority 60.8% Stake in Gucci Packaging Pa...
Revolut CEO Moves to UAE | Saudi Boom Slows | No Israel at Dubai Airshow
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES: ♦ Revolut CEO Nik Storonsky Leaves London for UAE as Tax Changes Trigger Billionaire Exodus♦ Saudi Consultancy Hiring Boom Eases as Vis...
Sam Altman’s Middle East Tour; Netflix Backlash; Diriyah Probe
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ OpenAI’s Sam Altman Tours the Middle East to Raise Funds for AI Expansion♦ Saudis Join Elon Musk’s Netflix Boycott Over Arabic-Dub...
IFFCO Debt Restructuring, Sawiris Gaza Plan, DoorDash-Deliveroo Deal
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ London Dairy Owner IFFCO Hires Rothschild for $2 Billion Debt Restructuring♦ Naguib Sawiris Named in Tony Blair–Linked Postwar Gaza ...
Dubai Property Sales Hit AED500B; ADIA’s Deal; $50M Fund for MENA
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Dubai Property Market Hits Record AED500B in Nine Months♦ ADIA and Goldman Sachs Lead $4.23B Investment in Häagen-Dazs Maker Froneri♦...
Spotify Pays $3.5M to Saudis, First Saudi in Time100, Mubadala's $17.4B
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Artists’ Spotify Royalties Surge to $3.5 Million in 2024♦ Jomana R. Alrashid Named to TIME100 Next List, First Saudi Honored♦...
Speak up for Gaza: Masad; Careem Backs Swapp; Gems Eyes Saudi Schools
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Replit Founder Urges Tech Industry to Speak Out on Gaza♦ Careem Invests in UAE Car Rental Platform Swapp♦ Gems Education Bids for Sa...
Trump Plaza Jeddah, EA $55B Deal, Jordan Investor Citizenship
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi’s Dar Global to Launch $1 Billion Trump Plaza in Jeddah’s ‘Manhattan’♦ Saudi-Led Consortium to Acquire Gaming Giant Elec...
France Pressures Telegram, Altman Meets UAE President, SQUATWOLF in Qatar
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ France Pressured Telegram to Remove Moldovan Channels, Durov Says♦ OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Meets UAE President to Strengthen AI Collabor...
Riyadh Rent Freeze, TikTok US Deal, UAE Cracks Down on AI Misinformation
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Crown Prince Orders Five-Year Freeze on Riyadh Rent Hikes♦ Abu Dhabi’s MGX Joins Oracle, Silver Lake in TikTok U.S. Stake♦ U...
Saudi Stocks Jump, Foreign Buyers Target Giga-Projects, UAE DC Mansion
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:• Saudi Stocks Surge on Hopes of Foreign Ownership Reforms• Foreign Buyers Snap Up Saudi Giga-Project Homes Ahead of New Ownership Law•...
Abu Dhabi AI Fund; Indians Move Production; Trifid Media Australia
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Abu Dhabi Launches $100M AI Fund to Attract Global Start-Ups♦ Indians Shift Production to UAE Free Zones to Dodge US Tariffs♦ Israel...
Sawiris $50B U.S. Infrastructure, Mubadala Exits Getir, Alwaleed Raises Snap
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Egyptian Billionaire Nassef Sawiris Eyes $50B U.S. Infrastructure Push via Abu Dhabi♦ Mubadala Considers Full Exit from Getir as Buyer...
Al Habtoor on Palestine, PwC Cuts 1,500 Jobs, xAI $10B Raise
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Al Habtoor Hails Four Major Western Nations’ Recognition of Palestinian State♦ PwC Cuts 60 Partners and 1,500 Staff in Middle East F...
PIF Takes MBC, Al Habtoor’s $2.7M Syria Aid, Red Sea Luxury, No Alcohol
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi PIF Becomes Largest Shareholder in MBC in SAR 7.47 Billion Deal♦ Khalaf Al Habtoor Pledges $2.7M for Umayyad Mosque and Syrian C...
Carrefour’s UAE Exit, Adnoc’s $18.7B Bid Withdrawal & Dubai Media’s Shift
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Will Carrefour leave UAE too after Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan exits?♦ Adnoc-Led Consortium Withdraws $18.7 Billion Santos Bid♦...
NEOM Backlash, Al-Habtoor Reversal, HALA Surge, Flag Football
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Morning Brew Satire on Saudi NEOM Sparks Backlash for Misrepresentation♦ UAE Billionaire Khalaf Al-Habtoor Reverses Decision on Beirut...
Qatar Boeing Deal, Talabat Reopens, Replit $250M Raise
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Fact Check: Qatar Did Not Threaten to Cancel Boeing Deal Over U.S.-Israel Tensions♦ Talabat Reopens in Qatar After One-Week Suspension...
Israel’s Qatar Strike, UAE AI Leap, Revolut UAE Launch
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Israel’s Airstrike on Hamas in Doha Draws Global Outrage from Business Leaders♦ UAE Unveils K2 Think, AI Model to Rival OpenAI and D...
Spain Bans Arms to Israel; Mubadala $920M Du Sale; Wynn’s 2nd UAE Casino
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Spain PM Sanchez has imposed arms embargo on Israel to ‘stop Gaza genocide’♦ Mubadala Seeks Up To $920 Million In Du Stake Sale Am...
Emaar Misr $19B Red Sea; Internet Slowdowns; HUMAIN AI Academy
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Emaar Misr Signs $19 Billion Red Sea Tourism Deal♦ Undersea Cable Cuts in Red Sea Slow Internet Across UAE and Region♦ Saudi AI Firm...
G42 AI Stake; Saudi-UK £360M Deals; Alabbar’s F&B Empire
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ G42 to Sell 2% Presight AI Stake to Boost Global Investor Base♦ Saudi Shawarmer to Fund Fired Employee Majed Al-Omari’s New Venture ...
Lush UK Shutdown, Sphere Qatar Move, Qatar Backs Anthropic
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Lush Shuts All UK Stores in Solidarity with Gaza♦ Sphere Secures Qatar Trademarks, Paving Way for Doha Venue♦ Rothschild & Co Ex...
Americana Diversifies, G42 Expands AI, Syria Exports Oil
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Middle East Fast-Food Giant Americana Looks to Local Brands After Gaza Boycott♦ Abu Dhabi’s G42 Explores Chip Suppliers Beyond Nvidi...
Gaza ‘GREAT Trust’ Plan; Munify $3M Funding; Hamburgini Bankruptcy
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Trump Administration Considers ‘GREAT Trust’ Plan for Gaza Redevelopment♦ YC-Backed Munify Raises $3M to Make Sending Money Home E...
Abu Sabah’s Jail Term, Riyadh Monorail Launch, Qatar Transparency Law
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Dubai Court Cuts Abu Sabah’s Jail Term to Four Years♦ Brands Are Cashing In on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Engagement♦ Saudi...
Mubadala UK Investment; HUMAIN AI Data Hub; Qatar Backs Zimbabwe Gas
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Mubadala Invests $55 Million in UK’s Paragraf to Scale Graphene Chip Production♦ PIF’s AI Unit HUMAIN Sells Out Data Center Capaci...
Naguib Sawiris Egypt’s Richest; Humain AI; Holo’s $22M GCC Expansion
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Prince Al-Waleed Reportedly Files to Acquire 100% of Al-Hilal♦ Humain Officially Launches Arabic AI Chatbot Incorporating Islamic Valu...
Lunate $2B Deal; Kuwait Shuts Al Sabah; Norway Dumps Caterpillar
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Lunate to Set Up $2B Joint Investment Platform with Brevan Howard at ADGM♦ Kuwait Revokes Al Sabah Newspaper and TV Licences♦ Norway...
Spinneys Kuwait, HSBC Cuts Middle Eastern Clients, Syria Pound Revaluation
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Spinneys Enters Kuwait Through Joint Venture with Alshaya Group♦ HSBC Cuts Wealthy Middle Eastern Clients as Lombard Odier Exits Abu D...
Abu Dhabi Finance Boom, Manchester United Sale, MBC Bundesliga
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Wall Street Firms Flock to Abu Dhabi for Proximity to Sovereign Wealth♦ Qatari Consortium Steps Back from Manchester United, Prince Al...
Paul Graham on Gaza; Gathern $72M Funding; Humain Hiring
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Y Combinator Co-Founder Paul Graham Weighs In On Gaza♦ Gathern Raises $72M Series B, Eyes Tadawul IPO♦ PIF-Backed Humain Seeks Data ...
Sajwani Meets Mittal; Qatar Airways JFK Lounge; Lenovo Saudi HQ
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Hussain Sajwani Meets Steel Magnate Lakshmi Mittal in London♦ Qatar Airways To Open First Exclusive US Lounge At JFK♦ Lenovo to Esta...
Norway Wealth Fund, Saudia Starlink, Google Syria, Sarwa & Robinhood
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Norway Wealth Fund to Divest Six Firms Linked to West Bank, Gaza♦ Saudia in Talks With SpaceX to Bring Starlink Wi-Fi Across Fleet♦ ...
PIF Cuts $2B, Shark Tank Lebanon, Microsoft, Robinhood Dubai
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:• Saudi PIF Cuts $2 Billion From US Stock Holdings• Shark Tank Lebanon Reveals Its Investor Panel• Microsoft Launches Inquiry Into Isr...
HUMAIN AI Launch, Sudan Tycoon Daoud, US $500M Rocket Sale to Bahrain
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN to Launch AI Chat Platform in August 2025♦ Osama Daoud Abdellatif: The Tycoon Behind Sudan’s Largest Conglom...
UAE-Kenya Rail Deal, Kingdom Holding Profit Decline, Coraly.ai $2M Raise
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ ADQ-Backed Etihad Rail in Talks for Kenya Freight Operations♦ Kingdom Holding Reports Sharp Q2 Profit Decline♦ Lulu’s Half-Year Ea...
Georgina’s Engagement Nails, Abu Dhabi HR Alert, Mubadala Backs US Biotech
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Abu Dhabi HR Expert Warns Against Including Nafis Allowance in Salary Packages♦ Saudi Cousins’ Base Boon Salon Creates Georgina Rodr...
MBC Profit Surge, Breadfast Funding Boost, Norway Wealth Fund Exits Israel
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Norway’s $2 Trillion Wealth Fund Divests from Israeli Companies♦ MBC Group’s H1 Profit Soars 41% Despite Q2 Dip Amid Leadership Ch...
Huda Kattan's Defense; Dubai in Top 10; Wynn Winning in UAE
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:• Huda Kattan Defends Herself Amid Calls to Drop Huda Beauty Over Israel Comments• Dubai Joins Global Top 10 Cities Where Ultra-Wealthy ...
Inside HUMAIN, Groq AI, BCG’s Draft, & Abu Dhabi’s Sphere Venues
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia Deploys First Regional OpenAI Models in HUMAIN–Groq Partnership♦ BCG Drafted Plans to Relocate Palestinians to UAE, Egy...
Emaar’s Billion-Dollar Boom, Syria’s \$14B Rebuild
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:• Dubai's Emaar Properties gain 30% as H1-2025 net profit crosses Dh10b• Syria Inks $14B in Investment Deals, Taps Gulf Firms for Airpor...
Norway Probes Israeli Investments; Alaan’s $48M Boost; Qatar Powers Syria
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:• Norway to Investigate World’s Largest $2tn Oil Fund Over Israeli Investments• Alaan Raises $48M Series A to Grow AI Finance Platform...
TikTok Takedown, MGX in France, Dubai’s Priciest School Hiring
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ TikTok Removes 16.5M Videos Across MENA Amid Egypt’s 3-Month Deadline for Content Compliance♦ Abu Dhabi’s MGX Eyes $1B Investment ...
Skims Lands in Dubai, Orascom Moves to ADX, Filmmakers Reject Mubi Deal
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Wuilt Raises $2M to Scale Its Free E-Commerce Platform Across MENA♦ Orascom Construction to Delist from Nasdaq Dubai, Move Primary Lis...
Breadfast’s $382M Surge; Damac Denies Cavalli Sale; Anghami’s Nasdaq Move
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Mostafa Amin-Led Breadfast Hits $382M Valuation as Investor Stake Nearly Doubles♦ Roberto Cavalli is not for sale' - says Damac♦ Ang...
Anthropic $5B Raise; PwC Adds Riyadh Al-Najjar; UAE Advertiser Permit
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Anthropic in Talks to Raise $5B at $170B Valuation, CEO Acknowledges Shift on Gulf Funding♦ PwC Appoints Riyadh Al-Najjar to Global Bo...
Calo’s $39M Boost, PIF Tops SWF Rankings, Binghatti’s $570M Twin Towers
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Calo raises $39mln (SAR 146.27mln) in Series B extension♦ Saudi PIF named most valuable and fastest-growing sovereign wealth fund♦ B...
Shahid-Netflix, Qatar LNG, Anthropic, Huda-Kim
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:• Netflix And Shahid Unite In First-Ever Joint Subscription For MENA• Qatar threatens to halt LNG exports to EU over sustainability law•...
Saudi Ownership Law, Huda Beauty for Gaza, Etihad to Hire Wizz Staff
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia publishes new law on foreign property ownership♦ Huda Beauty and Saint Levant Redirect $210K to Gaza Relief via Doctors W...
BCG Gaza Report Withheld; AI Salaries Soar; Saudi Film Booms
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:• BCG Refuses to Release Gaza Report Despite Pressure From Lawmakers and NGOs• Saudi Comedy 'AlZarfa' Hits $2.7M, Becomes Fastest Arab F...
UK Clears Telegraph Stake; Fredriksen Lists Mansion; Saudi $5B Syria Deal
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ UK Clears Abu Dhabi’s 15% Stake in Telegraph, Ending Long-Running Ownership Dispute♦ Shipping Billionaire John Fredriksen Lists Chel...
Anthropic Shift, Titan Deal, Binghatti, GymNation
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:• Leaked Memo Reveals Anthropic CEO’s U-Turn on Taking Investments from Gulf Countries• Titan To Acquire Majority Stake In Dubai Jewel...
Egypt Woos US Investors, US Delays UAE Chips, Musk’s Bot Calls Out X
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Egypt Plans To Offer New Investment Opportunities To US Firms♦ Mubadala Backs Dubai-Based Restaurant Payments Startup Qlub In $30M Fun...
Al-Futtaim, Meta deals; xAI unveils Baby Grok
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:• UAE’s Al-Futtaim to Buy 49.95% Stake in Saudi Arabia’s Cenomi Retail for $667 Million• Meta Acquires Voice AI Startup Led by Egypt...
Binghatti London Move, xAI-Saudi Deal, Calo Gaffe, Air Arabia Rise
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Dubai’s Binghatti Opens First London Office to Court Global Investors♦ Musk’s xAI in Talks for Saudi Data Center Deal to Power AI ...
Wizz Air’s UAE Exit, Manchester City’s Kit Deal, and Shark Tank Lebanon Launch
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Wizz Air's UAE Exit Leaves Up to 450 Staff Facing Uncertain Future♦ Mubadala CEO Khaldoon Al Mubarak: “We Invested in Every Piece of...
House of Pops, The Line Review, PIF Eyes Musk AI
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Dubai’s Independent Food Company Celebrates HH Sheikh Mohammed’s Birthday in London♦ Saudi Arabia Reassesses The Line Project to K...
Wizz Exit Abu Dhabi; BYD Expands Saudi; Mubadala-Linked Acquires Techem
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Wizz Air Pulls Out of Abu Dhabi After Six Years♦ BYD Doubles Down on Saudi EV Market with 10 Showrooms by 2026♦ Majid Al-Futtaim Ent...
Syria Inks Port Deal; Saudi Considers Huawei Chips; Gameball Doubles Revenue
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:• Syria Signs $800M Tartous Port Deal With UAE’s DP World in Push for Post-War Rebuilding• Saudi Arabia May Buy Huawei Chips as Chines...
BCG Execs Out, Trump Tariffs Arab Nations, Yaccarino Quits X
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ BCG Strips Two Top Executives of Leadership Roles Over Gaza Project Fallout♦ Trump Slaps Up to 30% Tariffs on Iraq, Algeria, Libya, an...
Sequoia’s Maguire Eyes Intern, Kuwait Offloads, Sawiris Backs Morocco EVs
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi’s Jahez Acquires 76% of Qatari Snoonu from Founder Hamad Al-Hajri in $245M Deal♦ Egypt’s Sawiris to Invest $100M in Morocco’...
Tech Founders vs Shaun Maguire, Attias IPO Plans, Starlink Launches in Qatar
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Middle Eastern Tech Founders Petition Forces Sequoia Partner Shaun Maguire to Apologize♦ Richard Attias Associates Considers IPO Amid ...
Fadi Ghandour Petition, Dubai Chocolate Boom, Bahrain Stablecoin Rules
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Fadi Ghandour Leads Petition Over Sequoia Partner’s Islamophobia Toward Zohran Mamdani♦ Dubai Duty Free Chocolates Smash Records wit...
BCG Gaza Controversy, Baladna’s Syria Expansion & Alabbar’s Luxury Move
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:• BCG Under Fire for Role in Gaza ‘Relocation’ Plan Backed by Israel and U.S.• Qatari Tycoon Brothers' Dairy Giant Baladna to Invest...
Amr Diab’s Telecom Shift, Harry Potter World Expands, Google Unveils AI Video
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Amr Diab Switches from Vodafone to Orange Egypt in Major Telecom Shake-Up♦ Miral Issues AED 3 Billion Tender for Harry Potter-Themed E...
Abu Dhabi, Dubai Lead Data; US Healthcare Fraud Villa; Saudi Startup $1.5M
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Abu Dhabi and Dubai Named World’s Top Emerging Data Centre Markets♦ Kuwait to Introduce 15% Minimum Tax on Big Global Companies Star...
PIF Hits $1T; Sawiris Denies Egypt Crash Link; Trump Lifts Syria Sanctions
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia’s PIF Crosses $1 Trillion in Assets, But Net Profit Slumps Over 50%♦ Trump signs executive order lifting sanctions on S...
Dubai Flying Taxi Test, Saudi Jobless Rate Falls, Norway Cuts Ties Over Gaza
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ HH Sheikh Hamdan: Dubai Successfully Conducts First Joby Air Taxi Test Flight♦ Emaar Named World’s Fastest-Growing Real Estate Brand...
Jordanian Royals at Bezos Wedding, Tesla Riyadh Launch, UK Billionaires Dubai
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Jeff Bezos Marries Lauren Sánchez in $56M Venice Wedding with Jordanian Royalty♦ Tesla Makes Saudi Debut with First Riyadh Centre Ope...
House of Pops Mix-Up, Owens Funding Claims, MENA Aid, Gaza Grant Approved
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ House of Pops CEO Responds After Sugary Drinks Added to Orders Without Approval♦ Candace Owens Says She’s Accused of Taking Qatar, I...
Fadel Al Ali Chairs MAF, Maersk Ends Ties to Israeli Firms, Replit Gets $100M
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Fadel Al Ali Named Chairman of Majid Al Futtaim Group in Major Governance Shakeup♦ Maersk Cuts Ties With Firms Linked to Israeli Settl...
Oil Steady After Iran Strikes; Saudi CEOs Get Younger; Oman’s Income Tax Incoming
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Alabbar Launches Lana; Airlines Reroute, Iran Eyes Hormuz Closure
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Mohamed Alabbar Launches New AI-Driven Arabic Media Platform "Lana"♦ Iran Considers Strait of Hormuz Closure After US Strikes♦ Valu ...
Saudi’s HUMAIN Enters Media, Citi Warns on Oil Spike, Syria Back on SWIFT
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia's HUMAIN Launches Media and Gaming Division♦ Mohammed Al Abbar-chaired Americana Looking to Add Five Guys, Cinnabon to it...
Is WhatsApp Sharing User Data with Israel?
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:♦ Aramco CEO: Oil and Gas ‘Crucial in Times of Conflict’ Amid Israel-Iran Tensions♦ Flight Detours and Fuel Costs Hit Gulf Airlines ...