The Smashi Business Show

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 ...

Al Habtoor Group's Potential IPO; UAE Second-Fastest Growing Millionaire Hub

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Neumann’s Saudi Move, Salt in Egypt, France-Israel Rift, Abu Dhabi Summit

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ The Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit is starting today from June 17 till June 18♦ Adam Neumann Tapped Saudi Investors For $300M Flow Ex...

Thmanyah’s Saudi Coup, Modrić’s Israel Ties, Al Habtoor on Iran-Israel

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ Emirati Billionaire Khalaf Al Habtoor Calls for Peace between Iran and Israel♦ Podcast-Born Thmanyah Wins Saudi Football Streaming Rig...

Oil Jumps After Israel-Iran Strike; Giza $30M Upgrade; Talabat Skips Saudi

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:• Egypt Revamps Giza Pyramids Site in $30M Push to Elevate Tourism• Oil Soars, Markets Slide After Israeli Strikes on Iran Trigger Regio...

Emaar Launches VYOM, G42’s Khazna-Nvidia Deal, Yasmeen Jisri’s Bake My Day

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ Nvidia Approves UAE’s G42-Backed Khazna to Host Its Most Advanced AI Chips♦ Emaar Launches VYOM, a Digital Resale Platform to Transf...

Al-Habtoor Syria Visit; UK Sanctions Israeli Ministers; Nigeria-Aramco Loan Delay

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ UK and Allies Sanction Israeli Ministers for Inciting West Bank Violence Amid Gaza Crisis♦ Emirati Billionaire Khalaf Al-Habtoor to Le...

Emirates–Home Bakery Collab, WBD Splits, MAF Succession Settled

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ Huda Beauty Donates AED1 Million to UNRWA in First Move as Fully Independent Brand♦ Dubai Appoints New Board at Majid Al Futtaim to En...

Trump’s Qatari Jet Price Tag, Huda’s AED 1M Gift, and Zara’s Russia Comeback

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Huda Buyback, Mubadala, Hariri’s AI, Kuwait xAI Deal

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ Huda Kattan Has Officially Reclaimed Full Ownership of Huda Beauty♦ Mubadala Emerges as World’s Most Active Sovereign Fund in May♦...

$8,100 Labubu Bouquet; Fazza in DMCC; Cloud Kitchens Are Booming

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ HH Sheikh Hamdan Visits World’s Largest Diamond Exchange at DMCC♦ Cloud Kitchens Are Booming in the GCC — And Kaykroo Is Leading t...

Emirati UN First, Musk vs UAE AI Deal, Al Habtoor Tower Nears Completion

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 D...

Smashi Business Show Weekend Edition: India Woos Saudi Billions, Dubai Property Faces Peak, Billionaire Asif Aziz Bets Big on Abu Dhabi

31 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This weekend on Smashi Business Show: Weekend Edition, we break down three major stories shaping the region. India moves to exempt Saudi Arabia’s so...

Humantra Secures JamJar Investment; FIX in Marsa Al Arab Hotel Rooms; TOD’s Streaming Strategy

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:• Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN Plans $10 Billion Global VC Fund to Power AI Ambitions• Dubai’s Viral Chocolate Brand FIX Lands in Ultra-Lux...

Elon Musk’s xAI Pays $300M to UAE Citizen Pavel Durov’s Telegram to Push Grok

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ Dubai Residential REIT’s Big Debut: $584M IPO, 15% Surge, and Market Buzz♦ UAE Citizen Pavel Durov, Elon Musk Sign $300M Deal to Bri...

Kings League MENA, M&C Saatchi x Dune23, Dubai Retail Robots, AI Tsunami

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ Kings League MENA: SURJ Sports And Gerard Piqué’s Kings League Launch Football Format In Saudi♦ Dubai’s Dune 23 To Be Acquired By...

Saudi Oil, Gaza, Free ChatGPT & ME Billionaire Moves

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:• Saudi Arabia Denies Alcohol Legalization Rumors Amid World Cup Buzz• UAE will Become the First Country to Offer Free ChatGPT Plus to A...

Saudi Alcohol Move, Gulf Women, Fintech Boom, Telegram Profit

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:• Fact Check: Is Saudi unbanning Alcohol in 600 Tourist Locations?• Omani Huda Al Lawati Raises $200M for Gulf’s First Woman-Led Equit...

Qatar Forum Closes; Sweid Warns of Series B Funding Gap; Saudi Unveils AI Incubator

23 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:• Highlights of Day 3 of Qatar Economic Forum• Noor Sweid Warns of “Massive Funding Gap” in Middle East at Series B Stage• Saudi A...

New Moniify CEO; U.S. Officially Accepts Qatari Jet; Qatar Economic Forum Day 2

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:• Highlights from Day 2 of the Qatar Economic Forum• Flynas Raises $1.1 Billion in IPO Priced at Top Range, Fueling Saudi Aviation Push•...

Qatar Forum Day 1; UK Halts Israel Talks; 'Project Paradise' in Riyadh

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ Key Announcements and Global Deals at Qatar Economic Forum Day 1♦ UK Halts Trade Talks, EU Reassesses Israel Ties Amid 'Horrifying' Ge...

Abu Dhabi's MGX & Europe; PIF in Paris; Durov Slams Whatsapp

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:• Nvidia, UAE’s MGX Plan to Build Europe’s Largest Data Center• Saudi PIF Opens Paris Office, Aims to Double Europe Investments• P...

Trump Tower Resales, Sarwa Salaries & Syria Prints Currency

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:• Sarwa Enforces No-Negotiation Pay Policy to Ensure Fair Salaries for New Hires• Trump Tower Dubai Launch Sparks Investor Frenzy with P...

Trump–UAE Deals; UAE–Jordan CEPA; Emirates–SpaceX Talks

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ US and UAE Sign Partnership to Build Largest Data Center Complex Outside of the US♦ Emirates in Talks With SpaceX to Bring Starlink Wi...

Jordan's Tariq Amin Leads Saudi AI; Trump Deals in Qatar; Starlink Expands

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ Qatar Signs $200 Billion Deal to Buy Jets from Boeing During Trump Visit♦ Trump Meets Syria’s Interim Leader, Lifts Sanctions in Pus...

Trump's Day 1 in Gulf; Wallstreet Titans in Saudi; Kilow Secures $2.5M

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ Trump Lands in Riyadh to Grand Welcome, Crown Prince Meets Global Tech and Business Titans♦ Trump Announces Major Policy Shift: U.S. t...

Musk Joins Trump in Gulf, MBS Unveils AI Giant, Hubpay CEO on Fintech Future

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Launches HUMAIN to Power Nation’s Bold AI Push♦ Elon Musk Set to Join Trump Delegation at Saudi-U.S. F...

Trump Jet, Syria Oil, Saudi IPO, Dubai Media, Gold Soars to $3,500

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ Trump May Receive Luxury Jet from Qatar Amid Air Force One Delays: ABC News♦ Syria Seeks Meeting With President Trump, Offering Oil Ac...

Emirates Declares Itself World’s Most Profitable Airline

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:♦ U.S. Backs Qatar's $87M Syria Salary Plan, Easing Sanctions Post-Assad ♦ Abu Dhabi’s XRG Eyes Billions in U.S. Investments with...

Disneyland Is Coming to Abu Dhabi: The Middle East’s First Ever Disney Theme Park

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:- Disney to Open First Middle East Theme Park in Abu Dhabi- Qatar Airways lines up Boeing order for Trump visit- Meta Wins $168 Million Verd...

"UAE Islamic Finance Strategy, Trump’s Gulf Visit with Wall Street Titans, WHOOP Founder Reveals First Prototype "

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:- UAE Unveils Ambitious Islamic Finance and Tourism Strategy- Wall Street Leaders to Join Trump in Riyadh Ahead of US-GCC Power Talks- Egypt...

Trump’s Gulf Visit, Shark Tank Dubai Launch, Cairo’s MoneyFellows Raises $13M

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:- Trump’s Gulf Itinerary Revealed: Riyadh May 13, Doha May 14, Abu Dhabi May 15- Shark Tank Dubai Season 3 Launches with Star Investors an...

Smashi Business Show: UAE: AI as core subject, Emiratis Can Now Travel to Lebanon; G42, e& go to US

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:- UAE to have AI as core subject in government institutions - UAE lifts ban on Emiratis to travel to Lebanon, starting May 7- Abu Dhabi...

MrBeast's Riyadh Deal; UAE, Trump & AI Chips; Dubai Property Strong Q1

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:- MrBeast Signs Riyadh Season Deal- Saudi CEO Warns Against Misleading Digital Consultants- Dubai Real Estate Market Starts Strong in 1Q 202...

Don't Fire Teams Yet for AI; Dubai Races Ahead; Abu Dhabi's Big Deal

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:- TWG Global and Mubadala Capital to Enter Multi-Billion Dollar Investment Alliance- Pakistani startup MedIQ Raises $6 Million for Expansion...

The Smashi Business Show : Trump Hotel in Dubai; Meta AI App; AI Inclusivity; "GCC Retail Changing"

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:- Mark Zuckerberg Has Launched the Standalone App for Meta AI- UAE Entrepreneur Raises Inclusivity Questions about AI- Dubai's Skyline Gets ...

Dubai is Certified Autism Destination; Zest Raises Funds; Calo Expands to UK

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:- Dubai has become the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere- UAE-based Zest Has Raised $4.3 Million in Pre-Series...

PIF Targets $2.7T; KSA, Qatar to pay Syria's debt; Trump Wants 'Free' Ride in Suez

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES :- Saudi Arabia's PIF has raised its target for assets under management by 2030 to $2.67 - trillion- Saudi Arabia and Qatar to pay back Syri...

Cafu mulls stake sale; Damac, AI, $54M; Paypal in Dubai; Dubai AI Week

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES : - Highlights of Day 4 of Dubai AI Week- Cafu exploring first-ever 'stake sale': Bloomberg- Damac used AI to boost monthly financial c...

Dubai AI Week, OSN-WB Deal, Emaar Boost, UAE Hiring Slows

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:- Highlights of Day 3 of Dubai AI Week- Celebration of OSN's $57 Million with Warner Bros Discovery in Dubai - Emaar waives 4-month ren...

US President Donald Trump's Middle East visit dates confirmed

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:- US President Donald Trump's Middle East visit dates confirmed- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes Saudi Arabia visit- Highlight...

Dubai AI Week; Aramco x BYD; PepsiCo's Saudi Office; Dubai Chocolate craze

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:- Highlights of Day 1 of the Inaugural Dubai AI Week- Aramco and BYD partner for EV Technology- PepsiCo Opens regional HQ in Riyadh; will in...

UAE uses AI for laws; B'Laban returns; Dubai rolls out self-driving taxis

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:- UAE set to use AI to write laws in world first- Adnoc on shortlist to buy Shell South Africa fuel stations- B'Laban’s Facebook Account A...

UAE Trade Rises; Abu Dhabi Invests in UK; €2B Russia-Qatar Deal

18 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

HEADLINES:- UAE has become the 11th largest merchandise exporter in the world- Abu Dhabi investors are stepping up their presence in the UK market- Du...