The Smashi Business Show
Episodes
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...
B’laban Closures in Egypt; Chinese Traders on TikTok; New Red Sea Island
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- UAE Tops Saudi Arabia’s Arab Export Markets in Q4 2024, Trade Surplus Soars 37%- B’laban Denies Poison Rumors as Giza Closes 12 Desser...
MOE Expansion; Dubizzle Buys Property Monitor; Saudi F1 Team?
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Majid Al Futtaim has announced a AED5 billion investment to transform Mall of the Emirates- Dubizzle Group buys UAE's Property Monitor por...
UAE Tax Review; Saudi Covers Syria Debt; Dubai & Trump Tariffs
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- HH Sheikh Mohammed reviews UAE tax and launches AI efficiency drive at Cabinet meeting- Dubai tops list of world's busiest international a...
Dubai Traffic Plan; AED1.4B Drainage Plan for Dubai; More Women in AI in KSA
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Dubai's RTA Reveals Roads and Transport Plan 2030- DP World has officially begun development on Bharat Mart- Dubai Municipality has Awarde...
HH Sheikh Hamdan's India Trip; Prada Buys Versace; Tesla's KSA Launch
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES :- HH Sheikh Hamdan and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry witness signing of 8 agreements- Prada is buying Versace for $1.38B...
Trump Tariff Pause; Sheikh Hamdan at BSE; Tesla Eyes KSA; UAE Retirement
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Trump Pauses Reciprocal Tariffs but 10% Blanket Tariffs Still in Place- Elon Musk's Tesla is Launching Today in Saudi Arabia- HH Sheikh Ha...
HH Sheikh Hamdan in India; MENA Stocks Rebound; MBC Has New CEO
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Visits India As UAE-India Trade Booms Under CEPA- Middle Eastern Stock Markets Returned Back to Green on Tuesda...
Gulf Markets Slide, Dubai IPOs Surge, PGA Says No to $15.B from Saudi PIF
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES : - Middle Eastern and Global Markets Plunge Further Over Tariffs and Oil Prices- DFM Chief “very optimistic” about continued IPO m...
Mideast Markets Fall, Jordan Hit by Tariffs, Dubai's Mega Bridge
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Aramco loses $90B as Middle Eastern Markets crash, Asian Markets Open Red on Monday- Jordan risks sharp economic hit as the Middle East's ...
MENA, Global Markets Crash; B Laban, Crisis Management, McLaren
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- All Red in UAE, Saudi, Egypt, as Markets Come Crashing Down- B Laban's case and the Importance of Crisis Management- Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Ho...
Trump hits Middle East with tariffs; Sajwani reaches $10B; Dubai taxis ready
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Trump Imposes Reciprocal Tariffs on UAE, Saudi Arabia, the Middle East & World- Founder of Damac Group Hussain Sajwani’s Wealth Doub...
Trump confirms Gulf visit; B Laban closure in Saudi; Flynas IPO approved
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Trump confirms Saudi Arabia visit in May, adds UAE and Qatar to itinerary- Saudi Arabia Reportedly Closes Egyptian Dessert Chain ‘B Laba...
UAE Central Bank Unveils New Dirham Symbol
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- UAE Central Bank Unveils New Dirham Symbol- UAE’s Sukuk Top in the World as Emaar and Aldar Lead Global Rally- e& Sells, MGX and Sil...
Pokemon Go, but PIF-backed Scopely wants more; Tesla in Saudi; Masdar's IPO Talks
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Headlines:- Saudi PIF-backed Scopely is Eyeing Acquisition of More Hit Titles- Tesla to Launch in Saudi Arabia on April 10- UAE Renewables Giant Masda...
UAE Hawala Crack Down 'Working'; BlackRock x Emirates NBD; Gulf's CEO Retention Policy
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Headlines : - UAE's Crackdown on Illegal Money Transfers, Hawala, is 'working'- UAE and Saudi companies use long-term salary bonuses to attract C...
Saudi PIF Cuts 20%; Warner Bros. Invests in OSN; Temasek Expands in Abu Dhabi
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Saudi PIF Orders Deep Spending Cuts Across Over 100 Companies: AGBI- Temasek’s $54 Billion Asset Management Unit Opens Abu Dhabi Office-...
UAE to Invest $1.4T in US; FIX Founder Meets HH Sheikh Mohammed in Dubai
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- UAE Pledges $1.4 Trillion Investment in U.S. Over 10 Years- Viral Dubai Chocolate FIX Founder Sara Hamouda meets HH Sheikh Mohammed- Dubai...
Mubadala Weighs Du Stake Sale, ADQ’s $25B Deal, Adani Eyes $1.4B Emaar Buyout
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Mubadala Weighs Selling Part of $1 Billion Stake in Du- ADQ, Energy Capital Partners Announce $25B+ Data Center Energy Deal- Adani in Adva...
Ben & Jerry’s Sues Unilever; xAI Joins $30B Plan; Sheikh Tahnoon Meets Musk
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Ben & Jerry’s Accuses Unilever of Silencing Support for Gaza- Musk's xAI is joining MGX, Microsoft, Blackrock for their $30B AI Plan...
Google to Pay $32B for Wiz; Sheikh Tahnoon Meets Trump; Suez Losses $800M
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Google acquires Israeli cybersecurity startup Wiz for record $32 billion- HH Sheikh Tahnoon meets President Donald Trump on US visit- Egyp...
AD Property Prices Rise; Arab GDP Grows; US Interferes in Lebanon
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Residential rents grew 20 percent in 2024, while sales prices climbed by 11 percent in Abu Dhabi: report- Arab Region’s GDP Hits $3.6 Tr...
Sheikh Tahnoon’s US Visit, Durov Leaves France, Binghatti Wins AED 35M Plate Bid
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- HH Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed’s Official Visit to the US Starts Today- Telegram Founder Durov Allowed to Temporarily Leave France: AFP Rep...
Weekend Edition: Qatar’s Gas Deal, DP World’s Growth, Tesla in Israel
15 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
– Qatar supplies gas via Jordan to aid Syria’s electricity crisis, marking a major policy shift.– Record revenue of $20 billion, strategic inves...
China’s Auto Surge in UAE, More on PwC’s PIF Fallout, and Saudi Football’s Spending Shift
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Chinese Automakers Gain Ground in UAE as Ramadan Competition Heats Up- PwC’s Consulting Ban From PIF Has Deloitte, EV and others Hunting...
MGX's $2B in Binance; Pokemon Go's New Home; Leos Founder Interview
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Abu Dhabi's MGX Invests $2 Billion in World's Biggest Crypto Exchange Binance- Saudi-Owned Scopely has Acquired Pokémon Go in $3.5 Billio...
Aramex Surges with ADQ Takeover; UAE Women Entrepreneurs Go Digital
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Aramex Shares Climb as ADQ Secures Majority 58% Stake- Egyptians are Leading the Growth Rate of Foreign Buyers in Dubai’s Property Marke...
PIF Launches Duty-Free Retail; Sheikh Tahnoon Eyes $1B Cooling Sale
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Sheikh Tahnoon’s Multiply Group Targets $1B Cooling Unit Sale- PIF Unveils Saudi Arabia’s First Duty-Free Retail Venture- Adnoc Set to...
Women’s Tennis Players Eligible for Maternity Leave Funded by Saudi Arabia
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:-WTA Introduces Paid Maternity Leave with Saudi PIF Backing-Trump Plans Saudi Arabia Visit Amid Military Deals and Diplomatic Talks-Europe B...
Weekend Edition: PwC vs. PIF Clash, Saudi’s 2km Tower, and Qatar Airways’ Future Strategy
09 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Description:In this weekend edition of the Smashi Business Show, Abdul Majid Awan breaks down three major business stories. We dive into the fallout b...
Talabat Acquires InstaShop; Starbucks Closes in Jordan; New Boxing League
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- UAE-Based Talabat Acquires InstaShop From Delivery Hero in $32 Million Deal- Starbucks Closes Four Branches in Jordan as Boycott Pre...
Khaleej Times Editor-in-Chief Fired; New Saudi Marketing Investment Authority; Aviation Updates
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Saudi Arabia Launches Investment Marketing Authority to Boost FDI- UAE's Khaleej Times Editor-in-Chief Fired After 16 Months in Char...
$53B Gaza Reconstruction, BlackRock GIP in Qatar, Saudi Ninja IPO
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Arab Leaders Approve $53 Billion Gaza Reconstruction Plan, Rejecting 'Trump Gaza'- BlackRock’s GIP Expands to Qatar as Global Inve...
Dubai Job Market, EU Resumes Syria Trade, and HH Sheikh Tahnoon Updates
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Dubai’s Expat Boom Reshapes Job Market, Salaries & Lifestyles, Reports Bloomberg- EU Reopens Trade with Syria: Strategic Aid or Econ...
Saudi PIF Bans PwC; Microsoft Opposes Gulf Chip Ban; $4B Aid to Israel
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Saudi Wealth Fund Suspends PwC from Advisory Work for a Year- Microsoft Pushes for AI Export Rule Changes to Gulf Allies- US Secretary of ...
Weekend Edition: PwC’s Saudi Ban, Soaring Rental Yields, and Arada’s IPO Ambitions Shape Gulf Markets
01 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Top stories: PwC’s One-Year Ban from Saudi PIF ContractsSaudi Rental Yields Lead the Gulf Amid Demand SurgeArada’s Future IPO Plans After Rec...
Markets Slip in Saudi, FBI Ties North Korea to $1.5B Crypto Hack
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Saudi Stocks Extend Losses on Weak Earnings; Emirates NBD Lifts Dubai- FBI Confirms North Korea’s Lazarus Group Behind $1.5B Bybit Hack-...
Smashi Business Show: PIF’s Lucid Shake-Up, UAE IPO Boom & e& Stock Surge
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:Majority-owned by PIF, Lucid Motors CEO Peter Rawlinson Steps DownUAE’s IPO Pipeline Heats Up With Major Listings on the Horizon"e& Sh...
Web Summit Qatar, Saudi Firm Sells OpenAI Stake, IHC $1B Investment
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Web Summit Qatar 2025- Saudi IT Firm Nets $3.4M After Selling OpenAI Stake- IHC, Led by Sheikh Tahnoon, to Invest $1B in Low- & Middle...
Snoonu founder shares story behind the name at Web Summit Day 3 updates
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Web Summit Day 3 Updates Live from Doha Exhibition and Conference Center- Softbank's Masayoshi San says he hasn't given returns to PIF sti...
LIVE from Web Summit Qatar; Bybit loses $1.5 Billion; Musk Tower in UAE
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Day 2: Web Summit Qatar 2025 is in full swing in Doha- Bybit's $1.5 billion hack and the announcement of reward- Musk Tower in UAE to be t...
Weekend Edition: All Eyes on Doha: $163M IPO, Dubizzle’s Big Move & USAID Fallout
22 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alpha Data’s $163M IPO on ADX – UAE-based tech company Alpha Data is set to raise up to Dh600 million ($163.4M) through its IPO on the Abu Dh...
Saudi Unveils Currency Symbol; Miami Chosen for Investment Hub by KSA; IDEX & NAVDEX Deals
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:-Saudi Arabia Introduces New Currency Symbol to Strengthen Global Financial Presence-Saudi Arabia Selects Miami for Its Second US Investment...
Live from STEP Dubai: Trump Praises Saudi Arabia; Russia-US-Saudi Energy Talks
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Step Dubai Conference | Dubai Internet City- Trump Applauds Saudi Arabia at FII PRIORITY Summit in Miami- Putin Calls for Russia-US-Saudi ...
Dubai Luxury Property Market Booms; PIF Invests in DAZN; Grok 3 Unveiled
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Dubai's Luxury Property Market Will Grow 9.9% in 2025 After a 6.8% Increase in 2024- Saudi PIF's SURJ Sports Investment Acquires Minority ...
Huda Beauty and Kayali Split; Emaar Invests $7B in Egypt
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Huda Beauty Sells Stake in Kayali to General Atlantic- Emaar to Boost Investments in Egypt by $7 Billion, Expanding Presence in Real Estat...
Dubai's Viral Chocolate; Syria Gets Russian Cash; Musk's xAI Backed
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:Dubai viral Chocolate Founder Meets HH Sheikh Hamdan at World Government SummitSyria Receives Currency Shipment from Russia Amid Liquidity C...
Elon Musk at WGS 2025; $600B Saudi-US Trade Target Doubtful
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Elon Musk’s Big Ideas at World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai- Saudi’s $600B Trade Pledge to US ‘Unlikely to Be Achieved,’ Says ...
Elon Musk at Dubai Summit: 'America should mind its own business
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Elon Musk tells World Government Summit in Dubai: 'America should mind its own business'- LEAP 2025 Riyadh: $24B in Investments and Deals ...
Etihad Listing Soon on ADX; Tabby Potential IPO; LEAP 2025 Updates
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Saudi Unicorn Tabby Hires Banks for Potential IPO, Eyes Listing on Tadawul: Bloomberg- Etihad Airways May List on ADX as Early as this Mon...
PIF Backs $5B Basketball League; $17M Sotheby's Sale in Saudi; MONIIFY Layoffs
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- PIF Backs Ambitious $5 Billion Basketball League to Rival NBA- $17M Saudi Auction: Botero and Banksy Lead Sotheby’s Historic Debut- MONI...
Weekend Edition: UAE’s AI Bet, World Governments Summit, and Expanding India Trade Ties
08 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Headlines:- UAE’s $50 Billion Bet on AI: Building Europe’s Largest AI Hub in France- Elon Musk & Global Leaders Gather in Dubai for the World ...
MONIIFY’s Multi-Million-Dollar Gamble: Where Were the Red Flags?
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:MONIIFY’s Multi-Million-Dollar Gamble: Where Were the Red Flags?LEAP 2025 in Riyadh Poised to Transform the Tech LandscapeSaudi Arabia’s...
MONIIFY's Massive Layoffs & Altman’s Key Visit to Abu Dhabi
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- Egyptian Billionaire Naguib Sawiris’ Media Startup in Dubai, MONIIFY, Lays Off Hundreds Just Months After Launch- Open AI's Sam Altman t...
UAE Approves Key Initiatives, BlackRock Eyes Kuwait, Riyadh Air Joins LIV
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- UAE Cabinet Approves Major Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Economic Initiatives- BlackRock Eyes Kuwait Expansion to Strengthen Gulf Pre...
BlackRock plans Kuwait office; UAE gets first methanol plant; Meta AI in MENA
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES:- $11 trillion AUM giant BlackRock is exploring plans to establish an office in Kuwait- Abu Dhabi’s TA’ZIZ Awards $1.7 Billion Contract ...
Al Habtoor IPO in Hospitality; Dar Global Starts Trump Tower Jeddah Project
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES: - Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2025 Highlights- Al Habtoor Group Considering IPO for Hospitality Arm- London-listed Dar Global st...
Dubai Luxury Homes, Trump Controversy & Germany’s Sweet Obsession Trending
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HEADLINES: - Expo City Dubai is turning country pavilions into luxury homes- Amjad Masad calls out Trump's executive order on antisemitism- Germa...