
Hosted by Augustus Media · EN
The Smashi Business Show tells AI, tech, startup and business stories from the Arab world. For the driven, the dreamers and the doers. Hosted by Abdul Majid Awan, Ward Ahmed, and Wael Hossam El Din.

HEADLINES:• UAE Retains Global Lead in AI Adoption With 70% Usage Rate, Microsoft Report Finds • Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Restore U.S. Military Access After Hormuz Tensions, WSJ Reports • Iran Creates New Strait of Hormuz Transit Authority, Tightens Control Over Key Shipping Lane

HEADLINES:• Alabbar-led Eagle Hills studies $50 billion Syria projects• CEO Evgeny Ratskevich on Why Global Investors Are Flooding Abu Dhabi Real Estate 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: • Sarwa Crosses $1bn AUM as UAE Retail Investing Comes of Age• Telegraph, Politico owner says staff must align with pro-Israel principles or leave• World’s largest listed hedge fund manager Man Group to set up in 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:• GameStop Seeks Gulf Sovereign Wealth Funds to Plug $26.1 Billion Gap in $55.5 Billion eBay Bid • Dubai Launches Two-Year Push to Make Agentic AI Core of Private Sector Transformation • Saudi Arabia Positions Neom Port as Red Sea Trade Hub to Reduce Dependence on Strait of Hormuz

HEADLINES:• “Those who invest in Dubai are investing in the future”: Sheikh Mohammed launches Blue Line tunnelling• Commercial vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz after Trump announces US escort mission• UAE is set to acquire $147.6 million worth of advanced US military systems • Fitch affirms Abu Dhabi’s AA rating despite higher spending pressures

Today’s Smashi Business Show covers a major disruption in global energy markets as Kuwait’s exports are halted through the Strait of Hormuz, a $400 million Qatari-linked Bel-Air mansion reflecting shifts in ultra-luxury wealth, and escalating tensions over media ownership and editorial independence in Western outlets. From oil flows to capital power and information control, the episode tracks how geopolitics is reshaping global business.

In this episode, we analyze Eddie Howe’s comments on PIF’s unwavering commitment to Newcastle United amidst a broader sports portfolio review. We also examine the implications of the U.S. approving $8.6 billion in military sales to the region. Finally, we highlight the strategic milestone for the UAE’s Dana Gas as it settles all outstanding receivables with the Egyptian government, signaling a boost in regional energy investment.

HEADLINES:• UAE Charges 19 Sudanese, Including Former Intel Chief Salah Gosh, Over $13M Arms Smuggling• PlotSaudi Arabia pulls funding from LIV Golf, WSJ reports• Amazon: UAE Cloud Recovery Could Take Months After Iran Strikes

HEADLINES:• Dubai Lowers Property Threshold for Two-Year Residency Visa• UAE startup CarniStore founders discuss scaling a digital-first butcher model in a fragmented market

HEADLINES:• UAE To Exit OPEC After Nearly 60 Years• Gulf funds to own 38.5% of Paramount–Warner Bros as $111bn deal moves forward• Citadel Gets Greenlight to Begin Operating in DubaiNewsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY