The Smashi Business Show

Hosted by Augustus Media

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Episodes

894

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

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.

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60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 90739 min

Al Habtoor IPO; Paramount Warner Bros; Kuwait Nvidia AI

HEADLINES:• Al Habtoor Group will not go for IPO for now • Gulf backed Paramount just won approval for its $111 billion Warner Bros takeover• Kuwait's sovereign wealth fund just launched a $10 billion AI company with Nvidia and KKR Newsletter: <a href="https://aug.us/4jqModr">https://aug.us/4jqModr</a>WhatsApp: <a href="https://aug.us/40FdYLU">https://aug.us/40FdYLU</a>Instagram: <a href="https://aug.us/4ihltzQ">https://aug.us/4ihltzQ</a>Tiktok: <a href="https://aug.us/4lnV0D8">https://aug.us/4lnV0D8</a>Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

June 15, 2026Episode 9065 min

The US-Iran Framework Breakthrough, 600 Tankers Await Hormuz Reopening, and UAE’s Next-Gen AI Authority

In this episode, we break down the immediate plunge in global oil prices and the stock market rally triggered by the historic US-Iran framework peace agreement. We also look at the logistics at sea as nearly 600 stranded tankers cautiously await the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and highlight the UAE’s major governance leap with the creation of the federal Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority.

June 14, 2026Episode 9055 min

Blue Owl’s Abu Dhabi Expansion, Ninja Challenges Uber’s Dominance, and DOJ Clears Mega Media Merger

In this episode, we break down private credit titan Blue Owl Capital’s move to establish its regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi amid macroeconomic shifts. We also explore the intense bidding war brewing in the food delivery sector as Saudi startup Ninja threatens Uber’s Middle East acquisition strategy, and highlight the major regulatory milestone in Washington as the DOJ clears Paramount’s $110 billion purchase of Warner Bros Discovery.

June 13, 2026Episode 9044 min

SpaceX Mints Saudi Billions; Al Habtoor Eyes Syria; Altman Cancels Abu Dhabi Trip

SpaceX Mints Saudi Billions; Al Habtoor Eyes Syria; Altman Cancels Abu Dhabi Trip

June 12, 2026Episode 90345 min

Emaar Megaproject; Kalshi World Cup Deal; Al Haboob Founders

HEADLINES: • Emaar just launched a Dh200 billion megaproject in Dubai for 150,000 residents • The $22 billion prediction market Kalshi just became a World Cup sponsor of Argentina • How two Saudis turned camel racing into a professional sports franchise Newsletter: <a href="https://aug.us/4jqModr">https://aug.us/4jqModr</a> WhatsApp: <a href="https://aug.us/40FdYLU">https://aug.us/40FdYLU</a> Instagram: <a href="https://aug.us/4ihltzQ">https://aug.us/4ihltzQ</a>Tiktok: <a href="https://aug.us/4lnV0D8">https://aug.us/4lnV0D8</a>Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

June 11, 2026Episode 90235 min

Saudi Lebanon Trade Reopens; SpaceX IPO; FII New CEO

HEADLINES:• Saudi Arabia lifts five year Lebanon import ban as Riyadh backs Beirut reforms • SpaceX IPO Draws Billions in Orders From Middle East Funds • FII appoints Princess Maha Al Saud as CEO ahead of Rome summit Newsletter: <a href="https://aug.us/4jqModr">https://aug.us/4jqModr</a>WhatsApp: <a href="https://aug.us/40FdYLU">https://aug.us/40FdYLU</a>Instagram: <a href="https://aug.us/4ihltzQ">https://aug.us/4ihltzQ</a>Tiktok: <a href="https://aug.us/4lnV0D8">https://aug.us/4lnV0D8</a>Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

June 10, 2026Episode 90141 min

Emirates Renews Real Madrid, Meta Court Action, Mubadala Fast Food Play

HEADLINES: • Real Madrid land €100 million-a-year Emirates sponsorship deal • Meta Says Israeli Spyware Firm Targeted WhatsApp Users Again• Mubadala Is Reportedly Exploring a €3 Billion Deal for Burger King Operator in Spain and Portugal Newsletter: <a href="https://aug.us/4jqModr">https://aug.us/4jqModr</a> WhatsApp: <a href="https://aug.us/40FdYLU">https://aug.us/40FdYLU</a> Instagram: <a href="https://aug.us/4ihltzQ">https://aug.us/4ihltzQ</a> Tiktok: <a href="https://aug.us/4lnV0D8">https://aug.us/4lnV0D8</a> Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

June 9, 2026Episode 90046 min

Talabat Takeover Battle, Iranian Assets and UAE Expansion in Africa

HEADLINES:• Saudi Ninja Founder Ebrahim Al Jassim Is Trying to Acquire HungerStation and Parts of Talabat: FT• US Is Considering Using Iranian Assets to Pay for Gulf Attack Damage• UAE company to fund $2bn New Botswana City Newsletter: <a href="https://aug.us/4jqModr">https://aug.us/4jqModr</a>WhatsApp: <a href="https://aug.us/40FdYLU">https://aug.us/40FdYLU</a>Instagram: <a href="https://aug.us/4ihltzQ">https://aug.us/4ihltzQ</a>Tiktok: <a href="https://aug.us/4lnV0D8">https://aug.us/4lnV0D8</a>Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

June 8, 2026Episode 89920 min

NEOM Cuts, UAE $1.4T US Investment Plan & Paramount-Warner Deal

HEADLINES: • Saudi Arabia faces $16 billion bill to scale back parts of NEOM: Semafor• UAE says $1.4 trillion US investment plan is ahead of schedule• US states prepare antitrust challenge as Gulf-backed $110B Paramount–Warner deal faces scrutiny Newsletter: <a href="https://aug.us/4jqModr">https://aug.us/4jqModr</a>WhatsApp: <a href="https://aug.us/40FdYLU">https://aug.us/40FdYLU</a>Instagram: <a href="https://aug.us/4ihltzQ">https://aug.us/4ihltzQ</a>Tiktok: <a href="https://aug.us/4lnV0D8">https://aug.us/4lnV0D8</a>Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

June 7, 2026Episode 8983 min

Ronaldo $2B Rich; Iran's Assets for Gulf Repair; No Deal with Israeli Club; Riyadh Air

Today’s Smashi Business Show brings you four global stories shaping markets, sport, aviation, and geopolitics. Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first active athlete to surpass $2 billion in career earnings, driven by Saudi contracts and global investments. Rising tensions in the Middle East escalate as the U.S. considers redirecting Iranian assets amid ongoing regional conflict and fragile ceasefire talks. In Europe, a Polish football club sparks controversy after rejecting Israeli transfer bids on moral grounds. Meanwhile, Riyadh Air receives its first Dreamliners ahead of its July launch, marking a major step in Saudi Arabia’s aviation expansion and tourism ambitions despite regional instability. Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dAkTDhJ6WhatsApp: aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): aug.us/3BTU2MY