Synopsis
DUBAI WORKS, a business podcast about the innovators, the products, the services and trending topics, Lovin Dubai's take on the business stories that matter.The shows host is Richard Fitzgerald, founder of Augustus Media, publishers of Lovin Dubai, Lovin Saudi and SMASHI TV.
Episodes
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Inside HUMAIN, Groq AI, BCG’s Draft, & Abu Dhabi’s Sphere Venues
08/08/2025 Duration: 37minHEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia Deploys First Regional OpenAI Models in HUMAIN–Groq Partnership♦ BCG Drafted Plans to Relocate Palestinians to UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and Somalia♦ Abu Dhabi Secures 10-Year Rights to Build Sphere Venues Across MENA♦ ADX Onboards Thndr as First Remote Retail Trading Member to Boost Market Access 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
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Emaar’s Billion-Dollar Boom, Syria’s \$14B Rebuild
07/08/2025 Duration: 35minHEADLINES:• Dubai's Emaar Properties gain 30% as H1-2025 net profit crosses Dh10b• Syria Inks $14B in Investment Deals, Taps Gulf Firms for Airport and Subway Projects• UAE Tops List as Wealthy UK Directors Exit Over Labour Tax Reforms• India’s Titan Eyes Gulf Manufacturing to Dodge US Tariffs, Builds on Damas Deal 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
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Norway Probes Israeli Investments; Alaan’s $48M Boost; Qatar Powers Syria
06/08/2025 Duration: 31minHEADLINES:• Norway to Investigate World’s Largest $2tn Oil Fund Over Israeli Investments• Alaan Raises $48M Series A to Grow AI Finance Platform• MGX Eyes $25 Billion AI Fundraising to Boost Abu Dhabi’s Tech Goals• Qatar Backs Azerbaijan Gas Pipeline to Boost Power in Northern Syria 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
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TikTok Takedown, MGX in France, Dubai’s Priciest School Hiring
05/08/2025 Duration: 29minHEADLINES:♦ TikTok Removes 16.5M Videos Across MENA Amid Egypt’s 3-Month Deadline for Content Compliance♦ Abu Dhabi’s MGX Eyes $1B Investment in French AI Startup Mistral♦ Salata Founder Georges Bandar Reflects on Four Years of Growth and Resilience in the UAE♦ Dubai’s Most Expensive School Begins Hiring, With Fees Hitting $56,000 a Year
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Skims Lands in Dubai, Orascom Moves to ADX, Filmmakers Reject Mubi Deal
04/08/2025 Duration: 41minHEADLINES:♦ Wuilt Raises $2M to Scale Its Free E-Commerce Platform Across MENA♦ Orascom Construction to Delist from Nasdaq Dubai, Move Primary Listing to Abu Dhabi♦ Kim Kardashian’s Skims to Open First UAE Store at Mall of the Emirates♦ Filmmakers Reject Mubi’s $100M Sequoia Deal Over Israeli Military Tech Ties 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
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Breadfast’s $382M Surge; Damac Denies Cavalli Sale; Anghami’s Nasdaq Move
01/08/2025 Duration: 38minHEADLINES:♦ Mostafa Amin-Led Breadfast Hits $382M Valuation as Investor Stake Nearly Doubles♦ Roberto Cavalli is not for sale' - says Damac♦ Anghami Plans Reverse Stock Split To Stay On Nasdaq♦ US Senate Rejects Effort to Block Israel Arms Sales Amid Gaza Crisis 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
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Anthropic $5B Raise; PwC Adds Riyadh Al-Najjar; UAE Advertiser Permit
31/07/2025 Duration: 34minHEADLINES:♦ Anthropic in Talks to Raise $5B at $170B Valuation, CEO Acknowledges Shift on Gulf Funding♦ PwC Appoints Riyadh Al-Najjar to Global Board After Saudi Ban Shakes Regional Strategy♦ UAE Media Council has Launched a Mandatory ‘Advertiser Permit’ for Content Creators♦ Alabbar-led Americana earnings climb despite higher tax burden
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Calo’s $39M Boost, PIF Tops SWF Rankings, Binghatti’s $570M Twin Towers
30/07/2025 Duration: 33minHEADLINES:♦ Calo raises $39mln (SAR 146.27mln) in Series B extension♦ Saudi PIF named most valuable and fastest-growing sovereign wealth fund♦ Binghatti Unveils $570M Dubai Twin-Tower Project At Launch Event In Egypt♦ Pavel Durov Questioned by French Authorities Over Platform’s Alleged Criminal Use
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Shahid-Netflix, Qatar LNG, Anthropic, Huda-Kim
29/07/2025 Duration: 37minHEADLINES:• Netflix And Shahid Unite In First-Ever Joint Subscription For MENA• Qatar threatens to halt LNG exports to EU over sustainability law• “Shame On You, Anthropic!” Gulf Investor Slams AI Giant Over Leaked Memo• Huda Kattan Calls Out Kim Kardashian Over Israel Support After Viral Tucker Carlson Clip 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
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Saudi Ownership Law, Huda Beauty for Gaza, Etihad to Hire Wizz Staff
28/07/2025 Duration: 40minHEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia publishes new law on foreign property ownership♦ Huda Beauty and Saint Levant Redirect $210K to Gaza Relief via Doctors Without Borders♦ Etihad Ready to Welcome Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Staff as Airline Shuts Down♦ Wamda Capital’s Fadi Ghandour Calls Starvation in Gaza “Pure Evil” Newsletter: https://aug.us/4fZIDusWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQSmashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY
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BCG Gaza Report Withheld; AI Salaries Soar; Saudi Film Booms
25/07/2025 Duration: 21minHEADLINES:• BCG Refuses to Release Gaza Report Despite Pressure From Lawmakers and NGOs• Saudi Comedy 'AlZarfa' Hits $2.7M, Becomes Fastest Arab Film to Sell 500K Tickets• AI Jobs in the Gulf Now Pay Up to 120K AED a Month• Aldar Sells Abu Dhabi’s Most Expensive Home for $109 Million on Saadiyat IslandNewsletter: https://aug.us/4fZIDusWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQSmashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY
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UK Clears Telegraph Stake; Fredriksen Lists Mansion; Saudi $5B Syria Deal
24/07/2025 Duration: 32minHEADLINES:♦ UK Clears Abu Dhabi’s 15% Stake in Telegraph, Ending Long-Running Ownership Dispute♦ Shipping Billionaire John Fredriksen Lists Chelsea Mansion Amid UK Tax Shakeup♦ Saudi Arabia announces $5bn in Syria investments♦ RAK Tourism CEO Raki Phillips to Leave for Senior Role at Accor Newsletter: https://aug.us/4fZIDusWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQSmashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY
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Anthropic Shift, Titan Deal, Binghatti, GymNation
23/07/2025 Duration: 38minHEADLINES:• Leaked Memo Reveals Anthropic CEO’s U-Turn on Taking Investments from Gulf Countries• Titan To Acquire Majority Stake In Dubai Jeweller Damas In AED 1.04 Billion Deal• Dubai-based Binghatti Holding made AED1.8 billion in net income in H1 2025• Gym Nation Acquires Fitness First Motor City, Launches AED 70M Expansion PlanNewsletter: https://aug.us/4fZIDusWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQSmashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY
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Egypt Woos US Investors, US Delays UAE Chips, Musk’s Bot Calls Out X
22/07/2025 Duration: 40minHEADLINES:♦ Egypt Plans To Offer New Investment Opportunities To US Firms♦ Mubadala Backs Dubai-Based Restaurant Payments Startup Qlub In $30M Funding Round♦ US Officials Stall UAE’s Access To Nvidia AI Chips Over Security Fears♦ Musk’s Grok Bot Accuses X of Censoring Pro-Palestinian Posts, Cites Media Reports 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
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Al-Futtaim, Meta deals; xAI unveils Baby Grok
21/07/2025 Duration: 29minHEADLINES:• 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 Egyptian Engineer Mahmoud Felfel• Musk’s xAI Plans ‘Baby Grok’ — A Kid-Friendly AI App Amid Controversy• UAE to change tax rule on sugar-based drinks
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Binghatti London Move, xAI-Saudi Deal, Calo Gaffe, Air Arabia Rise
18/07/2025 Duration: 22minHEADLINES:♦ Dubai’s Binghatti Opens First London Office to Court Global Investors♦ Musk’s xAI in Talks for Saudi Data Center Deal to Power AI Push♦ Saudi Penny CEO Calls Himself an ‘Idiot’ for Ordering His Calo Meals on HungerStation♦ Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and Etihad Seize Wizz Air Vacancy With Ambitious ExpansionNewsletter: https://aug.us/4fZIDusWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQSmashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY
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Wizz Air’s UAE Exit, Manchester City’s Kit Deal, and Shark Tank Lebanon Launch
17/07/2025 Duration: 33minHEADLINES:♦ Wizz Air's UAE Exit Leaves Up to 450 Staff Facing Uncertain Future♦ Mubadala CEO Khaldoon Al Mubarak: “We Invested in Every Piece of AI♦ Manchester City Secures Record £1 Billion Kit Deal With Puma♦ Shark Tank Launches in Lebanon Newsletter: https://aug.us/4fZIDusWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQSmashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY
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House of Pops, The Line Review, PIF Eyes Musk AI
16/07/2025 Duration: 42minHEADLINES:♦ Dubai’s Independent Food Company Celebrates HH Sheikh Mohammed’s Birthday in London♦ Saudi Arabia Reassesses The Line Project to Keep Vision 2030 on Track♦ PIF Eyes Major Investment in Elon Musk’s x AI at $200 Billion Valuation♦ House of Pops Eyes Europe After GCC Growth♦ Israel’s Stock Market Is in the Green — But War Spending Is Bleeding the Economy RedNewsletter: https://aug.us/4fZIDusWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQSmashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY
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Wizz Exit Abu Dhabi; BYD Expands Saudi; Mubadala-Linked Acquires Techem
15/07/2025 Duration: 25minHEADLINES:♦ 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 Enters Kuwait Following Succession Reshuffle ♦ Mubadala-Led Group to Acquire Germany’s Techem for $8 Billion in Big Sustainability PushNewsletter: https://aug.us/4fZIDusWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQSmashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY
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Syria Inks Port Deal; Saudi Considers Huawei Chips; Gameball Doubles Revenue
14/07/2025 Duration: 29minHEADLINES:• Syria Signs $800M Tartous Port Deal With UAE’s DP World in Push for Post-War Rebuilding• Saudi Arabia May Buy Huawei Chips as Chinese Tech Giant Eyes Middle East Expansion• Cairo’s Gameball Doubles 2024 Revenue in Just 6 Months• Lebanon Bets on Gulf Tourists to Revive Economy Amid Crisis and Conflict FearsNewsletter: https://aug.us/4fZIDusWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQSmashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY