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From Dubai’s bold urban transformations to high-stakes global summits and political tech debates, here’s what’s making headlines today. Expo City Dubai is repurposing Expo 2020’s country pavilions into 280 luxury residences, expanding its vision for a futuristic urban hub. Meanwhile, the World Government Summit 2025 is set to host industry titans like Sundar Pichai and Larry Ellison. Lastly, tech entrepreneur Amjad Masad is stirring debate by questioning Trump’s executive order on antisemitism.

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Expo City Dubai to Turn Expo 2020’s Country Pavilions into 280 Luxury Apartments and Lofts

📰 What is it about?

• Expo City Dubai has launched Al Waha, a limited-edition collection of 280 luxury apartments and lofts built by repurposing Expo 2020’s country pavilions. These one- and two-bedroom residences offer contemporary designs, high ceilings, and private access to green courtyards, all within a rapidly growing urban hub.

  • Pricing: 1-bedroom apartments start at AED 1.71M, while 2-bedroom lofts start at AED 3.97M.

  • Handover: First units will be delivered by the end of 2026.

  • Investment opportunities: Buyers can purchase entire buildings (10-12 homes) for premium real estate ownership.

💡 Why it matters?

• Transforming Expo 2020’s legacy: Expo City Dubai is repurposing landmark structures, sustaining the Expo’s visionfor a people-centric, sustainable community.

• Prime location & connectivity: Proximity to Dubai Metro, highways, Al Maktoum International Airport, and the Dubai Exhibition Centre enhances value.

• Booming real estate demand: With a master plan targeting 35,000 residents and 40,000 professionals, Expo City is shaping up as a key investment hub in Dubai’s future.

🔜 What’s next?

• Expo City expansion: With plans to cover 3.5 sq km, new residential and commercial developments, including Expo Valley, Sky, Sidr, and Mangrove Residences, will follow.

• Strong investor demand: The high demand for premium, well-connected communities suggests continued real estate growth in this area.

• Sustainability focus: The smart, eco-friendly urban planning of Expo City will likely set new benchmarks for future developments in Dubai.

Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2025 Set for February 1st and 2nd at SRTI Park

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) 2025 is scheduled for February 1-2 at SRTI Park, Sharjah. Organized by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), the event aims to unite visionaries, investors, and innovators for two days of collaboration and inspiration.

SEF 2025 will feature over 150 startup pods in its Startup Town Zone, powered by du, providing a dynamic environment for emerging enterprises. Attendees can anticipate keynote speeches, workshops, and various activities designed to foster entrepreneurship.

The festival also emphasizes sustainability and wellness, offering zones dedicated to holistic well-being and responsible business practices.

With an expected attendance of around 12,000 participants, SEF 2025 continues to be a significant platform for entrepreneurial growth and networking in the UAE.

Smashi Business will be at the event to keep you updated on everything through our on-site coverage. Follow us here…

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World Government Summit 2025 to Host Tech Giants Like Sundar Pichai and Larry Ellison

📰 What is it about?

• Dubai will host the World Government Summit (WGS) 2025 from February 11 to 13, bringing together over 200 speakers, 30 heads of state, and 6,000 participants to discuss global governance, AI, and economic collaboration.

• Notable speakers include Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Alibaba’s Joseph Tsai, Roblox CEO David Baszucki, and Oracle founder Larry Ellison—who will be making his first public address in 15 years.

💡 Why it matters?

• Tech and AI at the forefront: With speakers from both the East and West, discussions will shape future government strategies for AI, governance, and crisis response.

• Global leadership: The presence of key world leaders—including Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto and Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake—signals major diplomatic engagements.

• Policy impact: The summit will release 30 strategic reports in collaboration with global think tanks, offering innovative solutions for governance and development.

• Awards and influence: Prestigious global awards, including the Best Minister in the World Award and the TIME100 AI gathering, highlight the event’s significance in shaping leadership and innovation.

🔜 What’s next?

• AI and governance strategies unveiled at WGS will influence global regulatory frameworks and government AI adoption.

• Potential geopolitical dialogues as leaders from Asia, the Middle East, and beyond share economic and policy visions.

• Key insights from tech giants may shape industry trends and government partnerships in digital transformation and AI policy.

Jordanian-American Tech Entrepreneur Amjad Masad Criticizes Trump’s Executive Order on Antisemitism

What is happening?

• Tech entrepreneur Amjad Masad criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s new executive order targeting antisemitism. The order directs federal agencies to explore ways to deport pro-Palestinian activists, including international students, and mandates investigations into pro-Hamas graffiti and intimidation on college campuses.

• Masad questioned why similar efforts are not made to combat hate against other minority groups, such as Black, Sikh, or Asian communities.

Why it matters:

• The order is widely seen as a crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism, especially following the October 7 Hamas attack and Israel’s military assault on Gaza.

• Masad’s comments highlight concerns over selective enforcement, where different administrations prioritize different minority groups.

• Trump’s move aligns with Republican efforts to penalize universities allowing pro-Palestinian protests, framing them as fostering antisemitism.

• The executive order has sparked a broader debate on free speech, discrimination, and government overreach.

What’s next?

• Legal challenges may emerge, as critics argue the order infringes on free speech and unfairly targets political dissent.

• Trump’s administration is likely to face further scrutiny over its approach to antisemitism versus other forms of hate.

• The debate over preferential treatment in addressing discrimination—whether from the right or the left—will likely intensify in U.S. political discourse.

• Universities and advocacy groups may push back, leading to potential court battles over student rights and federal funding.

🔍In other news…

1. The UAE has inaugurated its first Dassault Rafale fighter jet as part of a €16.6B deal with France!

2. Germans are embracing Dubai chocolate like never before!

3. Emirati businessman Khalaf Al Habtoor has revealed the new Al-Habtoor Palace in Budapest.

4. US-based healthcare investment firm Akkad Holdings is set to invest $200 million in a new facility in Mecca province, Saudi Arabia.

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