Happy Tuesday everyone!

In a major regional first, Netflix and MBC’s Shahid have launched a joint subscription across MENA, offering bundled streaming through MBCNOW. Meanwhile, Qatar has warned it may redirect LNG supplies away from Europe over new EU sustainability rules. And in tech, Anthropic is facing public backlash after a leaked memo showed its CEO expressing discomfort over taking Gulf funding — while still planning to pursue it. The comments drew sharp criticism from Saudi telecom board member Bader Alaujan, and others, underscoring rising tensions between ethical posturing and realpolitik in global AI investment.

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Netflix And Shahid Unite In First-Ever Joint Subscription For MENA

🔹 What Is It About

Netflix and MBC Group’s Shahid have launched a joint subscription package in the Middle East and North Africa for the first time. Offered via MBCNOW, the bundle combines both streaming platforms along with MBC’s linear TV channels, initially available in Saudi Arabia with plans to expand across the region after summer.

🔹 Why It Matters

This marks Netflix’s first regional bundling deal in MENA, signaling a shift in how global and regional platforms collaborate. The unified subscription offers audiences broader access to international and Arabic content with over 21% savings, enhancing digital consumption habits in a fast-growing streaming market.

🔹 What’s Next

The joint offer is expected to roll out across the GCC and wider MENA region in the coming months. With Shahid and Netflix now under one umbrella, MBCNOW is positioned to become one of the most comprehensive digital entertainment hubs in the region, potentially reshaping future content distribution strategies.

Markets

Qatar Warns EU Over LNG Supplies Amid Dispute On Sustainability Law

🔹 What Is It About

Qatar has threatened to reconsider its liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to the European Union due to concerns over the bloc’s new corporate sustainability due diligence directive (CSDDD). In a letter, reported to be seen by Reuters, to Belgium, Qatar’s energy minister said the law’s climate and human rights requirements were overly intrusive and risked driving suppliers like Qatar away from the European market.

🔹 Why It Matters

Qatar is a critical energy supplier to Europe, delivering 12–14% of its LNG since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The country argues that the EU’s CSDDD law could undermine sovereign climate policies and jeopardize long-term energy contracts with major European firms like Shell and TotalEnergies. A reduction in Qatari gas would increase pressure on Europe’s energy security.

🔹 What’s Next

The European Commission has acknowledged Qatar’s concerns and confirmed it received similar correspondence. Brussels is already proposing to delay and soften parts of the CSDDD, but Qatar insists the changes do not go far enough. The law remains under negotiation between EU lawmakers and member states, with final terms yet to be agreed.

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“Shame On You Anthropic!” | STC Board Member Slams CEO Over Leaked Memo On Gulf Funding

🔹 What Is It About

Bader Hamed Alaujan, a board member at Channels by STC, publicly criticized Anthropic and its CEO Dario Amodei over a leaked internal memo. In a LinkedIn post, Alaujan condemned Amodei for labeling Gulf states as "dictators" while seeking their investment, calling it "#Deeply #Disappointing" and vowing to delete the company’s AI app in protest.

🔹 Why It Matters

Anthropic, once seen as a paragon of ethical AI, previously rejected Middle East funding over moral concerns. The memo now exposes a stark policy shift, with Amodei admitting that ethical ideals are "nearly impossible" to uphold while competing for $3–5 billion in funding. The backlash spotlights tensions between financial necessity and ethical positioning.

🔹 What’s Next

The controversy may strain relations with Gulf investors and undermine Anthropic’s credibility on AI governance. As it navigates the high-stakes AI funding race, the company now faces growing scrutiny over how far it's willing to compromise values in pursuit of capital—especially from regions it once distanced itself from on moral grounds.

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• Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary predicts Wizz Air takeover

• Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund named the most valuable and fastest-growing sovereign wealth fund in the world: Brand Finance report

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🏦Crypto Corner

• Hut 8, part of a American BTC which is partially owned by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, Gets Approval to Operate in Dubai Financial Hub

• Abu Dhabi Judicial Department now accept AE Coin

• Crypto Market Value Tops $4 Trillion as Stablecoin Bill Passes

• Ripple Partners Ctrl Alt to Tokenize Dubai Real Estate on XRP Ledger

• You can soon use crypto when paying at Dubai Duty Free and when flying Emirates in new landmark deal

• UAE authority clarifies no Golden Visa issuance for crypto investors

• Dubai Land Department teams up with Crypto.com on digital real estate investment plan

Follow Smashi Crypto to find out what’s news in the world of digital assets.

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