Eid Fitr Mubarak! In Episode 83, Mohammed Soliman, the director of the Middle East Institute's Strategic Technologies and Cyber Security Program and a Manager at McLarty Associates’ Middle East and North Africa Practice, joins The 966. Mohammed's work focuses on the intersection of technology, geopolitics, and business in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Mohammed frequently appears on Arabic- and English-language television to provide commentary on unfolding events in the Middle East. The 966 talks with Mohammed about his recent writing and work on the subjects of a U.S.-Saudi tech dialogue and much more. But first, the hosts discuss Richard's one big thing, which is a look at the Saudi professional soccer league, and the growth of soccer in recent years in the Kingdom. Lucien's one big thing is King Salman Park, which will be 5x the size of Central Park and checking in on the development of the massive project, which will change the face of Riyadh. The hosts conclude as always with Yallah! 6 top storylines to get you up to speed on Saudi Arabia headed into the weekend.

5:14 - Richard's one big thing this week is is a look at the Saudi professional soccer league, and the growth of soccer in recent years in the Kingdom.

16:41 - Lucien's one big thing this week is King Salman Park, which is massive in size and ambition. Covering 6.4 square miles on the grounds of the former King Salman Air Base, it is going to be seven times the size of London’s Hyde Park and five times the size of New York’s Central Park. The completed project will have 5 metro stops when the Riyadh metro is complete and become a large urban oasis that will drastically improve the quality of life for citizens and visitors of Riyadh. 

28:52 - Mohammed Soliman, the director of the Middle East Institute's Strategic Technologies and Cyber Security Program and a Manager at McLarty Associates’ Middle East and North Africa Practice, joins The 966. Mohammed's work focuses on the intersection of technology, geopolitics, and business in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Mohammed frequently appears on Arabic- and English-language television to provide commentary on unfolding events in the Middle East. The 966 talks with Mohammed about his recent writing and work on the subjects of a U.S.-Saudi tech dialogue and much more.

58:05 - Yallah! 6 top storylines to get you up to speed heading into the weekend.

WSJ: Saudi Arabia, U.A.E. Scoop Up Russian Oil Products at Steep Discounts

As Russia scours the globe for buyers of its energy products, it is finding eager trade partners in an unlikely place: The oil-rich petrostates of the Persian Gulf. Since Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine cut off Russia from many of its established trading partners, state companies from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have stepped in to take advantage of discounted prices for Russian products, according to oil executives and industry analysts. 

Saudi Arabia’s budget will more than make up for a production cut announced by the kingdom with OPEC and its allies, according to the International Monetary Fund, as it reels in more revenue thanks to higher crude prices and keeps spending in check.

Saudi Arabia launched four special economic zones on Thursday in Riyadh, Jizan, Ras Al-Khair, and King Abdullah Economic City, north of Jeddah, according to Forbes Middle East.

 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted "huge opportunities for the development of the local economy" that the zones will provide in terms of job creation, technology transfer, industry localization, and development of the Saudi business community.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia would be a "giant leap" towards ending the Arab-Israeli conflict.

"We want normalization and peace with Saudi Arabia. We view that as perhaps a giant leap towards ending the Arab-Israeli conflict," Netanyahu said, speaking during a meeting in Jerusalem with U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.

UAE’s Emirates Airlines and Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Aramco are the top companies in UAE and KSA respectively as per LinkedIn’s annual list of Top Companies for the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

While in the UAE, Procter & Gamble, Kearney, Majid Al Futtaim and Visa take the next four spots, in Saudi Arabia Red Sea Global Hospitality, stc Telecommunications Procter & Gamble and Saudia are the next in the pecking order.

https://www.zawya.com/en/economy/gcc/emirates-aramco-top-companies-in-uae-saudi-linkedin-dhfz0vrp

Christiano Ronaldo once again dominated the headlines both during and after his side's 2-0 loss to Al-Hilal on Tuesday. After being booked for a WWE-style tackle, Ronaldo reacted to chants from home supporters of Lionel Messi allegedly with an obscene gesture in their direction. The incident caused debate and drama throughout the Kingdom. Odion Ighalo got the better of Cristiano Ronaldo as he scored the two goals which earned Al Hilal a 2-0 home win against Al Nassr in the Saudi Arabia League on Tuesday.