MUST-READS

• MBS Torn Between Trump and Saudi People on Potential Israel Deal

  The Saudi response was swift — reiterating Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s demands for an independent Palestinian state as part of any normalization agreement and rejecting the “infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people” or “attempts to displace” them from their land. But the president’s musing about moving 2 million Palestinians to a “good, fresh, beautiful piece of land” — which critics argue would amount to ethnic cleansing — and suggestion that US troops could be sent to the territory are putting the prince in a tough spot. Saudi Arabia’s young population has reawakened to the Palestinian cause amid Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, and their reaction to such a move — along with that of millions of Muslims in the region and around the world — could lead to instability.

• Saudi Arabia’s former spy chief blasts Trump’s Gaza proposal for ‘ethnic cleansing’

  “What came out of Mr. Trump is not digestible. I respectfully decline to add more disrespectful comments to that, but it is a fantasy to think that ethnic cleansing in the 21st century can be condoned by world community that stays on its behinds and does not respond to that,” Prince Turki told CNN. “If he does come [to Saudi Arabia], he will get an earful from the leadership here about the unwisdom of what he is proposing and the downright unfairness and injustice that is really signified and totally placed in this proposal of ethnic cleaning from not only Gaza but what is happening in the West Bank,” Prince Turki said. Prince Turki also slammed Itamar Ben-Gvir, Netanyahu’s national security minister until the Gaza ceasefire deal was reached, as “the ultimate ethnic cleanser in Palestine.”

• Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Visit to Saudi Arabia and Turkey

  These visits are very important for al-Sharaa and Syria because they have the potential to shape the country’s future. First, al-Sharaa wants to increase his legitimacy as a leader and secure the support of regional countries for the new regime in Syria. His visits outside Syria as the country’s leader and his reception by prominent leaders in the region contribute to establishing his status and strengthening him. In this context, it is important to note that in recent weeks, many diplomatic delegations from around the world have visited Syria, including the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who visited the country on January 30.

• Saudi Pro League shifts away from megastar signings to focus on youth

  It was striking that in a month when Neymar left Saudi Arabia after costing Al-Hilal hundreds of millions of pounds and playing only seven games in return, the Saudi Pro League’s clubs turned more and more to youth. The transfer window closed on Friday with a couple of big deals but there was activity before; it just happened to be quieter and less headline-grabbing. “Many players dream of playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and I have now fulfilled that dream,” Jhon Durán said on Monday after making his Al-Nassr debut, perhaps inadvertently emphasising the age gap between them. At 21, the Colombian is very much a football generation or two removed from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. The reported £71m the Riyadh club paid to Aston Villa for Durán is the second biggest in the league’s history, second only to Neymar’s deal. And as that Brazilian left Al-Hilal in came another, Kaio César joining from Portugal’s Vitória de Guimarães. The winger, who scored on his debut, is only 20.

• Jordan’s king welcomes Saudi support for Palestinian rights

  He expressed his appreciation during a telephone conversation with the Kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a day after US President Donald Trump suggested the removal of all Palestinians from Gaza so the US can take over the territory and rebuild it for others to use. “The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it, too; we’ll own it,” he said during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. During their call, King Abdullah and the crown prince discussed the latest developments in the region and efforts to achieve security and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

• Armada to deploy containerized Edge data centers in Saudi for Aramco

  The California-based company offers ruggedized and self-contained satellite-connected data center modules (in 3-rack 20ft and 6-rack 40ft models) known as Galleons that use SpaceX’s Starlink network, and an Edge device and computing management platform. It also offers Edge/AI applications. "The deployment of Galleons in Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Aramco Digital and Microsoft, marks a significant milestone in advancing real-world AI through edge computing," said Dan Wright, co-founder and CEO of Armada. Armada has raised more than $100 million to date. Investors in the company include Microsoft, Founders Fund, Lux Capital, Shield Capital, 8090 Industries, Felicis, Contrary, Valor Equity Partners, Marlinspike, 137 Ventures, Koch Real Estate Investments, and 8VC.

• One LIV player to receive automatic spot into U.S. Open via new exemption category

  For the first time, top performers on LIV Golf will have direct access to the U.S. Open. Beginning this year, the top player among the top 3 on the LIV individual standings not otherwise eligible will receive an automatic exemption into the U.S. Open at Oakmont. The cutoff point will be May 19, a few weeks after the seventh LIV event of the season. Additionally, the top 10 players from the current LIV standings as of April 7 will be exempt from local qualifying and into the field for the 36-hole final qualifying stage. “The USGA continues to evaluate the pathways that exist to ensure those playing their best have the opportunity to compete in our national championship,” said John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s chief competitions officer. “Consistent with our historical approach, we continuously evaluate talent levels on professional tours and in amateur events, which has led us to add a new exemption category.”

• Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector grows at decade-high pace in Jan, PMI shows
  Saudi Arabia's non-oil business sector expanded at its strongest pace in just over a decade in January, driven by a surge in new orders and robust business activity, a survey showed on Tuesday. The seasonally adjusted Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 60.5 last month from 58.4 in December, marking its highest level since September 2014. Readings above 50 denote growth. The rapid growth was largely attributed to the fastest rise in new orders since June 2011, with the New Orders Index accelerating to a reading of 71.1 in January from 65.5 the previous month.

• Saudi Arabia, UAE seen as possible venues for Trump-Putin summit, two Russian sources say
  Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are seen by Russia as possible venues for a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, two Russian sources with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters. Trump has said he will end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible and said he is ready to meet with Putin. Putin congratulated Trump on his election and stated he is ready to meet Trump to discuss Ukraine and energy.Russian officials have repeatedly denied any direct contacts with the U.S. about preparations for a phone call between Trump and Putin, which would precede an eventual meeting later this year. However, senior Russian officials have visited both Saudi Arabia and the UAE in recent weeks, according to the Russian sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.

• Saudi Arabia’s Hevolution Foundation commits millions to transform healthspan research

  Saudi Arabia’s billion-dollar-a-year healthspan initiative, the Hevolution Foundation, has unveiled a sweeping portfolio of grants and investments spanning three continents to fuel transformative breakthroughs in healthspan - or healthy aging - science. This week the Kingdom is hosting more than 3,000 attendees for its second-ever Global Healthspan Summit - designed to foster a healthier aging future – and is pledging hundreds of millions of dollars to accelerate discoveries toward therapeutic interventions specifically targeting healthspan. He said, “Just over a year ago, we met right here in this building, in this location, and launched the first-ever Global Healthspan Summit to be held in the world. Today, we are the second largest funder of geroscience and aging biology on the planet.”

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