The 966 Episode 85! The 966 hosts speak with Norah Ortiz, founder of the first authentic Mexican restaurant in Riyadh, Don Reuben's, which is located in the Diplomatic Quarter. Ortiz tells us her story as an American born in San Diego to Mexican parents and her journey to owning and operating the first authentic Mexican restaurant in a city increasingly becoming a hot spot for foodies. Before that discussion, the hosts talk about Richard's One Big Thing: a growing Captagon crisis in the Middle East and Syria's fall into becoming a narco state. Lucien's One Big Thing is Lionel Messi's long relationship with Saudi Arabia as rumors and reports swirl that he might be heading to Saudi Arabia to play for Al Hilal. The hosts then conclude as always with Yallah! 6 top storylines to keep you up to date heading into the weekend. 9:11 - Richard's one big thing is a growing Captagon crisis in the Middle East and Syria's fall into becoming a narco state. Captagon is a synthetic amphetamine-type stimulant, fenethylline and has become the center of an increasing number of drug busts across the Middle East. The vast majority of global captagon production occurs in Syria, with the Gulf region being its primary destination. 24:24 - MESSI TO SAUDI? Lucien's one big thing is what is dominating the headlines this week for the Kingdom. There are reports now, not just rumors, that it’s going to happen… Messi to Saudi Arabia and probably to Al Hilal. Messi was officially unveiled as a brand ambassador for the Saudi Tourism Authority last year, and rumors swirled about him playing in Saudi Arabia eventually. Lucien provides a timeline of Messi's experiences and relationship with Saudi Arabia and some thoughts on what this might mean for the Saudi Professional League. 40:10 - Riyadh-based restaurateur Norah Ortiz, who is founder of the popular authentic Mexican restaurant Don Reuben’s, located in the diplomatic quarter. Don Reuben’s is the first authentic taco shop in the Kingdom and recently won the “highly commended” Riyadh Time out awards for best Latin American restaurant in the capital city. Ortiz tells us her story as an American born in San Diego to Mexican parents and her journey to owning and operating the first authentic Mexican restaurant in a city increasingly becoming a hot spot for foodies. 1:08:44 - Yallah! MENA startups Raised $7 Million in April 2023, a 93 Percent Decline Year-on-Year – WAMDA ReportIn April 2023, startups based in the Middle East and North Africa raised roughly $7 million, a drop of 97 per cent compared to March 2023 and a 99 per cent drop compared to April 2022, according to a report in Wamda, which we shared on SUSTG.com today. Banker Pay Surges For Those Willing to Work in Saudi ArabiaAccording to Bloomberg, banking jobs remain plentiful and salaries are surging in one unexpected corner of the world: Saudi Arabia. Aramco In Talks With Sinopec and Total on $10 Billion Saudi Gas DealAccording to Bloomberg, Sinopec and TotalEnergies SE are among companies holding talks to invest in the Jafurah development in Saudi Arabia, according to people familiar with the matter, as the kingdom seeks to exploit one of the world’s largest untapped gas fields. Saudi economy edging closer to reducing dependence on oil, IMF official saysAccording to Reuters, Government-led reforms and the growth of private investment in new sectors will help support non-oil economic growth in Saudi Arabia amid an expected sharp slowdown in overall growth this year, a senior IMF official said. Asset Management Firm Tiger Global, Visa Invest in UAE Fintech Company Tarabut Gateway for Saudi Expansion – ReportPayments giant Visa Inc. has made its first open banking investment in the Middle East, joining Tiger Global Management in backing UAE-based fintech firm Tarabut Gateway’s latest fundraising which outlines an expansion to Saudi Arabia, according to Bloomberg. Middle East Set to Outpace Other Regions in Growth of Travel Demand