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  • Rubio meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a meeting Monday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. The State Department issued a statement on Rubio’s meeting with the Saudi crown prince, saying Rubio emphasized the necessity of a Gaza solution that strengthens regional security. However, the statement didn’t elaborate on how Rubio and Crown Prince Mohammed reconciled their differing opinions on Gaza’s future.

  • Veteran Saudi actor Mohammed Al Towayan passes away

    Mohammed Al Towayan, a leading figure in Saudi television and cinema, has died at the age of 79, the Saudi Ministry of Culture confirmed on Friday. Al Towayan, known for his roles in hit drama series such as Awdat Asweed, Ayal Qariah, and Ghashmshm, played a pivotal role in shaping the Saudi entertainment industry over nearly five decades. His final film, Mandoub Al Layl (The Night Agent), was a major box-office success in Saudi Arabia and was screened internationally. Despite his long-standing presence in television, his transition to cinema marked a significant shift in his career.

  • Former Eastern Province Emir Prince Mohammed bin Fahd passes away

    Born in Riyadh in 1950, Prince Mohammed bin Fahd is the second son of King Fahd. He received his school education from the Capital Model Institute. Prince Mohammed bin Fahd obtained a bachelor's degree in economics and political sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara. After graduation, he worked in the private sector but was gradually introduced to multiple public assignments. During the early 1970s he was a major stakeholder of the Al Bilad conglomerate. Then he was appointed assistant deputy minister of interior. In 1985, he was named emir of the Eastern Province, and his tenure ended in 2013.

  • Secretary Rubio’s Call with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. The Secretary and Crown Prince discussed the strength of the U.S.-Saudi partnership in this time of momentous change. The Secretary conveyed that he looked forward to advancing shared interests in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and beyond. The Secretary also stressed the threats posed by Iran and its proxies. They also discussed the benefits of the U.S.-Saudi economic partnership and the opportunities to grow their economies in a variety of fields including AI. The Secretary expressed his appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s partnership and efforts to promote regional peace and stability.

  • Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discusses Syria and Gaza with Iraqi PM

    The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties between the nations, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Mr Al Sudani stressed the importance of maintaining the unity of Syrian territory, adding that any future governance should include all Syrian people. He said Iraq was willing to work with neighbours to help establish security and stability, the Prime Minister's office announced on Facebook. Gaza was also a point of discussion, with the leaders highlighting the importance of efforts to reach a ceasefire and the need to strengthen relief work, the Iraqi statement said. It said they talked about “the need to uphold and sustain the ceasefire in Lebanon, and working to ensure adherence to the agreed terms”.

  • New bat species discovered at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve

    The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has announced the discovery of a new bat species, Vansonia rueppellii (Rüppell’s bat), marking its first recorded presence in Saudi Arabia. This keystone species, known for its crucial role in pollination and pest control, adds to the Kingdom’s rich biodiversity. The discovery, made in October 2023 in collaboration with KAUST’s Al-Manara Development, was published in the scientific journal Zoology in the Middle East in November 2024. While Rüppell’s bat has been documented in Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, and Iraq, this marks its inaugural record in Saudi Arabia. “Adding Rüppell’s bat to the rich biodiversity of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is a remarkable scientific achievement, as the reserve now contains 18 of Saudi Arabia’s 32 bat species, or 56%,” said Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the reserve.

  • Mohammed bin Salman’s Style Shift Sets Up a New World Order Strategy

    For many Saudis, especially the youth who make up 70% of the population, these changes represent unprecedented opportunities. The burgeoning entertainment and tourism sectors are creating thousands of jobs, and young Saudis are embracing new freedoms in music, art and social interactions. The ancient city of Al-Ula, with its UNESCO World Heritage site Hegra, has become a centerpiece of Saudi Arabia’s tourism push. The Winter at Tantora festival, launched in 2018, brings international artists and visitors to the region, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s pre-Islamic history and natural beauty. In 2022, the kingdom introduced a new visa system, making it easier for tourists from 49 countries to visit. As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the World Expo in 2030 and the World Cup in 2034, it is clear that MBS has transformed his nation. His model of authoritarian modernization, combining social reforms with strict political control, has also inspired other leaders in the region and beyond. Whether this new paradigm proves sustainable remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: The implications of Saudi Arabia’s transformation under MBS will reverberate far beyond the kingdom’s borders for decades to come.

  • Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman says Israel committing genocide in Gaza

    At a joint summit by the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Conference held in Riyadh, the prince and other Arab leaders doubled down on their criticism of Israel's assaults on Gaza and Lebanon, calling for an immediate ceasefire. "This summit is held as an extension to the previous summit in light of the continued heinous Israeli aggressions against our brotherly Palestinian people and the extension of aggressions on the brotherly Republic of Lebanon," he said in his keynote speech. "The kingdom reiterates its denounciation of the genocide perpetrated by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people, which resulted in more than 150,000 martyrs, wounded and missing, the majority of whom are women and children."

  • READOUT: Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen’s Meeting with Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan of Saudi Arabia

    Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen met with Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan of Saudi Arabia. Secretary Yellen reaffirmed Treasury’s long-standing and close partnership with Saudi Arabia and discussed with the Minister the outlook for Saudi Arabia’s economy and its reform and development plans. The Minister and Secretary Yellen committed to continue working together in both bilateral and multilateral settings and on combating the financing of terrorism and money laundering.

  • Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud

    Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in Riyadh to discuss our common efforts to end the conflicts in the region and establish greater peace and security.  The Secretary emphasized the need to end the war in Gaza, free the hostages, and enable the people of Gaza to rebuild their lives free from Hamas.  The Secretary and Crown Prince discussed efforts toward a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows civilians on both sides of the Blue Line to return to their homes. They continued discussions on the need to establish lasting regional stability, including through greater integration among countries in the region.  They also discussed the importance of ending the conflict in Sudan, protecting civilians, and advancing a political transition to a civilian government.  The Secretary expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting stability and peace in the region.