WASHINGTON: Photos of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Donald Trump meeting at the White House were published on the front pages of The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, in what some commentators saw as a public relations coup for Saudi Arabia.
The New York Times headlined its story: “Saudi Prince’s White House Visit Reinforces Trump’s Commitment to Heir Apparent.”
The crown prince has dominated a significant amount of the capital’s attention this week and the glowing headlines would have been warmly welcomed by the Kingdom’s officials.
“The early judgment appears to be that US opinion hopes that MBS’s social and economic reforms will succeed, for the benefit of the Kingdom and the wider Middle East,” said Simon Henderson, director of the Gulf and energy policy program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Trump was effusive in his welcome of the Saudi royal, in remarks that received wide press coverage in the US.
The US president hailed the US-Saudi relationship as “probably the strongest it has ever been.”
“We understand each other,” Trump told reporters. “Saudi Arabia is a very wealthy nation, and they’re going to give the United States some of that wealth, hopefully, in the form of jobs, in the form of the purchase of the finest military equipment anywhere in the world.”
The US public has been suspicious of Saudi Arabia, largely since the attacks of 9/11. In reality, the two countries have long been allies, and working in close cooperation on issues of security and economics.
The Kingdom has been trying to remake its public image in the United States to reflect that fact.
Dov Zakheim, board director at the Atlantic Council, a leading US think tank, said Saudi Arabia would be delighted with the coverage.
“All of this is a clear public relations victory for Saudi and for MBS,” he said.
Zakheim cited an interview with the crown prince on the CBS flagship “60 Minutes” show on Sunday. The show, known for its critical and hard-hitting investigations, gave a highly favorable portrayal.
“There is a change there. It’s not a major change, but it’s enough of a change for American policymakers to feel comfortable doing what America has been doing for years, which is cooperating (with Saudi Arabia),” Zakheim said.
Trump and the crown prince held talks in Washington on Tuesday. Appearing together before the press, Trump talked at length about arms sales and business deals between Saudi and the US, which he said would create jobs for American workers.
The crown prince seemed relaxed and happy as he and the US president fielded questions from the media in a televised appearance.
“The optics are all good,” said Jim Smith, a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia under President Barack Obama.
But he expressed concern that Trump’s preoccupation with weapons deals was not the best way for the US to support Saudi reform efforts.
“All the White House wanted to talk about was defense sales and the political message of jobs in the US,” he said.
On Tuesday evening, the crown prince had dinner with Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser, together with Michael Bell, a senior National Security Council official, and Jason Greenblatt, Trump’s Middle East peace envoy.
They talked about Trump’s hopes to start a new Middle East peace process. Experts agree there is little appetite among the Israelis and Palestinians for talks on terms set by the Trump administration.
Public relations successes aside, confusion remained about the exact outcome of the US-Saudi talks within the US foreign policy establishment and among Middle East watchers in the US capital.
“How does one measure success in Washington? The meeting with President Trump appeared to go well, but the president is fickle,” Henderson, of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said in an emailed response to questions from the Arab News.
Saudi crown prince woos US media with promises of reform
Saudi crown prince woos US media with promises of reform
Pediatric neurology conference to draw top health experts to Riyadh
- Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society conference and workshops will be held from Nov. 20-23
RIYADH: The 9th Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society conference and workshops will be held from Nov. 20-23 at the Crowne Plaza RDC in Riyadh.
The SPNS, established in 2012, is an official non-profit scientific association under the auspices of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
This year’s conference promises insights into various topics, including neonatal neurology, spinal muscular atrophy, neuro inflammatory disorders, neuromuscular diseases, brain and spinal injuries and infections, epilepsy, brain and spinal tumors, cerebrovascular disease, autism, movement disorders, and metabolic and genetic disorders.
Top healthcare officials, dignitaries, industry leaders, analysts and other experts will participate.
Fahad Al-Bashiri, president of SPNS and a professor and consultant pediatric neurologist at the College of Medicine, King Saud University, will share pivotal insights on the opening day of the event with two presentations addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the field.
The first presentation will cover findings from a recent clinical trial examining the role of vitamin D in managing epilepsy. This research explores how vitamin D supplementation may influence seizure frequency and severity, potentially offering a new approach to epilepsy care.
The second presentation will focus on the newly developed Gulf Cooperation Council guidelines for managing Neurofibromatosis Type 1. This talk will discuss the standardized approach proposed for the region, aiming to optimize patient care and outcomes for individuals with NF1.
Dr. Ahmad Alanazi, chairman of the conference and an assistant professor, pediatric neurologist and epileptologist at the College of Medicine, KSU, said: “I am honoured to lead a forum where leading experts will address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in pediatric neurology.
“This year’s conference will spotlight transformative advancements, including the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in diagnosing and managing epilepsy and neurorehabilitation, signaling a new era in precision care.”
He added: “The SPNS conference remains a premier platform for advancing pediatric neurology, fostering collaboration, and setting new standards of care for young patients in the Kingdom and beyond.”
Asir historic landmark among UN best tourism villages
RIYADH: A landmark location in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region has been selected by UN Tourism as one if its best tourism villages 2024.
Abo Noghta and historic Tabab was chosen for its rich heritage, including ancient castles and forts.
The location was named alongside 54 other rural villages worldwide under the theme of “Rural Communities Shaping the Future of Sustainable Travel.”
In a statement, UN Tourism said that the Abo Noghta community has displayed a commitment to eco-friendly renovation techniques by recycling old materials, setting a remarkable standard for sustainable restoration across Asir.
This innovative approach has created new opportunities for the community to flourish, it added.
Zurab Pololikashvili, UN Tourism secretary-general, said that tourism can help rural communities to protect and value their rich cultural heritage while driving sustainable development.
“By leveraging their unique assets, these communities can foster economic growth, promote local traditions, and enhance the quality of life for their residents. We celebrate the villages that have embraced tourism as a pathway to empowerment and community well-being,” he said.
With a legacy of thousands of years in agriculture, Abo Noghta cultivates a diverse range of crops, from wheat and corn to fruit and vegetables. The community also excels in cattle rearing, making it a center for traditional and sustainable farming practices.
To preserve seeds for future planting, Abo Noghta employs a centuries-old technique that involves creating rock structures of varying depths known as “Al-mdafin.” These natural, cool storage spaces protect the seeds, ensuring they remain fresh and ready for the next season.
The best tourism village initiative resulted in 260 applications from more than 60 UN Tourism member states.
The initiative is part of UN Tourism’s rural development program aimed at encouraging development in rural areas, as well as combating depopulation and encouraging sustainable practices.
Previously, the villages were evaluated under nine key areas: cultural and natural resources; promotion and conservation of cultural resources; economic sustainability; social sustainability; environmental sustainability; tourism development and value chain integration; governance and prioritization of tourism; infrastructure and connectivity; and health, safety, and security.
King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language honors winners of “Harf” competition
RIYADH: Contestants from Italy, Malaysia, Nigeria and India have won the four categories of the second “Harf Arabic Language Competition,” dedicated to non-native Arabic speakers.
The second Harf competition began on Nov. 3.
The final results of the “Harf” competition, organized by King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, or KSGAAL, were announced at a special ceremony in Riyadh.
The event was attended by experts and enthusiasts in the field of Arabic language, along with representatives from various linguistic institutions.
Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, KSGAAL secretary-general, said that the “Harf” competition had showcased the beauty and richness of the Arabic language, and had created a competitive environment among learners, motivating them to excel in language skills. The competition had helped in developing solutions to support non-Arab speakers in overcoming the challenges they faced, he said.
Nearly 1,000 contestants participated in the competition, representing more than 20 educational institutions from universities and colleges across Saudi Arabia. More than 600 participants qualified to compete, with 70 advancing to the final stage.
The closing ceremony was distinguished by performance and poetry presentations, as well as success stories shared by the winners.
The KSGAAL allocated prizes for the top three winners in each category of the competition, with a total prize pool of SR100,000 ($26,624). Additionally, the remaining finalists were honored with cash prizes totaling SR22,000 ($5,857).
Simon Focazola from Italy, a student at Qassim University, was ranked first in the vocabulary proficiency category. Shah Jahan Ansari, an Indian student at Taif University, was ranked second, while Abu Ubaidah Othman, a Filipino student at Northern Borders University, came in third place.
First prize in the language and technology category was awarded to Nooraludada Binti Asmi Anwar, a Malaysian student at King Abdulaziz University. Khadijah Abdul-Muttalib Jalo, a student from Mali at Princess Nourah University, won second place, while Ahmad Mo Zakir Kheral, an Indonesian student at Qassim University, came in third place.
The top three winners of the language and cultural communication category were, respectively, Abdulkadir Mohammed Mirashikh, a Nigerian student at the Islamic University of Madinah, Mwatinah Adam Yusuf Amobolaji, a student at Qassim University, and Suniya Yayiour, a Thai student at Princess Nourah University.
First place, in the “research paper” category, was awarded to Junaid Yusuf Abdulraqib, an Indian student at King Saud University. Second and third places went to Asma Abdul-Muttalib Yahya Jalo, a student at Princess Nourah University, and El-Sisi Bangali, an Ivorian student at Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University.
New Saudi envoy to Oman presents credentials to Sultan Haitham
MUSCAT: Saudi Arabia’s new envoy to Oman, Ibrahim bin Saad bin Bishan, presented his credentials to Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at the Al Baraka Palace on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During their meeting, Sultan Haitham commended the historical Saudi-Omani ties and the two nations’ continued progress across various sectors.
The ambassador also conveyed greetings from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the sultan, wishing the Omani people continued prosperity.
Saudi Arabia and Oman are both members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which also includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.
There was also a meeting between the ambassador and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidy, reported the Oman News Agency.
Previously, bin Bishan was supervisor of the Yemen operations room and minister plenipotentiary at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4th Global Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance kicks off in Jeddah
- Three-day conference aims to enhance international efforts to confront challenges associated with antimicrobial resistance
RIYADH: The fourth high-level Global Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance kicked off in Jeddah on Thursday under the theme “From declaration to implementation – accelerating actions through multi-sectoral partnerships for the containment of AMR.”
The three-day conference, being held under the patronage of the Ministry of Health, includes ministers of health, environment and agriculture from various countries, besides the participation of a number of heads of international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, and non-governmental organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in a move to enhance international efforts to confront the escalating challenges associated with antimicrobial resistance, which has become a threat to global health.
Saudi Minister of Health Fahd Al-Jalajel stressed that the conference is an opportunity for the international community to commit to a unified roadmap and set clear guidelines that will help address the increasing drug resistance in humans and animals.
Antimicrobial resistance poses a threat to all age groups, as it affects human, animal and plant health, as well as the environment and food security.
To curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance, the minister explained that we must adopt a comprehensive approach that systematically addresses the challenges that hinder progress, including sharing best practices, innovative financing initiatives, and developing new tools to combat antimicrobial resistance, stressing that the meeting is a vital opportunity to strengthen our collective global response to the risks of this growing “silent epidemic.”
Director General of the World Health Organization Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that antimicrobial resistance is not a future threat but a present one, making many of the antibiotics and other medicines we rely on less effective, and routine infections more difficult to treat.
He praised Saudi leadership in hosting the conference, stressing that the world must work together across a range of sectors, health, environment and agriculture, to stop the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
He pointed out that the Jeddah meeting will help coordinate global efforts across diverse ecosystems, including human, animal and agricultural health, in addition to protecting the environment.
A number of countries have already resorted to imposing laws that prevent the dispensing of antibiotics in pharmacies without a prescription, and the use of antibiotics in animal farms such as poultry and livestock has been regulated in a bid to slow resistance.
