WASHINGTON: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Washington with the broadcast of his first interview with a western television network still being digested in America.
CBS anchorwoman Norah O’Donnell had told Arab News beforehand, and with a degree of understatement, that she thought the 60 Minutes interview would be “newsworthy.”
The 26-minute segment was seen by about 10 million people on Sunday night and was among one of the most viewed features that the program has published online.
The interview was wide-ranging and tackled a number of big and difficult issues, both domestic and geopolitical.
From the anti-corruption crackdown, to women’s rights in the Kingdom, the war in Yemen and the threat from Iran, the broadcast provided plenty for the American audience to consider ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with their president.
For analysts and policy experts, the interview offered a window into how the Saudi delegation may be approaching the visit and the discussions that will be held with Donald Trump and his administration.
“His interview on 60 Minutes was clearly intended to kick off his US stay and struck many of the themes we expect to hear repeatedly over the course of his visit,” said Gerald Feierstein, the former US Ambassador to Yemen and director for Gulf affairs and government relations at the Middle East Institute.
“How Americans respond will help determine the extent to which the US will be a strong partner, especially in investing in a rising Saudi private sector.”
During the interview, the crown prince talked openly about the anti-corruption crackdown, in which a number of businessman, princes and former government ministers were detained at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh in November. He said the move was “extremely necessary” because about $20 billion of state funds was “disappearing” every year.
On foreign policy, he said Iran was a clear and present danger to the Middle East and that if Tehran acquired a nuclear weapon then Saudi Arabia would too.
Iranian ideology had infiltrated parts of Yemen, where the war and the humanitarian situation there were “truly very painful,” the crown prince said.
But it is his radical social reforms at home that are expected to attract particular interest during his US trip. In the interview, he talked at length about reinstating a more moderate Islam, allowing women to drive, opening up the entertainment industry and removing extremist influence from the education system.
The crown prince showed a willingness to “address rather directly a number of hot-button issues that Americans still have questions about,” including terrorism, women’s status and Yemen, Lori Plotkin Boghardt, a scholar with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told Arab News.
“It’s important for Americans to hear from him on these issues; he’s set to be king for decades of a very close strategic partner of the United States,” she said.
“He seemed to be employing the same approach of reaching out to the youth demographic that he’s pursued at home when he appealed to TV viewers to check their smartphones for old photos of the ‘real’ Saudi Arabia.” 
The crown prince was referring to the country before 1979, the year of the Iranian revolution, which he said sparked the shift in Saudi Arabia toward the adoption of a hard-line interpretation of Islam.
While the meeting with Trump will be regarded as the highlight of the visit, it is already clear that the crown prince and the US president have a strong and growing relationship.
What will be equally interesting will be how he is received on the other legs of the tour, which will include meetings with business leaders in New York, technology entrepreneurs on the West Coast, and religious leaders.
Feierstein said Crown Prince Mohammed’s challenge during his US tour “is convincing Americans that he represents a new, dynamic face of Saudi Arabia that is reforming economically and socially.”
How CBS interview with Saudi crown prince set the tone for American tour
How CBS interview with Saudi crown prince set the tone for American tour
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Riyadh Municipality to issue fines to establishment responsible for food poisoning cases
- Establishment faces punitive fines, the value of which will be determined once patients’ final medical results are out and investigations conclude
- Municipality condemned the food facility and confirmed that its main factory and all its branches remain closed
RIYADH: Riyadh Municipality concluded on Friday that only one food facility had been found accountable for the wave of food poisoning cases caused by clostridium botulinum on Apr. 25, 2024.
Based on the primary outcome of the health authorities’ investigation committee, the food establishment that the Riyadh Municipality didn’t name in its media statement issued on Friday evening, has had all its branches in Riyadh and Al-Kharj closed down and faces punitive fines,
The sum of the fines will be determined, once patients’ final medical results are out and investigations conclude, in compliance with the pertinent laws.
In Friday’s statement, the Municipality condemned the food establishment and confirmed that the facility’s main factory and all its branches remain shut down throughout the period specified by the applicable laws. [The statement did not specify the period of closure].
Meanwhile, all food products and items in the main laboratory and across the establishment’s branches will be terminated. The process of disinfecting all tools and devices at the branches and main laboratory will be supervised by the Municipality.
“We confirm the safety of food products for restaurants, kitchens, cafes and caterers in the Riyadh region, as no cases have been recorded from other than the aforementioned source,” concluded the statement.
Arab News reported earlier that the outbreak was linked to the consumption of food from the local Hamburgini fast-food restaurant chain, leading to many hospitalizations.
The Ministry of Health spokesperson Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly provided an update on his X account on Saturday, detailing the impact of the outbreak and the steps being taken to manage it.
“Six cases have fully recovered after receiving appropriate health care, and two have been safely discharged. However, 35 individuals remain hospitalized, with 28 of them in intensive care,” he said. The outbreak was first brought to light when Riyadh Municipality received a report of food poisoning cases linked to Hamburgini.
Health oversight teams initiated prompt action and launched an investigation as they monitored the situation.
On Apr. 26, Nawaf Al-Fozan, the founder and CEO of Hamburgini, uploaded an official video response to the restaurant’s Instagram page, confirming the chain is involved in the outbreak.
Saudi development fund signs cooperation deal with El Salvador
- The agreement is a step toward the financing of a water treatment and energy generation project using biogas in the area of the Acelhuate River, utilizing a development loan from the Saudi fund
RIYADH: The CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad signed on Friday an agreement aimed at opening doors for developmental cooperation, projects and programs in El Salvador, with the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Hill Tinoco.
Also present at the signing ceremony in Riyadh were Haytham bin Hassan Al-Malki, the Kingdom’s ambassador to Mexico and non-resident ambassador to El Salvador, and El Salvador’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ricardo Ernesto Cucalon Levy.
The agreement is a step toward the financing of a water treatment and energy generation project using biogas in the area of the Acelhuate River, utilizing a development loan from the Saudi fund.
This deal comes within the framework of the fund’s efforts to support the growth of vital needs in various countries to aid prosperity.
Beast House sets off on a unique music mission in Saudi Arabia
- Ramadan Alharatani, CEO of MDLBEAST, told Arab News exclusively: “We see Beast House becoming a cornerstone of Riyadh’s music scene”
- The multitiered members-only space provides an immersive experience for music producers, industry experts, creatives, and enthusiasts to connect and learn through its facilities
RIYADH: Only a few months after its recent launch, Beast House has become one of the Saudi music scene’s biggest assets, using MDLBEAST’s comprehensive strategy to enrich the Saudi music industry with solid infrastructure.
Driven by a vision to provide fertile ground in which to cultivate the region’s music culture, Beast House marks MDLBEAST’s debut investment in the music facilities sector in Saudi Arabia with an innovative tripod model that combines music, architecture, and technology to achieve its unique mission in the country.
Ramadan Alharatani, CEO of MDLBEAST, told Arab News exclusively: “We see Beast House becoming a cornerstone of Riyadh’s music scene, a place where creativity is nurtured and talents from the local and international scenes can grow. Our vision is to revolutionize the way music is experienced in the region by fostering connections in the creative community through the power of music.”
The multitiered members-only space provides an immersive experience for music producers, industry experts, creatives, and enthusiasts to connect and learn through its facilities, which provide live music events, workshops, studio spaces, and shared dining spaces.
“Beast House creates a platform for local artists to both showcase and hone their talents. In this space, members can collaborate with other artists through our diverse programming designed to elevate the experience of artists. It’s a welcoming space for anyone still finding their creative path,” Alharatani said.
The studio has two music production rooms with recording booths, a mix room with a Solid State Logic Origin mixing console, and a Neve recording room with a contemporary feel.
Alharatani said: “Beast House studio caters to artists of all levels, with a blend of traditional analog and modern digital equipment. We offer hands-on experience covering the entire production process, from recording to mixing and mastering.
“Our backline includes Fender guitars, Yamaha drums, and world-class microphones like Neumann, Royer, and AKG, alongside high-end outboard gear such as Neve, Bricasti, and UA 1176 compressors. We also provide a comprehensive selection of synths and drum machines from renowned brands like Roland, Moog, and Sequential, along with top-tier software and plugins including Pro Tools, Ableton, and Waves, offering artists endless sonic possibilities.”
The CEO said that these spaces are crucial for a developing music scene and nurturing the industry, and that Beast House is all about engaging the senses in a welcoming environment through its design, curated playlists, refreshments, and dynamic live shows.
He said: “By offering insight into songwriting, production, and the music business, we’re enabling the growth of local talent and opportunities. This fosters job creation, draws in tourism, and stimulates local businesses, which are key components in building a robust music infrastructure.”
But building more venues in the Kingdom is only a part of the MDLBEAST plan.
“Our strategy is built on three pillars — music and artists, live events, and venues — and through these three pillars, we can create a vivid music scene and opportunities for local and global artists to constantly engage with their audience,” Alharatani said. “All this leads to two main goals: support the innovative economy and entertainment tourism in the Kingdom, and guarantee the sustainability of our events.”
Alharatani believes that because this is the first private members’ club of this nature in Saudi Arabia, which may be foreign to some in the region, awareness will be key in getting the public to commit to memberships.
He said: “We’ve been spreading the word, giving people the lowdown on what members’ clubs are really all about. We’ve rolled out a few sneak-peek events to hook them on the experience, and we’re connecting with creative trailblazers to grow the right community. Here, membership is more than a pass — it’s the gateway to a hub where creativity grows and thrives.”
By combining technology, architecture, and music under one roof, Beast House studio’s specialized professional team hopes to use its technical excellence to elevate regional music to new levels.
The recording studio is expecting to become a destination for musicians who want to create memorable music that transcends boundaries and leaves a lasting impact on listeners, Alharatani said.
Housing minister meets with Chinese officials to boost Sino-Saudi cooperation, achieve Vision 2030 targets
- Al-Hogail’s visit also explored the possibility of attracting Chinese companies to the Saudi market
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s housing minister has returned from a trip to Beijing where he met with Chinese sector officials to “solidify the partnership between the two nations in construction and real estate development,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
Majed Al-Hogail held a meeting with China’s Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong and Fang Qiuchen, the president of the China International Contractors Association.
Their discussions focused on developing joint housing policies and programs, exchanging expertise in city planning and sustainable urban development, and exploring investments in construction technology, SPA added.
Al-Hogail’s visit also explored the possibility of attracting Chinese companies specializing in building, construction, maintenance, and cleaning services to the Saudi Arabian market.
During his trip, Al-Hogail signed agreements and memoranda of understanding with major Chinese construction companies.
The Kingdom’s partnership with China to develop its housing sector is part of Saudi Vision 2030’s target of increasing home ownership in Saudi Arabia to 70 percent by improving housing affordability by the end of the decade.
Juniper tree stands tall as a symbol of Al-Baha’s beauty
- Nourished by recent heavy rains in the region, these majestic trees have flourished, forming expansive forests
- The coniferous trees and shrubs can also been found in forested areas of Baljurashi, Beni Hassan, and Al-Mandaq governorates
RIYADH: For centuries, the juniper tree has proudly stood as a symbol of picturesque beauty in Al-Baha region, adorning its slopes and mountain peaks with vibrant green hues.
Nourished by recent heavy rains in the region, these majestic trees have flourished, forming expansive forests that eagerly await the arrival of summer, and the embrace of nature enthusiasts seeking tranquility and solace.
Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Qudwa, a representative of the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification in the Al-Baha region, told the Saudi Press Agency that juniper trees make up 30 percent of wild plants in Al-Baha.
The coniferous trees and shrubs can also been found in forested areas of Baljurashi, Beni Hassan, and Al-Mandaq governorates.
Al-Qudwa said that the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification, through its forest department in the region, is dedicated to year-round efforts aimed at preserving forests, with a particular emphasis on safeguarding the juniper, Al-Atm, and talh populations.
These endeavors align closely with the strategic objectives outlined in the national action plan for forests in the Kingdom, a crucial component of Saudi Vision 2030.
Al-Qudwa said that security and protection patrols stationed at forest sites throughout the region swiftly intervene to address violations such as unauthorized tree felling or logging.
Patrols can impose penalties in accordance with legal provisions and regulations, ensuring accountability through investigations carried out by inspectors and observers.
Heavy rainfall this year has been beneficial for juniper trees, which have responded with alluring fragrance, interwoven branches, and evergreen foliage.
Junipers are a central feature of the natural forests in the Al-Baha region. Their verdant presence not only enhances the allure of the landscape, but also serves as vital vegetation, safeguarding waterfalls, regulating rainwater runoff, and protecting against erosion.
The majestic trees are also a major attraction for tourists.
More than 30 forests in the Al-Baha region welcomed visitors earlier than usual this year, coinciding with a surge in weekend visitors from within and outside the Kingdom.
Authorities in the region are working tirelessly to prepare the forests, which are complemented by numerous parks, gardens, and traditional villages, for the large number of visitors.
This effort aims to uphold the region’s tourist status by also offering a wide range of activities and services.
