Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman began meetings with top US officials and congressional leaders in Washington on Wednesday, despite a snowstorm bringing the city to a standstill.
Having met with President Donald Trump 24 hours earlier to discuss Saudi-US ties, the kingdom's crown prince was expected to hold talks with major editorial boards, congressional leaders from both parties and attend a dinner at the Vice President Mike Pence’s residence.
Cultural events scheduled for his visit were also expected to go ahead despite the severe weather, which forced the federal government and schools to shut down.
The Middle East Institute and Saudi’s MiSK foundation continued with plans for a major art event at the Kennedy Center in Washington featuring Saudi artists, singers and performers. “The show is still on despite the snow!”, the hosts tweeted. Tickets were near sold out few hours before the opening.
The third day of the visit saw more focus on regional issues. Following meetings with Senators Dan Sullivan, Tom Cotton, Joe Manchin, and Lindsay Graham late on Tuesday, Prince Mohammed was expected to see Congressional leaders on Wednesday.
A readout from the Saudi embassy said meetings with Congress “emphasised the importance of communicating directly and openly with our partners.”
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Read more:
Mohammed bin Salman welcomed at White House by Donald Trump
Saudi Crown Prince starts US tour 'at vital time for region'
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During these sessions, the crown prince discussed “cooperative efforts to countering terrorism and extremism, the threat of Iran, the need to support the Yemeni people by putting pressure on the Iran-backed Houthi militias to end the conflict”.
The Senate voted 55-44 on Tuesday to block a resolution that would have limited US role and support in Yemen’s war.
The two sides also discussed Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s drive for economic diversification.
Both the Iran nuclear deal and regional coordination was expected to top the agenda at the vice president’s dinner.
Mr Pence said earlier in the month that the US would withdraw from the deal if no fixes were made in the negotiations with the Europeans. Saudi foreign minister Adel Al Jubeir told reporters ahead of the meetings that the deal is “flawed” and while it’s America’s “sovereign decision” to stay in or leave the agreement, Riyadh is looking for fixes in three areas: the sunset clause, ballistic missile threat and Iran’s regional behaviour.
Mr Pence was also expected to follow up on his trip to the region where he visited Jordan, Egypt and Israel and discuss ways to foster inter-religious dialogue. The Saudi Crown Prince has met the Coptic Pope during his recent visit to Cairo, and was the first to host the Maronite Patriarch of Lebanon in the kingdom last year.
Ahead of meeting Mr Pence, the Saudi Crown Prince hosted a dinner on Tuesday with Mr Trump’s Senior advisor and son in law Jared Kushner, the US envoy to the Middle East, and Jason Greenblatt, assistant to the president and Special Representative for International Negotiations.
The discussion “focused on the shared interests of both countries for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict” said the Saudi embassy.
The Trump administration is preparing to present its own plan and is seeking regional support.
Mr Jubeir said that Riyadh would give candid advice to its American counterparts on this issue and it would be up to them to take it or leave it.
The Crown Prince's meeting with Donald Trump also tackled Yemen and "the threat the Houthis pose to the region, assisted by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps," said the White House.
Leaders "discussed additional steps to address the humanitarian situation and agreed that a political resolution to the conflict is ultimately necessary to meet the needs of the Yemeni people."
How to help or find other cats to adopt
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
UAE'S%20YOUNG%20GUNS
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MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
More from UAE Human Development Report:
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
more from Janine di Giovanni
The%20specs
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Match info
Uefa Champions League Group B
Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Eriksen 80')
Inter Milan 0
New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
New Zealand
Penalties: Barrett (7)
British & Irish Lions
Tries: Faletau, Murray
Penalties: Farrell (4)
Conversions: Farrell
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
The biog
Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
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The Book of Collateral Damage
Sinan Antoon
(Yale University Press)
THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
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THREE
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SPECS
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
AL%20BOOM
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
