Saudi Arabia, Croatia Stress Need to Clear Middle East of Mass Destruction Weapons

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah with his Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlic-Radman (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah with his Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlic-Radman (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Croatia Stress Need to Clear Middle East of Mass Destruction Weapons

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah with his Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlic-Radman (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah with his Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlic-Radman (SPA)

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Zagreb on Wesnday.

During the meeting, they reviewed cooperation between the two countries and addressed ways to boost and develop bilateral ties in all fields.

They also discussed opportunities to transfer mutual relations to broader horizons in light of Vision 2030.

The meeting touched on mechanisms for developing bilateral work and coordination at all levels and regional and international developments.

Both sides stressed the need to strengthen international efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and freeing the Middle East from weapons of mass destruction (WMD), aiming to enhance international peace and security.

The Saudi FM also met his Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlic-Radman and discussed ways to enhance the relationship between their countries, including on the security level.

They discussed opportunities for economic cooperation in many fields, notably technology, environmental protection, and tourism.

The two officials stressed the importance of exchanging expertise to help achieve Vision 2030.

The ministers agreed on the need to support investors to develop trade and boost investments between the two countries to help enhance the development and prosperity of their nations and peoples.

The meeting addressed the recent regional and international developments, including talks on the Iranian nuclear program and international efforts to ensure that Tehran does not violate international agreements and treaties in this regard.

They stressed the importance of supporting regional and international efforts to prevent the Houthi militia from violating the human rights of the Yemeni people and the efforts of Saudi Arabia and Croatia to fight terrorism and extremism in all its forms.

Later, Prince Faisal met the Croatian Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic. The meeting explored enhancing relations in many areas of cooperation and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation on parliamentary issues of bilateral concern.

The two sides touched on the efforts of the Kingdom and Croatia to promote international dialogue between different cultures and civilizations around the world and enhance the role of civil society and youth in sustainable development locally and globally.

The two sides also discussed the latest developments in the regional and international arenas and the efforts of the two friendly countries in laying the foundations for security and stability in the region and the world.



Saudi Arabia Issues Royal Orders Appointing New Ministers, Governors

File photo of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz - SPA
File photo of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Issues Royal Orders Appointing New Ministers, Governors

File photo of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz - SPA
File photo of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz - SPA

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued a series of Royal Decrees on Thursday including a decree appointing Fahd Al Saif as the new investment minister, replacing Khalid Al-Falih.

Al Saif was previously head of the PIF's investment strategy and economic insights division. Al-Falih has instead been appointed as a Minister of State and a member of the cabinet.

Other Royal Decrees were also issued as follows:

Abdullah Al-Maghlouth shall be appointed Vice Minister of Media.
Abdulmohsen Al-Mazyad shall be appointed Vice Minister of Tourism.
Khalid Al-Yousef shall be appointed Attorney General.
Sheikh Ali Al-Ahaideb shall be appointed President of the Board of Grievances.
Faihan Al-Sahli shall be appointed Director General of the General Directorate of Investigation.
Abdulaziz Al-Arifi shall be appointed Governor of the National Development Fund.
Haytham Al-Ohali shall be appointed Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission.
Fawaz Al-Sahli shall be appointed President of the Transport General Authority.


Saudi Leadership Condoles Governor General of Canada over School Shooting

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
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Saudi Leadership Condoles Governor General of Canada over School Shooting

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of condolences to Governor General of Canada Mary Simon over the deadly school shooting in Western Canada.

The Saudi King condemned the heinous criminal act and expressed to the Governor General, the families of the victims, and the friendly people of Canada his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent a similar cable of condolences to the Governor General.


Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks
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Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired Tuesday by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, approved the formation of a permanent committee to oversee all matters related to asbestos and ensure enforcement of its ban, marking a new step in public health and regulatory oversight.

Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom approaches health risks with a proactive strategy grounded in clear policies and long-term planning.

“Any risk we detect affecting citizens, the government works to develop the necessary tools to avert it and to continue enhancing quality of life,” Al-Jalajel said, citing previous announcements including a national drowning prevention policy and a strategic drug policy.

Saudi action on asbestos dates back years, and the decision to establish a monitoring committee follows earlier Cabinet rulings. Decisions numbered 1419 and 1422 halted the use of asbestos, barred its inclusion in official specifications, and banned its import, export, and manufacture.

The measures also mandated the replacement and safe disposal of asbestos in buildings and water networks, alongside continued studies due to its health and environmental hazards.

Scientifically, asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers once widely used commercially and, in some cases, still in use. Exposure can be fatal, affecting workers and others who come into contact with the fibers.

The material gained commercial value for its exceptional tensile strength, low heat conductivity, and relative resistance to chemical damage. It has been used for insulation in buildings and in products such as roofing sheets, water supply pipes, fire blankets, plastic fillers, medical packaging, vehicle clutches, and brake linings.

There are six main forms of asbestos, with chrysotile, or white asbestos, among the most widely used today. The World Health Organization has concluded that all forms of asbestos cause cancer. It also links asbestos exposure to chronic respiratory diseases.

Because asbestos has been embedded in construction materials, those involved in building, maintaining, or demolishing affected structures may face risks even decades after installation.

WHO assessments classify all six major forms of asbestos as carcinogenic to humans. Exposure, including to chrysotile, is associated with cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovary, as well as mesothelioma, a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings.

Clear scientific evidence also shows it causes chronic respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and other severe lung damage.

The World Health Organization estimates that about 125 million people worldwide are currently exposed to asbestos at work. More than 107,000 people die each year from lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis linked to occupational exposure.

Globally, asbestos is responsible for more than 200,000 deaths annually, according to the WHO, and accounts for roughly one-third of occupational cancer deaths. Thousands more fatalities each year are attributed to domestic exposure.

As of 2024, 50 countries had banned asbestos. In others, uncertainty remains amid insufficient and incomplete data.