Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) arrived in Washington, DC, on 18 November 2025, for crucial discussions aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s relationship with the United States. The most prominent statement from the White House was MBS’s pledge to invest up to $1 trillion in the US, signalling a significant shift in economic engagement. US President Donald Trump welcomed MBS, expressing his appreciation: ‘It’s an honour to be your friend, and it’s an honour that you’re here.’ In response, the Crown Prince indicated that Saudi Arabia was open to joining the Abraham Accords, the historic normalization agreements between Israel and Arab nations. While the Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, include Israel, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco, MBS reiterated his desire to include the establishment of a Palestinian state in the framework. He emphasised the importance of a clear path towards a two-state solution, highlighting the Kingdom’s broader regional ambitions. The Run-up to the $1 Trillion Investment Earlier in 2025, Trump announced a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia to foster economic prosperity, with MBS pledging an initial $600 billion investment across sectors such as security, defence, technology, and healthcare. During Tuesday’s talks, it became evident that the $1 trillion figure was more aspirational than definitive. MBS told President Trump that Saudi investments in the US could approach the $1 trillion mark. Trump expressed his support, stating he would work closely with the Crown Prince to help realise this goal. Key Agreements and Strategic Initiatives According to a White House press release, the leaders signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to deepen cooperation: Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation: The Joint Declaration on the Completion of Negotiations establishes the legal framework for a long-term, multi-billion-dollar nuclear partnership with Saudi Arabia. Critical Minerals Framework: This enhances collaboration to diversify supply chains and align strategic mineral development efforts. Artificial Intelligence (AI) MOU: The landmark AI agreement grants Saudi access to US technological systems while safeguarding US innovations from foreign influence, ensuring America’s leadership in AI development. In addition, a new US-Saudi Strategic Defence Agreement (SDA) was signed, strengthening the countries’ eight-decade defence partnership and bolstering regional deterrence. Trump indicated that more initiatives are on the horizon, with both sides planning to intensify engagement on trade issues. Focus areas include reducing non-tariff barriers, standard recognition, and creating a more favourable investment climate. Furthermore, the US Treasury Department and Saudi Ministry of Finance agreed to deepen cooperation on capital markets technology, standards, and regulations, aiming to strengthen their financial partnership. Human Rights and Diplomatic Considerations During the press conference, a journalist raised concerns about human rights, particularly the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Turkey. Trump responded that Prince Mohammed ‘knew nothing about it,’ dismissing the question and saying, ‘And we can leave it at that. You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that.’ Ambitious Economic Goals The pledge of up to $1 trillion emerged as the centrepiece of the Trump-MBS meeting. If realised, this level of Saudi investment could significantly expand US exports, reduce trade barriers, create jobs, and foster long-term economic growth. The move signals a strategic shift, with implications for bilateral relations and global markets. While details remain to be finalised, the pledge underscores the deepening economic ties between Saudi Arabia and the United States, with potential benefits for American industries and the broader economy.
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/saudi-crown-prince-signals-potential-1-trillion-investment-us-key-takeaways-1756290
Tag: strengthening
Wind decreases through the weekend
Gusty winds prevailed today and will continue tonight through most of tomorrow, gradually easing by the end of the weekend. Aside from the breezy conditions, it looks to be a decent weekend with mostly sunshine and cool temperatures.
The strengthening area of low pressure that brought rain from yesterday through this morning is now moving away. High pressure will settle in by Sunday, allowing the pressure gradient to weaken. As a result, the wind won’t be as strong by the end of the weekend.
Wind gusts will remain strongest tomorrow, especially in the morning, with gusts near or above 30 mph possible. While noticeable, this won’t pose a damaging wind threat for most areas. It will stay breezy through tomorrow evening before the wind relaxes overnight into Sunday. Sunday afternoon will see only a light breeze.
Saturday morning temperatures will start in the low 40s, then rebound to the mid-50s under mostly sunny skies. With clear skies and lighter winds Saturday night, temperatures will drop to near freezing by Sunday morning. Sunday will be a cold start, and the day will stay cool with highs mainly in the low 50s under mostly sunny conditions.
Don’t forget, Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend—hello to 6:00 a.m. sunrises and 4:30 p.m. sunsets!
The weekend will remain dry, with the next chance of showers arriving Monday night and lingering into early Tuesday morning.
—Meteorologist Melanie Black
https://whdh.com/weather-blog/wind-decreases-through-the-weekend/
Why Warriors are sitting Al Horford vs. Grizzlies, not Clippers on back-to-back
Golden State Warriors Maintain Strict Health Plan for Al Horford in 19th NBA Season
SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors are set to remain diligent in managing Al Horford’s health as he embarks on his 19th NBA season. The 39-year-old center will not suit up against the Memphis Grizzlies, the first game in their upcoming back-to-back, according to head coach Steve Kerr. Horford is expected to be available the following night to face the Los Angeles Clippers, after receiving a full four days of rest since the Warriors’ overtime victory against the Denver Nuggets last week.
Following Sunday morning’s practice, Kerr shed light on the reasoning behind resting Horford against Memphis rather than the Clippers.
“We always take [the matchups] into consideration. Against Portland [or Denver], it was always a pretty easy choice, dealing with [Nikola] Jokic,” Kerr told reporters. “I would say this one is a much more difficult decision because Memphis, you know, Jaren Jackson Jr. is obviously a great player. But we opted to play him against the Clippers, [as Ivica] Zubac has given us trouble. It’s a really big team, so that’s the way we’ll go with this one.”
Last season, Zubac averaged 17.5 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists against Golden State. The Warriors struggled to contain the big man on the boards, highlighting a lack of size options to support Draymond Green in the frontcourt. Horford’s absence was felt in the game against the Trail Blazers, where Portland scored a staggering 66 points in the paint.
“We’ll lean into our depth and keep playing people in combinations we believe in and hopefully use our depth to get through this next back-to-back,” Kerr added.
Update on Moses Moody’s Health
The Warriors’ plan to limit Horford’s minutes to only one game in back-to-back sets will continue, as Kerr has emphasized multiple times this season. This load management approach mirrors the strategy used by the Boston Celtics and coach Joe Mazzulla during Horford’s tenure there, and Golden State remains committed to maintaining it.
In related health news, Moses Moody has returned to the rotation after missing two weeks with a calf injury. Kerr described Moody’s performance against Portland as an opportunity for him to “get his feet wet” and regain his rhythm.
Moody provided an update on his condition, downplaying the severity of the injury.
“Really minor. No structural damage or anything,” Moody said. “I got the MRI and everything. Really it was just strengthening it. It was precautionary and yeah, I’m in a good place.”
Once fully recovered, Moody is expected to be a valuable option for Kerr, particularly for his defensive prowess and floor spacing.
When asked whether regaining his shooting or defensive flow is more challenging after an injury, Moody emphasized the adjustment to different lineups rather than specific skills.
“I would say, it’s a different flow for different groups you’re on the floor with. So just finding your group and finding your role within that group takes some getting used to,” Moody explained. “But defensively, I think that’s pretty self-explanatory. Once you got the rotations down, once you got the principles, then I think that comes back pretty fast.”
The Warriors will look to build off a strong opening week as they prepare for the Grizzlies-Clippers back-to-back slate.