UK science minister visits King Faisal Specialist Hospital’s heart center

The United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology visited the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
The United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology visited the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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Updated 18 February 2025
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UK science minister visits King Faisal Specialist Hospital’s heart center

UK science minister visits King Faisal Specialist Hospital’s heart center
  • Peter Kyle meets medical team responsible for world’s first fully robotic heart transplant
  • Visit follows global recognition of KFSHRC’s medical standing, groundbreaking innovations

RIYADH: The United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology visited the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Peter Kyle was shown the hospital’s cardiac facilities, which have pioneered advancements in cardiac care and medical innovation.

Kyle visited the Heart Center of Excellence, where he observed cutting-edge technologies and medical breakthroughs that have positioned KFSHRC as a global leader in specialized healthcare.

He was received by Dr. Hani Al-Sergani, the center's executive director, and his deputy, Prof. Feras Khaliel.

The British official met with the medical team responsible for the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant, a landmark achievement led by Khaliel.

Kyle also reviewed the latest advancements in minimally invasive organ transplantation, which reduce surgical risks and improve patient recovery times.

His visit follows the international recognition of KFSHRC’s medical milestones, particularly after the groundbreaking robotic heart transplant.

KFSHRC ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa region and 15th globally among the world’s top 250 academic medical centers for the second consecutive year.

It was also named the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East by Brand Finance 2025, and was included in Newsweek’s World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2025 list.


Analysts hail Saudi-Pakistan defense pact as step toward regional stability

Analysts hail Saudi-Pakistan defense pact as step  toward regional stability
Updated 24 sec ago
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Analysts hail Saudi-Pakistan defense pact as step toward regional stability

Analysts hail Saudi-Pakistan defense pact as step  toward regional stability

 KARACHI: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement on Wednesday, pledging that aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both, in what experts described as a landmark move that reflects shifting global alignments and decades of close cooperation between the two allies.

The accord was concluded in Riyadh during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Sharing a copy of the joint statement on X early on Thursday, Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman described the two nations as “One front against any aggressor ... Always 

and forever.”

Pakistani analysts meanwhile said the agreement underscored both countries’ intent to formalize longstanding security ties while also reflecting broader shifts in the regional and global order.

“The defense pact between Pakistan and KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) … will have a long-term impact on the power matrix of both South Asia and the Middle East,” Huma Baqai, an academic and foreign affairs expert, told Arab News.

“This development is definitely indicative of a changing global order and new alliances in the making. It may also result in a domino effect of more Gulf and Arab states seeking such alliances with Pakistan.”

She said Saudi Arabia’s decision was a recognition of Pakistan’s military capabilities, demonstrated during its May 2025 conflict with India.

The two South Asian neighbors fought a four-day war earlier this year after an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan denied involvement, but the hostilities — the deadliest since 2019 — left more than 70 people dead before a US-brokered ceasefire took effect.

In Islamabad’s telling, it shot down at least six Indian aircraft during the fighting and forced New Delhi to agree to a ceasefire.

Security analyst Syed Muhammad Ali described the accord as “international recognition that Pakistan is not just a South Asian power but a power which can contribute toward preserving peace and security in the Middle East as well.”

He said “Saudi confidence in Pakistan’s military is evidence that the international community views Pakistan as a capable and responsible power after Islamabad gave a befitting response to New Delhi in the May 2025 conflict.”

Defense analyst Muhammad Samrez Salik, a retired major general, said the agreement would build on more than eight decades of close security ties between the two countries:

“The latest defense pact will augur well for the defense and security of both nations and for regional stability. KSA has recognized that and decided to benefit from Pakistan’s military capabilities. I expect and hope that KSA will also help Pakistan achieve economic stability.”

Baqai added that the pact could also be seen “as a positive development which would definitely have a ripple effect on the Pakistani economy.”

Jeddah-based Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain, a former Pakistani federal minister, said the pact “symbolizes the trust, fraternity, and unshakable bond that has always existed between our two nations — rooted in faith, mutual respect and common destiny.”

He added that this remarkable milestone  embodies the shared vision of the crown prince “for a secure, prosperous, and united Muslim Ummah.”

Earlier on Thursday, Sharif wrote on X that talks with the Saudi crown prince covered a wide range of issues, including regional challenges and steps to enhance bilateral cooperation.

“On the bilateral front, I greatly value HRH’s consistent support and his keen interest in expanding Saudi investments, trade and business ties between our two countries,” 

he posted.

“It is my fervent prayer that Pakistan-Saudi Arabia’s friendship continues to flourish and attain new heights of glory.”

 


KFSHRC to participate in C3 Davos of Healthcare Summit in Japan

KFSHRC to participate in C3 Davos of Healthcare Summit in Japan
Updated 9 min 52 sec ago
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KFSHRC to participate in C3 Davos of Healthcare Summit in Japan

KFSHRC to participate in C3 Davos of Healthcare Summit in Japan
  • Elite group of leaders, policymakers, investors, innovators to attend

RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre will participate in the C3 Davos of Healthcare Summit in Japan. Under the theme “A Tri-Nation Collaboration: Building Bridges Beyond Borders in Healthcare,” it begins on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

The event will see an elite group of leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators from around the world explore opportunities for collaboration in developing the future of the healthcare sector.

As part of the summit’s activities, Dr. Majid bin Ibrahim Al-Fayyadh, adviser at the Royal Court and CEO of KFSHRC, will deliver a keynote address called “King Faisal’s Vision for Integrated Healthcare and Investment in a New Infrastructure for Modern Medicine.” It will highlight the transformative journey of the healthcare sector in the Kingdom toward a patient-centered, interconnected system.

He will also review the impact of public-private partnerships, foreign investments, and regulatory reforms on the future of the medical sector in Saudi Arabia.

The summit will also witness the participation of several of the hospital’s leaders in multiple panel discussions. Dr. Esam Abdullah Albanyan, chief of education and training, will speak at a session showcasing opportunities for collaboration in the fields of biotechnology, robotics, and elderly care.

Assistant CEO Dr. Osama Alswailem will take part in a session to highlight the role of precision medicine and data science in enhancing early diagnosis.

The summit’s program will include a variety of sessions on the role of public-private partnerships as a key driver to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Other sessions will look at groundbreaking advances in early detection of Alzheimer’s disease using biomarkers and digital technologies, as well as discussions on lessons learned from epidemic experiences to strengthen future preparedness, and exploration of innovations shaping the next generation of global healthcare systems.


Al-Rabwah Date Season launched in Riyadh

Al-Rabwah Date Season launched in Riyadh
Updated 13 min 53 sec ago
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Al-Rabwah Date Season launched in Riyadh

Al-Rabwah Date Season launched in Riyadh

RIYADH: Authorities have launched the date season at Al-Rabwah market in Riyadh, featuring a select group of farmers, exhibitors and families working in the cottage industry.

The event attracted a remarkable crowd of visitors from across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Rabwah Date Season is one of the Kingdom’s premier annual events, which is vital in supporting local farmers and boosting the date industry’s sales.

Over 30 varieties of dates, renowned for their quality and produced in the Kingdom’s farms, are on display.

The event also highlights date-processing industries and offers innovative date-inspired products.

Family-friendly zones, tasting areas, and comprehensive support services ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

Cultural and awareness activities are also featured, focusing on the importance of palm trees and dates to the Kingdom’s food and economic heritage.


Saudi Virtual Center launches water sustainability drive

Saudi Virtual Center launches water sustainability drive
Updated 17 min 26 sec ago
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Saudi Virtual Center launches water sustainability drive

Saudi Virtual Center launches water sustainability drive

RIYADH: The Saudi Water Authority, in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and King Abdulaziz University, has launched a joint virtual center for innovation in desalination technologies.

The aim is to drive sustainability, make use of advanced materials and renewable energy, and foster research collaboration to enhance national capabilities in water technology.

The center’s establishment is the result of a tripartite memorandum of understanding between the partners, which sets the foundation for cooperation in key areas, the Saudi Press Agency reported. This includes the development of local membranes to improve primary water treatment efficiency, software development, and the creation of joint research laboratories for graduate students.

This partnership underscores the authority’s commitment to strengthening academic and institutional collaborations, unifying efforts to develop innovative, sustainable solutions to water challenges, and ensuring the security of the Kingdom’s water resources.


Advanced digital environment aims at helping worshippers at holy mosques

Advanced digital environment aims at helping worshippers at holy mosques
Updated 20 min 37 sec ago
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Advanced digital environment aims at helping worshippers at holy mosques

Advanced digital environment aims at helping worshippers at holy mosques

MAKKAH: The General Authority for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has worked on building an integrated digital environment to help performance efficiency and raise the quality of services provided to worshippers.

It has increasingly employed modern technology and digital tools to serve Umrah performers, worshippers and visitors through an integrated strategy, in line with the digital age and supported by the skills, capacities, and distinguished performance of the authority’s employees and affiliates.

The aim is to enable worshippers to easily and smoothly access all services and comply with organizational regulations.

The authority has launched eight digital services to benefit visitors, cover bookings, enrich experience, and enhance beneficiary feedback.

Among the services are the unified transportation service at the two holy mosques and the central reporting system.