US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Saudi Arabia to boost relations between the two powers, experts say.
The two-day trip will be the second by a senior US official to the kingdom in a month, after National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan's visit in early May.
In Riyadh, he will attend the US-Saudi Strategic dialogue and a Gulf Co-operation Council meeting.
He will meet officials in the kingdom to discuss US-Saudi co-operation on a regional and global level. Bilateral issues such as economic and security co-operation will also feature high on the agenda, a US State Department statement said.
The visit is "intended to show that the US is committed to its partner in the region – important in the context of growing Saudi frustration with Washington", Dina Esfandiary, senior adviser for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group, told The National.
"It gives Washington an opportunity to push for greater co-ordination and co-operation in the aftermath of the much publicised Iran-Saudi deal."
In March, Tehran and Riyadh signed a Chinese-brokered agreement "to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and missions within two months".
Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in early 2016 in response to attacks on its diplomatic missions in Tehran.
The move affected relations with Washington, which Ms Esfandiary says are complicated and have changed.
"It’s no longer a relationship where Washington calls the shots and tells Riyadh what to do but one which from Riyadh’s perspective is more equal, where Riyadh pursues its own interests and seeks to secure itself as well," she said.
"This means everyone has to adjust to the new reality."
Powerful signal to the region
Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East North Africa Programme at London's Chatham House, said Mr Blinken's trip was "designed to reaffirm US-Saudi co-operation on multiple fronts ranging from regional security, the strategic dialogue, Yemeni peace and Saudi-Israeli reconciliation process".
"Despite shifts in Riyadh and Washington, Mr Blinken intends to blunt continued rumours about tensions in the relationship and showcase that co-operation and diplomacy continues to underpin US-Saudi ties," she told The National.
Washington's decision to send a senior official to the kingdom will be seen as a powerful signal to the region.
Mr Blinken aims to ensure that ties between the US and Saudi Arabia continue moving forward.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby last week said: “We have all maintained that it's an important strategic partnership and it has been for 80 years.
“It doesn't mean we always agree with the Saudis on everything, or that they agree with us on everything. We've certainly had differences of opinion. And that's not to say that there won't be some in the future. It's an important strategic partnership."
Mr Blinken will co-host the meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, along with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on Wednesday.
The goal will be to “promote security, stability, de-escalation, regional integration and economic opportunities across the Middle East”, the State Department said.
The Secretary of State's agenda will also include efforts to resolve the war in Yemen between the Saudi-backed government and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
By mending ties with Iran and potentially stepping back from Yemen, Saudi Arabia can continue a wide-ranging diplomatic push.
Riyadh and Washington have also been involved in efforts to broker a durable truce between Sudan's warring generals in talks in Jeddah.
However, the US and Saudi Arabia suspended efforts last week after the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces repeatedly breached the ceasefire.
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SERIES INFO
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series
All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Test series
1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March
Play starts at 9.30am
T20 series
1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March
TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
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Engine: 1.5-litre
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UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
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Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
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Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
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Ashes 2019 schedule
August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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The specs
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
