MBS
Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (born 31 August 1985) is a member of the Saudi royal family who serves as Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, effectively directing the kingdom's governance as the son and closest advisor to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.[1][2] Appointed deputy crown prince in 2015 and elevated to crown prince in 2017, he consolidated power by assuming roles including defense minister and chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, enabling rapid policy implementation across economic, social, and foreign domains.[3][1] His flagship initiative, Saudi Vision 2030 launched in 2016, aims to diversify the oil-dependent economy through investments in non-oil sectors like tourism, entertainment, and technology, while building sovereign wealth via the Public Investment Fund to target global expansion.[4][5] Domestic reforms under his oversight have included revoking the female driving ban in 2018, curbing the religious police's authority, and fostering public entertainment to promote a more open society, though these have paralleled intensified controls on political expression and arrests of critics.[6][7] In foreign policy, his tenure as defense minister initiated the 2015 military intervention in Yemen against Houthi forces, which has involved coalition airstrikes and ground support but resulted in significant civilian casualties and a protracted stalemate amid accusations of war crimes from human rights monitors.[8][9] The 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul drew international scrutiny, with U.S. intelligence assessments attributing ultimate responsibility to bin Salman despite his public denials of direct involvement and insistence on rogue elements within the state apparatus.[10][11]Individuals
Political and royal figures
Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (born August 31, 1985), commonly referred to by his initials MBS, has served as Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia since June 21, 2017, and as Prime Minister since September 27, 2022.[2][12] In these roles, he has directed major domestic reforms, including the launch of Vision 2030 on April 25, 2016, a strategic framework to reduce oil dependency through investments in sectors such as tourism, renewable energy, and technology, with projected non-oil GDP growth from 40% to 65% by 2030.[2][4] He oversaw the lifting of the ban on women driving via royal decree on June 24, 2018, enabling female licensing and vehicle ownership, and curtailed the arrest and enforcement powers of the religious police (Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice) through a cabinet regulation on April 13, 2016.[2][13] These changes coincided with cultural liberalizations, such as reopening cinemas in 2018 and permitting public concerts, aimed at fostering entertainment industries under Vision 2030.[12] MBS initiated a high-profile anti-corruption campaign on November 4, 2017, resulting in the detention of over 200 individuals, including princes and business leaders, with the government recovering approximately $107 billion in settlements and asset forfeitures by early 2018.[2][12] As Minister of Defense from May 2015, he authorized Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen on March 26, 2015, to counter Houthi advances, an operation involving airstrikes and ground support that has continued intermittently, causing over 377,000 deaths by UN estimates as of 2021, including from famine and conflict-related factors.[2] A U.S. intelligence assessment declassified on February 26, 2021, concluded with high confidence that MBS approved an operation to capture or kill journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was assassinated on October 2, 2018, inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.[14][15] Saudi authorities have denied MBS's direct involvement, attributing the killing to rogue elements.[16] No other prominent political or royal figures are widely known by the initialism MBS in a primary capacity.Business and academic figures
Yasir O. Al-Rumayyan has served as governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, since September 2015, expanding its role in global investments and domestic megaprojects central to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 agenda.[17] Under his direction, the PIF has pursued diversification into non-oil sectors, including a $2.6 billion acquisition of a controlling stake in Newcastle United Football Club in October 2021 and partnerships in technology and entertainment to build alternative revenue streams.[18] Al-Rumayyan, who previously led Saudi Fransi Capital as CEO and advised on economic policy, also chairs the board of Saudi Aramco and the Decision Support Center, positions that position him as a primary economic architect aligned with the Crown Prince's reforms.[19][20][21] Amin H. Nasser has led Saudi Aramco as president and CEO since August 1, 2015, navigating the company through volatile oil markets while advancing partial privatization efforts championed by the Crown Prince.[21] During his tenure, Aramco executed its initial public offering on the Tadawul exchange in December 2019, raising $29.4 billion in the largest IPO to date and fulfilling a key Vision 2030 milestone aimed at funding economic diversification with proceeds directed toward non-oil initiatives.[22] Nasser, an Aramco veteran with over 40 years in upstream operations, has endorsed the Crown Prince's 2017 anti-corruption campaign, which included detentions of business elites, stating it represented a positive step for governance and investment climate stability.[23]Other notable individuals
Mohammed Ben Sulayem (born 12 November 1961) is a former Emirati rally driver who has served as president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport, since his election on 16 December 2021.[24][25] During his competitive career, which spanned from the 1980s until his retirement in 2002, Ben Sulayem secured 14 regional rally championships, including the UAE National Rally Championship a record 14 times and the Middle East Rally Championship twice.[25][26] In his FIA role, he has focused on governance reforms, safety enhancements, and expanding motorsport accessibility in the Middle East, though his tenure has drawn scrutiny over decisions such as jewelry bans for female drivers in 2023, which were later reversed amid backlash.[27]Geography and infrastructure
Airports and transportation
MBS International Airport (IATA: MBS, ICAO: KMBS, FAA LID: MBS), situated in Freeland, Michigan, approximately 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Saginaw, serves as the primary commercial aviation hub for the Tri-Cities region encompassing Saginaw, Midland, and Bay City. Jointly owned by Saginaw, Midland, and Bay counties—reflected in its acronym—the airport was established in 1943 and covers 3,200 acres (1,300 ha). It accommodates both commercial passenger flights and general aviation operations, with scheduled service primarily to major U.S. hubs via airlines such as United Express and Delta Connection.[28] The airport features two asphalt runways: 05/23 measuring 8,002 feet (2,439 m) by 150 feet (46 m), capable of handling larger jets, and 14/32 at 6,400 feet (1,951 m) by 150 feet (46 m). A new passenger terminal opened on October 31, 2012, ahead of schedule, providing modern facilities including security screening, baggage claim, and concessions, with a design capacity for increased traffic. Passenger enplanements reached 241,748 in 2016, though volumes have fluctuated, dropping significantly during the COVID-19 period before partial recovery; the airport handled under 300,000 total passengers annually in recent pre-pandemic years. In July 2025, it received a $4.6 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to reconstruct Taxiway A, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.[29][30][28][31] Ground transportation at MBS includes car rental services from major providers, on-demand taxi and rideshare options like Uber, and shuttle services such as Griffin Transit for regional connections. Several hotels in the area offer complimentary shuttles to and from the airport, while public transit is limited, with most passengers relying on private vehicles given the rural location. No direct rail or intercity bus hubs operate under the MBS designation at the facility, though regional roads like M-84 provide access.[32]Buildings and landmarks
Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is an integrated resort and landmark in Singapore's Marina Bay area, comprising three 55-story hotel towers connected by a 340-meter SkyPark observation deck and infinity pool, a casino, luxury shopping mall, theaters, and the ArtScience Museum. Developed by Las Vegas Sands Corp., construction began in 2005 on reclaimed land, with an initial cost of approximately US$5.67 billion, and partial opening on April 27, 2010, followed by full operations later that year.[33][34][35] The resort's architectural design by Moshe Safdie features the towers splayed at 16-degree angles, supporting the cantilevered SkyPark that offers panoramic views and hosts events, while the casino spans 15,000 square meters with over 2,500 slot machines and 700 tables. MBS has attracted over 500 million visitors cumulatively by March 2025, including 38 million in 2024 alone, contributing to Singapore's tourism economy through high visitor spending. In 2024, it recorded net revenues exceeding US$1.14 billion in the fourth quarter and annual earnings of US$2 billion, marking its strongest performance since opening amid post-pandemic recovery and premium demand.[33][36][37] Recent developments include a US$8 billion expansion announced by Las Vegas Sands, with groundbreaking on July 15, 2025, for a new ultra-luxury tower featuring 570 suites, a 15,000-seat arena, luxury retail, gaming areas, and a "Skyloop" rooftop experience, scheduled for completion and opening in January 2031. This project aims to enhance MBS's role as a global entertainment hub while adhering to Singapore's strict gaming regulations and sustainability standards.[38][39][40]Other places
The Saginaw–Midland–Bay City combined statistical area in central Michigan, often abbreviated as the MBS region in reference to its primary airport and interconnected urban centers, spans Saginaw, Midland, and Bay counties along the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron.[41] This geographic area, known locally as the Tri-Cities, covers approximately 4,560 square kilometers with a population density of 82 inhabitants per square kilometer.[42] As of 2024 estimates, the region's population stands at 374,387, reflecting a gradual decline from 391,569 recorded across the three counties in the 2010 census.[42][43] The area's central coordinates approximate 43°35′N 83°53′W, centered near Bay City, with the landscape featuring flat glacial plains, wetlands, and forested tracts typical of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.[44] Historically, the region developed around lumber and manufacturing hubs in the 19th century, but its geographic significance lies in its position as a transitional zone between urban-industrial corridors and rural Lake Huron shorelines, supporting agriculture, chemical production, and recreational waterways without distinct founding dates for the abbreviated designation itself. No other major geographic entities consistently abbreviated as MBS were identified beyond this regional usage, which derives from transportation nomenclature but applies broadly to locational references in economic and demographic contexts.[45]Education
Higher education institutions
The Melbourne Business School (MBS), established in 1963 as the graduate business school of the University of Melbourne, is Australia's oldest provider of Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees and a key institution for advanced business education.[46] It pioneered executive education in the country starting from 1956 with residential programs, evolving into a comprehensive offerings including full-time and part-time MBAs, Executive MBAs, and customized executive development courses focused on leadership, strategy, and Asia-Pacific business dynamics.[47] Enrollment in its MBA programs draws an international cohort, with the school maintaining strong ties to industry through alumni networks and partnerships, emphasizing practical case-based learning over theoretical abstraction.[48] Another institution linked to the MBS designation through its historical name is Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia, which originated as the Mount Berry School for Boys founded in 1902 by philanthropist Martha Berry to provide vocational and academic training to underprivileged Appalachian youth.[49] The Mount Berry School emphasized a work-study model integrating manual labor with education, expanding to include a girls' school in 1909 before consolidating into Berry College, which began granting bachelor's degrees in 1930 and achieved four-year university status with regional accreditation.[50] Today, Berry College enrolls approximately 2,200 undergraduate and graduate students, offering degrees in business, sciences, and liberal arts on a 27,000-acre campus, preserving Berry's legacy of self-reliance and experiential learning while adapting to modern higher education standards.[49] These institutions represent distinct applications of the MBS acronym in higher education: Melbourne Business School as a specialized postgraduate business entity, and Berry College as an evolved comprehensive liberal arts university rooted in early 20th-century reformist schooling. Both prioritize empirical skill-building and real-world application, with Melbourne focusing on professional advancement in global commerce and Berry on holistic character development through integrated labor and academics.[51][50]Specialized training and colleges
The Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz College of Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Advanced Technologies was established in 2018 as Saudi Arabia's first dedicated institution for training in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and related advanced fields.[52][53] The college focuses on developing national expertise to address cyber threats and support economic diversification under Vision 2030, emphasizing practical skills in cyber defense, offensive operations, and AI applications through partnerships with international entities such as IronNet Cybersecurity and Chiron.[54][55] Its curriculum targets qualifying Saudi cadets for roles in cyberwarfare and technological innovation, with programs designed to bridge skill gaps in high-demand sectors like digital security and data analytics.[56][57] Collaborations, including memoranda of understanding with U.S. firms and experts, have facilitated specialized training modules, though the institution operates primarily as a targeted training center rather than a traditional degree-granting university.[58] These efforts align with broader Vision 2030 goals to expand specialized vocational training, contributing to workforce readiness in non-oil industries without overlapping with general higher education.[5]Organizations and businesses
Media and broadcasting
The Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc. (毎日放送株式会社, Mainichi Hōsō Kabushiki-gaisha), abbreviated as MBS, is a major commercial radio and television broadcaster headquartered in Osaka, Japan, serving the Kansai region as a key station.[59] Established on December 27, 1950, as New Japan Broadcasting Co., Ltd., it adopted its current name on June 1, 1951, becoming one of Japan's earliest commercial radio stations with broadcasts commencing that year; television operations followed on March 1, 1959, via channel 4 (callsign JOOR-TV).[59][60] MBS maintains television affiliations with the Japan News Network (JNN), part of the TBS Holdings network, and radio ties to the Japan Radio Network (JRN), enabling nationwide program distribution while producing regional content including news, entertainment, and sports programming.[61] Under its parent entity, MBS Media Holdings, Inc., the company oversees subsidiaries such as MBS Radio and GAORA Inc. (a sports channel), supporting diversified holdings in broadcasting production and distribution.[62] MBS contributed to the launch of FM802 in 1989 as a major shareholder alongside other networks, expanding FM radio options in the region.[59] In alignment with Japan's national shift to digital terrestrial television, completed on July 24, 2011, MBS transitioned its broadcasts to ISDB-T standards, enhancing signal quality and enabling data services, though specific audience metrics post-transition remain tied to broader JNN viewership trends rather than isolated station data.[63] No major mergers have altered its core structure in recent years, with operations emphasizing hybrid analog-digital continuity amid declining traditional viewership offset by online streaming integrations.[64]Financial and consulting firms
Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) was a division of Microsoft Corporation established to develop and market enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), and related business applications, initially targeting small and medium-sized enterprises but later expanding to larger organizations.[65] Launched in the early 2000s following acquisitions such as Navision in 2002 and Great Plains Software, MBS offered products like Great Plains, Axapta, and Navision, which integrated financial management, supply chain, and analytics functionalities.[66] By 2005, these solutions were recognized as leading choices for ERP in growing markets, with AMR Research noting their strong positioning for scalability and adoption.[66] In September 2005, Microsoft rebranded MBS products under the Microsoft Dynamics umbrella, renaming Great Plains to Dynamics GP, Axapta to Dynamics AX, and Navision to Dynamics NAV, while phasing out the standalone MBS branding to align with broader enterprise offerings.[67] This transition integrated MBS technologies into Microsoft's ecosystem, emphasizing cloud-based evolutions like Dynamics 365, though legacy MBS systems continued supporting on-premises financial and operational needs for years afterward.[68] The Media Business School (MBS), founded in 1991 by Spanish film producer Andrés Vicente Gómez as a non-profit entity in Madrid, specializes in professional training and consulting services for the audiovisual and media industries across Europe.[69] Backed by the European Union's MEDIA Programme, it delivers executive education, research and development initiatives, and advisory support focused on media financing, distribution strategies, and content production economics, serving professionals from over 50 countries.[70] Programs include master's degrees in audiovisual management and customized consulting for media firms on market analysis and business model optimization, with a curriculum emphasizing practical case studies from European film and television sectors.[71] As one of Europe's pioneering centers for media business expertise, MBS has facilitated partnerships and knowledge transfer, contributing to sector growth amid digital disruptions since its inception.[72]Other corporate entities
Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), established in May 2017 to localize defense manufacturing and services in Saudi Arabia, aligning with Vision 2030 objectives for industrial self-reliance.[73][74] SAMI operates across sectors including aerospace, land systems, maritime, and advanced electronics, with partnerships aimed at technology transfer and joint ventures; by 2024, it had signed multiple memoranda of understanding for localization, contributing to reducing import dependency in military procurement.[75] The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC), another PIF wholly owned entity founded in 2009 with initial capital of SAR 4.8 billion (approximately $1.28 billion), focuses on acquiring stakes in international agribusinesses to secure food supply chains and promote agricultural development.[76] SALIC's portfolio includes investments in grain trading, dairy production, and livestock operations globally, managing assets valued at over SAR 20 billion by the early 2020s to mitigate risks from commodity volatility.[76] Manara Minerals Investment Company, launched in 2023 as a joint venture between PIF and Ma'aden (in which PIF holds a majority stake), targets global mining assets, particularly battery metals and energy transition minerals, to diversify Saudi exports beyond hydrocarbons.[77][78] By mid-2024, Manara had deployed funds for acquisitions exceeding $1 billion, including stakes in iron ore and copper production.[79]Finance and economics
Investment securities
A mortgage-backed security (MBS) is an asset-backed financial instrument created by pooling multiple mortgages, typically residential, and issuing bonds whose payments derive from the principal and interest cash flows generated by the underlying loans as homeowners repay them. These securities provide liquidity to mortgage originators by allowing government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase loans from lenders, securitize them into MBS, and sell the resulting bonds to investors, thereby recycling capital back into new lending.[80][81] Agency MBS, guaranteed by GSEs or Ginnie Mae, dominate the market and carry implicit or explicit government backing against default risk, distinguishing them from non-agency (private-label) MBS issued by private entities without such guarantees.[82] The MBS market emerged in the late 1960s to address liquidity constraints in U.S. housing finance, with Ginnie Mae guaranteeing the first MBS in 1968 based on federally insured FHA and VA loans, followed by Fannie Mae's issuance of the initial conventional (non-government-insured) MBS in 1970 and Freddie Mac's participation in 1971. By enabling secondary market trading, these innovations expanded investor access to mortgage-related returns, grew the market to over $9 trillion in outstanding agency single-family MBS by February 2025, and supported broader homeownership by reducing funding costs for lenders.[83][84][85] In structure, passthrough MBS— the most common type—distribute pro-rata payments from the pool to investors after servicing fees, while more complex variants like collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) tranche cash flows by maturity or risk to appeal to diverse investor preferences.[80] Non-agency MBS played a central role in amplifying the 2007-2008 financial crisis, as securitization of subprime and Alt-A mortgages—often with lax underwriting—led to widespread defaults when housing prices declined, eroding investor confidence and triggering $1.5 trillion in losses on private-label RMBS issued through 2008 due to overleveraged holdings and flawed credit ratings that underestimated correlated risks.[86][87][88] As of September 2025, the Bloomberg U.S. MBS Index yield stood at 4.74%, reflecting sensitivity to Treasury yields and prepayment risks, with agency MBS spreads tightening amid Federal Reserve rate cuts that lowered short-term rates and supported positive total returns of 1.22% for the sector in September alone.[89][90] Outstanding agency single-family MBS totaled approximately $9.09 trillion as of February 2025, comprising a core component of fixed-income portfolios.[85] In October 2025, trade associations including the Community Home Lenders of America and Independent Community Bankers of America proposed that FHFA direct GSEs to increase direct MBS purchases, aiming to provide a stabilizing bid amid reduced bank demand and potentially lower 30-year mortgage rates by 30 basis points or more without relying on Federal Reserve intervention.[91][92] Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell rejected expanding Fed MBS holdings for rate suppression in October 2025, citing risks to market functioning from such balance sheet actions.[93]Economic policies and schedules
The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) serves as Australia's statutory fee schedule for reimbursable medical services under the Medicare program, establishing rebate amounts that influence healthcare provider incentives, patient out-of-pocket costs, and overall public expenditure on primary and specialist care. Enacted under the Health Insurance Act 1973, it functions as a key economic policy tool by linking government subsidies to service volumes and types, with annual indexation tied to wage price index changes to maintain purchasing power amid inflation. Amendments to MBS items are periodically reviewed through the MBS Review Taskforce, which evaluates clinical evidence and cost-effectiveness to refine listings, such as delisting outdated procedures or introducing incentives for preventive care, thereby aiming to optimize fiscal sustainability while promoting access.[94] A core component of MBS economic scheduling involves bulk billing incentives (BBIs), which provide supplementary payments to practitioners who waive patient co-payments for eligible consultations, reducing financial barriers and encouraging higher service uptake in targeted demographics. From 1 November 2025, BBI eligibility expands to all Medicare cardholders for standard general practice consultations, previously limited to children under 16, pensioners, and concession cardholders, with practice-level incentives increasing to 12.5% of the MBS fee to offset operational costs.[95] These adjustments, part of the 2025-26 Federal Budget measures, are projected to boost bulk billing rates by enhancing provider revenue predictability, though empirical data from prior expansions show mixed effects, with uptake varying by regional disparities—urban areas achieving over 80% bulk billing in some metrics versus lower rural compliance due to fixed costs.[96] In chronic disease management, MBS schedules underwent a major overhaul effective 1 July 2025, consolidating fragmented items (e.g., GP Management Plans and Team Care Arrangements) into a unified Chronic Disease Management (CDM) framework with new billing codes for multidisciplinary plans, allied health referrals, and follow-up reviews.[97] This policy shift, informed by the MBS Review's evidence-based recommendations, extends rebate eligibility to a broader range of conditions and integrates digital health tools for monitoring, with the goal of reducing long-term hospitalization costs through early intervention—prior iterations correlated with a 10-15% increase in allied health service utilization but persistent gaps in Indigenous and remote access per government audits.[98] Quarterly updates to the schedule, published via the Department of Health, ensure alignment with budgetary allocations, totaling approximately AUD 30 billion annually in Medicare outlays as of 2024-25.Science and technology
Data and computing units
In data networking and computing, megabits per second (Mbps), often abbreviated as Mb/s, measures the rate of data transfer as 1,000,000 bits per second, serving as a standard metric for bandwidth capacity in internet connections and local area networks.[99] This unit quantifies the maximum theoretical throughput of a connection, such as in Ethernet or broadband services, where speeds like 100 Mbps denote the volume of binary data (0s and 1s) transmitted per second.[100] Megabytes per second (MB/s), in contrast, represents 1,000,000 bytes per second and is typically applied to bulk data operations, including disk read/write speeds, file downloads, and storage interface performance like USB or SSD transfers.[101] Unlike Mbps, which focuses on bit-level network efficiency, MB/s accounts for grouped data packets, making it relevant for end-user perceptions of download velocity, as operating systems often report progress in bytes.[102] The distinction arises from the fundamental relation that one byte comprises eight bits, yielding a conversion factor where 1 MB/s equals 8 Mbps; conversely, 1 Mbps corresponds to 0.125 MB/s.[103] [104] This 8:1 ratio frequently leads to consumer confusion, as advertised network speeds in Mbps translate to slower effective file transfer rates when viewed in MB/s.[105]| Unit | Bits/Bytes per Second (Decimal) | Primary Applications | Conversion Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mbps | 1,000,000 bits | Network bandwidth (e.g., Wi-Fi, DSL) | 1 Mbps = 0.125 MB/s |
| MB/s | 1,000,000 bytes (8,000,000 bits) | Storage I/O, file transfers | 1 MB/s = 8 Mbps |