US President Donald Trump is welcomed by Saudi Arabia's King Salman, right, in Riyadh. AFP
US President Donald Trump is welcomed by Saudi Arabia's King Salman, right, in Riyadh. AFP
US President Donald Trump is welcomed by Saudi Arabia's King Salman, right, in Riyadh. AFP
US President Donald Trump is welcomed by Saudi Arabia's King Salman, right, in Riyadh. AFP

Gulf-US summit to take place in Riyadh next week


Vanessa Ghanem
  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Arabia's King Salman has invited leaders of the Gulf Co-operation Council to attend a Gulf-US summit in Riyadh during US President Donald Trump’s visit to the region next week, according to sources.

Mr Trump is scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE on the first official foreign trip of his second term.

His visit will begin in Riyadh, where he is expected to meet all GCC leaders. He will then travel to Doha and Abu Dhabi for bilateral meetings with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed.

The trip will “be dollar-deal-focused”, a US State Department official told The National. “We have Saudi, the UAE and potentially Qatar announcements as well.”

Major investment agreements, the Israel-Gaza war, Abraham Accords and tariffs are expected to dominate the agenda. A fourth round of nuclear talks between the US and Iran is also set to take place shortly before Mr Trump arrives.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the latest indirect talks would take place in Oman on Sunday. He is also expected to travel to Saudi Arabia and Qatar before Mr Trump's trip.

Mr Trump developed close ties with Gulf states during his first term. His return to the region comes amid efforts to deepen financial co-operation with these nations. He is seeking their investment in the US, and to secure support on regional flashpoints, including ending the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Gaza discussions

Mr Trump will arrive at a time of renewed concern over Gaza, after a ceasefire he took credit for in January failed to last as Israel launched new operations in the enclave.

Alarms have been raised over Israel's latest plans for Gaza, which include long-term occupation of its territory and food being delivered in secure zones. The US on Friday put forward an alternative suggestion that Israel could be in charge of securing humanitarian routes but not distributing aid.

“The Israelis are going to be involved in providing necessary military security, because it is a war zone, but they will not be involved in the distribution of the food, or even in the bringing of the food into Gaza,” said Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel.

The US-led initiative has been met with international criticism as it appears to sideline the United Nations and existing aid organisations. But Mr Huckabee said the US calls upon “people who have been concerned about it to join in this process”. He expressed hope that the plan could be put into action “very soon”.

Name debate

Reports emerged earlier that Mr Trump plans to announce that the US will officially refer to the sea between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran as the “Arabian Gulf” or “Gulf of Arabia”.

It follows Mr Trump's directive to rename the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America”, which has sparked controversy domestically and internationally.

The US proposal to change the name of the waterway from the “Persian Gulf” has drawn a backlash from Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticised the move on social media. The dispute has deep historical roots and is a sensitive issue in the region.

Donald Trump's 2017 visit to the Middle East – in pictures

Mr Trump then said he would make a final decision about how the US will refer to the body of water during his trip, adding that he does not want to “hurt anybody’s feelings”.

While the US military, particularly the Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain, has used the term “Arabian Gulf” to align with the preference of its host nation, the US federal government has traditionally used “Persian Gulf” in official documents. Mr Trump can change the name for official US purposes, but he cannot dictate what the rest of the world calls it.

Since April, Iran and the US have been engaged in several rounds of nuclear talks, with further negotiations expected in the coming days.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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.

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Inas%20Halabi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENijmeh%20Hamdan%2C%20Kamal%20Kayouf%2C%20Sheikh%20Najib%20Alou%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates

Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.

  • It’s So Easy
  • Mr Brownstone
  • Chinese Democracy
  • Welcome to the Jungle
  • Double Talkin’ Jive
  • Better
  • Estranged
  • Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
  • Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
  • Rocket Queen
  • You Could Be Mine
  • Shadow of Your Love
  • Attitude (Misfits cover)
  • Civil War
  • Coma
  • Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
  • Sweet Child O’ Mine
  • Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
  • Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
  • November Rain
  • Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
  • Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
  • Nightrain

Encore:

  • Patience
  • Don’t Cry
  • The Seeker (The Who cover)
  • Paradise City
The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: May 10, 2025, 11:08 AM`