Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip
Donald Trump painted a vision of a “bright new day” for the Middle East on Tuesday as he announced a lifting of sanctions on Syria, offered to bury the hatchet with Iran and encouraged Saudi Arabia to forge ties with Israel, on the first day of his Gulf tour.
On a day of ceremony, business deals and high-stakes diplomacy in Riyadh, Mr Trump lauded the region's leaders for having "achieved a modern miracle, the Arabian way" by bringing prosperity and growing diplomatic clout to the Middle East. He described the Saudi capital as an emerging “business, cultural and high-tech capital of the entire world”.
After a ceremonial welcome, a greeting by Saudi dignitaries at the royal court, and a tour of an exhibition in Riyadh, Mr Trump gave a speech to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and assembled guests setting out his second administration's Middle East policy.
“We’re still just at the dawn of the bright new day that awaits for the people of the Middle East,” he said as he praised the “new generation of leaders” reshaping the region.
President Trump's visit to the Gulf – in pictures
Mr Trump will attend a meeting of Gulf leaders in Riyadh on Wednesday before travelling to Qatar and the UAE later in the week. A White House official said Mr Trump had “agreed to say hello” to Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
In his speech at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre, the US President called on Middle East leaders to “unify against the few agents of chaos and terror that are left”, identifying Iran as the main threat. He said the “choice is theirs” on whether the regime in Tehran will accept the offer of diplomacy.
Addressing Saudi Arabia, he said it was his “fervent hope” that the kingdom would join the Abraham Accords under which countries including the UAE established diplomatic ties with Israel. He said Saudi Arabia “will do it in your own time”.
He said discussions with Prince Mohammed had led to his decision to lift sanctions imposed on Bashar Al Assad's fallen regime in Damascus. “I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness,” Mr Trump announced.
Business deals
Mr Trump celebrated a flurry of business announcements as Saudi Arabia promised to invest $600 billion in the US via deals in energy, defence and technology. Prince Mohammed said the “next phase” would involve potential further agreements to take the total to $1 trillion.
The White House said the deals include "the largest defence sales agreement in history", worth nearly $142 billion, providing Saudi Arabia with weapons and services from more than a dozen US defence firms.
The US tech company Oracle said it would invest $14 billion in Saudi Arabia over 10 years, including on bringing artificial intelligence to the kingdom. Saudi oil exporter Aramco meanwhile plans to expand its refinery in the US with a $3.4 billion investment, said its chief executive Amin Nasser.
Part of the US entourage was Mr Trump's ally Elon Musk, the owner of the electric car manufacturer Tesla. He announced the company would be bringing its Robotaxi vehicles to Saudi Arabia.
Ceremonial welcome
Mr Trump landed on Tuesday at King Khalid International Airport, where he was received by the Crown Prince. Typically, a provincial governor or another official greets a foreign leader on arrival.
The change of protocol signals Prince Mohammed's desire to establish a close relationship with the US leader. Mr Trump was also welcomed by Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, the deputy governor of Riyadh.
The US President is travelling with Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. It is the 13th visit by a sitting US President to Saudi Arabia, with eight presidents in total having made the trip.
Trump's Saudi Royal Court meet and greet – in pictures
Saudi and American flags lined the airport grounds, and a purple carpet was rolled out to welcome the visiting delegation – a further gesture underscoring the significance of Mr Trump's visit.
Mr Trump’s arrival in Saudi Arabia marks his first official state visit since he returned to the White House in January for a second, non-consecutive term. His first foreign trip was to Rome last month to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.
While pressing for a settlement to the war in Ukraine, the Trump administration is also focused on pushing for a new aid mechanism for war-torn Gaza and is urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a new ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
Mr Trump's tour also comes amid growing tension over Iran’s nuclear programme. US and Iranian negotiators held a fourth round of talks in Oman over the weekend to discuss a potential deal that would curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Mr Trump has previously warned that military action remains an option if diplomacy fails.
Despite the security backdrop, Mr Trump's visit is expected to be driven largely by economic goals. The US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are expected to announce new investment deals potentially worth trillions of dollars.
The UAE has announced a 10-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework targeting US infrastructure, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, manufacturing and natural gas.
As with his last visit, in 2017, Mr Trump's trip highlights the prominence he places on transactional diplomacy and his intention to position the US as a preferred partner in the Gulf's evolving economic landscape. However, eight years on, the Gulf has become more self-assured and strategically diversified.
Mr Trump does not plan to visit Israel during this trip – a decision that has caused concern about the Trump administration's priorities in Israeli political circles.
Analysts argue that Mr Trump views Mr Netanyahu as a potential block to his broader regional strategy. That perception intensified last week after Mr Trump announced that the US would stop air strikes on Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, following their pledge to cease attacks on American vessels in the Red Sea. However, the agreement did not cover Houthi strikes on Israel.
Mr Trump's administration has also secured the release of the American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander through back-channel negotiations with Hamas, bypassing Israeli authorities.
Mr Netanyahu ties his political survival to continuing the war in Gaza. But many, both in Israel and abroad, believe the continuing campaign serves few – if any – constructive ends.
England Test squad
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Jamie Porter, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes.
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Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
LILO & STITCH
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Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
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How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Scoreline
Germany 2
Werner 9', Sane 19'
Netherlands 2
Promes 85', Van Dijk 90'
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
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.
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
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SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
