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President Donald Trump said Thursday he was not surprised that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be a no-show for anticipated peace talks with Ukraine in Turkey this week. Trump had pressed for Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet in Istanbul on Thursday. He brushed off Putin’s decision to not take part in the expected talks, reports AP. “I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to go if I’m not there,” Trump said in an exchange with reporters as he took part in a business roundtable with executives in Doha on the third day of his visit to the Middle East. Trump earlier this week floated potentially attending himself. The US president, however, noted on Thursday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was already in the country for meetings with NATO counterparts. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, also plans to be in Istanbul on Friday for the anticipated Russia-Ukraine talks. The push for direct talks between Zelenskyy and Putin comes amid a flurry of negotiations aimed at producing a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Putin was first to propose restarting direct peace talks Thursday with Ukraine in the Turkish city that straddles Asia and Europe. Zelenskyy challenged the Kremlin leader to meet in Turkey in person. Trump marvels at wealth of his Arab hosts while he eyes White House and Air Force One upgrades But the Kremlin has said its delegation at the talks will be led by Putin’s aide, Vladimir Medinsky, and include three other officials. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Zelenskyy will only sit down with the Russian leader. Later Thursday, Trump will visit a US installation in Qatar at the center of American involvement in the Middle East. He has used his four-day visit to Gulf states to reject the “interventionism” of America’s past in the region. Trump will address troops at Qatar’s al-Udeid Air Base, which was a major staging ground during the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and supported the recent US air campaign against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis. The president has held up Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar as models for economic development in a region plagued by conflict as he works to entice Iran to come to terms with his administration on a deal to curb its nuclear program. Before addressing the troops, Trump took part in a roundtable with business leaders. The group included top executives from Boeing, GE Aerospace and Al Rabban Capital.

US President Donald Trump has praised Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa as a “great” and “tough guy” during remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Doha. Reflecting on his recent meeting with al-Sharaa during his trip to Saudi Arabia, Trump described the Syrian leader as “young,” “attractive,” and a “tough guy.” He noted al-Sharaa’s past links to al-Qaeda but said the leader has a “strong past” as a “fighter.”  Trump to meet Syrian leader before visiting Qatar during Mideast trip “He’s got a real shot at pulling it together,” Trump said, adding that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shares his view. Trump also expressed optimism about the future of Syrian-Israeli relations, suggesting that normalization is possible. “But they have a lot of work to do,” he said.  Source: Al Jazeera  US, Saudi sign $142bn weapons deal during Trump visit

The administration of United States President Donald Trump says that Saudi Arabia will invest $600bn in the United States, including through technology partnerships and a weapons sales agreement worth $142bn. The White House announced the agreement on Tuesday, during US President Donald Trump’s visit to Riyadh. According to a fact sheet released by the White House, the deals represent the largest-ever weapons sale between the two nations and signify a significant step forward in bilateral cooperation. “The deals celebrated today are historic and transformative for both countries and represent a new golden era of partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia,” the fact sheet reads. Trump urges Iran toward ‘better path’ in Saudi speech, eyes new nuclear deal The $600 billion investment includes Saudi commitments to strengthen technology partnerships and increase economic collaboration with the US. The pact is seen as a deepening of long-standing economic and military ties that have spanned successive Republican and Democratic administrations. Trump’s stop in Riyadh is part of his Middle East tour, his first major international trip of his second term in office. He is scheduled to visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates later this week to further discuss regional cooperation and economic ties. With inputs from Al Jazeera

President Donald Trump in a speech in Saudi Arabia urged Iran to take a “new and a better path” as he pushes for a new nuclear deal. Trump said at the US-Saudi investment conference, during a four-day Middle East trip, that he wants to avoid conflict with Tehran, AP reports. “As I have shown repeatedly, I am willing to end past conflicts and forge new partnerships for a better and more stable world, even if our differences may be profound,” Trump said. The comments came as Trump kick off the Mideast trip on Tuesday with his visit to Saudi capital. The latest entreaty to Tehran comes days after Trump dispatched his special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Iranian officials for a fourth round of talks aimed at persuading Iran to abandon its nuclear program. “As President of the United States, my preference will always be for peace and partnership, whenever those outcomes can be achieved,” Trump said. He also said he hopes Saudi Arabia will soon join the Abraham Accords and recognize Israel “in your own time.” Trump to meet Syria’s Al-Sharaa, weighs lifting sanctions Saudi Arabia long has maintained that recognition of Israel is tied to the establishment of a Palestinian state along the lines of Israel’s 1967 borders. Under the Biden administration, there was a push for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel as part of a major diplomatic deal. However, the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel upended those plans and sent the region into one of the worst period of faces it has faced. In a separate development, the White House announced that Trump will meet Wednesday in Saudi Arabia with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the onetime insurgent who last year led the overthrow of former leader Bashar Assad. The U.S. has been weighing how to handle al-Sharaa since he took power in December. Gulf leaders, have rallied behind the new government in Damascus and will want Trump to follow, believing it is a bulwark against Iran’s return to influence in Syria, where it had helped prop up Assad’s government during a decade-long civil war. Trump also signed a host of economic and bilateral cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to kicked off a four-day Middle East trip with a focus on dealmaking with a key Mideast ally. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi de facto ruler, warmly greeted Trump as he stepped off Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport. The two leaders then retreated to a grand hall at the Riyadh airport, where Trump and his aides were served traditional Arabic coffee by waiting attendants wearing ceremonial gun belts. “I really believe we like each other a lot,” Trump said later during a brief appearance with the crown prince at the start of a bilateral meeting.

President Donald Trump will meet Wednesday in Saudi Arabia with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the onetime insurgent who last year led the overthrow of former leader Bashar Assad. “The President agreed to say hello to the Syrian President while in Saudi Arabia tomorrow," the White House said, reports AP. The US has been weighing how to handle al-Sharaa since he took power in December. Gulf leaders, have rallied behind the new government in Damascus and will want Trump to follow, believing it is a bulwark against Iran's return to influence in Syria, where it had helped prop up Assad's government during a decade-long civil war. Then-President Joe Biden left the decision to Trump, whose administration has yet to formally recognize the new Syrian government. Sanctions imposed on Damascus under Assad also remain in place. In remarks Tuesday evening in Riyadh, Trump is expected to say that “we must all hope” the al-Sharaa government “will succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace,” according to excerpts released by the White House. UN agencies warn Israel’s new Gaza aid plan could endanger lives As he prepared to leave Washington, Trump said he’s weighing removing sanctions on the Syrian government. “We may want to take them off of Syria, because we want to give them a fresh start,” said Trump, adding that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged him to do so. The comments marked a striking change in tone from Trump, who has been deeply skeptical of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa. Formerly known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, al-Sharaa joined the ranks of al-Qaida insurgents battling US forces in Iraq after the US-led invasion in 2003 and still faces a warrant for his arrest on terrorism charges in Iraq. Al-Sharaa, whom the US once offered $10 million for information about his whereabouts because of his links to al-Qaida, came back to his home country after the conflict began in 2011 where he led al-Qaida’s branch that used to be known as the Nusra Front. He later changed the name of his group to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and cut links with al-Qaida.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled plans to "tighten up" the UK's immigration system, vowing that migration figures will fall "significantly." Key proposals include mandatory English language tests for all visa applicants and their adult dependants, along with extending the timeframe required to gain settled status, reports BBC. Starmer also intends to curb the recruitment of foreign care workers—a move that a care home operator told the BBC would lead to "significant problems" for the industry. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the plans, claiming Labour "can't be trusted" to secure the UK’s borders. Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage accused Starmer of "making promises he can't keep." UK Parliament holds emergency session to save British Steel The measures focus on reducing legal migration, which constitutes the bulk of arrivals to the UK, and do not cover irregular arrivals such as small boat crossings. Official data shows net migration reached 728,000 in the year to June 2024.  

The United States and China have agreed to a temporary reduction in the tariffs imposed on each other’s imports. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that both nations will lower their respective tariffs by 115% for a period of 90 days. The agreement followed trade discussions held in Switzerland over the weekend, which Bessent previously called “productive and constructive.” This marked the first formal meeting between the two sides since US President Donald Trump imposed significant tariffs on Chinese goods entering the US in January. Source: BBC

President Donald Trump is expected to accept a luxurious Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar’s ruling family during his upcoming Middle East trip — a gift U.S. officials say may serve as a temporary Air Force One. While Qatari authorities stated no final decision has been made, Trump endorsed the proposal, framing it as a financially responsible choice for the country. “So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Sunday. “Anybody can do that!” Trump poised to accept luxury jet from Qatar’s Royal family, may be used as Air Force One According to ABC News, Trump would use the jet through the remainder of his presidency, with ownership eventually transferring to the foundation managing his planned presidential library. The announcement is anticipated during Trump’s visit to Qatar, which also includes stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — marking the most extensive foreign trip of his second term. Qatar’s media attaché, Ali Al-Ansari, previously said, “The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense.” He added that legal departments are still reviewing the proposal. Anticipating scrutiny, administration officials have reportedly drafted a legal justification claiming the arrangement does not violate the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional approval. Still, critics have raised alarms over the potential ethical and security implications. Kathleen Clark, a government ethics expert at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, said Trump appears “committed to exploiting the federal government’s power, not on behalf of policy goals, but for amassing personal wealth.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sarcastically remarked, “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar,” calling the deal “premium foreign influence with extra legroom.” Even some conservative commentators voiced concern, citing national security risks if the U.S. president were to use an aircraft provided by a foreign government. Trump reportedly plans to have the Qatari jet outfitted with secure communications and other necessary modifications. However, a former U.S. official told the Associated Press the plane would still fall short of current Air Force One capabilities and lack air-to-air refueling — a feature also missing from the upcoming VC-25B replacements. “This gift is unprecedented,” said Jordan Libowitz, spokesperson for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. “The totality of gifts given to a president over their term doesn’t get close to this level.” He questioned whether such gifts could impact Trump’s foreign policy decisions, especially in the Middle East.    

Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student activist currently detained in Louisiana as he resists deportation under the Trump administration, has written a heartfelt letter to his newborn son, expressing the pain of missing his birth. In the letter, published by The Guardian, Khalil tells his son, Deen, that his heart aches knowing “I could not hold you in my arms and hear your first cry, that I could not unfurl your clenched fists or change your first diaper”. A Palestinian, Khalil reflects that his absence mirrors the experiences of many fathers from his homeland. “Like other Palestinian fathers, I was separated from you by racist regimes and distant prisons. In Palestine, this pain is part of daily life,” he writes. “Babies are born every day without their fathers – not because their fathers chose to leave, but because they are taken by war, by bombs, by prison cells and by the cold machinery of occupation. The grief your mother and I feel is but one drop in a sea of sorrow that Palestinian families have drowned in for generations.” Khalil also describes himself as a political prisoner, saying he is behind bars because of his unwavering support for Palestinian freedom. “One day, you might ask why people are punished for standing up for Palestine, why truth and compassion feel dangerous to power. These are hard questions, but I hope our story shows you this: the world needs more courage, not less. It needs people who choose justice over convenience.”

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he's ordering a halt to nearly two months of US airstrikes on Yemen's Houthis, saying that the Iran-backed rebels have indicated that “they don’t want to fight anymore” and have pledged to stop attacking ships along a vital maritime corridor. “We’re going to stop the bombing of the Houthis, effective immediately,” Trump said at the start of his Oval Office meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, AP reports. Trump said that the Houthis had indicated to US officials that "they don't want to fight anymore. They just don't want to fight. And we will honour that, and we will stop the bombings.” That likely means an abrupt end to a bombing campaign that began in March, when Trump promised to use “overwhelming lethal force” after the Houthis said they would resume attacks on Israeli vessels sailing off Yemen in response to Israel's mounting another blockade on the Gaza Strip. At the time, they described the warning as affecting the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Arabian Sea. Trump said the Houthis had "capitulated but, more importantly, we will take their word that they say they will not be blowing up ships anymore. And that's what the purpose of what we were doing,” Trump said. “I think that's very positive," Trump added. "They were knocking out a lot of ships." Asked how the Houthis had communicated that they were looking to stop being targeted by US bombs, Trump offered few details, saying only with a chuckle that the information came from a “very good source.” Ukraine drone attacks briefly shut down Moscow's international airports A short time later, Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, confirmed that the US bombing campaign was ending, posting on X that discussions involving the US and Oman, as well as negotiators in Yemen, “have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides.” “In the future, neither side will target the other, including American vessels, in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, ensuring freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international commercial shipping,” he wrote, calling the agreement a “welcome outcome.” The broad-based missile strikes Trump had ordered were similar to ones carried out against the Houthis multiple times by the administration of his predecessor, President Joe Biden, in response to frequent attacks against commercial and military vessels in the region.