Live updates: Trump to visit Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar
US President Donald Trump has been urged by France to deliver a political message on a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel during his visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.
French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot suggested the trip, which begins on May 13, should be about more than economic ties.
“I believe President Trump's primary objective during his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and Qatar is to strengthen economic relations with the Gulf region,” he said, speaking to radio France Inter.
“We hope and urge both the United States and our partners in the Gulf to use this opportunity to deliver political messages.”
Pointing at Mr Trump's support, under his previous mandate, for the Abraham Accords, which established diplomatic ties with Israel and a number of Arab states including the UAE, Mr Barrot said he hoped that he would back an upcoming Saudi-French conference in New York on a two-state solution in June.
France may recognise Palestinian statehood during the conference, which would signal an important shift in French policy. Eleven EU member states out of 27 recognise Palestine.
“I'm not saying that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could be resolved in the coming days thanks to President Trump's visit, but I think that what we want and what we are pushing for are political statements that allow us to move in the same direction,” Mr Barrot said.
France and other western countries have harshly criticised Israel's total blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip since March 2. Speaking in front of the National Assembly last week, Mr Barrot said Gaza was on the “verge of famine”.
A number of influential French Jewish voices have echoed his preoccupation over the situation in Gaza. “No pain is eased and no death is avenged by starving innocent people or condemning children,” wrote rabbi Delphine Horvilleur in a weekend op-ed for Tenoua. Israel's war on Gaza has killed 52,829 people since the October 7, 2023, attacks in which about 1,200 died.
Asked what France can do at European level to pressure Israel into a ceasefire, Mr Barrot described as “legitimate” a recent Dutch initiative requesting that the European Commission review of Article 2 – which concerns human rights – of the EU-Israel association agreement.
“This is a legitimate request, which I invite the European Commission to investigate,” Mr Barrot said. Asked if he was favourable to such a review, he answered: “Let us see the analysis that the European Commission will make of Israel's compliance, or not, with Article 2 of this agreement.”
The Dutch letter has received the support of Finland, Sweden and Portugal. A request for review had been filed by Spain and Portugal in February 2024, but it yielded no result.
Company%20Profile
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The%20specs
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Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
info-box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Happy Tenant
Started: January 2019
Co-founders: Joe Moufarrej and Umar Rana
Based: Dubai
Sector: Technology, real-estate
Initial investment: Dh2.5 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 4,000
More on animal trafficking
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
