Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip
When Donald Trump visited Dubai in 2014, the focus was on his partnership to build a golf course and an estate of luxury villas. Any announcement that the property tycoon was planning what was then considered an audacious bid for the White House was not on the itinerary.
The then-67 year old was best known as a flamboyant billionaire whose fame was assisted by his role as host of hit TV series The Apprentice, but he was also showing an interest in politics.
Mr Trump arrived in Dubai in May 2014, flying in with his daughter Ivanka on “Trump Force One”, his luxury Boeing 757 private jet in which the interior fittings are plated in 24-carat gold.
The billionaire had been on the verge of signing a deal in the city in 2005, but plans to build a hotel and residential complex on the Palm Jumeirah with Nakheel were dropped with the global financial crisis that began in 2008.
This time, the deal was with Damac Properties, with a collection of 100 luxury villas bearing the name Trump Estates in the Damac Hills development on the outskirts of Dubai.
The homes were described at the time as presenting “the opportunity to live the Trump lifestyle” with interiors designed by Ivanka Trump, whose face featured prominently on billboards across the city along with the tagline billing the development as “the Beverly Hills of Dubai”.
To launch the project, which featured a Trump International Golf Course, the media was summoned to the site just off the E77 motorway, where a temporary tee box had been set up.
Watched by Hussain Sajwani, founder and chairman of Damac Properties, Mr Trump struck a golf ball deep into the desert. He was so pleased with the shot that orders were given for an aide to retrieve the ball so it could be framed and hung in the new clubhouse.
He then described Dubai as "actually a solid investment now" and added that "a lot of people want to be here because of that".
"There’s so many places you could go but Dubai is a solid investment, a solid place," he told the BBC. "It’s a vibrant place and the people are vibrant and smart. I would say it's a safe haven. People love to invest in Dubai because they like Dubai."
The conversation then switched to US politics and his poor opinion of the president, Barack Obama, whose approval ratings were plummeting.
“We have a lack of leadership at the top and the president has not done a good job and a lot of people are agreeing, even his own people are agreeing that it has not worked out well for President Obama,” he said.
He then went a step further, in comments that now look remarkably prophetic given we now find ourselves in 2025 with President Trump working his way through his second term in the Oval Office.
"The good news is that we have tremendous potential and, with the right leader, the country can turn round so quickly it will be unbelievable," he added. "I think eventually we’ll get the right person. You don’t want it to go too far down but eventually we’ll get the right person and when we do it’ll all straighten out."
It now looks like the person he had in mind to "straighten out" his homeland was himself. Barely a year later, he announced his bid for the presidency at Trump Tower in New York, winning the election in November 2016.
President Trump will return to the UAE this week as a part of a diplomatic sweep through the region, with trips also to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
He is planning to arrive in the Emirates on Thursday and Friday and is expected to present a friendly face to the region in contrast to some of the tough rhetoric directed at the EU, Ukraine and other countries.
The trip will “obviously be dollar deal-focused”, a State Department official told The National. “We have Saudi, UAE and potentially Qatar announcements as well.”
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From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
Federer's 11 Wimbledon finals
2003 Beat Mark Philippoussis
2004 Beat Andy Roddick
2005 Beat Andy Roddick
2006 Beat Rafael Nadal
2007 Beat Rafael Nadal
2008 Lost to Rafael Nadal
2009 Beat Andy Roddick
2012 Beat Andy Murray
2014 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2015 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2017 Beat Marin Cilic
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
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.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
