Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip
For the first time since 2017, US President Donald Trump has embarked on a tour of the Gulf, with visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.
His four-day trip includes stops in Riyadh and Doha before he heads to the UAE capital on Thursday, where he will stay at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi.
Although the emirate is known for its many lavish properties, the Ritz-Carlton offers a high level of security and privacy, making it an ideal choice for hosting high-profile guests. It's owned by Abu Dhabi National Hotels and operated by Marriott International through its subsidiary, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, which is owned by Maryland-based Marriott International – aligning with the tendency of US presidents to favour American hotel brands.
History
Originally scheduled to open in 2011, the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi finally welcomed guests in March 2013 after delays caused by ownership and design changes as the property was initially planned as a JW Marriott.
The Venetian-designed property was inspired by the 15th to early 17th century Renaissance architecture and the urban planning of the city of Venice. The space consists of 10 buildings arranged in a crescent formation, complete with artfully designed water features throughout the 54-acre property.
Location
Located on the banks of the Grand Canal, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi has sweeping views and a serene waterfront atmosphere, while still offering close access to key attractions. The hotel is near cultural landmarks, such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and is a short drive from Zayed International Airport. It’s also centrally located between downtown Abu Dhabi and Yas Island.
Rooms
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi offers a range of accommodations, including 504 rooms and suites, 11 Rabdan villas and four plunge pool villas. Guests can enjoy spacious rooms with views of the beach, gardens or the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The lavish suites feature separate living areas and expansive bathrooms.
President Trump is expected to stay in the opulent 250-square-metre Royal Suite, which has two bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. The marble bathrooms feature oversized bathtubs, separate showers and classy touches such as a lighted makeup mirror and Asprey amenities. There is also a living area, dining area and separate dining and living rooms.
Amenities
The property is home to eight restaurants, offering a range of global cuisines. Highlights include premium cuts at The Forge steakhouse, Mediterranean dishes at Giornotte, Asian fine dining at Li Jiang, and Middle Eastern flavours at Mijana. Guests can also relax with a drink on the stunning outdoor terrace.
The property has a large outdoor pool, private beach, padel courts and a 24-hour fitness centre with sauna and steam rooms. Laundry and dry cleaning services are also available.
The Club Lounge offers a private, tranquil environment with panoramic views of Al Maqta Creek. It comes with complimentary food and drinks five times a day – breakfast buffet, light lunch, afternoon tea, hors d’oeuvres and desserts, plus complimentary evening refreshments.
There is also a dedicated concierge, and access includes complimentary pressing of two garments, same-day shoeshine service, wireless internet and private check-in and check-out.
Meanwhile, little ones can visit the Ritz Kids Club, which is for children aged 4 to 12.
Rates
Rooms at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi start at about Dh1,100 ($300) per night. Prices can vary depending on the season and room category. The Royal Suite can start at about Dh70,000 ($19,050) per night.
On May 5, The National tried to book a room for the week of Trump's visit, but the hotel was fully booked between May 14 and May 17.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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
Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Rashford 36')
Liverpool 1 (Lallana 84')
Man of the match: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Third Test
Day 3, stumps
India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151
India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
Company Profile
Company name: Fine Diner
Started: March, 2020
Co-founders: Sami Elayan, Saed Elayan and Zaid Azzouka
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and food delivery
Initial investment: Dh75,000
Investor: Dtec Startupbootcamp
Future plan: Looking to raise $400,000
Total sales: Over 1,000 deliveries in three months
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.2-litre, turbodiesel
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Power: 160hp
Torque: 385Nm
Price: Dh116,900
On sale: now
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
The 10 Questions
- Is there a God?
- How did it all begin?
- What is inside a black hole?
- Can we predict the future?
- Is time travel possible?
- Will we survive on Earth?
- Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
- Should we colonise space?
- Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
- How do we shape the future?
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
8pm – Richard Ashcroft
9.30pm – Chris Wright
10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
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