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Gulf

Trump to Visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE on May 13-16, White House Says

US President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for Paul Atkins as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on 22 April 2025. (EPA)
US President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for Paul Atkins as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on 22 April 2025. (EPA)
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Trump to Visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE on May 13-16, White House Says

US President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for Paul Atkins as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on 22 April 2025. (EPA)
US President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for Paul Atkins as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on 22 April 2025. (EPA)

President Donald Trump's upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will take place May 13-16, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday.

Trump would be traveling to the Middle East at a time of ongoing tensions with Iran, the Houthis in Yemen and the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

The Middle East would have been Trump’s first foreign destination since returning to the White House, but he will be heading to the Vatican to attend Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia was the destination of Trump’s first foreign visit during his first term as president, underscoring the importance his administration places on the Kingdom’s regional and international role.

Trump had previously described his ties with the Middle East as “good”. He has constantly hailed the trade relations between the US and Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom’s role in establishing peace and stability in the region.

He has praised it for hosting American diplomatic efforts and facilitating ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Trump has underlined the size of Saudi investments in Amercian companies that amount to nearly $1 billion dollars and has boasted of his strong friendship with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Analysts have said Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE will be very significant and will witness the signing of several trade and military agreements.

The visit will also highlight Qatar’s role as a mediator in the Gaza war, while the US views the UAE as a strategic partner.

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Gulf

GCC Secretary-General Affirms Gulf Stability as a Cornerstone of Global Stability

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
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GCC Secretary-General Affirms Gulf Stability as a Cornerstone of Global Stability

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi stressed during a working session before the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) that Gulf–European relations are more important than ever amid current regional and international challenges, and called for elevating them from consultation to a more practical partnership, SPA reported.

Albudaiwi, who is holding a series of meetings with senior officials in Brussels, explained that recent security developments in the region, along with threats to maritime routes, supply chains, and energy and food security, confirm that Gulf stability is not merely a regional matter, but a fundamental element of global stability.

He emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and secure under international law, particularly UNCLOS (1982).

He also praised the EU’s condemnation of Iranian attacks on GCC states and its efforts to contain escalation through urgent diplomatic engagement.

Gulf

Makkah Police Arrest Resident over Fraudulent Hajj Ads

A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Makkah Police Arrest Resident over Fraudulent Hajj Ads

A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

Makkah Region police arrested an Egyptian resident for fraud after posting advertisements on social media offering fake permits to enter the holy sites and fraudulent Hajj services, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

Legal action was taken against him and he was referred to the Public Prosecution.

The General Directorate of Public Security urged citizens and residents to adhere to Hajj regulations and guidelines and to report violators.

On Tuesday, the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the penalties that will be imposed on violators of the regulations requiring a permit to perform Hajj.

A fine of up to SAR20,000 will be imposed on any individual found performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit.

A fine of up to SAR100,000 will be imposed on any person who applies for the issuance of a visit visa of any type for an individual who performs or attempts to perform Hajj without a permit.

Infiltrators, including residents and those who overstay their visas, will be deported back to their countries and banned them from entering the Kingdom for 10 years.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief Distributes 29,000 Hot Meals in Gaza

KSrelief distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip. (SPA)
KSrelief distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief Distributes 29,000 Hot Meals in Gaza

KSrelief distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip. (SPA)
KSrelief distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip. (SPA)

The central kitchen operated by Saudi Arabia's King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip, as part of the Saudi public campaign to provide relief to the Palestinian people, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

This initiative demonstrates the Kingdom’s dedication, through KSrelief, to supporting the Palestinian people in times of crisis.

On Monday, KSrelief distributed 1,196 food baskets to the most vulnerable groups in Gaza's city of Khan Younis, benefiting 7,176 individuals.