President

Donald Trump

met with interim

Syrian

President Ahmad al-Sharaa in

Saudi Arabia

The initial meeting between the two countries’ leaders in 25 years, which has the potential to be a pivotal moment for the area as Syria aims to recover from extensive global ostracism.

This gathering signifies a significant shift as Syria adapts to post-Assad era governance, following more than five decades under the tight control of the Assad dynasty. It also highlights the transformation faced by its fresh leadership, someone who previously had a $10 million USD reward offered for their capture.

Meanwhile, Trump said Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani, reminded him of the Saudi crown prince. He called them both “tall, handsome guys that happen to be very smart” — the latest display of warm relations between the president and his Gulf Arab hosts.

During an interview with Fox News onboard Air Force One, Trump defended his attempts to accept a donated substitute aircraft.

Qatar

, the second destination on his tour of the Middle East. Democrats argue that accepting the $400 million aircraft poses a risk to national security.

Here’s the Latest:

Hundreds of Connecticut lawyers issue statement reaffirming commitment to rule of law

The group of more than 500 members of the Connecticut Bar Association said it decided to issue the statement due to “mounting concern across the legal profession.”

“Our deep commitment to this nation’s Constitution and laws, and to democracy, brings us together to state publicly what has so often been taken for granted but what must now be said again aloud,” according to the letter, which does not mention the Trump administration by name.

The correspondence confirms that judges ought not face impeachment threats or acts of violence as a result of their judicial decisions. Additionally, it asserts that attorneys possess the liberty to select whom they advocate for without enduring repercussions from governmental bodies. The document further emphasizes that the administration is obligated to adhere to legal directives issued by courts and highlights fundamental entitlements such as access to legal representation, fair procedures, unrestricted expression, and the autonomy to form associations.

“We recognize that we, as lawyers, have a special duty to safeguard the law,” the letter reads. “To that end, we stand today shoulder-to-shoulder, lawyers in the Constitution state, to proclaim again these Constitutional guarantees.”

Union groups sue Trump administration in effort to reverse all cuts to occupational health agency

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., by the United Mine Workers of America, the American Federation of Teachers, National Nurses United and 10 other labor organizations.

It focuses on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which was gutted during a tornado of layoffs this year that by some estimates cut about 850 of the agency’s roughly 1,000 employees.

At a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he is reversing the firing of about 330 NIOSH workers. But the lawsuit seeks to reinstate all NIOSH staff and functions, arguing that the cuts flouted express directives from Congress and are illegal.

A spokesperson for Kennedy did not comment specifically on the lawsuit, but sent a statement that said that “NIOSH’s essential services will continue as HHS streamlines its operations. Ensuring the health and safety of our workforce remains a top priority for the Department.”

Navy to hold sailors accountable for string of accidents

The acting Chief of Naval Operations Admiral James Kilby informed a House appropriations subcommittee that multiple incidents involving the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and its associated fleet are currently under examination. He stated, “We are dedicated to understanding these occurrences and ensuring they do not recur.”

“Steps for accountability are currently underway or will be initiated,” stated Kilby. Following a collision in February, the commanding officer of the Truman was dismissed from their position; however, Kilby’s comments on Wednesday implied that further measures are expected.

Recently, two F/A-18 Super Hornets have gone missing above the Red Sea within just a few weeks. In last week’s incident, one of these planes failed to catch onto the arresting gear—those steel cables designed to halt them upon hitting the carrier’s flight deck during landing—and consequently fell into the sea; both aviators managed to eject safely from this situation. Before that, another mishap occurred where an F/A-18 slid right off the USS Harry S. Truman’s hangar deck—a misfortune which happened while crew members attempted to maneuver the plane inside the crowded confines of the ship’s internal storage area for aircraft.

In February, the Truman was involved in a collision at sea with a merchant vessel near Port Said, Egypt.

During a fourth distinct event, the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg inadvertently brought down an F/A-18 in December. This followed instances where several Houthi drones initiated by the insurgents were intercepted by the ships. Fortunately, both pilots involved in this occurrence made it out safely. The Gettysburg forms part of the Truman carrier strike group.

A California judge grants safeguards for international students who filed lawsuits against visa cancellations.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White in Oakland has halted the Trump administration’s efforts to arrest, detain, or transfer roughly two dozen international students whose lawful status was suddenly revoked as part of an extensive nationwide operation.

White mentioned he is considering implementing a nationwide injunction affecting all international students. Other judges across the U.S. have also issued comparable safeguards for individual claimants.

In early April, at least 4,700 international students had their visa records revoked collectively by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, frequently without informing either the students or their educational institutions.

ICE subsequently changed direction and started putting students’ visa information back into an official government database that tracks their lawful standing.

World Cup goes from Qatar to the US

Following the state dinner, a brief ceremony was held for the World Cup soccer tournament. After being hosted by Qatar in 2022, the next one will be in the U.S. in 2026.

Trump held aloft a ball from the last tournament, which he signed along with Al Thani.

Qatar seeks end to bloodshed in Gaza

Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, asked Trump to use American pressure to bring peace to Gaza, where Israel has renewed its military operations.

Qatar has played a crucial role in negotiations and has acted as an intermediary for Hamas.

Al Thani also expressed to Trump his concerns during last year’s assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.

“I prayed for your recuperation and your wellbeing,” he stated.

Trump says he doesn’t want ‘violent’ approach to Iran

At the state dinner, the president reiterated his wish for a calm solution to Iran’s nuclear issue and indicated that the next move rests with Tehran.

The aggressive approach is violent and I prefer not to go down that path.” He also mentioned, “It’s their choice.

He encouraged Qatar to assist in reaching an agreement.

“It’s a perilous situation, and we want to do the right thing,” he said. “We want to do something that’s going to save maybe millions of lives. Because things like that get started and they get out of control.”

Trump, joined by first lady, plans to sign bill addressing deepfakes and ‘revenge porn’ on Monday

The president and his wife, Melania, are set to host a signing ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, a White House official said.

The first lady traveled to the Capitol in March to lobby Congress to pass the Take It Down Act.

The House sent the bill to the White House on April 28 for the president’s signature.

After Trump signs the measure into law, it will become a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to publish such imagery without a person’s consent. Websites and social media companies also would have 48 hours to remove such material after a victim requests it.

The White House official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss scheduling decisions not yet announced.

— By Darlene Superville

Kennedy states that he is canceling the layoff of roughly 330 NIOSH employees.

During a congressional hearing on Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that he will revoke the dismissals of around 330 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health employees who were set to be terminated.

Approximately 850 out of the agency’s roughly 1,000 employees were let go under the Trump administration, as estimated by a union and those impacted.

Earlier this week, a judge in West Virginia mandated the reinstatement of positions within NIOSH’s respiratory health division in Morgantown; however, her decision did not include specific numbers.

Kennedy stated that out of the 330 individuals who were reinstated, approximately one-third are employed in Morgantown, another one-third work at an NIOSH location in Cincinnati, and the remaining one-third are part of the World Trade Center Health Program with team members spread across multiple sites.

Oxfam America asks Trump to create an agreement that protects lives in Gaza.

The head of Oxfam America stated that as President Trump visits the area, hunger is increasingly widespread throughout Gaza, with children being affected the most.

Abby Maxman stated that the humanitarian effort has come to a “practically complete halt” due to Israel’s extended blockade of assistance and crucial supplies lasting for more than a month.

She called on Trump to focus on securing a full and permanent ceasefire, ending the siege on Gaza, and securing safe access for humanitarian aid.

Judge temporarily blocks cancellation of $3.2M in grants for American Bar Association

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper’s ruling came after the legal group filed a lawsuit alleging the

Justice Department

had retaliated against it by canceling grants for its Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence.

The grants cancellation came shortly after Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a memo barring department employees from participating in ABA-sponsored events during work time, noting that the legal group had recently sued the federal government. The department had said the grants no longer aligned with its priorities.

The judge said the ABA would likely succeed on the merits of its lawsuit, though he said his order does not bar the department from canceling the grants for “permissible and truly nonretalitatory reasons.”

Educational coalition criticizes Trump’s assault on universities.

Many institutions of higher learning are opposing the Trump administration’s criticism of top-tier universities, urging the government to “reestablish” its relationship with the academic community.

On Wednesday, over 50 organizations issued a statement asserting that the country suffers whenever research funding is “unduly politicized and withheld without proper procedure.” They emphasized that every American gains from the technological and medical advancements resulting from collaborations between the government and educational institutions.

The organizations urge the government to honor the autonomy of colleges over their premises. Among the signatories are members from the American Council on Education, an entity that speaks for numerous university leaders.

The Trump administration has reduced research funding for institutions like Harvard, Columbia, and others, presenting this move as part of an initiative to combat anti-Semitism.

A long receiving line

Trump stood alongside Al Thani to welcome a stream of visitors during the dinner. The queue extended along a palace corridor. As one of the participants, Elon Musk, who ranks as the wealthiest individual globally and serves as a key advisor to the president, was present.

Leading figures from the administration such as Pete Hegseth, Scott Bessent, and Susie Wiles attended the event. Also present were Chris Ruddy, the founder of Newsmax, along with Kelly Ortberg, CEO of Boeing, who had previously finalized an agreement during the day to sell aircraft to Qatar.

Following about an hour of handshakes, the receiving line has concluded. Trump and Al Thani are now engaged in a state dinner at the Lusail Palace.

The president appeared to be quite taken with the structure. “Beautiful home!” he remarked.

Sanctions have touched every part of the Syrian economy

U.S. sanctions — along with similar measures by other countries — have led to shortages of goods from fuel to medicine, and made it difficult for humanitarian agencies to operate fully.

Companies around the world struggle to export to Syria, and Syrians struggle to import goods of any kind because nearly all financial transactions with the country are banned. That has led to a blossoming black market of smuggled goods.

Experts say it will take time, and the process for lifting the sanctions is unclear. But Trump’s decision to ease sanctions could bring much-needed investment to the country.

▶ Read more about sanctions on Syria

Loud protesters interrupt RFK Jr. hearing, causing secretary to jump

Shouts of “RFK kills people with AIDS” burst out during Kennedy’s introductory remarks at a Senate panel meeting on Wednesday.

Many federal health employees and agencies focused on HIV/AIDS research have been closed down during Kennedy’s tenure.

When Kennedy started speaking about the agency’s suggested financial plan, multiple women suddenly began yelling loudly, which startled him enough to leap up from his seat. The U.S. Capitol Police then removed these interrupters from the scene.

“That was perfect for C-SPAN,” Senator Bill Cassidy, who chairs the committee as a Republican, commented.

The U.S. cautions against aiding Yemen’s Houthi insurgents.

The U.S. has stated that it will impose sanctions on any nation, organization, or individual providing fuel, military supplies, or other forms of assistance to Yemen’s Houthi insurgents.

The previous week, Trump declared that the U.S. would cease its assaults against the Houthis, a rebel faction supported by Iran, after they consented to ending their hostilities towards American ships in the Red Sea.

The acting U.S. ambassador, Dorothy Shea, informed a U.N. Security Council gathering on Wednesday that Iran has facilitated Houthi assaults through providing military, logistics, and intelligence assistance.

She stated that this council cannot condone Iran’s disregard for its resolutions and ought to enforce penalties on those who violate sanctions utilizing the resources available to them.

Trump arrives for state dinner hosted by Qatar

The presidential motorcade has pulled up at the Lusail Palace outside the capital of Doha. There were palm trees and flags for the U.S. and Qatar, plus about two dozen camels.

Judge says Georgetown student can be released from immigration detention as case proceeds

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered that a Georgetown scholar from India be released from immigration detention after he was detained in the Trump administration’s crackdown on foreign college students.

Khan Suri was arrested by masked, plainclothes officers on March 17 outside his apartment complex in Arlington, Virginia. Officials said his visa was revoked because of his social media posts and his wife’s connection to Gaza as a Palestinian American. They accused him of supporting Hamas, which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist organization.

By the time Khan Suri’s petition was filed, authorities had already put him on a plane to Louisiana without allowing him to update his family or lawyer, Khan Suri’s attorneys said. A few days later, he was moved to Texas.

Would Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vaccinate his children now?

Kennedy stated he would likely vaccinate his children against measles if he had the choice today.

Representative Mark Pocan, a Democrat from Wisconsin, challenged Kennedy at the House hearing concerning his suggested budget for the country’s health agency. The proposal included significant reductions amounting to billions of dollars in funding aimed at combating infectious diseases, supporting medical research, enhancing maternal health services, and financing early childhood education programs.

Following up with his response, Kennedy stepped back, stating he didn’t wish to appear as though he’s offering guidance. He also refrained from explicitly addressing whether he would have his children vaccinated for conditions such as chickenpox or polio.

“My views on vaccines are not important,” Kennedy stated. The health department will ultimately “present the advantages and disadvantages” of vaccinations in their guidelines, he mentioned.

Trump sees a lot to like in the Middle East

For a former real estate developer with flamboyant tastes, this week’s trip has been a tantalizing glimpse at the wealth of his oil-rich hosts.

Trump has marveled at the “perfecto” marble in Qatar and praised the “gleaming marvels” in Saudi Arabia. He’s also groused about the “much less impressive” plane that serves as Air Force One.

The president’s envy will likely fuel his plans to upgrade the White House, which he’s talked about renovating and expanding.

▶ Read more about Trump’s reactions to his Arab hosts’ wealth.

RFK Jr.’s attends first Senate hearing as health secretary

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is making his first appearances as health secretary before Congress — the House Appropriations Committee Wednesday morning and Senate health committee in the afternoon.

Senators have questions about the thousands of job he’s eliminated at the $1.7 trillion Department of Health and Human Services, the steep cuts he’s made to vaccination campaigns and his response to a measles outbreak that’s sickened 1,000 people.

His agency’s budget request includes a $500 million boost for his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative to promote nutrition and healthier lifestyles while deeply cutting infectious disease prevention, maternal health and preschool programs. Kennedy is sharing “his vision on how HHS’ transformation will improve health outcomes, eliminate redundancies to save the American taxpayer, and streamline operations to improve efficiency and service,” an agency statement says.

▶ Read more on Kennedy’s return to Capitol Hill

The Syrian leader informed the congressional representative who visited him that he was receptive to discussing normalized relations with Israel.

Last month in Damascus, Al-Sharaa informed a visiting Republican congressman that he was “willing” to discuss the normalization of ties between Syria and Israel.

Representative Marlin Stutzman, a Republican from Indiana, inquired of the temporary Syrian leadership regarding their interest in entering into an Abraham accords. This agreement, advocated by the United States, aims at establishing normalized relations between Arab countries and Israel.

Al-Sharaa responded that “after some negotiations, he would be open to the Abraham accords,” Stutzman recounted Wednesday by phone.

Al-Sharaa’s main objective was a liberated and united Syria, where he envisioned restoring the war-torn economy via tourism, trade, and business activities, according to Stutzman.

“We need to monitor daily and observe his behavior,” the congressman stated.

Democratic members of the House argue that Congress must consent to President Trump’s acceptance of a complimentary Air Force One.

Democratic members of the House are asking their Republican colleagues to arrange a vote should President Trump agree to accept a complimentary Air Force One upgrade from Qatar.

Representative Ted Lieu, who serves as the vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, contended that obtaining Congress’s consent is necessary.

People should be questioning why another nation wants to bestow such an enormous present upon Donald Trump,” Lieu stated. “Consider the implications it could create.

Trump has stressed that the plane would initially be donated to the Defense Department. After his term ends, he says it would be donated to a future presidential library.

US House Speaker: Trump’s plans for Qatar plane are ‘not my lane’

Mike Johnson declined to weigh in on Trump’s plans to accept a free plane from Qatar to replace Air Force One.

“It’s not my lane,” the Republican leader said at a Wednesday news conference, although he later said he believes the emoluments clause doesn’t apply because the gift would go to the country, not to Trump himself.

Johnson mentioned that he isn’t keeping track of every detail regarding the process since his main focus is pushing through a budget reconciliation bill.

Certain technology shares climb as Middle East deals take shape

Super Micro Computer saw a spike of 12.7% on Wednesday following the announcement of a collaboration deal with DataVolt, the Saudi Arabian data center firm.

The key S&P 500 index, which is central to numerous 401(k) plans, has shed all its previous declines as Trump intensified his international trade conflict and now stands just 4.2% below the record peak it reached in February.

Trump has delayed his most severe tariffs against America’s trading partners, but some import taxes remain and uncertainty continues to hang over businesses and consumers. The on-again-off-again nature of Trump’s trade policy has left companies unable to plan ahead and consumers nervous about spending.

Trump administration rescinds curbs on AI chip exports

A Biden-era rule due to take effect Thursday would have limited the number of artificial intelligence chips that could be exported to certain international markets — including Middle Eastern countries Trump is visiting this week — without federal approval.

The rule sorted more than 100 countries into tiers of export restrictions. “These new requirements would have stifled American innovation and saddled companies with burdensome new regulatory requirements,” the Commerce Department stated in its guidance.

Other nations and U.S. chipmakers Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices were opposed. Microsoft President Brad Smith told the Senate this week that the rule sent “a message to 120 nations that they couldn’t necessarily count on us to provide the AI they want and need.”

White House reveals more details on Trump’s meeting with Syria’s new leader

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s statement says Trump urged al-Sharaa to:

1. diplomatically recognize Israel

2. “tell all foreign terrorists to leave Syria”

3. help the U.S. stop any resurgence of the Islamic State group

4. assume responsibility for over a dozen detention centers holding some 9,000 suspected Islamic State members

The facilities are managed by groups supported by the U.S. and led by Kurds, who recently committed to having all frontier passages into Iraq and Turkey, along with airports and petroleum reserves in the northeast, come under the jurisdiction of the national administration by year-end.

Trump’s wish for Syria to manage the prisons suggests the possibility of complete U.S. military retreat from Syria.

Trump commends his Qatari host as an ‘exceptional individual.’

Trump said the Qatari leader reminds him of the Saudi crown prince, who he had just visited. He called them both “tall, handsome guys that happen to be very smart.”

Trump and Al Thani then signed economic and defense agreements:

5. The initial deal involved Qatar purchasing aircraft from Boeing, the U.S.-based aerospace corporation where the CEO participated in the ceremony. Trump mentioned this as the biggest order in Boeing’s history, totaling more than $200 billion.

6. Following that was a defense agreement along with the acquisition of military drones.

7. The final cooperation agreement was signed by Trump and Al Thani themselves.

Trump denies knowledge of $2 billion crypto deal with his family company

Eric Trump attended a recent cryptocurrency conference in the United Arab Emirates with Zach Witkoff, a founder of the Trump family crypto company, World Liberty Financial, and son of Trump’s do-everything envoy to the Mideast, Steve Witkoff.

During the conference, a state-backed investment company in Abu Dhabi announced it had chosen USD, World Liberty Financial’s stablecoin, to back a $2 billion investment in Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Critics say that allows Trump family-aligned interests to essentially take a cut of each dollar invested.

“I don’t know anything about it,” Trump said when asked by reporters about the transaction on Wednesday.

Eric and Donald Jr. traveled the Mideast ahead of Trump’s tour

It’s not just the “gesture” of a $400 million luxury plane that President Donald Trump says he’s smart to accept from Qatar. It’s not even that the Trump family has fast-growing business ties in the Middle East that offer the potential of vast profits.

It’s the combination of these things and more — deals between a family whose patriarch oversees the U.S. government and a region whose leaders are fond of currying favor through money and lavish gifts — that’s raising concerns about their impact on U.S. policy.

Prior to President Trump’s trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, his sons Eric and Donald Jr. recently embarked on extensive tours of the Middle East to secure business opportunities for The Trump Organization. During this time, Eric Trump unveiled plans for constructing an 80-story Trump Tower in Dubai within the UAE’s most populous city.

The White House was uneasy about conflicts of interest.

When asked prior to this trip whether Trump could meet individuals associated with his family’s business, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the notion as “preposterous,” stating that suggesting President Trump acts in his self-interest would be misleading.

“The president is complying with all conflict of interest regulations,” she stated.

Government officials have dismissed these worries about potential conflicts between Trump’s policy choices and his personal business ventures, stating that Trump’s holdings are held in a trust overseen by his offspring. Additionally, a non-mandatory ethical accord prohibits The Trump Organization from engaging in direct dealings with foreign administrations; however, this differs from his initial term as it now permits transactions involving overseas private entities.

“The president is a successful businessman,” Leavitt said, “and I think, frankly, that it’s one of the many reasons that people reelected him back to this office.”

▶ Learn more about Trump’s business ties in the Middle East

Israel’s PM slams French president’s criticism of blocking aid into Gaza

Benjamin Netanyahu said Emmanuel Macron is echoing “despicable propaganda” from Hamas. He accused Macron of “demanding that Israel surrender and reward terrorism.”

Macron had called Netanyahu’s decision to prevent all aid including food and medications from entering the Palestinian territory a “disgrace.”

Gaza’s 2.3 million people rely almost entirely on outside aid to survive and now face famine. Nearly half a million Palestinians could starve while 1 million others can barely get enough food, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a leading international authority on the severity of hunger crises.

Netanyahu’s comment on Wednesday indicated that Macron had “chosen once more to support a murderous Islamist terror group” as Israel battles “for its survival” after the October 7, 2023, assault by Hamas.

Negotiating deals when the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act is paused

It looks great on paper, but in reality, it’s a catastrophe,” Trump stated in February as he signed an executive order suspending the law’s implementation. “This will result in significantly more business for America.

Adherents view this legislation as an uncontestable agent of righteousness in a tainted world, a pioneering anticorruption act that has subdued influential tycoons who clandestinely greased the palms of foreign governmental representatives to secure overseas deals.

Critics argue that it disproportionately burdened U.S. businesses while their overseas competitors, who were not similarly restricted, seized opportunities.

▶ Learn more about Trump’s suspension of this legislation

Trump to sign agreements with Qatar’s leader

Trump’s dealmaking in Qatar comes amid controversy over the country’s gift — which Trump said he’d accept — of a luxury Boeing 747-8 that the U.S. could use as Air Force One.

Qatar has also played a central role in pay-to-play-style scandals around the globe:

8. Israeli authorities are investigating allegations that Qatar hired close advisers to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch PR campaigns to improve the Gulf nation’s image among Israelis.

9. Two European Union lawmakers were accused of taking money from Doha in a scandal dubbed “Qatar-gate.”

10. U.S. prosecutors in 2020 accused Qatar of bribing FIFA executive committee members to secure the tournament in 2022.

11. In 2024, RTX Corp., the defense contractor formerly known as Raytheon, agreed to pay more than $950 million to resolve allegations that it defrauded the U.S. government and paid bribes to secure business with Qatar. Doha always has denied wrongdoing.

In a scenario mimicking the lavish Saudi welcome, Trump lands in Qatar

During his journey from Saudi Arabia, Air Force One was accompanied by Qatari F-15 aircraft, as stated in an X post by White House staffer Margo Martin. This mirrored Tuesday’s escort by Saudi Arabian combat planes, a significant gesture with little recent historical precedence.

Trump was greeted at the airport by Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim Al Thani. Both leaders then walked down a receiving line of representatives from each country at the Amiri Diwan, the government palace. The ceremonial greeting also included an escort of riders on camelback.

As Al Thani exchanged handshakes with U.S. officials, his welcome was more affectionate when meeting Steve Witkoff, Trump’s representative who has been instrumental in Middle Eastern talks. The two hugged warmly after shaking hands. Following this, Trump took a moment to sit and chat with Al Thani before admiring the opulent government palace they were in.

As someone with experience in construction, I’m noticing flawless marble,” stated the ex-real estate developer. He characterized it as “perfecto.

Is Putin misleading Trump?

President Donald Trump believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin won’t travel to Turkey for ceasefire discussions with Ukraine unless Trump himself attends as well.

“I’m unsure whether he will show up if I am absent,” Trump stated to journalists while traveling on Air Force One from Saudi Arabia to Qatar.

He noted that his schedule on Thursday is “all booked out” with a state visit in Qatar, set to include an engagement with U.S. troops in the region. Trump didn’t categorically rule out visiting Turkey, but said he planned to send Secretary of State Marco Rubio in his stead.

Trump also said he’ll know more in a few days if Putin is just leading him on on its openness to negotiations to end its war on Ukraine.

Asked if he believed Putin was just “tapping” him, as he suggested earlier this month, Trump said in response: “I’ll let you know in a few days.”

Trump’s impressions of Syria’s new leader: ‘Pretty amazing’

Trump praised Syria’s new leader after their meeting in Saudi Arabia.

He’s a “young, attractive guy,” Trump said. “Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter.”

Trump also said he thought al-Sharaa has “got a real shot at holding it together.”

“I believe he has the capability to succeed—he truly embodies leadership,” Trump stated, noting that his push was quite impressive. He also mentioned that he expects al-Sharaa will ultimately sign onto the Abraham Accords and acknowledge Israel.

I believe they need to sort things out,” Trump states. “I told him, ‘I hope you’ll be part of it once everything is sorted.’ He responded affirmatively. However, they still have substantial work ahead.

Trump admits he has no idea what a stablecoin is.

Trump says he “doesn’t know” how an Emirati investment firm chose a stablecoin launched by one of his businesses for a $2 billion investment.

When questioned by journalists onboard Air Force One, Trump states, ‘I have no information regarding that.’

An investment firm backed by the government of Abu Dhabi declared that they have selected USD, World Liberty Financial’s stablecoin, to underpin a $2 billion stake in Binance, which is globally recognized as the biggest cryptocurrency exchange.

Critics argue this arrangement lets the Trump family benefit financially from every investment made. On Thursday, Trump plans to visit Abu Dhabi as part of his concluding stop on a tour of Gulf countries where his personal and professional endeavors have overlapped considerably.

Gaza’s death toll from Israeli strikes rises to at least 60

The Gaza Health Ministry says that about 60 people were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza overnight and early on Wednesday morning.

In addition to strikes in Jabaliya, northern Gaza, that killed more than 50 people, including 22 children, additional strikes killed at least 10 people in the southern city of Khan Younis, according to the European Hospital.

Overnight in Jabaliya, rescue workers smashed through collapsed concrete slabs using hand tools, lit only by the light of cellphone cameras, to remove bodies of some of the children who were killed.

Iran unhappy with Trump’s moves on Syria

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed displeasure at Trump’s announcement about the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria.

Araghchi, Iran’s nuclear negotiator, criticized Trump for holding a “highly deceptive perspective.”

“What he expressed regarding the hope of neighboring countries for a prosperous and progressive future aligns with the path chosen by the Iranian people during their revolution,” Araghchi stated.

“The United States has hindered the advancement of the Iranian people for over four decades through sanctions and various forms of pressure, including both military and non-military threats,” he stated additionally.

Trump dives into Mideast crises in his speech to GCC leaders

In Riyadh, Trump informed the GCC leaders about his desire to establish an agreement aimed at stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear arms.

He expressed his desire for a “safe and dignified future for the Palestinian people,” however, he does not support this outcome under the leadership of Gaza’s current rulers, Hamas, whom he claims “take pleasure in assaulting, tormenting, and killing unarmed civilians.” Regarding Syria, he mentioned that providing sanctions relief would offer them “a new beginning.”

He addressed the gathering of regional leaders in the room stating that the world looked at them with envy, yet he also noted, “If we can just halt the aggression coming from a select few quite nefarious individuals.”

Trump delved into U.S. politics as well, emphasizing his win in the 2024 election, describing it as an unprecedented achievement. He criticized the Biden administration for causing chaos and disorder.

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