United News of Bangladesh

US President Donald Trump has arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the beginning of his first significant overseas visit since starting his second term in office. Air Force One touched down at 2:49 am. ET (9:49 a.m. local time), where Trump received a ceremonial welcome at the Royal Terminal. A royal purple carpet was laid out for his arrival, and he was greeted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders participated in a traditional coffee ceremony inside the terminal before the president departed for his hotel. The visit has been marked by high-level pageantry, with Riyadh’s streets lined with American and Saudi flags along the route from the airport. In a display of diplomatic flair, Saudi F-15 fighter jets escorted Air Force One as it approached the city — a detail highlighted by Trump’s deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino and reporters traveling with the delegation. Trump visiting Gulf Arab states while crises flare in Gaza and Iran Trump's schedule for Tuesday includes a formal welcoming ceremony with the crown prince, a meeting of U.S. and Saudi delegations, a business lunch with corporate leaders, bilateral discussions, and a signing ceremony at the Royal Court. He is also set to speak at a U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, tour the historic Dir’iyah and At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage sites, and conclude the day with a state dinner hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Source: With inputs from agency

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” and called for a total Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza. The prince also criticised Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iran  at a summit of Muslim and Arab leaders. In a sign of improving ties between rivals Riyadh and Tehran, he warned Israel against launching attacks on Iranian soil, reports BBC. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said it was a “failing of the international community” that the war in Gaza had not been stopped, accusing Israel of causing starvation in the territory Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud said: "Where the international community primarily has failed is ending the immediate conflict and putting an end to Israel’s aggression.” The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack, which saw hundreds of gunmen enter southern Israel. About 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage. Israel retaliated by launching a military campaign to destroy Hamas, during which more than 43,400 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Read more: Traumatized by war, hundreds of Lebanon's children struggle with wounds both physical and emotional A report by the UN’s Human Rights Office found that close to 70% of verified victims over a six-month period in Gaza were women and children. Leaders at the summit also condemned what they described as Israel's “continuous attacks” against UN staff and facilities in Gaza. In the backdrop of the well-attended summit, is Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Gulf leaders are aware of his closeness to Israel, but they also have good relations with him, and want him to use his influence and his fondness for deal-making to secure an end to conflicts in this region. In Saudi Arabia, Trump is viewed much more favourably than Joe Biden, but his track record in the Middle East is mixed. He pleased Israel and angered the Muslim world by recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as well as the annexation of the occupied Golan Heights.

Kuwait’s foreign ministry announced Monday that Saudi Arabia will open its air and land borders with Qatar in the first steps toward ending a diplomatic crisis that has deeply divided regional U.S. allies since 2017.