President Trump is embarking on a four-day tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, with plans to announce deals exceeding $1 trillion. This approach reflects Trump's view of the presidency as an opportunity for global business transactions, which he claims will create jobs for American workers.
Trump is urging Saudi leaders to invest $1 trillion in the U.S., a figure that economists consider unrealistic, as it matches the country's entire annual gross domestic product. His business interests are also expanding, with six pending deals involving a majority Saudi-owned real estate firm, a cryptocurrency partnership with a U.A.E. affiliate, and a new golf and luxury villa project backed by Qatar.
In a notable gesture, the Qatari royal family has offered Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 plane, intended to be upgraded for use as Air Force One. Trump dismissed ethical concerns regarding the gift, stating that it would be foolish to decline such an offer.
In other news, Hamas has released Edan Alexander, the last U.S. hostage held in Gaza, framing the release as a move to gain U.S. support for a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict.
Additionally, the U.S. and China have agreed to suspend tariffs for 90 days while continuing negotiations. Trump anticipates discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, although he acknowledges that a comprehensive agreement may take time. Following negotiations in Geneva, the U.S. has reduced tariffs on Chinese imports from 145 percent to 30 percent, while China has lowered its import duties on U.S. goods from 125 percent to 10 percent, resulting in a surge in global stock markets.
In Europe, leaders have warned Russia of potential new sanctions unless it agrees to an unconditional cease-fire in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to talks in Turkey, with Trump suggesting he might participate, though the Kremlin has not responded to this proposal.
In cultural news, Don Pettit, NASA's oldest active astronaut, has shared stunning images from his 220-day mission aboard the International Space Station, capturing various celestial phenomena and life on Earth.
In the art world, the upcoming auction season is projected to be weaker than usual, with only a few works valued over $50 million, including a potentially record-setting piece by Mondrian.
For culinary enthusiasts, a recommended dish is three-cup chicken, a Taiwanese specialty with numerous variations. Other recommendations include the book “Fever Beach,” the film “Caught by the Tides,” and various games such as Spelling Bee and Wordle.
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