Trump heading to Saudi Arabia on first leg of his Mideast trip
The Hindu
President Trump visits Saudi Arabia to address regional crises, with a focus on Iran, oil prices, and US-China relations.
President Donald Trump was heading to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (May 13, 2025), the first leg of his three-nation visit to the Middle East this week meant to tackle multiple crises and conflicts across the region.
His first stop is a visit to Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two are to hold talks on U.S. efforts to dismantle Iran's nuclear programme, end the war in Gaza, hold down oil prices and more.
The Crown Prince is also expected to fete Mr. Trump with a formal dinner and a gathering of members of the Gulf Cooperation Council— made up of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates— later on Tuesday.
US. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that America and China now have a “mechanism” to avoid tensions.
He spoke at an investment forum just before Mr. Trump was to land in Saudi Arabia.
“We had a plan, we had a process. What we did not have with the Chinese was a mechanism,” Mr. Bessent told the forum. “After this weekend, we have a mechanism to avoid escalation like we had before.”
Mr. Bessent said America could have a “big, beautiful rebalancing” with China as Beijing aims to have more of a consumption-based economy and Mr. Trump wants to see more precision manufacturing done in the U.S.
Donald Trump claims he saved 10 million lives by stopping the India-Pakistan conflict, citing praise from Pakistan's Prime Minister.
U.S. warns airlines of military activities over Mexico and Central America, citing potential navigation hazards, as tensions rise.
Emergency calls reveal chaos in Minneapolis after an ICE shooting, sparking unrest and national debate over immigration enforcement.
Syrian troops prepare to attack Kurdish towns as SDF withdraws, escalating tensions amid stalled negotiations with the Damascus government.
Nepal's Election Commission recognizes the reformist faction of Nepali Congress as legitimate, amid internal disputes before crucial elections.
Trump threatens tariffs on countries opposing U.S. control of Greenland amid ongoing diplomatic tensions with Denmark and Greenland.
Elon Musk's X experiences global outages, affecting tens of thousands with over 62,000 reports of issues, Downdetector reveals.
Iran's protests decline after a deadly crackdown, with 3,000 arrests reported amid heightened tensions and international diplomatic efforts.
Canada cuts tariffs on Chinese EVs for reduced farm product tariffs, aiming to improve relations and global governance with China.
Saudi Arabia's opposition to a U.S. strike on Iran stems from concerns over regional stability, governance, and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
UK condemns violence in Bangladesh, urging for peaceful elections and protection of religious minorities amid rising tensions.
Myanmar defends its military actions against Rohingya as counter-terrorism at the UN court, denying genocide allegations.
Russia affirms Greenland as Danish territory, criticizing Western claims of threats from Moscow and Beijing amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.