Trump signs major economic deals in Qatar during Gulf tour
US President Donald Trump landed in Qatar on the second leg of his Middle East tour, after departing from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. He was greeted with full ceremonial honors.
During the visit, Trump and Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, signed agreements worth more than $1.2trn. Key agreements include a $96bn agreement for Qatar Airways to buy up to 210 Boeing planes and a $38bn investment plan to rebuild Al Udeid Airbase and other defense assets, according to BBC.
Later today, officials from the United States, Turkey, and Syria are due to meet to discuss Trump's proposal to relax sanctions on Syria.
Trump’s tour will conclude in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, BBC reported.
Trump urges Syria to normalize ties with Israel
US President Donald Trump met with Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, pushing him to normalize relations with Israel and sign the Abraham Accords. The meeting occurred just after the United States eased sanctions against Syria, which Trump called as a step toward giving the country "a chance at greatness."
Trump underlined Syria's need to expel foreign terrorist groups while also playing a crucial role in regional trade. He also spoke at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit, stating that he wants to negotiate an agreement with Iran as long as it stops supporting terrorism, according to BBC.
The visit is part of Trump's four-day Middle East tour, which aims to strengthen diplomatic connections and regional stability. He is now headed to Qatar for a state dinner following talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Gulf leaders.
Lula pushes Putin to join peace talk
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he will urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Turkey.
Speaking in Beijing on Wednesday, Lula stated that he intends to stop in Moscow and encourage Putin to join the meetings in Istanbul on Thursday, according to Al Jazeera.
The talks would be the first direct encounter between Kiev and Moscow since 2022.
Lula's comments come after Ukraine requested that Brazil assist in mediating, as well as a joint statement from Brazil and China backing direct negotiations as the only way to peace, Al Jazeera reported.
Xi unveils roadmap to boost China-LAC cooperation
Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled a five-point cooperation plan to strengthen ties with Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries at the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing.
The roadmap includes initiatives on solidarity, development, cultural exchange, peace, and people-to-people connectivity. Xi pledged to link China's Belt and Road Initiative with LAC development objectives, boost imports of high-quality products, and stimulate Chinese investment in the region. He also expressed his support for multilateralism and the UN-centered world system, according to Xinhua.
China plans to grant 3,500 scholarships, 10,000 training opportunities, and expand visa-free entry to five LAC countries in order to strengthen educational and cultural ties. Cooperation in areas like cybersecurity, disaster response, and anti-corruption will be strengthened under the peace initiative.
Leaders from Colombia, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay endorsed the plan, calling for enhanced economic, technological, and infrastructure cooperation, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to sovereignty, development, and global South solidarity, Xinhua reported.
The initiative aims to build a shared future for China and LAC nations.
