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Trump concludes 'historic' 3-nation Gulf visit

Trump concludes 'historic' 3-nation Gulf visit

Dubai Eye16-05-2025

US President Donald Trump has departed the UAE, concluding his three-nation tour of the Gulf region.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan bid farewell to the US leader at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
#رئيس_الدولة في مقدمة مودعيه.. الرئيس الأمريكي يختتم زيارته إلى #الإمارات #الإمارات_ترحب_بالرئيس_الأمريكي #UAE_welcomes_US_President #وام pic.twitter.com/3VVYQsSqkF
— وكالة أنباء الإمارات (@wamnews) May 16, 2025
Trump said on Friday the UAE and the US had agreed to create a path for Emirates to buy some of the most advanced AI semiconductors from US companies, a major win for Abu Dhabi's efforts to become a global AI hub.
The US leader pledged on Thursday to strengthen US ties with the UAE, announcing deals totalling over $200 billion, including a $14.5 billion commitment from Etihad Airways to invest in 28 American-made Boeing aircraft.
Trump earlier visited the Abrahamic Family House after addressing business leaders at a UAE-US business council roundtable at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, along with senior officials accompanied Trump on a guided tour of the landmark complex and its three houses of worship.
الرئيس الأمريكي يزور بيت العائلة الإبراهيمية في أبوظبي #الإمارات_ترحب_بالرئيس_الأمريكي #UAE_welcomes_US_President
#وام pic.twitter.com/puikUpl7aW
— وكالة أنباء الإمارات (@wamnews) May 16, 2025

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US sanctions four ICC judges over Israel and Afghanistan investigations
US sanctions four ICC judges over Israel and Afghanistan investigations

Middle East Eye

time22 minutes ago

  • Middle East Eye

US sanctions four ICC judges over Israel and Afghanistan investigations

The administration of US President Donald Trump on Thursday issued sanctions on four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over investigations into the US and its ally Israel. The sanctions build on the designation of ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan in February, carried out under an executive order issued shortly after Trump assumed office. "This is an escalation in a series of attacks by the US government against this global judicial institution, which was created to end impunity for the worst crimes," said Meg Satterthwaite, the UN's special rapporteur on the independence of judges, speaking to Middle East Eye. "It is shocking to see a country that has for decades championed the rule of law using a tool usually reserved for corrupt or criminal actors against judges of this global judicial body." 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The ICC is the only permanent international court tasked with the prosecution of individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. 'President Trump's sanctions on ICC judges aim to deter the ICC from seeking accountability amid grave crimes committed in Israel and Palestine and as Israeli atrocities mount in Gaza, including with US complicity,' Liz Evenson, international justice director at Human Rights Watch, told MEE. Under Netanyahu's government, Israel has faced accusations of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. The US is the largest supplier of arms to Israel and has backed its offensive in Gaza since October 2023, triggering accusations of aiding and abetting alleged crimes. Israel's war on Gaza has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, forcibly displaced most of the 2.1 million population and made the enclave largely uninhabitable. 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It also said it would propose the activation of the EU Blocking Statute. The statute primarily focuses on shielding EU operators, such as the Netherlands-based ICC, from certain US sanctions considered to have extraterritorial reach, like those against Cuba and Iran. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot has also said his government would ask the EU to activate the statute. "While this would be the first time the blocking statute is applied in defense of the ICC, Belgium believes it is essential to protect the Court's independence and its crucial role in delivering justice for the gravest crimes," he said on Friday. The pre-trial chamber that issued the Netanyahu and Gallant decision included Gansou and Hohler, as well as French national Nicolas Guillou. It remains unclear why Guillou has been excluded from the sanctions. Legal scholar Kevin Jon Heller, who is Khan's war crimes advisor, argued that the US has sanctioned individuals who are perceived to be nationals of weaker states. 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'These measures are a clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution which operates under the mandate from 125 States Parties from all corners of the globe,' a statement by the ICC read, saying the sanctions will affect all situations being investigated by the court beyond Palestine. 'These sanctions are not only directed at designated individuals, they also target all those who support the Court, including nationals and corporate entities of States Parties.' Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said the Netherlands 'disapproves' of the sanctions and stands behind the court and its officials. However, he has yet to announce specific measures to protect the sanctioned officials. MEE has reached out to the Dutch and Slovenian foreign ministries for comment.

UAE shoppers want 1-click, biometric checkouts for safer online payments: Visa
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Arabian Business

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  • Arabian Business

UAE shoppers want 1-click, biometric checkouts for safer online payments: Visa

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US job growth slows in May; unemployment rate steady
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Average hourly earnings increased 0.4 per cent in May, above expectations for a 0.3 per cent increase. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.2 per cent, as expected. The yield on benchmark US 10-year notes was last up 5.1 basis points on the day at 4.446 per cent. Interest rate sensitive two-year note yields rose 3.8 basis points to 3.962 per cent. US stock index futures extended gains on Friday after a stronger-than-expected jobs report calmed worries over the health of the labour market in the wake of President Donald Trump's tariff war. A labour Department report showed nonfarm payrolls increased 139,000 in May, compared with estimates for a rise of 130,000, according to economists polled by Reuters. The unemployment rate stood at 4.2 per cent, in-line with a forecast of 4.2 per cent. 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Investors remain worried about US trade negotiations and the lack of progress in hashing out deals ahead of an early July deadline. The highly anticipated call between Trump and Xi also provided little clarity and the spotlight on it was quickly stolen by a public fallout between Trump and Elon Musk. Elsewhere, cryptocurrency dogecoin, often supported by Musk, was a touch firmer after falling to a one-month low on Thursday. US equity funds saw outflows for a third straight week through June 4, as concerns lingered over uncertainty surrounding US trade policies, while investors remained cautious ahead of a key jobs report due Friday. Reuters

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