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Business Standard
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Jailed over a tweet? British banker faces 10 years in Saudi Arabia prison
A British banking analyst, Ahmed al-Doush, has been sentenced to ten years in a Saudi Arabian prison, reportedly over a single, since-deleted tweet from 2018. The 41-year-old Bank of America analyst was arrested in August last year at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport while attempting to travel to Manchester, England, with his family. The tweet in question reportedly concerned the political situation in Sudan and did not mention Saudi Arabia. Al-Doush's family and human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, believe the charges are linked not only to this tweet but also to his association with the son of a Saudi dissident living in exile. The family emphasises that Ahmed has no political affiliations and that the tweet was posted to a very small audience — his account had just 37 followers at the time. He was charged with violating Saudi Arabia's terrorism and anti-cybercrime laws, though the exact content of the tweet remains unknown. His international lawyer, Haydee Dijkstal, has highlighted serious concerns about the fairness of the trial and due process violations, noting that neither the specific charges nor the evidence have been clearly disclosed. The lawyer urged the UK government to take a strong stance against the imprisonment of a British citizen for exercising free speech rights. Al-Doush's wife, Amaher Nour, has spoken about the emotional and physical toll the imprisonment has taken on her husband, who suffers from thyroid problems and has endured distress during his nine months in detention. She also noted that Ahmed missed the birth of their fourth child and their ten-year wedding anniversary due to his incarceration. 'I rarely speak to my husband, but in the few snatched conversations we have managed, it is clear that Ahmed is struggling,' she said. The sentencing occurred amid a broader context of Saudi Arabia's crackdown on social media dissent, particularly targeting dual nationals and Saudis with Western ties. Several individuals have been detained in recent years over social media posts perceived as critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country's de facto ruler. The UK Foreign Office has said it is supporting Ahmed al-Doush and remains in contact with his family and local authorities, though critics argue that government efforts have been insufficient. Human rights groups have called for his immediate and unconditional release, condemning the arbitrary detention and the lack of transparency surrounding his case. [With agency inputs]
Western Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Trump gives Saudi speech urging Iran towards a ‘new and a better path'
The president said at the US-Saudi investment conference, during a four-day Middle East trip, that he wants to avoid conflict with Tehran. 'As I have shown repeatedly, I am willing to end past conflicts and forge new partnerships for a better and more stable world, even if our differences may be profound,' he said. He kicked off his trip on Tuesday with his visit to the Saudi capital Riyadh. The latest entreaty to Tehran comes days after he dispatched special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Iranian officials for a fourth round of talks aimed at persuading Tehran to abandon its nuclear programme. 'As president of the United States, my preference will always be for peace and partnership, whenever those outcomes can be achieved,' Mr Trump said. He also said he hopes Saudi Arabia will soon join the Abraham Accords and recognise Israel 'in your own time'. Saudi Arabia long has maintained that recognition of Israel is tied to the establishment of a Palestinian state along the lines of Israel's 1967 borders. Under the Biden administration, there was a push for Saudi Arabia to recognise Israel as part of a major diplomatic deal, but the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 2023 upended those plans and sent the region into one of the worst period it has faced. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes Donald Trump to Riyadh (Alex Brandon/AP) Mr Trump also signed a host of economic and bilateral co-operation agreements with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi de facto ruler, warmly greeted him as he stepped off Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport. The two leaders then retreated to a grand hall at Riyadh airport, where Mr Trump and his aides were served traditional Arabic coffee by waiting attendants wearing ceremonial gun belts. 'I really believe we like each other a lot,' Mr Trump said later during a brief appearance with the crown prince at the start of a bilateral meeting. They later signed more than a dozen agreements to increase co-operation between their governments' militaries, justice departments and cultural institutions. Prince Mohammed has already committed to 600 billion dollars (£450 billion) in new Saudi investment in the US, but Mr Trump said a trillion dollars (£750 billion) would be even better. Donald Trump and Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Royal Palace (Alex Brandon/AP) The pomp began before Mr Trump even landed, as Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s provided an honorary escort for Air Force One as it approached the kingdom's capital. Mr Trump and Prince Mohammed also took part in a formal greeting and lunch at the Royal Court at Al Yamamah Palace, gathering with guests and aides in an ornate room with blue and gold accents and massive crystal chandeliers. The prince rubbed elbows with high-profile business executives including Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman, BlackRock chief executive Larry Fink and Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk. Saudi Arabia and fellow Opec+ nations have already helped their cause with Mr Trump early in his second term by stepping up oil production. He sees cheap energy as a key component to lowering costs and stemming inflation for Americans. The Republican president has also made the case that lower oil prices will hasten an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. The three countries on Trump's itinerary — Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — are places where the Trump Organisation, run by Mr Trump's two oldest sons, is developing major property projects. They include a high-rise tower in Jeddah, a luxury hotel in Dubai and a golf course and villa complex in Qatar.
Glasgow Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Trump gives Saudi speech urging Iran towards a ‘new and a better path'
The president said at the US-Saudi investment conference, during a four-day Middle East trip, that he wants to avoid conflict with Tehran. 'As I have shown repeatedly, I am willing to end past conflicts and forge new partnerships for a better and more stable world, even if our differences may be profound,' he said. He kicked off his trip on Tuesday with his visit to the Saudi capital Riyadh. The latest entreaty to Tehran comes days after he dispatched special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Iranian officials for a fourth round of talks aimed at persuading Tehran to abandon its nuclear programme. 'As president of the United States, my preference will always be for peace and partnership, whenever those outcomes can be achieved,' Mr Trump said. He also said he hopes Saudi Arabia will soon join the Abraham Accords and recognise Israel 'in your own time'. Saudi Arabia long has maintained that recognition of Israel is tied to the establishment of a Palestinian state along the lines of Israel's 1967 borders. Under the Biden administration, there was a push for Saudi Arabia to recognise Israel as part of a major diplomatic deal, but the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 2023 upended those plans and sent the region into one of the worst period it has faced. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes Donald Trump to Riyadh (Alex Brandon/AP) Mr Trump also signed a host of economic and bilateral co-operation agreements with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi de facto ruler, warmly greeted him as he stepped off Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport. The two leaders then retreated to a grand hall at Riyadh airport, where Mr Trump and his aides were served traditional Arabic coffee by waiting attendants wearing ceremonial gun belts. 'I really believe we like each other a lot,' Mr Trump said later during a brief appearance with the crown prince at the start of a bilateral meeting. They later signed more than a dozen agreements to increase co-operation between their governments' militaries, justice departments and cultural institutions. Prince Mohammed has already committed to 600 billion dollars (£450 billion) in new Saudi investment in the US, but Mr Trump said a trillion dollars (£750 billion) would be even better. Donald Trump and Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Royal Palace (Alex Brandon/AP) The pomp began before Mr Trump even landed, as Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s provided an honorary escort for Air Force One as it approached the kingdom's capital. Mr Trump and Prince Mohammed also took part in a formal greeting and lunch at the Royal Court at Al Yamamah Palace, gathering with guests and aides in an ornate room with blue and gold accents and massive crystal chandeliers. The prince rubbed elbows with high-profile business executives including Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman, BlackRock chief executive Larry Fink and Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk. Saudi Arabia and fellow Opec+ nations have already helped their cause with Mr Trump early in his second term by stepping up oil production. He sees cheap energy as a key component to lowering costs and stemming inflation for Americans. The Republican president has also made the case that lower oil prices will hasten an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. The three countries on Trump's itinerary — Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — are places where the Trump Organisation, run by Mr Trump's two oldest sons, is developing major property projects. They include a high-rise tower in Jeddah, a luxury hotel in Dubai and a golf course and villa complex in Qatar.
South Wales Argus
13-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Trump gives Saudi speech urging Iran towards a ‘new and a better path'
The president said at the US-Saudi investment conference, during a four-day Middle East trip, that he wants to avoid conflict with Tehran. 'As I have shown repeatedly, I am willing to end past conflicts and forge new partnerships for a better and more stable world, even if our differences may be profound,' he said. He kicked off his trip on Tuesday with his visit to the Saudi capital Riyadh. The latest entreaty to Tehran comes days after he dispatched special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Iranian officials for a fourth round of talks aimed at persuading Tehran to abandon its nuclear programme. 'As president of the United States, my preference will always be for peace and partnership, whenever those outcomes can be achieved,' Mr Trump said. He also said he hopes Saudi Arabia will soon join the Abraham Accords and recognise Israel 'in your own time'. Saudi Arabia long has maintained that recognition of Israel is tied to the establishment of a Palestinian state along the lines of Israel's 1967 borders. Under the Biden administration, there was a push for Saudi Arabia to recognise Israel as part of a major diplomatic deal, but the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 2023 upended those plans and sent the region into one of the worst period it has faced. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes Donald Trump to Riyadh (Alex Brandon/AP) Mr Trump also signed a host of economic and bilateral co-operation agreements with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi de facto ruler, warmly greeted him as he stepped off Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport. The two leaders then retreated to a grand hall at Riyadh airport, where Mr Trump and his aides were served traditional Arabic coffee by waiting attendants wearing ceremonial gun belts. 'I really believe we like each other a lot,' Mr Trump said later during a brief appearance with the crown prince at the start of a bilateral meeting. They later signed more than a dozen agreements to increase co-operation between their governments' militaries, justice departments and cultural institutions. Prince Mohammed has already committed to 600 billion dollars (£450 billion) in new Saudi investment in the US, but Mr Trump said a trillion dollars (£750 billion) would be even better. Donald Trump and Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Royal Palace (Alex Brandon/AP) The pomp began before Mr Trump even landed, as Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s provided an honorary escort for Air Force One as it approached the kingdom's capital. Mr Trump and Prince Mohammed also took part in a formal greeting and lunch at the Royal Court at Al Yamamah Palace, gathering with guests and aides in an ornate room with blue and gold accents and massive crystal chandeliers. The prince rubbed elbows with high-profile business executives including Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman, BlackRock chief executive Larry Fink and Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk. Saudi Arabia and fellow Opec+ nations have already helped their cause with Mr Trump early in his second term by stepping up oil production. He sees cheap energy as a key component to lowering costs and stemming inflation for Americans. The Republican president has also made the case that lower oil prices will hasten an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. The three countries on Trump's itinerary — Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — are places where the Trump Organisation, run by Mr Trump's two oldest sons, is developing major property projects. They include a high-rise tower in Jeddah, a luxury hotel in Dubai and a golf course and villa complex in Qatar.
Ya Libnan
13-05-2025
- Business
- Ya Libnan
Trump arrives in Saudi Arabia, meets MBS
President Trump and Crown Prince MBS speak at the Royal Palace in Riyadh [Alex Brandon/AP Photo] Air Force One landed at King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, shortly before 10am (07:00 GMT). US President Donald Trump was greeted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the sounds of a 21-gun salute and trumpets. The two leaders then headed to the Royal Court, where a lengthy procession of dignitaries, officials and business figures waited their turn to shake hands with them. The Saudi-US Investment Forum has also begun with the two leaders expected to take part later today. Saudi Arabia is the first leg of Trump's tour of the Gulf, where he will also visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Personal Gain Many in the US argue Trump is using this trip for his own gain. It is no secret that Trump sees this area, in particular, in the eyes of a real estate developer – as a big open area that is ripe for development. It is a developer's dream. In all three of the stops he'll be making, he has personal investments. He has properties and his sons have cryptocurrency and real estate ventures. Just weeks ago, Trump's sons were in these very nations advocating for these very ventures. The White House insists Trump is doing this for the US people, that's it's not for personal gain, but it is really hard to argue there will not also be personal gain. That has opened him up to tremendous criticism from the opposition Democrats. Gaza Trump's trip to the Gulf is likely to show him that 'the Arab world does not take Gaza lightly' and push him to explore alternative ways to end the 19-month war, says Sultan Barakat, senior professor in public policy at the Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Working with Arab states on Gaza could not only help end the bloodshed, but bring 'massive economic benefits' that appeal to Trump, according to Barakat. If Trump wants to be a peacemaker, he says, 'this is one of the issues he's got to tackle. 'He cannot continue talking about being the dealmaker, the peacemaker in the world with the blood in Gaza continuing to spill.' 'True friend' in White House The US president's son, who serves as vice president of the Trump Organization, has spoken to Saudi Arabia's Asharq al-Awsat newspaper about his father's trip to the Gulf, which he says delivers a 'clear message' that the region is a 'key partner in global security'. 'The era of peace will return, and the commander-in-chief of the US armed forces will be in Washington to help safeguard the Gulf's security and stand by its people – because he knows them well and believes in the importance of their friendship,' said Eric Trump. He added that his father has 'exceptional relationships' with leaders in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar – all stops on his ongoing Gulf tour. 'I know some of these leaders personally, and I'm fully aware that the president trusts, respects and considers them true friends,' Eric Trump said. Saudi Arabia, along with the UAE and Qatar, are all sites where the Trump Organization is developing major real estate projects. They include a high-rise tower in Jeddah, a luxury hotel in Dubai and a golf course and villa complex in Qatar. Geopolitical 'challenges The Royal Court is where Trump and MBS are expected to finalise some of their significant agreements, to be announced later today. Topping the agenda is the trade agreement. Crown Prince Mohammed has said in the past that his country is going to invest $600bn in the US. Trump wants Saudi Arabia to invest $1 trillion. I think they are trying to work out the details of how much Saudi Arabia is going to commit. They will then attend a gathering of Saudi and US investors later in the day. This is where we're expecting Trump to address the media. Of course, politics is also going to be on the agenda. Saudi officials are going to talk about Gaza, stability and peace in the Middle East, as well as Syria , Lebanon and Palestinian statehooh. The challenges are massive, and both the US and Saudi Arabia understand that to be able to move forward, they have to have a united front. This explains why they are inviting GCC leaders to join talks tomorrow. Al Jazeera
