Latest news with #al-Arabiya
Miami Herald
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Fact Check: Did Saudi TV Deepfake Cover Up Trump's Royal Coffee Snub?
President Donald Trump was criticized for appearing not to drink coffee he was offered while meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman but footage showing him sipping the beverage prompted speculation one of the encounters had been "fixed" with the help of AI. Trump was accused on social media of disrespecting local customs when he accepted a cup of the beverage on Tuesday but appeared not to drink from it. Footage shown by Saudi state channel Al Arabiya of Trump actually imbibing the hot drink prompted speculation that AI had been used to "smooth out his manners". Newsweek has contacted Al Arabiya and the White House for comment. The Claim The NEXTA channel claimed that al-Arabiya had used AI to manipulate the video of Trump's meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It posted video of Trump holding a cup of coffee not drinking it next to an allegedly "edited video" in which he can be seen drinking it. The outlet said that the reason for this edit is that, according to local etiquette, refusing coffee is considered disrespectful. The Facts Trump's approach to cultural traditions is the subject of scrutiny given the high economic and diplomatic stakes of his Middle East tour which were highlighted by Saudi Arabia giving a $600 billion commitment to invest in the U.S. Ynet reported how after Trump's arrival at Riyadh, he and his delegation, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were served traditional Arabic coffee. Footage showed how Rubio drank the coffee while Trump held his cup as he spoke with the crown prince before eventually setting it aside. YNet said that another clip during a reception at Al-Yamamah Palace, showed Trump getting another cup but holding it between his knees without drinking although video later aired on Saudi media showed him drinking. East European outlet NEXTA was among those who speculated that technology had helped iron out an awkward diplomatic moment. "What an embarrassment! A Saudi TV channel edited Trump's video using AI to smooth out his manners," its post on X read next to videos it said showed the differences in the encounters. "The al-Arabiya channel used AI to edit the video of Trump's negotiations with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman," the post added. This theory was amplified by other social media accounts and by Russian state media, including Life News and Ministry of Truth. Social media users responding to the claims also pointed out the different occasions depicted in the videos. "The first one was in the airport when he didn't drink. The second one was in Royal court after hours of Trump arrival when he drank." The clips are tightly framed and at different angles making it difficult to compare what is behind the leaders but the background does appear to be different. The alleged "tell-tale" signs of AI manipulation, such as different chair design and positions of attendees, are thus likely due to incidents taking place at different locations. Trump has publicly said he avoids alcohol, cigarettes because they contributed to the early death of his brother, Fred Trump Jr., in 1981. He also expanded the ban on stimulants to include coffee. But Trump does not eschew caffeine, quaffing up to 12 Diet Cokes a day, according a report in The New York Times from 2017 which said that during his first term he had a button on his desk that could summon the drink. Trump's first overseas visit since he got elected for the second time had started well after Air Force One landed at Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport on Tuesday. After being greeted by Salman and getting a 21-gun salute and trumpets, he went to the Royal Court, where a procession of dignitaries, officials and business figures waited their turn to shake hands with them. Trump also returned a salute given to him by the kingdom's military officials. The Ruling Unverified. While these kinds meetings are long and any clips can be taken out of context, there isn't sufficient evidence to support the claim that the footage showing Trump was changed by AI. Instead, videos appear to show two occasions in which the U.S. president was offered coffee to drink. On one of the clips in which he is seen drinking, there appears to be different backgrounds, suggesting he may have drunk coffee in one encounter but refrained from doing so in the other. FACT CHECK BY NEWSWEEK Related Articles Map Shows Countries That Prefer China to the USTrump Praises Qatar for 'Largest Order of Jets' in Boeing's HistoryBlackRock CEO Warns Trillions of Dollars Sitting Idle Amid 'Uncertainty'Iran Reacts to Trump Speech: 'Pure Deception' 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Fact Check: Did Saudi TV Deepfake Cover Up Trump's Royal Coffee Snub?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump was criticized for appearing not to drink coffee he was offered while meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman but footage showing him sipping the beverage prompted speculation one of the encounters had been "fixed" with the help of AI. Trump was accused on social media of disrespecting local customs when he accepted a cup of the beverage on Tuesday but appeared not to drink from it. Footage shown by Saudi state channel Al Arabiya of Trump actually imbibing the hot drink prompted speculation that AI had been used to "smooth out his manners". Newsweek has contacted Al Arabiya and the White House for comment. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on May 14, 2025. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on May 14, Claim The NEXTA channel claimed that al-Arabiya had used AI to manipulate the video of Trump's meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It posted video of Trump holding a cup of coffee not drinking it next to an allegedly "edited video" in which he can be seen drinking it. The outlet said that the reason for this edit is that, according to local etiquette, refusing coffee is considered disrespectful. What an embarrassment! A Saudi TV channel edited Trump's video using AI to smooth out his manners. The al-Arabiya channel used AI to edit the video of Trump's negotiations with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In the edited video, Trump is shown drinking the coffee offered to… — NEXTA (@nexta_tv) May 14, 2025 The Facts Trump's approach to cultural traditions is the subject of scrutiny given the high economic and diplomatic stakes of his Middle East tour which were highlighted by Saudi Arabia giving a $600 billion commitment to invest in the U.S. Ynet reported how after Trump's arrival at Riyadh, he and his delegation, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were served traditional Arabic coffee. Footage showed how Rubio drank the coffee while Trump held his cup as he spoke with the crown prince before eventually setting it aside. YNet said that another clip during a reception at Al-Yamamah Palace, showed Trump getting another cup but holding it between his knees without drinking although video later aired on Saudi media showed him drinking. What an embarrassment! A Saudi TV channel edited Trump's video using AI to smooth out his manners. The al-Arabiya channel used AI to edit the video of Trump's negotiations with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In the edited video, Trump is shown drinking the coffee offered to… — NEXTA (@nexta_tv) May 14, 2025 East European outlet NEXTA was among those who speculated that technology had helped iron out an awkward diplomatic moment. "What an embarrassment! A Saudi TV channel edited Trump's video using AI to smooth out his manners," its post on X read next to videos it said showed the differences in the encounters. "The al-Arabiya channel used AI to edit the video of Trump's negotiations with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman," the post added. This theory was amplified by other social media accounts and by Russian state media, including Life News and Ministry of Truth. Social media users responding to the claims also pointed out the different occasions depicted in the videos. "The first one was in the airport when he didn't drink. The second one was in Royal court after hours of Trump arrival when he drank." The clips are tightly framed and at different angles making it difficult to compare what is behind the leaders but the background does appear to be different. The alleged "tell-tale" signs of AI manipulation, such as different chair design and positions of attendees, are thus likely due to incidents taking place at different locations. Trump has publicly said he avoids alcohol, cigarettes because they contributed to the early death of his brother, Fred Trump Jr., in 1981. He also expanded the ban on stimulants to include coffee. But Trump does not eschew caffeine, quaffing up to 12 Diet Cokes a day, according a report in The New York Times from 2017 which said that during his first term he had a button on his desk that could summon the drink. Trump's first overseas visit since he got elected for the second time had started well after Air Force One landed at Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport on Tuesday. After being greeted by Salman and getting a 21-gun salute and trumpets, he went to the Royal Court, where a procession of dignitaries, officials and business figures waited their turn to shake hands with them. Trump also returned a salute given to him by the kingdom's military officials. The Ruling Unverified. While these kinds meetings are long and any clips can be taken out of context, there isn't sufficient evidence to support the claim that the footage showing Trump was changed by AI. Instead, videos appear to show two occasions in which the U.S. president was offered coffee to drink. On one of the clips in which he is seen drinking, there appears to be different backgrounds, suggesting he may have drunk coffee in one encounter but refrained from doing so in the other. FACT CHECK BY NEWSWEEK
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hamas prepared for ‘serious' hostage release
Hamas has said it is prepared for a 'serious' hostage release following US pressure to accept a new Israeli proposal. It is understood that both sides have softened their positions, putting them on course for a potential deal to release approximately nine or 10 hostages in return for a new ceasefire in Gaza. The apparent movement in negotiations in the last 24 hours follows weeks of deadlock since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18. The operation has killed more than 1,500, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and prompted despair among the families of the remaining 59 hostages, of whom 24 are thought to be alive. Israel has seized significant territory in Gaza during that time, carving military corridors deep into the enclave, expanding its buffer zones and absorbing the entire southern city of Rafah into the no-go area. Recent discussions are believed to have stalled over the number of hostages to be released as part of a new deal. Israel reportedly demanded at least 11, in return for a ceasefire and other concessions, whereas Hamas were said to have offered only five. Late on Sunday, the Saudi news outlet al-Arabiya reported unnamed sources as saying there was 'initial agreement' from the terror group to increase the number of living hostages it would consider handing over. The report also suggested that Hamas was prepared to submit a detailed list of hostages and agree to a two-phase release schedule. It came as a spokesman for the group, Taher al-Nunu, told a different Saudi channel, Asharq, that Hamas was prepared for a 'serious' prisoner exchange. Crucially, the Egyptian-mediated outline agreement appears to be based on active Israeli participation in talks, rather than one generated by third-parties. On Monday, the Tikvah Forum, a group of hostage families to the right of the main representative body, reported that Benjamin Netyanyhu had told the parents of hostage Eitan Mor that Israel was now aiming for the return of 10 living hostages, as an initial phase of a new deal. This appeared to be corroborated by Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen, which quoted a Hamas official. According to the report, the proposal demands that US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander be included among the 10, in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire. During this time, aid would be allowed into Gaza and Israeli troops would withdraw to their positions as of March 18. Mr Alexander, a 21-year-old IDF soldier who grew up in New Jersey, has been a key focus for the Trump administration. The administration is said to have assured Hamas that it would pressure Israel to end the war upon the return of the hostages. Aid would reportedly be allowed back into Gaza as part of a new deal, and Palestinian prisoners would be released, although Israel was said to be pushing for a smaller ratio of hostages to stopped releasing hostages under the previous deal after Mr Netanyahu's government refused to engage seriously in so-called phase two negotiations. In outline, the phase envisaged a complete withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza and an end to the war, in return for the remaining said it could not agree to a situation which left Hamas intact in Gaza and risked another atrocity like the massacre of October resuming hostilities, Israeli ministers have said that putting Hamas under military pressure, plus taking significant chunks of territory, was the best chance of getting them to agree to further releases. Both the Tikvah Forum and the more mainstream Hostages and Missing Families Forum have sounded alarm at the prospect of a new two-stage release deal. Both want to see all the living hostages released simultaneously as part of a comprehensive deal to end the war. The current proposal would waste 'precious time' and, said a spokesman for the later group. 'While families wait and hope for the release of each and every hostage from Hamas captivity, the reality is that partial releases are a dangerous concept,' the forum said in a statement. 'Government officials continue to speak of increasing military pressure to free all the hostages, yet in practice negotiations are stuck, hostages' lives are at risk, and fallen soldiers' bodies are disappearing.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Hamas prepared for ‘serious' hostage release
Hamas has said it is prepared for a 'serious' hostage release following US pressure to accept a new Israeli proposal. It is understood that both sides have softened their positions, putting them on course for a potential deal to release approximately nine or 10 hostages in return for a new ceasefire in Gaza. The apparent movement in negotiations in the last 24 hours follows weeks of deadlock since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18. The operation has killed more than 1,500, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and prompted despair among the families of the remaining 59 hostages, of whom 24 are thought to be alive. Israel has seized significant territory in Gaza during that time, carving military corridors deep into the enclave, expanding its buffer zones and absorbing the entire southern city of Rafah into the no-go area. Recent discussions are believed to have stalled over the number of hostages to be released as part of a new deal. Israel reportedly demanded at least 11, in return for a ceasefire and other concessions, whereas Hamas were said to have offered only five. Late on Sunday, the Saudi news outlet al-Arabiya reported unnamed sources as saying there was 'initial agreement' from the terror group to increase the number of living hostages it would consider handing over. The report also suggested that Hamas was prepared to submit a detailed list of hostages and agree to a two-phase release schedule. Phase two negotiations It came as a spokesman for the group, Taher al-Nunu, told a different Saudi channel, Asharq, that Hamas was prepared for a 'serious' prisoner exchange. Crucially, the Egyptian-mediated outline agreement appears to be based on active Israeli participation in talks, rather than one generated by third-parties. On Monday, the Tikvah Forum, a group of hostage families to the right of the main representative body, reported that Benjamin Netyanyhu had told the parents of hostage Eitan Mor that Israel was now aiming for the return of 10 living hostages, as an initial phase of a new deal. This appeared to be corroborated by Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen, which quoted a Hamas official. According to the report, the proposal demands that US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander be included among the 10, in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire. During this time, aid would be allowed into Gaza and Israeli troops would withdraw to their positions as of March 18. Mr Alexander, a 21-year-old IDF soldier who grew up in New Jersey, has been a key focus for the Trump administration. The administration is said to have assured Hamas that it would pressure Israel to end the war upon the return of the hostages. Aid would reportedly be allowed back into Gaza as part of a new deal, and Palestinian prisoners would be released, although Israel was said to be pushing for a smaller ratio of hostages to prisoners. Hamas stopped releasing hostages under the previous deal after Mr Netanyahu's government refused to engage seriously in so-called phase two negotiations. 'Partial release a dangerous concept' In outline, the phase envisaged a complete withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza and an end to the war, in return for the remaining hostages. Israel said it could not agree to a situation which left Hamas intact in Gaza and risked another atrocity like the massacre of October 7. Since resuming hostilities, Israeli ministers have said that putting Hamas under military pressure, plus taking significant chunks of territory, was the best chance of getting them to agree to further releases. Both the Tikvah Forum and the more mainstream Hostages and Missing Families Forum have sounded alarm at the prospect of a new two-stage release deal. Both want to see all the living hostages released simultaneously as part of a comprehensive deal to end the war. The current proposal would waste 'precious time' and, said a spokesman for the later group. 'While families wait and hope for the release of each and every hostage from Hamas captivity, the reality is that partial releases are a dangerous concept,' the forum said in a statement. 'Government officials continue to speak of increasing military pressure to free all the hostages, yet in practice negotiations are stuck, hostages' lives are at risk, and fallen soldiers' bodies are disappearing.'
Nahar Net
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Ortagus says Hezbollah 'cancer', hopes Lebanese would 'cut it out'
Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Morgan Ortagus dubbed Tuesday Hezbollah a "cancer," after she ended a diplomatic visit to Lebanon where she met with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. "The past ten years have been devastating for Lebanon, the financial crisis, the port explosion, and militias around the country, especially Hezbollah who has a state within a state," Ortagus said in an interview with al-Arabiya, blaming the Lebanese group and Iran for a devastating war with Israel with "catastrophic consequences." Ortagus said the people of the south who lost their homes were forced into a war that no one wanted to be in. "These people deserve a lot better. I hope they will make the choice to cast off people who only want war with their neighbors and instead to turn to a brighter future." The U.S. diplomat went on to say that Hezbollah is "a designated terrorist organization with a lot of American blood on their hands" and that "when you have cancer, you don't treat part of the cancer in your body and let the rest of it grow faster. If you have cancer, you cut the cancer out," as she called for change in Lebanon and for the disarmament of Hezbollah. "We are asking, demanding and hoping for generational change in Lebanon and if they don't do it they won't save their country. I think President Aoun can do it, I think Nawaf Salam can do it." She added that the U.S. has provided support for decades for the Lebanese Army. "The Lebanese army has the capability (to protect Lebanon). They just need the political will." As for her meetings in Lebanon, Ortagus described the new Lebanese cabinet as "excellent" with no "party affiliations" and said she was encouraged by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam who "really care about reforms" but said the financial situation in Lebanon is "as bad as it gets."
