US President Donald Trump hails deals during his three-country tour of the Gulf region.
United States President Donald Trump has signed several economic deals on his visit to the Gulf region.
One of the biggest deals was signed in Qatar, where Boeing secured its largest-ever order of wide-body jets from Qatar Airways.
Doha also promised to invest more than $10bn in the Al Udeid Air Base, one of the US’s biggest military facilities in the world.
Trump says he’s forging a future with the Middle East defined by commerce, not chaos. But could that mean regional stability and security are now taking a back seat?
And how likely is it that the US president would throw US weight behind ending the devastating war in Gaza?
Presenter: Dareen Abughaida
Guests:
Faisal al-Mudahka – Editor-in-chief, Gulf Times
Andreas Krieg – Senior lecturer, King’s College London’s School of Security Studies
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
Christopher Mallett and Susan Knox Assistant Showbiz Editor
Chris Brown has been charged with GBH
R&B singer Chris Brown, 36, has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent over an alleged assault at a London nightclub in February 2023, the Metropolitan Police has said. Brown is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning.
Brown was arrested at a five-star hotel in Manchester over an alleged bottle attack in a London club. The controversial singer had arrived into Manchester on a private jet on Wednesday afternoon.
He was staying at The Lowry Hotel when the Metropolitan Police arrested him shortly after 2am on Thursday. Brown was reportedly arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm to music producer Abe Diaw at Tape nightclub in 2023.
Adele Kelly, the Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, said: “We have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Chris Brown with one count of grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
Singer Chris Brown was arrested in Manchester(Image: Getty Images)
“The alleged incident occurred in London on 19 February 2023. He will have his first court appearance on Friday 16 May at Manchester Magistrates’ Court. The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
Article continues below
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
After discovering Brown was in the country, Metropolitan Police detectives then travelled to Manchester where they arrested him. The Met spokesman said: “A 36-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Manchester shortly after 02:00hrs on Thursday, 15 May on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He had been taken into custody where he remains.
“The arrest relates to an incident at a venue in Hanover Square on 19 February 2023. The investigation is being led by detectives from the Central West Area Basic Command Unit.’’
Music producer Abe Diaw claimed he was assaulted by Brown in a lawsuit in October 2023. Court documents alleged that Brown “inflicted severe and lasting injuries” after “beating [the music producer] over the head.”
According to the lawsuit, the incident occurred in February of 2023 at the Tape London nightclub and the musician allegedly used a bottle of Don Julio 1942 tequila.
After the initial hit with the bottle, Chris allegedly ‘ruthlessly stomped on’ and kick plaintiff Amadou “Abe” Diaw in the neck which rendered him unconscious for 30 seconds.
The music producer was rushed to the hospital as a result of the injuries he received, according to the documents attained by Page Six.
He also alleged he had “lacerations on his head and torn ligaments in his leg” and further asserted he had “suffered serious and permanent emotional distress and trauma.”
Brown is set to play ten shows across the UK and Ireland in June and July for his 2025 Breezy Bowl XX tour, which starts in Manchester and ends back in the city. He is due to perform in Cardiff, London, Birmingham, Dublin and Glasgow.
In February, he won his second Grammy after 20 years. He won Best R&B Album for his work on B11:11, outshining Muni Long’s Public Displays of Affection. Lucky Daye’s Candydrip, Usher’s My Way and Lalah Hathaway’s self-titled album.
Despite three nominations at this year’s Grammys, Brown only secured the one trophy. He had previously won in the same category for his album FA.M.E. at the 54th Grammy Awards.
Brown made sure to celebrate his Grammy achievement as he took to social media to declare: “WE DID IT! ! ! ! ! ! !”
Barcelona clinched its 28th Spanish league title after Lamine Yamal starred in its 2-0 win at crosstown rival Espanyol.
Yamal scored in the 53rd minute of a tight match on Thursday, when the teenage phenom slid past two defenders along the edge of the area before he whipped one of his now-trademark left-footed curlers into the corner of the net.
Fermin Lopez scored in stoppage time to seal the win, but it was Yamal’s strike that stole the headlines and was a fitting culmination to the youngster’s season.
The 17-year-old excelled throughout for Barcelona with his goals, dribbling and playmaking as he confirmed his status as the next big star of global football.
The strike was his eighth league goal of the season, while he also has 12 assists to his name.
“Lamine’s goal is a move he practises a lot, he had scored twice today in the warmup, the same way. We have to look after him and let him enjoy it, he is fantastic,” his teammate Pedri told Movistar Plus after the game.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, left, scores from outside the box [Manaure Quintero/AFP]
Barcelona edge nervy Catalan derby
The first half had been a much tighter affair with only one shot registered by each side, indeed, it was the home team that had the best of the early chances, offering Real Madrid some hope that their title defence may continue beyond this game. It was not to be for the Madrid club and, shortly after Yamal’s latest wonder goal, Espanyol were reduced to 10 men when Leandro Cabrera swung his left arm into the chest of Barca’s starlet.
Barcelona won the title with two rounds remaining. It completed a domestic double with the Copa del Rey title and reached the Champions League semifinals in a fantastic first season for coach Hansi Flick.
Flick’s team virtually ended Madrid’s title defence when they beat their top rival 4-3 on Sunday, making it four of four Clasico victories across all competitions this season.
Madrid’s victory over Mallorca on Wednesday prevented Barcelona from winning the title without playing. But the Catalan club needed just two points from its final three games of the season.
Several Espanyol supporters were injured after being hit by a car near the stadium minutes before the start of the Catalan derby.
At least 14 individuals sustained injuries of varying severity when a female driver, encircled by Espanyol fans in front of their home ground, lost control of her car, causing panic and chaos.
The woman was subsequently arrested and subjected to a breathalyser test by the Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalonia’s police force, which is also known as also known as the Policia de la Generalitat de Catalunya.
The Emergency Medical Service responded promptly, deploying 10 ambulances to the scene.
Of the 14 injured fans, four are reported to be in a less serious condition, while the others suffered minor injuries. The most severe injury reported was a broken leg.
According to authorities, the incident occurred as Espanyol fans gathered to welcome the team’s coach. The driver’s car was wedged between two containers, prompting several supporters to throw objects at the vehicle, which resulted in damage.
In response, the driver accelerated and struck approximately 20 fans.
Iconic actor Tim Curry was helped on a rare outing in Los Angeles 13 years on from the Hollywood actor’s stroke that left him partially paralysed down one side
Tim Curry made a rare appearance(Image: Diggzy/Jesal / BACKGRID)
Iconic actor Tim Curry has been spotted on a rare outing in Los Angeles. It comes 13 years after the 79-year-old star suffered a major stroke.
Tim was seen wearing a red sweater and black trousers with a bright pair of red trainers. He also wore a pair of black sunglasses. The actor was being pushed in his wheelchair by a helper on the outing.
In 2012, the Hollywood star was left partially paralysed down one side after suffering a stroke at his Los Angeles home. The medical incident also affected his speech.
Since the devastating scare, Tim has stepped away from his acting career and remained largely out of the public eye. Prior to his stroke, Tim had enjoyed a successful acting career.
Tim Curry as Frank N Furter in Richard O’Brien’s cult musical ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’(Image: Hulton Archive)
Article continues below
His fame grew tremendously when he took on the role of Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He also played the part of Wadsworth the butler in the cult classic Clue before playing Pennywise the Dancing Clown in adaptation of Stephen King’s It in 1990.
His last role came last year, which marked his first feature film role in 14 yeas. He played a part in the horror movie called Stream. He has also had a number of voice acting roles as he kept involved in the industry.
Tim Curry enjoyed an outing in LA(Image: Diggzy/Jesal / BACKGRID)
Despite not being in the public eye much recently, the actor has engaged in some interviews and virtual events.
Speaking in 2015 as he was honoured with The Actors Fund Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tony Awards, he joked about the fund assisting funeral cost. He said: “I’ve done a few benefits for the Actors Fund and I think it’s a marvellous organisation. I hope not to have to use it.”
Speaking prior to the event at the time about receiving the award for his stage work, he said: “It means that it just sort of solidifies the kind of work the American acting community has given me for years now.
“It’s very gracious of them, I think. I was thrilled when they told me and I am thrilled now.”
Tim has an autobiography set to hit the shelves later this year. Advertising the book, which is titled Vagabond, on Instagram, has fans couldn’t contain their excitement over the project.
One user gushed: “So looking forward to reading this,” while another said: “Can’t wait to purchase it. Last time I got to see you and say hi was many years ago in the late 90’s at the Hollywood farmers market when I gifted you a few jewelry pieces.
Article continues below
“You always came by to say hi. Thank you for always being so kind wishing you the best and congratulations. Can’t wait to read it. Best wishes.”
A third wrote: “So exciting,” alongside a number of emojis include a flame image and a red love heart.
A court in Rio de Janeiro ordered the dismissal Thursday of Brazilian football federation head Ednaldo Rodrigues, citing problems in his employment agreement.
Rodrigues had already been temporarily suspended in 2023 after a court found irregularities with his 2022 election, but was reinstated on orders of a Supreme Court judge after FIFA threatened sanctions against Brazilian football.
On Thursday, a judge ruled that an employment agreement between Rodrigues and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), was “null” and void.
FIFA and the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) had refused to accept Rodrigues’s 2023 ouster, warning the CBF it could be barred from international competitions if it allowed external interference in its affairs.
Rodrigues had been leading negotiations to sign Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti as coach, a bid that fell apart at the time.
READ ALSO: Yamal, Lopez Strike To Seal Barcelona La Liga Title Triumph At Espanyol
Ancelotti was finally appointed to the job just this week, replacing Zinedine Zidane.
In March, Rodrigues was unanimously reelected to his post until 2030.
But the Rio court said Thursday one of the signatories of Rodrigues’s 2025 contract had been mentally unfit to sign, meaning there had been “possible forgery.”
Uefa accused Gianni Infantino of prioritising “private political interests” after Fifa’s president turned up late for the world governing body’s own congress in Paraguay.
Infantino has been on a diplomatic tour of the Middle East alongside United States President Donald Trump and arrived two hours and 17 minutes past the scheduled 10:30 start time (14:30 BST) for the Fifa event.
Infantino said his trip prior to the congress had been crucial as it allowed him “to represent football” in “important discussions” with “world leaders in politics and economy”.
In protest at the 55-year-old Swiss-Italian’s delayed arrival, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin led a group of European delegates, joined by Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, in staging a walk-out during a break at the event.
It meant there were clearly empty seats at the Conmebol Convention Center in Luque, on the outskirts of the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion, when the meeting resumed.
Uefa said in a statement the “last-minute changes” to the timings were “deeply regrettable” but “a point” had to be made.
“The Fifa congress is one of the most important meetings in world football, where all the 211 nations in the world’s game gather to discuss issues that affect the sport right across the world,” said European football’s governing body.
“To have the timetable changed at the last minute for what appears to be simply to accommodate private political interests, does the game no service and appears to put its interests second.
Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness added: “The annual congress is the single most important body to ensure good governance of international football.
“The situation is concerning. Member associations have travelled from all over the world to participate at this congress here in Paraguay, expecting professional leadership and dialogue at the highest level.”
A number of delegates from Concacaf – the North America, Central America and Caribbean confederation – also decided to leave the congress early.
Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom tried to defuse the tensions and said: “Fifa has an excellent relationship with Uefa and also with the European members.
