US unveils World Cup visa system but warns fans could still be denied entry

Cristiano Ronaldo is scheduled to visit the White House on the same day as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Portuguese football star is reportedly being compensated significantly as part of Saudi Arabia's modernization efforts. This visit highlights the intersection of sports and diplomacy, particularly in the context of Saudi Arabia's ongoing initiatives to enhance its global image and attract international investment.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated that Saudi Arabia will not normalize relations with Israel without a clear path to Palestinian statehood. He expressed interest in joining the Abraham Accords initiated by former President Trump, which aimed to establish diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab nations. The Crown Prince emphasized the importance of addressing Palestinian rights as a prerequisite for any normalization efforts.

In a recent statement, former President Donald Trump claimed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was unaware of the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This assertion contradicts a CIA assessment at the time, which indicated that the Crown Prince orchestrated the killing. Khashoggi was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Turkey, leading to significant backlash against Saudi Arabia and strained relations with the U.S.

As the Middle East experiences significant political shifts, US-Saudi relations are influenced by a complex mix of security ties, regional diplomacy, and personal interests. The Trump family's longstanding connections to Saudi Arabia raise questions about potential financial gains for the US president. The evolving dynamics could impact peace and stability in the region, with implications for relations with other nations like Syria and Israel.

Claudia Sheinbaum, the president of Mexico, has firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion of military strikes against drug cartels in Mexico. Trump had previously indicated that the U.S. military could target cartel operations within Mexican territory as part of a broader strategy to combat drug trafficking. Sheinbaum's response underscores Mexico's sovereignty and the ongoing tensions between the two nations regarding security and drug-related issues.

President Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in response to a reporter's question about the alleged orchestration of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder. During a meeting in the Oval Office, Trump expressed his belief that the crown prince was unaware of the incident, despite previous CIA assessments suggesting otherwise. The exchange highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding Khashoggi's killing and the U.S.-Saudi relationship.

Donald Trump welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House with a lavish ceremony that included music, a procession of horses, and a military flyover. This visit marks the Crown Prince's first trip to the U.S. in seven years, highlighting a renewed diplomatic engagement between the two nations. The event signifies a warming of relations amid complex geopolitical dynamics.

A giant IUD installed at Paris’s Place de la République draws attention to the increasing anti-contraception movements globally and the blockage of contraceptive shipments in Belgium. Activists attribute these issues to aid cuts during the Trump administration. This traveling sculpture aims to raise awareness about the ongoing barriers women face regarding access to contraception worldwide.