White House touts deal made on first stop of US president’s four-day diplomatic tour to Gulf states<ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/may/13/donald-trump-saudi-arabia-gulf-middle-east-latest-us-politics-news-live">US politics live – latest updates</a></li></ul>The United States and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/saudiarabia">Saudi Arabia</a> have signed a $142bn arms deal touted by the White House as the “largest defence sales agreement in history” in the first stop of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump">Donald Trump’s</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/11/trump-middle-east-gulf-israel">four-day diplomatic tour</a> to the Gulf states aimed at securing big deals and spotlighting the benefits of Trump’s transactional foreign policy.During the trip, the White House also confirmed that Trump would meet with Syria’s new leader, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/29/rebel-leader-ahmad-al-sharaa-made-transitional-president-of-syria">Ahmed al-Sharaa</a>, the former rebel commander whose forces helped overthrow Bashar al-Assad in 2024. The informal meeting will be the first face-to-face meeting between a US president and a Syrian leader since 2000, when Bill Clinton met with the late leader Hafez al-Assad in Geneva. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/13/us-saudi-arabia-arms-deal-trump-meeting-syria">Continue reading...</a>

** This deal reinforces military and economic ties between the US and Saudi Arabia, reflecting a strategic partnership amid regional tensions. It also highlights Trump's emphasis on high-value trade agreements as a cornerstone of foreign policy, potentially influencing Middle East dynamics and global arms trade trends.

White House touts deal made on first stop of US president’s four-day diplomatic tour to  Gulf states

US politics live – latest updates

The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a $142bn arms deal touted by the White House as the “largest defence sales agreement in history” in the first stop of Donald Trump’s four-day diplomatic tour to the Gulf states aimed at securing big deals and spotlighting the benefits of Trump’s transactional foreign policy.
During the trip, the White House also confirmed that Trump would meet with Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former rebel commander whose forces helped overthrow Bashar al-Assad in 2024. The informal meeting will be the first face-to-face meeting between a US president and a Syrian leader since 2000, when Bill Clinton met with the late leader Hafez al-Assad in Geneva.
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** The US and Saudi Arabia signed a historic $142 billion arms deal during President Trump's diplomatic tour of Gulf states, aimed at strengthening alliances and showcasing his transactional foreign policy approach.  

US and Saudi Arabia sign $142bn arms deal as Trump to meet Syrian leader

Music mogul’s former girlfriend describes physical abuse, control and violence at trial in New York City<ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/12/sean-diddy-combs-trial-allegations-timeline">A timeline of allegations and charges against Sean Combs</a></li></ul>Singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, a former girlfriend of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/diddy">Sean “Diddy” Combs</a> and a key witness in the federal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial of the music mogul, returned to the witness stand in New York City on Wednesday morning, as the high-profile trial entered its third day.Ventura, who is eight and a half months pregnant, began her second day of testimony by revisiting the hotel surveillance footage of her 2016 assault by Combs. She said Combs was yelling at her and then threw a vase at her in the elevator lobby.In the US, the <a href="https://www.thehotline.org/">domestic violence hotline</a> is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). In the UK, call the national <a href="https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/">domestic abuse helpline</a> on 0808 2000 247, or visit <a href="https://www.womensaid.org.uk/">Women’s Aid</a>. In Australia, the national <a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au/help-and-support/telephone-and-online-counselling">family violence counselling service</a> is on 1800 737 732. Other international helplines may be found via <a href="http://www.befrienders.org/">www.befrienders.org</a>. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/may/14/cassie-ventura-sean-diddy-combs-trial">Continue reading...</a>

Music mogul’s former girlfriend describes physical abuse, control and violence at trial in New York City

A timeline of allegations and charges against Sean Combs

Singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, a former girlfriend of Sean “Diddy” Combs and a key witness in the federal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial of the music mogul, returned to the witness stand in New York City on Wednesday morning, as the high-profile trial entered its third day.
Ventura, who is eight and a half months pregnant, began her second day of testimony by revisiting the hotel surveillance footage of her 2016 assault by Combs. She said Combs was yelling at her and then threw a vase at her in the elevator lobby.
In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). In the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit Women’s Aid. In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. Other international helplines may be found via www.befrienders.org.
 Continue reading...

Cassie Ventura testified in court that Sean "Diddy" Combs allegedly blackmailed her with "freak-offs" and subjected her to physical abuse, control, and violence during their relationship. The testimony is part of a high-profile federal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial against Combs.  

Cassie Ventura tells court Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs blackmailed her with ‘freak-offs’: ‘I felt trapped’

In earlier House hearing, health secretary was asked if he would vaccinate his children against measles, chickenpox or polio and said he doesn’t want to give medical advice The meeting between Donald Trump and Syria’s president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, in Saudi Arabia was the culmination of months of diplomacy by the Syrians, as well as their Turkish and Saudi allies, who believed face time with Trump would help end Syria’s international isolation, writes William Christou.Damascus had prepared a pitch to Trump that included access to Syrian oil, reassurances of Israel’s security and a proposal to build a Trump tower in Damascus. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/may/14/donald-trump-syria-middle-east-gulf-latest-us-politics-news-updates-live">Continue reading...</a>

In earlier House hearing, health secretary was asked if he would vaccinate his children against measles, chickenpox or polio and said he doesn’t want to give medical advice  
 
The meeting between Donald Trump and Syria’s president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, in Saudi Arabia was the culmination of months of diplomacy by the Syrians, as well as their Turkish and Saudi allies, who believed face time with Trump would help end Syria’s international isolation, writes William Christou.
Damascus had prepared a pitch to Trump that included access to Syrian oil, reassurances of Israel’s security and a proposal to build a Trump tower in Damascus.
 Continue reading...

** Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia after agreeing to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria, despite concerns over al-Sharaa's past ties to Al Qaeda.  

Protesters disrupt Robert F Kennedy Jr’s Senate hearing – US politics live

UK justice secretary also announces plans for three new jails amid overcrowding crisis in England and WalesShabana Mahmood will limit for how long hundreds of repeat offenders can be recalled to prison amid Whitehall predictions that jails will be full again in November.The justice secretary also announced a £4.7bn plan to build three new prisons starting this year, part of a “record expansion” as the government attempts to get to grips with the criminal justice system. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/14/three-new-prisons-justice-secretary-announces">Continue reading...</a>

This move reflects the UK government's attempt to manage prison overcrowding while expanding infrastructure. It highlights broader challenges in balancing punitive measures with systemic capacity constraints, signaling a shift in criminal justice priorities amid rising incarceration rates.

UK justice secretary also announces plans for three new jails amid overcrowding crisis in England and Wales
Shabana Mahmood will limit for how long hundreds of repeat offenders can be recalled to prison amid Whitehall predictions that jails will be full again in November.
The justice secretary also announced a £4.7bn plan to build three new prisons starting this year, part of a “record expansion” as the government attempts to get to grips with the criminal justice system.
 Continue reading...

The UK justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has announced plans to limit jail time for repeat offenders being recalled to prison to address overcrowding. Additionally, a £4.7bn plan to build three new prisons was revealed as part of efforts to expand capacity in England and Wales.  

Jail time for recalled offenders to be limited to free up prison places

<img alt="Preview" align="left" style="margin-right: 10px;" src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.05/thumbnail/6824e34285f540012d551ffe.jpg" /> And why every ceasefire attempt in the Ukraine conflict so far has collapsed <a href="https://www.rt.com/russia/617543-russia-ukraine-istanbul-peace-talks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS">Read Full Article at RT.com</a>

The article reflects broader skepticism about diplomatic resolutions to the war, highlighting persistent challenges in achieving lasting peace. It underscores the entrenched positions of both sides and the difficulty of bridging divides in a highly volatile geopolitical conflict.

And why every ceasefire attempt in the Ukraine conflict so far has collapsed 
Read Full Article at RT.com

The article argues that peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are likely to fail from the outset, citing the collapse of previous ceasefire attempts in the ongoing conflict. It suggests deep-rooted issues and mutual distrust make negotiations ineffective.  

Why the Russia-Ukraine peace talks are doomed before they begin

Alphabet warns of ‘Scattered Spider’, network of hackers reportedly behind cyber-attack against UK retail giant M&amp;SAlphabet’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/google">Google</a> warned on Wednesday that hackers responsible for paralyzing disruptions of UK retailers are turning their attention to similar companies in the United States.“US retailers should take note. These actors are aggressive, creative, and particularly effective at circumventing mature security programs,” John Hultquist, an analyst at Google’s cybersecurity arm, said in an email sent on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/may/14/google-scattered-spider-hackers-retailers">Continue reading...</a>

This news highlights the growing threat of sophisticated cyberattacks on global retail sectors, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures as hackers expand their targets across borders. It underscores the broader challenge of protecting critical infrastructure from evolving digital threats.

Alphabet warns of ‘Scattered Spider’, network of hackers reportedly behind cyber-attack against UK retail giant M&S
Alphabet’s Google warned on Wednesday that hackers responsible for paralyzing disruptions of UK retailers are turning their attention to similar companies in the United States.
“US retailers should take note. These actors are aggressive, creative, and particularly effective at circumventing mature security programs,” John Hultquist, an analyst at Google’s cybersecurity arm, said in an email sent on Wednesday.
 Continue reading...

Google warns that the hacker group "Scattered Spider," responsible for cyberattacks on UK retailers like M&S, is now targeting US stores, describing them as aggressive and adept at bypassing security measures.  

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US and Saudi Arabia sign $142bn arms deal as Trump to meet Syrian leader

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