U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his five-day Asia trip with a significant trade breakthrough during a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju. The two leaders finalized details of a previously contentious trade agreement, which had been in limbo since July. Under the deal, South Korea will invest $350 billion in the U.S., split into $200 billion in cash payments and $150 billion in shipbuilding investments. The agreement also includes a 50/50 profit-sharing arrangement until initial investments are recouped, with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick overseeing project assessments. The deal awaits ratification by South Korea’s parliament. Trump expressed optimism about his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, hinting at potential tariff reductions on Chinese goods in exchange for Beijing’s commitment to curb fentanyl precursor exports. The U.S. could halve its current 20% tariffs on Chinese goods, according to reports. Meanwhile, South Korea rolled out an extravagant welcome for Trump, presenting him with a gold crown and the nation’s highest honor, the ‘Grand Order of Mugunghwa.’ Despite the diplomatic fanfare, protests erupted near the summit venue, with critics decrying the focus on tariff negotiations. Trump also addressed North Korea’s recent missile test, reiterating his commitment to resolving tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
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Maravelle debuts as Dubai’s first ‘ultra-premium’ wellness retreat
Dubai’s real estate landscape has taken a transformative leap with the launch of Maravelle, the city’s first ultra-premium wellness retreat. Developed by Majid Al Futtaim, this exclusive residential enclave is nestled within Ghaf Woods, Dubai’s pioneering forest community. Maravelle is designed to redefine luxury living by prioritizing wellness, nature, and community over traditional opulence. The project features just 96 meticulously crafted homes across four boutique buildings, each offering a sanctuary of calm and privacy.
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‘I was a Trump-era beauty queen’: Former Miss Universe Lara Dutta recalls her meeting with the US President
At the ‘We The Women’ event in Dubai, hosted by Khaleej Times and WKND Magazine, Bollywood star and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta shared a captivating account of her defining encounter with former US President Donald Trump. Dutta, who humorously referred to herself as a ‘Trump-era beauty queen,’ recounted the moment when Trump introduced her to his associates at his mother’s wake. ‘He called me over and said, ‘This is my Miss Universe. She’s not only beautiful, she’s also intelligent.’ And then he turns to me and says, ‘Say something,’’ Dutta recalled. The incident, she explained, was a turning point that ignited her determination to challenge stereotypes and redefine her identity beyond beauty pageants. Dutta’s candid reflections on her journey from Miss Universe to actress and entrepreneur resonated deeply with the audience. She also opened up about her parenting philosophy, emphasizing the importance of discipline and resilience in raising her 13-year-old daughter, Saira. Despite criticism from other parents, Dutta and her husband, tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi, prioritize teaching their daughter the value of hard work and humility. ‘We’re not pushing her to make grades or be the perfect daughter — we’re teaching her discipline,’ she said. Dutta’s story is a testament to her unwavering commitment to breaking societal norms and empowering the next generation.
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DAE nine-month profit doubles as global aviation rebounds
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has announced a remarkable financial performance for the first nine months of 2025, with profits doubling as the global aviation sector rebounds. The company reported a pre-tax profit of $653 million, a 100% increase compared to $326.6 million in the same period last year. Total revenue also surged by 26%, reaching $1.28 billion, up from $1.02 billion, driven by robust fleet utilization and the integration of Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), acquired earlier this year. Operating cash flow rose to $1.13 billion, while adjusted pre-tax profit margins improved to 26.7%. DAE’s total assets expanded to $16.36 billion, reflecting the successful incorporation of NAC’s portfolio. CEO Firoz Tarapore highlighted the company’s strengthened position in the global leasing market, emphasizing the full integration of NAC and sustained financial health. DAE’s fleet grew significantly, with 263 aircraft acquired, including 249 for its owned portfolio. The company also signed 162 new lease agreements and expanded its engineering services arm, Joramco, which saw a 56.3% increase in profitability. With $3.44 billion in available liquidity and $2.75 billion raised from regional and Asian banks, DAE is well-positioned to capitalize on the ongoing recovery in commercial aviation and the global push for fleet modernization.
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ABA Legal expands advisory services to accelerate UAE’s technology and business transformation
In a strategic move to bolster the UAE’s economic diversification and digital leadership, ABA Legal, a prominent corporate law consultancy based in Abu Dhabi, has announced the expansion of its advisory and legal services. This initiative is designed to support the nation’s burgeoning technology and innovation sectors, aligning with the UAE’s vision to become a global hub for innovation and enterprise. The enhanced service portfolio will focus on high-growth industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, blockchain, and data privacy, providing businesses with future-ready legal frameworks to ensure sustainable growth and regulatory compliance. Geethalakshmi Ramachandran, Managing Counsel at ABA Legal, emphasized the firm’s commitment to delivering technology-informed legal advice that safeguards client interests and fosters business confidence. The expansion includes the introduction of an AI Advisory service, staffed by experienced EU AI compliance professionals, to address the growing demand for AI regulatory expertise. ABA Legal’s specialized counsel will cover areas such as AI governance, Fintech Legalese management, cybersecurity, data privacy, e-commerce regulations, mergers and acquisitions, and cross-border compliance. With over two decades of experience in the UAE’s legal consulting sector, ABA Legal has built a strong reputation for excellence in corporate law, fiscal legal consulting, and legal drafting. The firm serves as standing counsel to major enterprises, including Indian banks, Fortune 500 companies, and multinational corporations in the UAE. Additionally, ABA Legal’s strategic partnerships across 32 jurisdictions enable it to offer comprehensive international advisory services, combining local insight with global best practices. This expansion underscores the firm’s dedication to supporting the UAE’s national goals for innovation, sustainability, and economic diversification, ensuring businesses can innovate confidently and responsibly within legal and ethical boundaries.
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US will share tech to let South Korea build a nuclear-powered submarine, Trump says
In a significant development for regional security, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media that the United States will share its closely guarded nuclear-powered submarine technology with South Korea. This announcement followed a meeting between Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju, South Korea. During their discussions, President Lee emphasized the importance of modernizing the U.S.-South Korea alliance and highlighted plans to increase South Korea’s military spending to alleviate the financial burden on the U.S. Lee clarified that South Korea’s interest lies in acquiring nuclear fuel for submarines rather than nuclear weapons, addressing a potential misunderstanding from their previous talks in August. He further argued that equipping South Korea with nuclear-powered submarines would bolster U.S. strategic activities in the region. U.S. nuclear submarine technology is considered among the most sensitive and highly protected military assets, with the U.S. historically reluctant to share it even with close allies. Notably, a recent agreement to assist Australia in acquiring nuclear submarine technology did not involve direct knowledge transfer from the U.S. Trump’s announcement comes ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose country already possesses nuclear submarines, and follows North Korea’s March unveiling of a nuclear-powered submarine under construction—a move that poses a significant security threat to both South Korea and the U.S. The Pentagon has yet to comment on Trump’s announcement. Meanwhile, North Korea’s recent successful cruise missile tests underscore its growing military capabilities, adding to the region’s escalating tensions.
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China, Africa deepen cooperation to boost food security and innovation
The African Union has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening agricultural and technological cooperation with China, aiming to accelerate growth and achieve food sovereignty across Africa. This partnership was highlighted during the 2025 General Assembly of the China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Gaspard Banyankimbona, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, emphasized the importance of leveraging China’s expertise in modern farming, digital technologies, and water management to align with the AU’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2025–34) and the continental development blueprint, Agenda 2063. Banyankimbona stated that Africa is at a pivotal moment, with vast opportunities to apply innovation for sustainable progress. The alliance provides a platform for joint research in climate-smart agriculture, animal and plant health, agroecology, and food safety. Efa Muleta, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Agriculture, highlighted the country’s progress in agricultural modernization, emphasizing the integration of Chinese technological expertise with local strengths to enhance productivity. The collaboration includes training and exchange programs in the livestock sector, with capacity-building initiatives set to begin immediately. The three-day assembly, co-organized by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the African Academy of Sciences, and the Mission of China to the African Union, brought together over 200 scientists, policymakers, and representatives from agricultural institutions across China and Africa. Lise Korsten, President of the African Academy of Sciences, noted that China’s agricultural modernization journey offers valuable lessons for Africa, particularly in addressing the paradox of food insecurity despite Africa’s vast uncultivated arable land. Abebe Haile-Gabriel, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa at the FAO, described China-Africa South-South cooperation as a strategic lever for transforming African agriculture, highlighting tangible outcomes such as higher rice yields, improved pest management, and digital farming adoption.
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Israeli settler violence sweeps West Bank amid olive harvest
A surge in violent attacks by Israeli settlers, reportedly backed by the army, has targeted Palestinian communities and olive harvesters across the occupied West Bank. On Tuesday and Wednesday, multiple incidents of arson, vandalism, and intimidation were reported, exacerbating tensions in the region. In Atara, north of Ramallah, settlers torched two vehicles and spray-painted racist slogans on a home. Mayor Nizar Moghrabi stated that the attackers infiltrated the Turfin area after midnight, marking a continuation of assaults since settlers established an outpost there last August. Similar incidents occurred in Hebron, where vehicles were set ablaze, and in Beit Imrin, where settlers destroyed olive saplings and stole construction materials. The olive harvest season, which runs from October to December, has seen a significant increase in settler violence this year. In al-Sawiya, settlers armed with weapons and iron bars prevented Palestinians from accessing their olive groves. In Qaryut, despite the Israeli army granting access to previously restricted land, Palestinians found their olive trees destroyed. In Turmusaya, settlers set fire to farmland and olive trees, while in Silwad, settlers and the army blocked residents from reaching their lands. Talaat Hamed, a Silwad resident, highlighted that settlers have been encroaching on Palestinian land by establishing pastoral outposts. According to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission (CWRC), 259 attacks on olive harvesters have been recorded since early October, with 41 attributed to the Israeli army and 218 to settlers. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) documented 89 attacks affecting 50 villages, resulting in 112 injuries and the destruction of over 3,000 trees. Settler-related violence has risen sharply over the past five years, with 2024 witnessing more than double the attacks recorded in 2023. Since October 2023, settlers have carried out 7,154 attacks against Palestinians, while Israel has confiscated over 55,000 dunams of land under various pretexts. Additionally, the Israeli army conducted pre-dawn raids on Wednesday, detaining at least 40 people across the West Bank.
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Vinicius apologises for storming off in Real’s Clasico victory over Barcelona
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr has publicly apologized for his heated reaction after being substituted during Sunday’s intense 2-1 El Clasico victory over Barcelona. The Brazilian star, who played a pivotal role in the winning goal and relentlessly pressured Barcelona’s right-back Jules Koundé, was replaced by compatriot Rodrygo in the 71st minute. Despite his contributions, Vinicius expressed his frustration to manager Xabi Alonso before storming off to the dressing room, marring what should have been a jubilant moment for Real Madrid as they ended a four-game losing streak against their arch-rivals. In a statement shared on his social media accounts, Vinicius apologized to fans, teammates, and club president Florentino Pérez, attributing his outburst to his competitive passion. ‘Sometimes my passion gets the better of me because I always want to win and help my team,’ he explained. Notably, his apology did not mention Alonso, with whom he has had a strained relationship since the manager took charge in May. Vinicius’ substitution has been a recurring theme this season, despite his effective partnership with forward Kylian Mbappé. The match ended in further controversy as Vinicius reemerged during a late-game altercation, arguing with Barcelona players before being escorted away. Real Madrid now lead LaLiga with 27 points, five ahead of second-placed Barcelona.
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‘Grotesque and delusional’: Francesca Albanese hits back at Israeli envoy after he called her a ‘witch’
In a dramatic confrontation at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, launched a scathing attack on Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, labeling her a ‘witch’ following her presentation of a report on third-state complicity in the Gaza genocide. Danon accused Albanese of attempting to ‘curse Israel with lies and hatred,’ dismissing her findings as ’empty spells’ and ‘failed charms.’ Albanese, unfazed by the outburst, countered that Israel’s response was ‘grotesque and delusional,’ emphasizing that her report, titled ‘Gaza Genocide: A Collective Crime,’ scrutinizes the role of over 60 countries in enabling Israel’s actions in Gaza. Speaking from Cape Town, South Africa, due to US sanctions imposed earlier this year, Albanese condemned the international community’s complicity in the crisis, calling for a permanent ceasefire and the suspension of military and diplomatic ties with Israel. She underscored that international law prohibits states from aiding or assisting in the commission of international crimes, framing the issue as a matter of legal obligation rather than choice.