Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip
Saudis were sharing AI-generated images of Donald Trump in local dress on Wednesday, reflecting the strong favourable impression made by the US President as he wrapped up his visit to the kingdom.
Mr Trump, who is on a four-day tour of the Gulf region, with stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, was lavish in his praise of Saudi Arabia and its leadership after being received at Riyadh airport by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday.
He appeared to have made a strong impression with Saudi citizens, who responded with the highest expression of Arab hospitality by integrating him into local culture.
The AI-generated images showed Mr Trump in traditional attire: a white kandura buttoned at the neck, with the red-and-white scarf, and the keffiyeh, held in place with a black agal. Other photos showed his daughter Ivanka wearing a black abaya while drinking Arabic coffee.
Comments such as "he looks like my father" and "Abu Ivanka [Ivanka's father] after drinking gahwa" accompanied the photos.
Abdulaziz Alshareef, 30, a marketing executive in the eastern city of Khobar, said Saudi Arabia's welcome of the US President was a reflection of Saudis' national pride and profound respect for the American people.
"As a proud citizen, I feel deeply honoured that our country had the opportunity to host the President of the United States and his esteemed delegation. Our culture is a powerful reflection of our national pride, whether it’s the simple act of offering Arabic coffee and dates, the fragrant scent of bukhoor, or our traditional attire and greetings," he said.
"These customs are more than rituals, they are expressions of hospitality, respect and identity that have been passed down through generations. To see our people integrate these cherished traditions in welcoming the President of the United States is deeply moving."
Mr Alshareef said witnessing the welcome given to Mr Trump had been "truly uplifting".
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
UAE'S%20YOUNG%20GUNS
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MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
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6.20pm: West Acre
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7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
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Uefa Champions League Group B
Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Eriksen 80')
Inter Milan 0
New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
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Conversions: Farrell
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
