• Editorial Design: '100 Beste Plakate 24' Showcase

    06/12 — 2025

    by abduzeedo

    Explore "100 Beste Plakate 24," a stunning yearbook by Tristesse and Slanted Publishers. Dive into cutting-edge editorial design and visual identity.
    Design enthusiasts, get ready to dive into the latest from the German-speaking design scene. The "100 Beste Plakate 24" yearbook offers a compelling showcase of contemporary graphic design. It's more than just a collection; it's a deep exploration of visual identity and editorial design.
    This yearbook, published by Slanted Publishers and edited by 100 beste Plakate e. V. and Fons Hickmann, is a testament to the power of impactful poster design. The design studio Tristesse from Basel took the reins for the overall concept, delivering a fresh and cheeky aesthetic that makes the "100 best posters" feel like leading actors on a vibrant stage. Their in-house approach to layout, typography, and photography truly shines.
    Unpacking the Visuals
    The book's formatand 256 pages allow for large-format images, providing ample space to appreciate each poster's intricate details. It includes detailed credits, content descriptions, and creation contexts. This commitment to detail in the editorial design elevates the reading experience.
    One notable example within the yearbook is the "To-Do: Diplome 24" poster campaign by Atelier HKB. Designed under Marco Matti's project management, this series features twelve motifs for the Bern University of the Arts graduation events. These posters highlight effective graphic design and visual communication. Another standout is the "Rettungsplakate" by klotz-studio für gestaltung. These "rescue posters," printed on actual rescue blankets, address homelessness in Germany. The raw, impactful visual approach paired with a tangible medium demonstrates powerful design with a purpose.
    Beyond the Imagery
    Beyond the stunning visuals, the yearbook offers insightful essays and interviews on current poster design trends. The introductory section features jury members, their works, and statements on the selection process, alongside forewords from the association president and jury chair. This editorial content offers valuable context and insights into the evolving landscape of graphic design.
    The book’s concept playfully questions the seriousness and benevolence of the honorary certificates awarded to the winning designers. This subtle irony adds a unique layer to the publication, transforming it from a mere compilation into a thoughtful commentary on the design world itself. It's an inspiring showcase of the cutting edge of contemporary graphic design.
    The Art of Editorial Design
    "100 Beste Plakate 24" is a prime example of exceptional editorial design. It's not just about compiling images; it's about curating a narrative. The precise layout, thoughtful typography choices, and the deliberate flow of content all contribute to a cohesive and engaging experience. This book highlights how editorial design can transform a collection of works into a compelling story, inviting readers to delve deeper into each piece.
    The attention to detail, from the softcover with flaps to the thread-stitching and hot-foil embossing, speaks volumes about the dedication to craftsmanship. This is where illustration, graphic design, and branding converge to create a truly immersive experience.
    Final Thoughts
    This yearbook is a must-have for anyone passionate about graphic design and visual identity. It offers a fresh perspective on contemporary poster design, highlighting both aesthetic excellence and social relevance. The detailed insights into the design process and the designers' intentions make it an invaluable resource. Pick up a copy and see how impactful design can be.
    You can learn more about this incredible work and acquire your copy at slanted.de/product/100-beste-plakate-24.
    Editorial design artifacts

    Tags

    editorial design
    #editorial #design #beste #plakate #showcase
    Editorial Design: '100 Beste Plakate 24' Showcase
    06/12 — 2025 by abduzeedo Explore "100 Beste Plakate 24," a stunning yearbook by Tristesse and Slanted Publishers. Dive into cutting-edge editorial design and visual identity. Design enthusiasts, get ready to dive into the latest from the German-speaking design scene. The "100 Beste Plakate 24" yearbook offers a compelling showcase of contemporary graphic design. It's more than just a collection; it's a deep exploration of visual identity and editorial design. This yearbook, published by Slanted Publishers and edited by 100 beste Plakate e. V. and Fons Hickmann, is a testament to the power of impactful poster design. The design studio Tristesse from Basel took the reins for the overall concept, delivering a fresh and cheeky aesthetic that makes the "100 best posters" feel like leading actors on a vibrant stage. Their in-house approach to layout, typography, and photography truly shines. Unpacking the Visuals The book's formatand 256 pages allow for large-format images, providing ample space to appreciate each poster's intricate details. It includes detailed credits, content descriptions, and creation contexts. This commitment to detail in the editorial design elevates the reading experience. One notable example within the yearbook is the "To-Do: Diplome 24" poster campaign by Atelier HKB. Designed under Marco Matti's project management, this series features twelve motifs for the Bern University of the Arts graduation events. These posters highlight effective graphic design and visual communication. Another standout is the "Rettungsplakate" by klotz-studio für gestaltung. These "rescue posters," printed on actual rescue blankets, address homelessness in Germany. The raw, impactful visual approach paired with a tangible medium demonstrates powerful design with a purpose. Beyond the Imagery Beyond the stunning visuals, the yearbook offers insightful essays and interviews on current poster design trends. The introductory section features jury members, their works, and statements on the selection process, alongside forewords from the association president and jury chair. This editorial content offers valuable context and insights into the evolving landscape of graphic design. The book’s concept playfully questions the seriousness and benevolence of the honorary certificates awarded to the winning designers. This subtle irony adds a unique layer to the publication, transforming it from a mere compilation into a thoughtful commentary on the design world itself. It's an inspiring showcase of the cutting edge of contemporary graphic design. The Art of Editorial Design "100 Beste Plakate 24" is a prime example of exceptional editorial design. It's not just about compiling images; it's about curating a narrative. The precise layout, thoughtful typography choices, and the deliberate flow of content all contribute to a cohesive and engaging experience. This book highlights how editorial design can transform a collection of works into a compelling story, inviting readers to delve deeper into each piece. The attention to detail, from the softcover with flaps to the thread-stitching and hot-foil embossing, speaks volumes about the dedication to craftsmanship. This is where illustration, graphic design, and branding converge to create a truly immersive experience. Final Thoughts This yearbook is a must-have for anyone passionate about graphic design and visual identity. It offers a fresh perspective on contemporary poster design, highlighting both aesthetic excellence and social relevance. The detailed insights into the design process and the designers' intentions make it an invaluable resource. Pick up a copy and see how impactful design can be. You can learn more about this incredible work and acquire your copy at slanted.de/product/100-beste-plakate-24. Editorial design artifacts Tags editorial design #editorial #design #beste #plakate #showcase
    ABDUZEEDO.COM
    Editorial Design: '100 Beste Plakate 24' Showcase
    06/12 — 2025 by abduzeedo Explore "100 Beste Plakate 24," a stunning yearbook by Tristesse and Slanted Publishers. Dive into cutting-edge editorial design and visual identity. Design enthusiasts, get ready to dive into the latest from the German-speaking design scene. The "100 Beste Plakate 24" yearbook offers a compelling showcase of contemporary graphic design. It's more than just a collection; it's a deep exploration of visual identity and editorial design. This yearbook, published by Slanted Publishers and edited by 100 beste Plakate e. V. and Fons Hickmann, is a testament to the power of impactful poster design. The design studio Tristesse from Basel took the reins for the overall concept, delivering a fresh and cheeky aesthetic that makes the "100 best posters" feel like leading actors on a vibrant stage. Their in-house approach to layout, typography, and photography truly shines. Unpacking the Visuals The book's format (17×24 cm) and 256 pages allow for large-format images, providing ample space to appreciate each poster's intricate details. It includes detailed credits, content descriptions, and creation contexts. This commitment to detail in the editorial design elevates the reading experience. One notable example within the yearbook is the "To-Do: Diplome 24" poster campaign by Atelier HKB. Designed under Marco Matti's project management, this series features twelve motifs for the Bern University of the Arts graduation events. These posters highlight effective graphic design and visual communication. Another standout is the "Rettungsplakate" by klotz-studio für gestaltung. These "rescue posters," printed on actual rescue blankets, address homelessness in Germany. The raw, impactful visual approach paired with a tangible medium demonstrates powerful design with a purpose. Beyond the Imagery Beyond the stunning visuals, the yearbook offers insightful essays and interviews on current poster design trends. The introductory section features jury members, their works, and statements on the selection process, alongside forewords from the association president and jury chair. This editorial content offers valuable context and insights into the evolving landscape of graphic design. The book’s concept playfully questions the seriousness and benevolence of the honorary certificates awarded to the winning designers. This subtle irony adds a unique layer to the publication, transforming it from a mere compilation into a thoughtful commentary on the design world itself. It's an inspiring showcase of the cutting edge of contemporary graphic design. The Art of Editorial Design "100 Beste Plakate 24" is a prime example of exceptional editorial design. It's not just about compiling images; it's about curating a narrative. The precise layout, thoughtful typography choices, and the deliberate flow of content all contribute to a cohesive and engaging experience. This book highlights how editorial design can transform a collection of works into a compelling story, inviting readers to delve deeper into each piece. The attention to detail, from the softcover with flaps to the thread-stitching and hot-foil embossing, speaks volumes about the dedication to craftsmanship. This is where illustration, graphic design, and branding converge to create a truly immersive experience. Final Thoughts This yearbook is a must-have for anyone passionate about graphic design and visual identity. It offers a fresh perspective on contemporary poster design, highlighting both aesthetic excellence and social relevance. The detailed insights into the design process and the designers' intentions make it an invaluable resource. Pick up a copy and see how impactful design can be. You can learn more about this incredible work and acquire your copy at slanted.de/product/100-beste-plakate-24. Editorial design artifacts Tags editorial design
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  • You Can Now Visit the Small House Where Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë Were Born

    You Can Now Visit the Small House Where Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë Were Born
    The newly renovated Brontë Birthplace in Bradford, England, was the three sisters’ home until 1820, when the family moved to a nearby parsonage

    The Brontë children were born near this fireplace, pictured mid-renovation.
    Matt Gibbons / Brontë Birthplace

    In the early 19th century, three sisters were born in a small house in northern England: Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë. Each one would grow up to become a pivotal figure in English literature, with Charlotte writing Jane Eyre, Emily writing Wuthering Heightsand Anne writing The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
    Now, that house in Bradford, England, where they were born has been restored and reopened to the public as a museum—and soon-to-be hotel.
    On May 15, Queen Camilla visited the village of Thornton to open the Brontë Birthplace in an official ceremony. After a year and a half of fundraising and renovations, the house is now a functioning educational center. Come July, its bedrooms will also be open to overnight guests, according to the Guardian’s David Barnett.

    The Brontë Birthplace pictured in 2008

    Tim Green via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY 2.0

    “This house is no longer just a place of literary history,” says Katharine Barnett, chair of the Brontë Birthplace, in a statement from the museum. “It is a living, breathing space filled with creativity, education and community pride.”
    The novelists’ parents were Patrick and Maria Brontë, an Irish clergyman and a Cornish gentlewoman who married in 1812. They had two daughters, Maria and Elizabeth, before moving to the Thornton house in 1815. Charlotte was born in 1816, Emily in 1818 and Anne in 1820. A brother, Branwell, was also born in 1817.
    When Anne was just three months old, Patrick was appointed the reverend of a nearby church, and the family moved to the Haworth parsonage. The two eldest children died soon after, but the younger four children survived. As they grew older, they also thrived as playmates, inventing “invented imaginary worlds together andabout them in tiny books,” per the Brontë Parsonage Museum.

    Queen Camilla and Christa Ackroyd touring the Brontë Birthplace on May 15, 2025

    Matt Gibbons / Brontë Birthplace

    By the mid-19th century, the three sisters were publishing novels under the pseudonyms Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights would become two of the most renowned books ever written in English.
    After the family left the sisters’ birthplace, the building was repurposed several times. It has served as a butcher’s shop and a cafe, which shuttered during the pandemic, according to the Guardian. With the building up for grabs, a group of advocates—including journalist Christa Ackroyd and Brontë relative Nigel West—raised the £650,000needed to purchase and renovate it.
    Every four years, the United Kingdom chooses a “City of Culture,” and this year’s selection is Bradford. Camilla opened the Brontë Birthplace as part of her honorary visit to the chosen city. A crowd gathered to welcome her. As Tom Golesworthy, a resident of Leeds who attended the opening ceremony, tells the Telegraph & Argus’ Brad Deas, “It makes you proud to be British.”The Haworth parsonage already attracts nearly one million visitors each year, per the Guardian. The Brontë Birthplace team hopes that those visitors will now add the Thornton house, which is only six miles away, to their itineraries.
    When the Brontës lived in the home, all six children likely slept in the house’s largest upstairs bedroom, while their parents slept next door, reports the Guardian. Both rooms, as well as a third that was added to the house later, will be available for overnight stays.
    “This will be the only place in the world where you can sleep in the same room that the Brontës slept in,” West tells the Guardian.

    Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.
    #you #can #now #visit #small
    You Can Now Visit the Small House Where Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë Were Born
    You Can Now Visit the Small House Where Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë Were Born The newly renovated Brontë Birthplace in Bradford, England, was the three sisters’ home until 1820, when the family moved to a nearby parsonage The Brontë children were born near this fireplace, pictured mid-renovation. Matt Gibbons / Brontë Birthplace In the early 19th century, three sisters were born in a small house in northern England: Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë. Each one would grow up to become a pivotal figure in English literature, with Charlotte writing Jane Eyre, Emily writing Wuthering Heightsand Anne writing The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Now, that house in Bradford, England, where they were born has been restored and reopened to the public as a museum—and soon-to-be hotel. On May 15, Queen Camilla visited the village of Thornton to open the Brontë Birthplace in an official ceremony. After a year and a half of fundraising and renovations, the house is now a functioning educational center. Come July, its bedrooms will also be open to overnight guests, according to the Guardian’s David Barnett. The Brontë Birthplace pictured in 2008 Tim Green via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY 2.0 “This house is no longer just a place of literary history,” says Katharine Barnett, chair of the Brontë Birthplace, in a statement from the museum. “It is a living, breathing space filled with creativity, education and community pride.” The novelists’ parents were Patrick and Maria Brontë, an Irish clergyman and a Cornish gentlewoman who married in 1812. They had two daughters, Maria and Elizabeth, before moving to the Thornton house in 1815. Charlotte was born in 1816, Emily in 1818 and Anne in 1820. A brother, Branwell, was also born in 1817. When Anne was just three months old, Patrick was appointed the reverend of a nearby church, and the family moved to the Haworth parsonage. The two eldest children died soon after, but the younger four children survived. As they grew older, they also thrived as playmates, inventing “invented imaginary worlds together andabout them in tiny books,” per the Brontë Parsonage Museum. Queen Camilla and Christa Ackroyd touring the Brontë Birthplace on May 15, 2025 Matt Gibbons / Brontë Birthplace By the mid-19th century, the three sisters were publishing novels under the pseudonyms Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights would become two of the most renowned books ever written in English. After the family left the sisters’ birthplace, the building was repurposed several times. It has served as a butcher’s shop and a cafe, which shuttered during the pandemic, according to the Guardian. With the building up for grabs, a group of advocates—including journalist Christa Ackroyd and Brontë relative Nigel West—raised the £650,000needed to purchase and renovate it. Every four years, the United Kingdom chooses a “City of Culture,” and this year’s selection is Bradford. Camilla opened the Brontë Birthplace as part of her honorary visit to the chosen city. A crowd gathered to welcome her. As Tom Golesworthy, a resident of Leeds who attended the opening ceremony, tells the Telegraph & Argus’ Brad Deas, “It makes you proud to be British.”The Haworth parsonage already attracts nearly one million visitors each year, per the Guardian. The Brontë Birthplace team hopes that those visitors will now add the Thornton house, which is only six miles away, to their itineraries. When the Brontës lived in the home, all six children likely slept in the house’s largest upstairs bedroom, while their parents slept next door, reports the Guardian. Both rooms, as well as a third that was added to the house later, will be available for overnight stays. “This will be the only place in the world where you can sleep in the same room that the Brontës slept in,” West tells the Guardian. Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday. #you #can #now #visit #small
    WWW.SMITHSONIANMAG.COM
    You Can Now Visit the Small House Where Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë Were Born
    You Can Now Visit the Small House Where Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë Were Born The newly renovated Brontë Birthplace in Bradford, England, was the three sisters’ home until 1820, when the family moved to a nearby parsonage The Brontë children were born near this fireplace, pictured mid-renovation. Matt Gibbons / Brontë Birthplace In the early 19th century, three sisters were born in a small house in northern England: Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë. Each one would grow up to become a pivotal figure in English literature, with Charlotte writing Jane Eyre (1847), Emily writing Wuthering Heights (1847) and Anne writing The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848). Now, that house in Bradford, England, where they were born has been restored and reopened to the public as a museum—and soon-to-be hotel. On May 15, Queen Camilla visited the village of Thornton to open the Brontë Birthplace in an official ceremony. After a year and a half of fundraising and renovations, the house is now a functioning educational center. Come July, its bedrooms will also be open to overnight guests, according to the Guardian’s David Barnett. The Brontë Birthplace pictured in 2008 Tim Green via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY 2.0 “This house is no longer just a place of literary history,” says Katharine Barnett, chair of the Brontë Birthplace, in a statement from the museum. “It is a living, breathing space filled with creativity, education and community pride.” The novelists’ parents were Patrick and Maria Brontë, an Irish clergyman and a Cornish gentlewoman who married in 1812. They had two daughters, Maria and Elizabeth, before moving to the Thornton house in 1815. Charlotte was born in 1816, Emily in 1818 and Anne in 1820. A brother, Branwell, was also born in 1817. When Anne was just three months old, Patrick was appointed the reverend of a nearby church, and the family moved to the Haworth parsonage. The two eldest children died soon after, but the younger four children survived. As they grew older, they also thrived as playmates, inventing “invented imaginary worlds together and [writing] about them in tiny books,” per the Brontë Parsonage Museum. Queen Camilla and Christa Ackroyd touring the Brontë Birthplace on May 15, 2025 Matt Gibbons / Brontë Birthplace By the mid-19th century, the three sisters were publishing novels under the pseudonyms Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights would become two of the most renowned books ever written in English. After the family left the sisters’ birthplace, the building was repurposed several times. It has served as a butcher’s shop and a cafe, which shuttered during the pandemic, according to the Guardian. With the building up for grabs, a group of advocates—including journalist Christa Ackroyd and Brontë relative Nigel West—raised the £650,000 (more than $700,000) needed to purchase and renovate it. Every four years, the United Kingdom chooses a “City of Culture,” and this year’s selection is Bradford. Camilla opened the Brontë Birthplace as part of her honorary visit to the chosen city. A crowd gathered to welcome her. As Tom Golesworthy, a resident of Leeds who attended the opening ceremony, tells the Telegraph & Argus’ Brad Deas, “It makes you proud to be British.”The Haworth parsonage already attracts nearly one million visitors each year, per the Guardian. The Brontë Birthplace team hopes that those visitors will now add the Thornton house, which is only six miles away, to their itineraries. When the Brontës lived in the home, all six children likely slept in the house’s largest upstairs bedroom, while their parents slept next door, reports the Guardian. Both rooms, as well as a third that was added to the house later, will be available for overnight stays. “This will be the only place in the world where you can sleep in the same room that the Brontës slept in,” West tells the Guardian. Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.
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  • "This is the endgame" Helldivers 2's battle for Super Earth has entered its "final phase", with agonising failure triggering an "all-out assault" on the final four cities

    Time must fly when you're having fun. Or at least when you're defending Super Earth from a huge Illuminate invasio. Helldivers 2's latest major order is the "final phase" of the battle for the divers' home planet that's been raging since the Heart of Democracy update dropped on May 20.
    I must admit, I thought the Galactic War twist that's brought the biggest number of Helldivers back to the game of any update it's gotten so far would last a bit longer than three MOs. Then again, this is Helldivers 2 - the war ain't anywhere close to over while there are still troops on the march and enemies to surf on.

    To see this content please enable targeting cookies.

    First of all, the last major order, which expired earlier today, was a proper heartbreaker. After casually killing 2.5 billion Illuminate in the first stage of Super Earth's defense, players weren't quite able to successfully extract from missions against the Illuminate 20 million times. They got damn close, though.
    So, with that, while the divers have worn the Illuminate fleet's strength down to an estimated "24% of its original operating power", only four of Super Earth's seven Mega Cities are left standing. Yep, two more have joined the brilliantly-named Eagleopolis as smouldering wrecks.
    Cue Arrowhead's latest order, which declares the third phase of Super Earth's defense to be the final one. "High Command anticipates an all-out assault to take the final four Mega Cities," the studio wrote, "The Illuminate have spent a century preparing for this invasion; they will hold back nothing. What has come before was the preamble; this is the endgame...The Helldivers have their orders: HOLD Super Earth."

    To see this content please enable targeting cookies.

    In order to do that, players'll need to dig in on Super Earth against the squids, while also scrapping 200 million Automatons so they can bring the Democracy Space Station back online to aid that first bit. As of writing, nearly 98 million bots have already been bashed in since the order debuted this morning.
    Folks are seemingly going all out, no doubt buoyed by the fact today's little Helldivers 2 patch - 01.003.003 - made a very popular change to the Reinforced Epaulettes passive that comes with the armour sets from the recently deployed Masters of Ceremony Warbond. As well as making your limbs less likely to snap like twigs, you'll now be able to reload your primary weapon 30% faster and do 50% more melee damage when rocking the Parade Commander and Honorary Guard sets.
    Cue celebrations on Reddit.
    Are you planning on jumping in to help out with this final phase of Super Earth saving? Let us know below!
    #quotthis #endgamequot #helldivers #2039s #battle
    "This is the endgame" Helldivers 2's battle for Super Earth has entered its "final phase", with agonising failure triggering an "all-out assault" on the final four cities
    Time must fly when you're having fun. Or at least when you're defending Super Earth from a huge Illuminate invasio. Helldivers 2's latest major order is the "final phase" of the battle for the divers' home planet that's been raging since the Heart of Democracy update dropped on May 20. I must admit, I thought the Galactic War twist that's brought the biggest number of Helldivers back to the game of any update it's gotten so far would last a bit longer than three MOs. Then again, this is Helldivers 2 - the war ain't anywhere close to over while there are still troops on the march and enemies to surf on. To see this content please enable targeting cookies. First of all, the last major order, which expired earlier today, was a proper heartbreaker. After casually killing 2.5 billion Illuminate in the first stage of Super Earth's defense, players weren't quite able to successfully extract from missions against the Illuminate 20 million times. They got damn close, though. So, with that, while the divers have worn the Illuminate fleet's strength down to an estimated "24% of its original operating power", only four of Super Earth's seven Mega Cities are left standing. Yep, two more have joined the brilliantly-named Eagleopolis as smouldering wrecks. Cue Arrowhead's latest order, which declares the third phase of Super Earth's defense to be the final one. "High Command anticipates an all-out assault to take the final four Mega Cities," the studio wrote, "The Illuminate have spent a century preparing for this invasion; they will hold back nothing. What has come before was the preamble; this is the endgame...The Helldivers have their orders: HOLD Super Earth." To see this content please enable targeting cookies. In order to do that, players'll need to dig in on Super Earth against the squids, while also scrapping 200 million Automatons so they can bring the Democracy Space Station back online to aid that first bit. As of writing, nearly 98 million bots have already been bashed in since the order debuted this morning. Folks are seemingly going all out, no doubt buoyed by the fact today's little Helldivers 2 patch - 01.003.003 - made a very popular change to the Reinforced Epaulettes passive that comes with the armour sets from the recently deployed Masters of Ceremony Warbond. As well as making your limbs less likely to snap like twigs, you'll now be able to reload your primary weapon 30% faster and do 50% more melee damage when rocking the Parade Commander and Honorary Guard sets. Cue celebrations on Reddit. Are you planning on jumping in to help out with this final phase of Super Earth saving? Let us know below! #quotthis #endgamequot #helldivers #2039s #battle
    WWW.VG247.COM
    "This is the endgame" Helldivers 2's battle for Super Earth has entered its "final phase", with agonising failure triggering an "all-out assault" on the final four cities
    Time must fly when you're having fun. Or at least when you're defending Super Earth from a huge Illuminate invasio. Helldivers 2's latest major order is the "final phase" of the battle for the divers' home planet that's been raging since the Heart of Democracy update dropped on May 20. I must admit, I thought the Galactic War twist that's brought the biggest number of Helldivers back to the game of any update it's gotten so far would last a bit longer than three MOs. Then again, this is Helldivers 2 - the war ain't anywhere close to over while there are still troops on the march and enemies to surf on. To see this content please enable targeting cookies. First of all, the last major order, which expired earlier today, was a proper heartbreaker. After casually killing 2.5 billion Illuminate in the first stage of Super Earth's defense, players weren't quite able to successfully extract from missions against the Illuminate 20 million times. They got damn close, though. So, with that, while the divers have worn the Illuminate fleet's strength down to an estimated "24% of its original operating power", only four of Super Earth's seven Mega Cities are left standing. Yep, two more have joined the brilliantly-named Eagleopolis as smouldering wrecks. Cue Arrowhead's latest order, which declares the third phase of Super Earth's defense to be the final one. "High Command anticipates an all-out assault to take the final four Mega Cities," the studio wrote, "The Illuminate have spent a century preparing for this invasion; they will hold back nothing. What has come before was the preamble; this is the endgame...The Helldivers have their orders: HOLD Super Earth." To see this content please enable targeting cookies. In order to do that, players'll need to dig in on Super Earth against the squids, while also scrapping 200 million Automatons so they can bring the Democracy Space Station back online to aid that first bit. As of writing, nearly 98 million bots have already been bashed in since the order debuted this morning. Folks are seemingly going all out, no doubt buoyed by the fact today's little Helldivers 2 patch - 01.003.003 - made a very popular change to the Reinforced Epaulettes passive that comes with the armour sets from the recently deployed Masters of Ceremony Warbond. As well as making your limbs less likely to snap like twigs, you'll now be able to reload your primary weapon 30% faster and do 50% more melee damage when rocking the Parade Commander and Honorary Guard sets. Cue celebrations on Reddit. Are you planning on jumping in to help out with this final phase of Super Earth saving? Let us know below!
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  • Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet are one of the most confusing couples in Hollywood. PR experts say that's by design.

    Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards.

    Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images

    2025-05-15T16:11:15Z

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    Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet recently made their red carpet debut as a couple.
    They have reportedly been dating for about two years, but some fans still think it's an odd pairing.
    PR experts told BI that creating an air of mystery or even confusion works to the couple's advantage.

    Despite nearly two years of sightings, smooches, and soft launches, Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet's relationship still feels like a glitch in the Hollywood matrix.Even when the couple made their long-awaited red carpet debut last week after several PDA-filled public outings, some still struggled to accept the news."i still can't believe kylie & timothee is a real thing," one user wrote on X.

    Jenner and Chalamet's relationship has been defined by skepticism since rumors of their pairing first surfaced in 2023. Social media users wondered what these two stars — one who rose to fame on a gaudy reality show, the other in the world of Oscar-worthy cinema — could possibly have in common."I firmly believe they sit together in complete silence," one person wrote on X. Such reactions to Jenner and Chalamet are not confined to social media's most hyperactive posters; I've heard them firsthand. A friend of mine recently said she couldn't shake the feeling that Jenner and Chalamet "don't exist in the same celebrity timeline."Conventional wisdom suggests a relationship this puzzling could be bad business for both parties. But it turns out that confusing the pop culture-following public can actually be a smart strategy.Two public relations experts who spoke to Business Insider said that the ongoing stream of confused responses to this celebrity coupling actually represents a job well done by Jenner and Chalamet's respective PR teams.It's a sign that both of their carefully cultivated individual brands are strong. So if you feel the friction from those brands clashing, you're not alone — that's precisely what makes the couple so fun to doubt.A tale of two very different celebrities
    Evan Nierman, the CEO of the crisis PR firm Red Banyan, described Jenner's brand as ultra-visible, social media-heavy, and incessantly self-promotional. Meanwhile, Chalamet has made a point of pitching himself as an artist with discernment and taste."The problem that people are having is those two different personas seem at odds with one another," Nierman explained. "The kind of brooding, super-serious, super-authentic actor clashes with the Kardashian model, and I think that's probably why people are having such a hard time understanding the pairing of the two of them."In reality, the public's reaction to Jenner and Chalamet as a couple has nothing to do with their personalities or compatibility behind closed doors. It has everything to do with brand positioning and integration strategies, likely orchestrated — or, at the very least, closely monitored — by large teams of publicists, image consultants, and managers."PR can play a much bigger role in the things that you see coming out of Hollywood than most people at home would guess," Mike Fahey, the founder and CEO of the PR agency Fahey Communications, told Business Insider. "A lot of those things that seem like happy accidents are actually by design."

    Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner at the 2025 Oscars.

    Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

    However, there's an important distinction between our traditional understanding of a "PR relationship," one that's been orchestrated by celebrities' respective teams to generate mutually beneficial publicity, and a real relationship that has been carefully managed by PR to maximize its impact.
    Yes, celebrities have a lot to gain by cross-pollinating their fan bases. But the "Kymothée" curiosity feels different from, say, Tom Hiddleston getting papped wearing a T-shirt declaring his love for Taylor Swift.Jenner and Chalamet are simply too odd a match for people to believe they have a calculated arrangement, or that they're being prodded to perform affection for the cameras. To what end? To cross-promote "Dune" on "The Kardashians"? To sell a Bob Dylan-inspired makeup line by Kylie Cosmetics?So something must be keeping them together. Could it be… love? Well, yes, maybe. Why not?The slow rollout of Kymothée was PR perfection

    Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet pose on the red carpet at an awards ceremony in Rome.

    IPA/ABACA via Reuters Connect

    The initial media rollout of Jenner and Chalamet's relationship was drawn out over several months, nudged along by blurry photos of Jenner's car in Chalamet's driveway and anonymous tips sent to gossip aggregator Deuxmoi before the two were eventually spotted kissing at a Beyoncé concert in September 2023. Even when Jenner and Chalamet attended several awards shows together, including two consecutive Golden Globes, they avoided the spectacle of a red carpet appearance as a couple until just last week.A power couple's red carpet debut is a big deal in Hollywood — for comparison, Swift has never walked one with any boyfriend — but Jenner and Chalamet still kept it relatively low-key. Instead of posing for photos together at a star-studded event like the Met Gala or the Oscars, they staged their official debut at a sparsely attended ceremony in Rome: the David di Donatello Awards, where Chalamet received an honorary award for cinematic excellence.Their relationship's incremental, tempered launch created plenty of space for suspicion and conspiracy theories to flourish. But counterintuitively, both Nierman and Fahey said that isn't necessarily a bad thing."It's leading to more confusion, but it's also doing exactly what it's intended to do, which is sparking ever-more interest," Nierman said. "A series of slow strategic leaks that are then followed by a red carpet debut is a PR move that's designed to generate buzz and to get people talking."If Jenner and Chalamet had opted for a hard launch — a formal announcement, perhaps, or a sit-down interview for a magazine cover — it could have encouraged fans to come to grips with their romance more quickly, or to understand their connection more deeply. That would take away the mystique, which is the very thing that's keeping us interested."If I were a Kardashian and I was sitting on this relationship, I would do the exact same thing. I would be like, 'I want to get as much mileage out of this as possible. It means that I don't have to do other things. Let's milk this for all it's worth,'" Fahey said. "They've created this media firestorm while doing very little."More than two years after Jenner and Chalamet were linked, they still have valuable cards to play — their first selfie shared on Instagram, for example, or Chalamet's debut appearance on "The Kardashians.""When that happens, it's going to be a big cash cow payday for them, and that's why they're so deliberate in what they do," Fahey said of the Oscar nominee's seemingly inevitable appearance on Jenner's Hulu reality show. "There are no accidents in the Kardashian family."Each new milestone will likely spawn a new round of headlines, TikToks, and heated debates in my group chats. I anticipate receiving many more texts like, "I can't believe they're still together," and "I still don't get it."Here, "still" is the operative word. The ongoing disbelief that Jenner and Chalamet are a match is not a symptom of a PR rollout gone wrong. In fact, it's probably the opposite."It's been played to perfection," Nierman said. "It keeps us guessing, it keeps us talking, and that's entirely the point."

    Recommended video
    #kylie #jenner #timothée #chalametampampnbspare #one
    Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet are one of the most confusing couples in Hollywood. PR experts say that's by design.
    Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards. Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images 2025-05-15T16:11:15Z d Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet recently made their red carpet debut as a couple. They have reportedly been dating for about two years, but some fans still think it's an odd pairing. PR experts told BI that creating an air of mystery or even confusion works to the couple's advantage. Despite nearly two years of sightings, smooches, and soft launches, Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet's relationship still feels like a glitch in the Hollywood matrix.Even when the couple made their long-awaited red carpet debut last week after several PDA-filled public outings, some still struggled to accept the news."i still can't believe kylie & timothee is a real thing," one user wrote on X. Jenner and Chalamet's relationship has been defined by skepticism since rumors of their pairing first surfaced in 2023. Social media users wondered what these two stars — one who rose to fame on a gaudy reality show, the other in the world of Oscar-worthy cinema — could possibly have in common."I firmly believe they sit together in complete silence," one person wrote on X. Such reactions to Jenner and Chalamet are not confined to social media's most hyperactive posters; I've heard them firsthand. A friend of mine recently said she couldn't shake the feeling that Jenner and Chalamet "don't exist in the same celebrity timeline."Conventional wisdom suggests a relationship this puzzling could be bad business for both parties. But it turns out that confusing the pop culture-following public can actually be a smart strategy.Two public relations experts who spoke to Business Insider said that the ongoing stream of confused responses to this celebrity coupling actually represents a job well done by Jenner and Chalamet's respective PR teams.It's a sign that both of their carefully cultivated individual brands are strong. So if you feel the friction from those brands clashing, you're not alone — that's precisely what makes the couple so fun to doubt.A tale of two very different celebrities Evan Nierman, the CEO of the crisis PR firm Red Banyan, described Jenner's brand as ultra-visible, social media-heavy, and incessantly self-promotional. Meanwhile, Chalamet has made a point of pitching himself as an artist with discernment and taste."The problem that people are having is those two different personas seem at odds with one another," Nierman explained. "The kind of brooding, super-serious, super-authentic actor clashes with the Kardashian model, and I think that's probably why people are having such a hard time understanding the pairing of the two of them."In reality, the public's reaction to Jenner and Chalamet as a couple has nothing to do with their personalities or compatibility behind closed doors. It has everything to do with brand positioning and integration strategies, likely orchestrated — or, at the very least, closely monitored — by large teams of publicists, image consultants, and managers."PR can play a much bigger role in the things that you see coming out of Hollywood than most people at home would guess," Mike Fahey, the founder and CEO of the PR agency Fahey Communications, told Business Insider. "A lot of those things that seem like happy accidents are actually by design." Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner at the 2025 Oscars. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP However, there's an important distinction between our traditional understanding of a "PR relationship," one that's been orchestrated by celebrities' respective teams to generate mutually beneficial publicity, and a real relationship that has been carefully managed by PR to maximize its impact. Yes, celebrities have a lot to gain by cross-pollinating their fan bases. But the "Kymothée" curiosity feels different from, say, Tom Hiddleston getting papped wearing a T-shirt declaring his love for Taylor Swift.Jenner and Chalamet are simply too odd a match for people to believe they have a calculated arrangement, or that they're being prodded to perform affection for the cameras. To what end? To cross-promote "Dune" on "The Kardashians"? To sell a Bob Dylan-inspired makeup line by Kylie Cosmetics?So something must be keeping them together. Could it be… love? Well, yes, maybe. Why not?The slow rollout of Kymothée was PR perfection Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet pose on the red carpet at an awards ceremony in Rome. IPA/ABACA via Reuters Connect The initial media rollout of Jenner and Chalamet's relationship was drawn out over several months, nudged along by blurry photos of Jenner's car in Chalamet's driveway and anonymous tips sent to gossip aggregator Deuxmoi before the two were eventually spotted kissing at a Beyoncé concert in September 2023. Even when Jenner and Chalamet attended several awards shows together, including two consecutive Golden Globes, they avoided the spectacle of a red carpet appearance as a couple until just last week.A power couple's red carpet debut is a big deal in Hollywood — for comparison, Swift has never walked one with any boyfriend — but Jenner and Chalamet still kept it relatively low-key. Instead of posing for photos together at a star-studded event like the Met Gala or the Oscars, they staged their official debut at a sparsely attended ceremony in Rome: the David di Donatello Awards, where Chalamet received an honorary award for cinematic excellence.Their relationship's incremental, tempered launch created plenty of space for suspicion and conspiracy theories to flourish. But counterintuitively, both Nierman and Fahey said that isn't necessarily a bad thing."It's leading to more confusion, but it's also doing exactly what it's intended to do, which is sparking ever-more interest," Nierman said. "A series of slow strategic leaks that are then followed by a red carpet debut is a PR move that's designed to generate buzz and to get people talking."If Jenner and Chalamet had opted for a hard launch — a formal announcement, perhaps, or a sit-down interview for a magazine cover — it could have encouraged fans to come to grips with their romance more quickly, or to understand their connection more deeply. That would take away the mystique, which is the very thing that's keeping us interested."If I were a Kardashian and I was sitting on this relationship, I would do the exact same thing. I would be like, 'I want to get as much mileage out of this as possible. It means that I don't have to do other things. Let's milk this for all it's worth,'" Fahey said. "They've created this media firestorm while doing very little."More than two years after Jenner and Chalamet were linked, they still have valuable cards to play — their first selfie shared on Instagram, for example, or Chalamet's debut appearance on "The Kardashians.""When that happens, it's going to be a big cash cow payday for them, and that's why they're so deliberate in what they do," Fahey said of the Oscar nominee's seemingly inevitable appearance on Jenner's Hulu reality show. "There are no accidents in the Kardashian family."Each new milestone will likely spawn a new round of headlines, TikToks, and heated debates in my group chats. I anticipate receiving many more texts like, "I can't believe they're still together," and "I still don't get it."Here, "still" is the operative word. The ongoing disbelief that Jenner and Chalamet are a match is not a symptom of a PR rollout gone wrong. In fact, it's probably the opposite."It's been played to perfection," Nierman said. "It keeps us guessing, it keeps us talking, and that's entirely the point." Recommended video #kylie #jenner #timothée #chalametampampnbspare #one
    WWW.BUSINESSINSIDER.COM
    Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet are one of the most confusing couples in Hollywood. PR experts say that's by design.
    Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards. Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images 2025-05-15T16:11:15Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet recently made their red carpet debut as a couple. They have reportedly been dating for about two years, but some fans still think it's an odd pairing. PR experts told BI that creating an air of mystery or even confusion works to the couple's advantage. Despite nearly two years of sightings, smooches, and soft launches, Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet's relationship still feels like a glitch in the Hollywood matrix.Even when the couple made their long-awaited red carpet debut last week after several PDA-filled public outings, some still struggled to accept the news."i still can't believe kylie & timothee is a real thing," one user wrote on X. Jenner and Chalamet's relationship has been defined by skepticism since rumors of their pairing first surfaced in 2023. Social media users wondered what these two stars — one who rose to fame on a gaudy reality show, the other in the world of Oscar-worthy cinema — could possibly have in common."I firmly believe they sit together in complete silence," one person wrote on X. Such reactions to Jenner and Chalamet are not confined to social media's most hyperactive posters; I've heard them firsthand. A friend of mine recently said she couldn't shake the feeling that Jenner and Chalamet "don't exist in the same celebrity timeline."Conventional wisdom suggests a relationship this puzzling could be bad business for both parties. But it turns out that confusing the pop culture-following public can actually be a smart strategy.Two public relations experts who spoke to Business Insider said that the ongoing stream of confused responses to this celebrity coupling actually represents a job well done by Jenner and Chalamet's respective PR teams.It's a sign that both of their carefully cultivated individual brands are strong. So if you feel the friction from those brands clashing, you're not alone — that's precisely what makes the couple so fun to doubt.A tale of two very different celebrities Evan Nierman, the CEO of the crisis PR firm Red Banyan, described Jenner's brand as ultra-visible, social media-heavy, and incessantly self-promotional. Meanwhile, Chalamet has made a point of pitching himself as an artist with discernment and taste."The problem that people are having is those two different personas seem at odds with one another," Nierman explained. "The kind of brooding, super-serious, super-authentic actor clashes with the Kardashian model, and I think that's probably why people are having such a hard time understanding the pairing of the two of them."In reality, the public's reaction to Jenner and Chalamet as a couple has nothing to do with their personalities or compatibility behind closed doors. It has everything to do with brand positioning and integration strategies, likely orchestrated — or, at the very least, closely monitored — by large teams of publicists, image consultants, and managers (in Jenner's case, a "momager")."PR can play a much bigger role in the things that you see coming out of Hollywood than most people at home would guess," Mike Fahey, the founder and CEO of the PR agency Fahey Communications, told Business Insider. "A lot of those things that seem like happy accidents are actually by design." Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner at the 2025 Oscars. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP However, there's an important distinction between our traditional understanding of a "PR relationship," one that's been orchestrated by celebrities' respective teams to generate mutually beneficial publicity, and a real relationship that has been carefully managed by PR to maximize its impact. Yes, celebrities have a lot to gain by cross-pollinating their fan bases. But the "Kymothée" curiosity feels different from, say, Tom Hiddleston getting papped wearing a T-shirt declaring his love for Taylor Swift.Jenner and Chalamet are simply too odd a match for people to believe they have a calculated arrangement, or that they're being prodded to perform affection for the cameras. To what end? To cross-promote "Dune" on "The Kardashians"? To sell a Bob Dylan-inspired makeup line by Kylie Cosmetics?So something must be keeping them together. Could it be… love? Well, yes, maybe. Why not?The slow rollout of Kymothée was PR perfection Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet pose on the red carpet at an awards ceremony in Rome. IPA/ABACA via Reuters Connect The initial media rollout of Jenner and Chalamet's relationship was drawn out over several months, nudged along by blurry photos of Jenner's car in Chalamet's driveway and anonymous tips sent to gossip aggregator Deuxmoi before the two were eventually spotted kissing at a Beyoncé concert in September 2023. Even when Jenner and Chalamet attended several awards shows together, including two consecutive Golden Globes, they avoided the spectacle of a red carpet appearance as a couple until just last week.A power couple's red carpet debut is a big deal in Hollywood — for comparison, Swift has never walked one with any boyfriend — but Jenner and Chalamet still kept it relatively low-key. Instead of posing for photos together at a star-studded event like the Met Gala or the Oscars, they staged their official debut at a sparsely attended ceremony in Rome: the David di Donatello Awards, where Chalamet received an honorary award for cinematic excellence.Their relationship's incremental, tempered launch created plenty of space for suspicion and conspiracy theories to flourish. But counterintuitively, both Nierman and Fahey said that isn't necessarily a bad thing."It's leading to more confusion, but it's also doing exactly what it's intended to do, which is sparking ever-more interest," Nierman said. "A series of slow strategic leaks that are then followed by a red carpet debut is a PR move that's designed to generate buzz and to get people talking."If Jenner and Chalamet had opted for a hard launch — a formal announcement, perhaps, or a sit-down interview for a magazine cover — it could have encouraged fans to come to grips with their romance more quickly, or to understand their connection more deeply. That would take away the mystique, which is the very thing that's keeping us interested."If I were a Kardashian and I was sitting on this relationship, I would do the exact same thing. I would be like, 'I want to get as much mileage out of this as possible. It means that I don't have to do other things. Let's milk this for all it's worth,'" Fahey said. "They've created this media firestorm while doing very little."More than two years after Jenner and Chalamet were linked, they still have valuable cards to play — their first selfie shared on Instagram, for example, or Chalamet's debut appearance on "The Kardashians.""When that happens, it's going to be a big cash cow payday for them, and that's why they're so deliberate in what they do," Fahey said of the Oscar nominee's seemingly inevitable appearance on Jenner's Hulu reality show. "There are no accidents in the Kardashian family."Each new milestone will likely spawn a new round of headlines, TikToks, and heated debates in my group chats. I anticipate receiving many more texts like, "I can't believe they're still together," and "I still don't get it."Here, "still" is the operative word. The ongoing disbelief that Jenner and Chalamet are a match is not a symptom of a PR rollout gone wrong. In fact, it's probably the opposite."It's been played to perfection," Nierman said. "It keeps us guessing, it keeps us talking, and that's entirely the point." Recommended video
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  • #333;">Trump launches Middle East tour by meeting with Saudi crown prince
    U.S.
    President Donald Trump opened his four-day Middle East trip on Tuesday by paying a visit to Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for talks on U.S.
    efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, end the war in Gaza, hold down oil prices and more.Prince Mohammed warmly greeted Trump as he stepped off Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital and kicked off his Middle East tour.The two leaders then retreated to a grand hall at the Riyadh airport, where Trump and his aides were served traditional Arabic coffee by waiting attendants wearing ceremonial gun-belts.
    Fighter jet escort
    The pomp began before Trump even landed.
    Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s provided an honorary escort for Air Force One as it approached the kingdom’s capital.Trump and Prince Mohammed also took part in a lunch at the Royal Court, gathering with guests and aides in an ornate room with blue accents and massive crystal chandeliers.As he greeted business titans with Trump by his side, Prince Mohammed was animated and smiling.It was a stark contrast to his awkward fist bump with then-President Joe Biden, who looked to avoid being seen on camera shaking hands with the prince during a 2022 visit to the kingdom.Biden had decided to pay a visit to Saudi Arabia as he looked to alleviate soaring prices at the pump for motorists at home and around the globe.At the time, Prince Mohammed’s reputation had been badly damaged by a U.S.
    intelligence determination that found he had ordered the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.But that dark moment appeared to be distant memory for the prince as he rubbed elbows with high-profile business executives — including Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk — in front of the cameras and with Trump by his side.Later, the crown prince will fete Trump with a formal dinner.
    Trump is also slated to take part Tuesday in a U.S.-Saudi investment conference.“When Saudis and Americans join forces, very good things happen — more often than not, great things happen,” Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih said.
    Oil production
    Saudi Arabia and fellow OPEC+ nations have already helped their cause with Trump early in his second term by stepping up oil production.
    Trump sees cheap energy as a key component to lowering costs and stemming inflation for Americans.
    The Republican president has also made the case that lower oil prices will hasten an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.But Saudi Arabia’s economy remains heavily dependent on oil, and the kingdom needs a fiscal break-even oil price of $96 to $98 a barrel to balance its budget.
    It’s questionable how long OPEC+, of which Saudi Arabia is the leading member, is willing to keep production elevated.
    The price of a barrel of Brent crude closed Monday at $64.77.“One of the challenges for the Gulf states of lower oil prices is it doesn’t necessarily imperil economic diversification programs, but it certainly makes them harder,” said Jon Alterman, a senior Middle East analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
    Qatar and UAE next
    Trump picked the kingdom for his first stop, because it has pledged to make big investments in the U.S., but Trump ended up traveling to Italy last month for Pope Francis’ funeral.
    Riyadh was the first overseas stop of his first term.The three countries on the president’s itinerary — Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — are all places where the Trump Organization, run by Trump’s two elder sons, is developing major real estate projects.
    They include a high-rise tower in Jeddah, a luxury hotel in Dubai and a golf course and villa complex in Qatar.Trump is trying to demonstrate that his transactional strategy for international politics is paying dividends as he faces criticism from Democrats who say his global tariff war and approach to Russia’s war on Ukraine are isolating the United States from allies.He’s expected to announce deals with the three wealthy countries that will touch on artificial intelligence, expanding energy cooperation and perhaps new arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
    The administration earlier this month announced initial approval to sell $3.5 billion worth of air-to-air missiles for Saudi Arabia’s fighter jets.But Trump arrived in the Middle East at a moment when his top regional allies, Israel and Saudi Arabia, are far from neatly aligned with his approach.
    Trump’s decision to skip Israel remarkable, expert says
    Before the trip, Trump announced that Washington was halting a nearly two-month U.S.
    airstrike campaign against Yemen’s Houthis, saying the Iran-backed rebels have pledged to stop attacking ships along a vital global trade route.The administration didn’t notify Israel — which the Houthis continue to target — of the agreement before Trump publicly announced it.
    It was the latest example of Trump leaving the Israelis in the dark about his administration’s negotiations with common adversaries.In March, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasn’t notified by the administration until after talks began with Hamas about the war in Gaza.
    And Netanyahu found out about the ongoing U.S.
    nuclear talks with Iran only when Trump announced them during an Oval Office visit by the Israeli leader last month.“Israel will defend itself by itself,” Netanyahu said last week following Trump’s Houthi truce announcement.
    “If others join us — our American friends — all the better.”William Wechsler, senior director of the Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council, said Trump’s decision to skip Israel on his first Middle East visit is remarkable.“The main message coming out of this, at least as the itinerary stands today, is that the governments of the Gulf … are in fact stronger friends to President Trump than the current government of Israel at this moment,” Wechsler said.
    Restarting efforts to normalize Israel-Saudi ties
    Trump, meanwhile, hopes to restart his first-term effort to normalize relations between the Middle East’s major powers, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
    Trump’s Abraham Accords effort led to Sudan, the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco agreeing to normalize relations with Israel.But Riyadh has made clear that in exchange for normalization it wants U.S.
    security guarantees, assistance with the kingdom’s nuclear program and progress on a pathway to Palestinian statehood.
    There seems to be scant hope for making headway on a Palestinian state with the Israel-Hamas war raging and the Israelis threatening to flatten and occupy Gaza.Prince Mohammed last week notably hosted Palestinian Vice President Hussein Sheikh in Jeddah on the sheikh’s first foreign visit since assuming office in April.Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the crown prince appeared to be subtly signaling to Trump that the kingdom needs to see progress on Palestinian statehood for the Saudis to begin seriously moving on a normalization deal with the Israelis.“Knowing how the Saudis telegraph their intentions, that’s a preemptive, ‘Don’t even think of asking us to show any goodwill toward normalization,'” Abdul-Hussain said.
    Madhani reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
    —Zeke Miller, Aamer Madhani and Jon Gambrell, Associated Press
    #666;">المصدر: https://www.fastcompany.com/91333433/trump-launches-middle-east-tour-meeting-saudi-crown-prince" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration: none;">www.fastcompany.com
    #0066cc;">#trump #launches #middle #east #tour #meeting #with #saudi #crown #prince #uspresident #donald #opened #his #fourday #trip #tuesday #paying #visit #arabias #facto #ruler #mohammed #bin #salman #for #talks #usefforts #dismantle #irans #nuclear #program #end #the #war #gaza #hold #down #oil #prices #and #moreprince #warmly #greeted #stepped #off #air #force #one #king #khalid #international #airport #capital #kicked #tourthe #two #leaders #then #retreated #grand #hall #riyadh #where #aides #were #served #traditional #arabic #coffee #waiting #attendants #wearing #ceremonial #gunbeltsfighter #jet #escortthe #pomp #began #before #even #landedroyal #f15s #provided #honorary #escort #approached #kingdoms #capitaltrump #also #took #part #lunch #royal #court #gathering #guests #ornate #room #blue #accents #massive #crystal #chandeliersas #business #titans #side #was #animated #smilingit #stark #contrast #awkward #fist #bump #thenpresident #joe #biden #who #looked #avoid #being 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#say #global #tariff #approach #russias #ukraine #isolating #allieshes #expected #announce #deals #wealthy #touch #artificial #intelligence #expanding #cooperation #perhaps #new #arms #sales #arabiathe #administration #earlier #this #announced #initial #approval #sell #billion #worth #airtoair #missiles #fighter #jetsbut #arrived #when #top #regional #allies #israel #far #neatly #aligned #approachtrumps #decision #skip #remarkable #expert #saysbefore #washington #halting #nearly #twomonth #usairstrike #campaign #against #yemens #houthis #saying #iranbacked #rebels #attacking #ships #along #vital #trade #routethe #didnt #notify #continue #target #agreement #publicly #itit #latest #example #leaving #israelis #about #administrations #negotiations #common #adversariesin #march #israeli #prime #benjamin #netanyahu #wasnt #notified #until #after #hamas #gazaand #out #ongoing #usnuclear #iran #only #oval #office #leader #monthisrael #defend #itself #week #following #houthi #truce #announcementif #others #our #american #friends #betterwilliam #wechsler #director #rafik #hariri #atlantic #council #remarkablethe #main #message #coming #least #stands #today #governments #fact #stronger #current #government #saidrestarting #efforts #normalize #israelsaudi #tiestrump #meanwhile #hopes #restart #firstterm #effort #relations #between #easts #powers #arabiatrumps #abraham #accords #led #sudan #bahrain #morocco #agreeing #israelbut #clear #exchange #normalization #wants #ussecurity #guarantees #assistance #progress #pathway #palestinian #statehoodthere #seems #scant #hope #making #headway #state #israelhamas #raging #threatening #flatten #occupy #gazaprince #notably #hosted #vice #hussein #sheikh #sheikhs #foreign #since #assuming #aprilhussain #abdulhussain #research #foundation #defense #democracies #subtly #signaling #see #statehood #begin #seriously #moving #deal #israelisknowing #telegraph #intentions #thats #preemptive #dont #think #asking #show #any #goodwill #toward #normalization039 #saidmadhani #reported #emirateszeke #miller #aamer #madhani #gambrell #associated #press
    Trump launches Middle East tour by meeting with Saudi crown prince
    U.S. President Donald Trump opened his four-day Middle East trip on Tuesday by paying a visit to Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for talks on U.S. efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, end the war in Gaza, hold down oil prices and more.Prince Mohammed warmly greeted Trump as he stepped off Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital and kicked off his Middle East tour.The two leaders then retreated to a grand hall at the Riyadh airport, where Trump and his aides were served traditional Arabic coffee by waiting attendants wearing ceremonial gun-belts. Fighter jet escort The pomp began before Trump even landed. Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s provided an honorary escort for Air Force One as it approached the kingdom’s capital.Trump and Prince Mohammed also took part in a lunch at the Royal Court, gathering with guests and aides in an ornate room with blue accents and massive crystal chandeliers.As he greeted business titans with Trump by his side, Prince Mohammed was animated and smiling.It was a stark contrast to his awkward fist bump with then-President Joe Biden, who looked to avoid being seen on camera shaking hands with the prince during a 2022 visit to the kingdom.Biden had decided to pay a visit to Saudi Arabia as he looked to alleviate soaring prices at the pump for motorists at home and around the globe.At the time, Prince Mohammed’s reputation had been badly damaged by a U.S. intelligence determination that found he had ordered the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.But that dark moment appeared to be distant memory for the prince as he rubbed elbows with high-profile business executives — including Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk — in front of the cameras and with Trump by his side.Later, the crown prince will fete Trump with a formal dinner. Trump is also slated to take part Tuesday in a U.S.-Saudi investment conference.“When Saudis and Americans join forces, very good things happen — more often than not, great things happen,” Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih said. Oil production Saudi Arabia and fellow OPEC+ nations have already helped their cause with Trump early in his second term by stepping up oil production. Trump sees cheap energy as a key component to lowering costs and stemming inflation for Americans. The Republican president has also made the case that lower oil prices will hasten an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.But Saudi Arabia’s economy remains heavily dependent on oil, and the kingdom needs a fiscal break-even oil price of $96 to $98 a barrel to balance its budget. It’s questionable how long OPEC+, of which Saudi Arabia is the leading member, is willing to keep production elevated. The price of a barrel of Brent crude closed Monday at $64.77.“One of the challenges for the Gulf states of lower oil prices is it doesn’t necessarily imperil economic diversification programs, but it certainly makes them harder,” said Jon Alterman, a senior Middle East analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Qatar and UAE next Trump picked the kingdom for his first stop, because it has pledged to make big investments in the U.S., but Trump ended up traveling to Italy last month for Pope Francis’ funeral. Riyadh was the first overseas stop of his first term.The three countries on the president’s itinerary — Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — are all places where the Trump Organization, run by Trump’s two elder sons, is developing major real estate projects. They include a high-rise tower in Jeddah, a luxury hotel in Dubai and a golf course and villa complex in Qatar.Trump is trying to demonstrate that his transactional strategy for international politics is paying dividends as he faces criticism from Democrats who say his global tariff war and approach to Russia’s war on Ukraine are isolating the United States from allies.He’s expected to announce deals with the three wealthy countries that will touch on artificial intelligence, expanding energy cooperation and perhaps new arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The administration earlier this month announced initial approval to sell $3.5 billion worth of air-to-air missiles for Saudi Arabia’s fighter jets.But Trump arrived in the Middle East at a moment when his top regional allies, Israel and Saudi Arabia, are far from neatly aligned with his approach. Trump’s decision to skip Israel remarkable, expert says Before the trip, Trump announced that Washington was halting a nearly two-month U.S. airstrike campaign against Yemen’s Houthis, saying the Iran-backed rebels have pledged to stop attacking ships along a vital global trade route.The administration didn’t notify Israel — which the Houthis continue to target — of the agreement before Trump publicly announced it. It was the latest example of Trump leaving the Israelis in the dark about his administration’s negotiations with common adversaries.In March, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasn’t notified by the administration until after talks began with Hamas about the war in Gaza. And Netanyahu found out about the ongoing U.S. nuclear talks with Iran only when Trump announced them during an Oval Office visit by the Israeli leader last month.“Israel will defend itself by itself,” Netanyahu said last week following Trump’s Houthi truce announcement. “If others join us — our American friends — all the better.”William Wechsler, senior director of the Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council, said Trump’s decision to skip Israel on his first Middle East visit is remarkable.“The main message coming out of this, at least as the itinerary stands today, is that the governments of the Gulf … are in fact stronger friends to President Trump than the current government of Israel at this moment,” Wechsler said. Restarting efforts to normalize Israel-Saudi ties Trump, meanwhile, hopes to restart his first-term effort to normalize relations between the Middle East’s major powers, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Trump’s Abraham Accords effort led to Sudan, the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco agreeing to normalize relations with Israel.But Riyadh has made clear that in exchange for normalization it wants U.S. security guarantees, assistance with the kingdom’s nuclear program and progress on a pathway to Palestinian statehood. There seems to be scant hope for making headway on a Palestinian state with the Israel-Hamas war raging and the Israelis threatening to flatten and occupy Gaza.Prince Mohammed last week notably hosted Palestinian Vice President Hussein Sheikh in Jeddah on the sheikh’s first foreign visit since assuming office in April.Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the crown prince appeared to be subtly signaling to Trump that the kingdom needs to see progress on Palestinian statehood for the Saudis to begin seriously moving on a normalization deal with the Israelis.“Knowing how the Saudis telegraph their intentions, that’s a preemptive, ‘Don’t even think of asking us to show any goodwill toward normalization,'” Abdul-Hussain said. Madhani reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. —Zeke Miller, Aamer Madhani and Jon Gambrell, Associated Press
    المصدر: www.fastcompany.com
    #trump #launches #middle #east #tour #meeting #with #saudi #crown #prince #uspresident #donald #opened #his #fourday #trip #tuesday #paying #visit #arabias #facto #ruler #mohammed #bin #salman #for #talks #usefforts #dismantle #irans #nuclear #program #end #the #war #gaza #hold #down #oil #prices #and #moreprince #warmly #greeted #stepped #off #air #force #one #king #khalid #international #airport #capital #kicked #tourthe #two #leaders #then #retreated #grand #hall #riyadh #where #aides #were #served #traditional #arabic #coffee #waiting #attendants #wearing #ceremonial #gunbeltsfighter #jet #escortthe #pomp #began #before #even #landedroyal #f15s #provided #honorary #escort #approached #kingdoms #capitaltrump #also #took #part #lunch #royal #court #gathering #guests #ornate #room #blue #accents #massive #crystal #chandeliersas #business #titans #side #was #animated #smilingit #stark #contrast #awkward #fist #bump #thenpresident #joe #biden #who #looked #avoid #being #seen #camera 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#saidmadhani #reported #emirateszeke #miller #aamer #madhani #gambrell #associated #press
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    Trump launches Middle East tour by meeting with Saudi crown prince
    U.S. President Donald Trump opened his four-day Middle East trip on Tuesday by paying a visit to Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for talks on U.S. efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, end the war in Gaza, hold down oil prices and more.Prince Mohammed warmly greeted Trump as he stepped off Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital and kicked off his Middle East tour.The two leaders then retreated to a grand hall at the Riyadh airport, where Trump and his aides were served traditional Arabic coffee by waiting attendants wearing ceremonial gun-belts. Fighter jet escort The pomp began before Trump even landed. Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s provided an honorary escort for Air Force One as it approached the kingdom’s capital.Trump and Prince Mohammed also took part in a lunch at the Royal Court, gathering with guests and aides in an ornate room with blue accents and massive crystal chandeliers.As he greeted business titans with Trump by his side, Prince Mohammed was animated and smiling.It was a stark contrast to his awkward fist bump with then-President Joe Biden, who looked to avoid being seen on camera shaking hands with the prince during a 2022 visit to the kingdom.Biden had decided to pay a visit to Saudi Arabia as he looked to alleviate soaring prices at the pump for motorists at home and around the globe.At the time, Prince Mohammed’s reputation had been badly damaged by a U.S. intelligence determination that found he had ordered the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.But that dark moment appeared to be distant memory for the prince as he rubbed elbows with high-profile business executives — including Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk — in front of the cameras and with Trump by his side.Later, the crown prince will fete Trump with a formal dinner. Trump is also slated to take part Tuesday in a U.S.-Saudi investment conference.“When Saudis and Americans join forces, very good things happen — more often than not, great things happen,” Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih said. Oil production Saudi Arabia and fellow OPEC+ nations have already helped their cause with Trump early in his second term by stepping up oil production. Trump sees cheap energy as a key component to lowering costs and stemming inflation for Americans. The Republican president has also made the case that lower oil prices will hasten an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.But Saudi Arabia’s economy remains heavily dependent on oil, and the kingdom needs a fiscal break-even oil price of $96 to $98 a barrel to balance its budget. It’s questionable how long OPEC+, of which Saudi Arabia is the leading member, is willing to keep production elevated. The price of a barrel of Brent crude closed Monday at $64.77.“One of the challenges for the Gulf states of lower oil prices is it doesn’t necessarily imperil economic diversification programs, but it certainly makes them harder,” said Jon Alterman, a senior Middle East analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Qatar and UAE next Trump picked the kingdom for his first stop, because it has pledged to make big investments in the U.S., but Trump ended up traveling to Italy last month for Pope Francis’ funeral. Riyadh was the first overseas stop of his first term.The three countries on the president’s itinerary — Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — are all places where the Trump Organization, run by Trump’s two elder sons, is developing major real estate projects. They include a high-rise tower in Jeddah, a luxury hotel in Dubai and a golf course and villa complex in Qatar.Trump is trying to demonstrate that his transactional strategy for international politics is paying dividends as he faces criticism from Democrats who say his global tariff war and approach to Russia’s war on Ukraine are isolating the United States from allies.He’s expected to announce deals with the three wealthy countries that will touch on artificial intelligence, expanding energy cooperation and perhaps new arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The administration earlier this month announced initial approval to sell $3.5 billion worth of air-to-air missiles for Saudi Arabia’s fighter jets.But Trump arrived in the Middle East at a moment when his top regional allies, Israel and Saudi Arabia, are far from neatly aligned with his approach. Trump’s decision to skip Israel remarkable, expert says Before the trip, Trump announced that Washington was halting a nearly two-month U.S. airstrike campaign against Yemen’s Houthis, saying the Iran-backed rebels have pledged to stop attacking ships along a vital global trade route.The administration didn’t notify Israel — which the Houthis continue to target — of the agreement before Trump publicly announced it. It was the latest example of Trump leaving the Israelis in the dark about his administration’s negotiations with common adversaries.In March, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasn’t notified by the administration until after talks began with Hamas about the war in Gaza. And Netanyahu found out about the ongoing U.S. nuclear talks with Iran only when Trump announced them during an Oval Office visit by the Israeli leader last month.“Israel will defend itself by itself,” Netanyahu said last week following Trump’s Houthi truce announcement. “If others join us — our American friends — all the better.”William Wechsler, senior director of the Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council, said Trump’s decision to skip Israel on his first Middle East visit is remarkable.“The main message coming out of this, at least as the itinerary stands today, is that the governments of the Gulf … are in fact stronger friends to President Trump than the current government of Israel at this moment,” Wechsler said. Restarting efforts to normalize Israel-Saudi ties Trump, meanwhile, hopes to restart his first-term effort to normalize relations between the Middle East’s major powers, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Trump’s Abraham Accords effort led to Sudan, the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco agreeing to normalize relations with Israel.But Riyadh has made clear that in exchange for normalization it wants U.S. security guarantees, assistance with the kingdom’s nuclear program and progress on a pathway to Palestinian statehood. There seems to be scant hope for making headway on a Palestinian state with the Israel-Hamas war raging and the Israelis threatening to flatten and occupy Gaza.Prince Mohammed last week notably hosted Palestinian Vice President Hussein Sheikh in Jeddah on the sheikh’s first foreign visit since assuming office in April.Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the crown prince appeared to be subtly signaling to Trump that the kingdom needs to see progress on Palestinian statehood for the Saudis to begin seriously moving on a normalization deal with the Israelis.“Knowing how the Saudis telegraph their intentions, that’s a preemptive, ‘Don’t even think of asking us to show any goodwill toward normalization,'” Abdul-Hussain said. Madhani reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. —Zeke Miller, Aamer Madhani and Jon Gambrell, Associated Press
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