President Donald Trump is in the Middle East this week, making stops in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

It is the first major international trip of his second term, providing an opportunity to shore up relations with some of his key regional allies.

The trip started Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, where Trump attended a state dinner in Dir’iyah, home of the At-Turaif UNESCO world heritage site. His warm relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was on display throughout the day.

During his stay in Saudi Arabia, Trump announced that he plans to lift sanctions on Syria following the recent fall of the Assad regime.

While in Qatar on Thursday, Trump attended a business roundtable with Qatari leaders and thanked US troops during a visit to the Al Udeid Air Base. Later, in the UAE, Trump toured the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque before bilateral meetings at the presidential palace.

Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye.

Federal immigration officials detain a man at a gas station in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday, May 10. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F05%2F10%2Fus%2Farrest-tennessee-trumps-deportation">More than 100 people were taken into custody by immigration officials</a> in a joint operation with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Federal immigration officials detain a man at a gas station in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday, May 10. More than 100 people were taken into custody by immigration officials in a joint operation with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Seth Herald/Reuters
Pope Leo XIV delivers <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F05%2F11%2Feurope%2Fpope-leo-vatican-balcony-prayer-intl">his first Sunday blessing at the Vatican</a> on Sunday, May 11. From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he called for an “authentic, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine as well as a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. He also called for humanitarian aid to be provided “to the exhausted civilian population” in Gaza.
Pope Leo XIV delivers his first Sunday blessing at the Vatican on Sunday, May 11. From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he called for an “authentic, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine as well as a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. He also called for humanitarian aid to be provided “to the exhausted civilian population” in Gaza.
Remo Casilli/Reuters
This aerial photo, taken on Saturday, May 10, shows a flock of sheep and goats climbing to new grazing grounds in Follina, Italy.
This aerial photo, taken on Saturday, May 10, shows a flock of sheep and goats climbing to new grazing grounds in Follina, Italy.
Simone Padovani/Getty Images
Edan Alexander, the last known living American hostage in Gaza, reunites with his family in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Tuesday, May 13, after being <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F05%2F12%2Fmiddleeast%2Fisrael-hamas-edan-alexander-release-intl">released by Hamas</a>. Alexander was serving in the Israeli military near the Gaza border when he was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Edan Alexander, the last known living American hostage in Gaza, reunites with his family in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Tuesday, May 13, after being released by Hamas. Alexander was serving in the Israeli military near the Gaza border when he was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Israeli Presidency/Handout/Anadolu/Getty Images
A member of the Venezuelan army takes part in a military parade in Caracas, Venezuela, on Tuesday, May 13.
A member of the Venezuelan army takes part in a military parade in Caracas, Venezuela, on Tuesday, May 13.
Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images
US Capitol Police detain protesters who disrupted a Senate committee hearing while Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., not pictured, was delivering prepared remarks on Wednesday, May 14. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F05%2F14%2Fhealth%2Fkennedy-cuts-house-senate">Lawmakers repeatedly pressed Kennedy on canceled medical research and mass layoffs</a> during the hearings.
US Capitol Police detain protesters who disrupted a Senate committee hearing while Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., not pictured, was delivering prepared remarks on Wednesday, May 14. Lawmakers repeatedly pressed Kennedy on canceled medical research and mass layoffs during the hearings.
Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Saudi Air Force planes escort Air Force One as President Donald Trump arrives in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, May 13.
Saudi Air Force planes escort Air Force One as President Donald Trump arrives in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, May 13.
Alex Brandon/AP
Dutch cyclist Thymen Arensman rides past a mural in Tirana, Albania, during the second stage of the Giro d’Italia on Saturday, May 10.
Dutch cyclist Thymen Arensman rides past a mural in Tirana, Albania, during the second stage of the Giro d’Italia on Saturday, May 10.
Dario Belingheri/Getty Images
A group of 59 South Africans granted refugee status by the Trump administration <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F05%2F12%2Fpolitics%2Fwhite-south-africans-refugee-status-arrive-us">arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport</a> on Monday, May 12. The administration has moved to not only admit but to expedite the processing of Afrikaners as refugees for alleged discrimination. At the same time, it has suspended all other refugee resettlement, including for people fleeing war and famine. The policy of exempting only White South Africans from the indefinite pause has drawn criticism from the South African government and from refugee advocates.
A group of 59 South Africans granted refugee status by the Trump administration arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport on Monday, May 12. The administration has moved to not only admit but to expedite the processing of Afrikaners as refugees for alleged discrimination. At the same time, it has suspended all other refugee resettlement, including for people fleeing war and famine. The policy of exempting only White South Africans from the indefinite pause has drawn criticism from the South African government and from refugee advocates.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
A girl plays in the rubble of a Palestinian Authority Legislative Council building near a makeshift displacement camp in Gaza City on Monday, May 12.
A girl plays in the rubble of a Palestinian Authority Legislative Council building near a makeshift displacement camp in Gaza City on Monday, May 12.
Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images
A frog swims in a pond behind the Bellevue Palace in Berlin on Monday, May 12.
A frog swims in a pond behind the Bellevue Palace in Berlin on Monday, May 12.
Markus Schreiber/AP
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards dunks over the Golden State Warriors’ Kevon Looney during an NBA playoff game on Saturday, May 10. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F05%2F15%2Fsport%2Fminnesota-timberwolves-golden-state-warriors-game-5-spt">The Timberwolves defeated the Warriors in five games</a> to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards dunks over the Golden State Warriors’ Kevon Looney during an NBA playoff game on Saturday, May 10. The Timberwolves defeated the Warriors in five games to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP
Palestinians wait to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Jabalya, Gaza, on Wednesday, May 14. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F05%2F13%2Fmiddleeast%2Fisrael-gaza-starvation-report-intl-hnk">One in five people in Gaza are facing starvation</a> as the entire territory edges closer to famine, a new United Nations-backed report warned.
Palestinians wait to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Jabalya, Gaza, on Wednesday, May 14. One in five people in Gaza are facing starvation as the entire territory edges closer to famine, a new United Nations-backed report warned.
Mahmoud Issa/Reuters
A child plays under a large Romanian flag during a Pro-European Union rally in Bucharest, Romania, on Friday, May 9.
A child plays under a large Romanian flag during a Pro-European Union rally in Bucharest, Romania, on Friday, May 9.
Andreea Alexandru/AP
Tufts University doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk speaks to supporters and members of the media just after she was <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F05%2F09%2Fus%2Frumeysa-ozturk-tufts-bail-release">released from an ICE processing center</a> in Basile, Louisiana, on Friday, May 9. She spent six weeks in detention as part of the Trump administration’s effort to deport noncitizens who have spoken out against the war in Gaza. She returned to Massachusetts on Saturday, a day after US District Judge William K. Sessions III ordered her immediate release.
Tufts University doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk speaks to supporters and members of the media just after she was released from an ICE processing center in Basile, Louisiana, on Friday, May 9. She spent six weeks in detention as part of the Trump administration’s effort to deport noncitizens who have spoken out against the war in Gaza. She returned to Massachusetts on Saturday, a day after US District Judge William K. Sessions III ordered her immediate release.
Kathleen Flynn/Redux
Fans of the NBA’s New York Knicks attend a playoff game watch party outside Madison Square Garden on Monday, May 12.
Fans of the NBA’s New York Knicks attend a playoff game watch party outside Madison Square Garden on Monday, May 12.
Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images
Buddhist monks pray among the stupas at Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple, near Magelang, Indonesia, on Saturday, May 10.
Buddhist monks pray among the stupas at Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple, near Magelang, Indonesia, on Saturday, May 10.
Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images
A woman visits teamLab Phenomena, an immersive art museum in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday, May 8.
A woman visits teamLab Phenomena, an immersive art museum in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday, May 8.
Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images
Kim Kardashian, left, walks up the steps of a Paris courthouse on Tuesday, May 13. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F05%2F13%2Fentertainment%2Fkim-kardashian-paris-burglary-trial-intl">Kardashian testified</a> in the trial of nine men and one woman who are accused of tying her up and robbing her at gunpoint nearly nine years ago.
Kim Kardashian, left, walks up the steps of a Paris courthouse on Tuesday, May 13. Kardashian testified in the trial of nine men and one woman who are accused of tying her up and robbing her at gunpoint nearly nine years ago.
Aurelien Morissard/AP
Security personnel are seen in the city of Jammu, in Indian-controlled Kashmir, on Sunday, May 11. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fworld%2Flive-news%2Findia-pakistan-operation-sindoor-05-10-25">A ceasefire between India and Pakistan</a> appeared to be holding on Sunday despite accusations of violations by both sides.
Security personnel are seen in the city of Jammu, in Indian-controlled Kashmir, on Sunday, May 11. A ceasefire between India and Pakistan appeared to be holding on Sunday despite accusations of violations by both sides.
Atul Loke/The New York Times/Redux
Ducklings huddle in Matsubara, Japan, on Monday, May 12.
Ducklings huddle in Matsubara, Japan, on Monday, May 12.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
A local resident looks at destroyed Russian military vehicles displayed at St. Michael's Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday, May 14.
A local resident looks at destroyed Russian military vehicles displayed at St. Michael's Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday, May 14.
Roman Pilipey/AFP/Getty Images
New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso is congratulated by teammates after hitting a game-winning sacrifice fly against Pittsburgh on Monday, May 12.
New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso is congratulated by teammates after hitting a game-winning sacrifice fly against Pittsburgh on Monday, May 12.
Brad Penner/Imagn Images/Reuters
Heidi Klum walks the red carpet at the start of the Cannes Film Festival in France on Tuesday, May 13. “Voluminous outfits” with large trains were banned from the official dress code just hours before the start of the festival, but Klum and many other celebrities <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F05%2F14%2Fstyle%2Fcannes-film-festival-2025-red-carpet">stuck with their original wardrobe plans</a>.
Heidi Klum walks the red carpet at the start of the Cannes Film Festival in France on Tuesday, May 13. “Voluminous outfits” with large trains were banned from the official dress code just hours before the start of the festival, but Klum and many other celebrities stuck with their original wardrobe plans.
Stefania D'Alessandro/WireImage/Getty Images
From left, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz make a call to US President Donald Trump from Kyiv, Ukraine, on Saturday, May 10. The European leaders told Russian leader Vladimir Putin to <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F05%2F10%2Feurope%2Feuropean-leaders-kyiv-ukraine-visit-intl">agree to a 30-day ceasefire or face possible “massive sanctions,”</a> according to Macron. The demand came with the backing of the White House after a joint phone call with Trump, the Europeans said. Putin responded by ignoring the ultimatum and <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F05%2F14%2Feurope%2Frussia-ukraine-meeting-turkey-intl">proposing “direct talks” with Ukraine</a>.
From left, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz make a call to US President Donald Trump from Kyiv, Ukraine, on Saturday, May 10. The European leaders told Russian leader Vladimir Putin to agree to a 30-day ceasefire or face possible “massive sanctions,” according to Macron. The demand came with the backing of the White House after a joint phone call with Trump, the Europeans said. Putin responded by ignoring the ultimatum and proposing “direct talks” with Ukraine.
Mstyslav Chernov/AP
A black-winged stilt walks on the Kavak Delta in Çanakkale, Turkey, on Tuesday, May 13.
A black-winged stilt walks on the Kavak Delta in Çanakkale, Turkey, on Tuesday, May 13.
Alper Tuydes/Anadolu/Getty Images
A biker rides the “wall of death" attraction during the Harley-Davidson Euro Festival near Grimaud, France, on Friday, May 9.
A biker rides the “wall of death" attraction during the Harley-Davidson Euro Festival near Grimaud, France, on Friday, May 9.
Frederic Dides/AFP/Getty Images
Plebes from the US Naval Academy climb the Herndon Monument in Annapolis, Maryland, on Wednesday. May 14. It's an annual tradition for the first-year students to climb the monument, coated with a thick layer of vegetable shortening, to retrieve the Plebian Sailor's hat on top and replace it with an officer's hat.
Plebes from the US Naval Academy climb the Herndon Monument in Annapolis, Maryland, on Wednesday. May 14. It's an annual tradition for the first-year students to climb the monument, coated with a thick layer of vegetable shortening, to retrieve the Plebian Sailor's hat on top and replace it with an officer's hat.
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images
Workers transport cow feed as they head to a market near Gihanga, Burundi, on Thursday, May 8.
Workers transport cow feed as they head to a market near Gihanga, Burundi, on Thursday, May 8.
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
Buddhists and Muslims release a lantern in front of Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple, as they celebrate Vesak Day near Magelang, Indonesia, on Monday, May 12. Vesak Day marks the birth of Gautama Buddha, the father of Buddhism.
Buddhists and Muslims release a lantern in front of Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple, as they celebrate Vesak Day near Magelang, Indonesia, on Monday, May 12. Vesak Day marks the birth of Gautama Buddha, the father of Buddhism.
Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images
Singer Lainey Wilson sits with several statues she won during the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F05%2F08%2Fentertainment%2Facm-awards-2025-see-who-won">Academy of Country Music Awards</a>, which took place in Frisco, Texas, on Thursday, May 8. Among the awards she won was entertainer of the year.
Singer Lainey Wilson sits with several statues she won during the Academy of Country Music Awards, which took place in Frisco, Texas, on Thursday, May 8. Among the awards she won was entertainer of the year.
John Shearer/Getty Images
A full moon is seen behind the Statue of Liberty in New York on Sunday, May 11. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2025%2F05%2F08%2Fworld%2Fgallery%2Fphotos-this-week-may-1-may-8">See last week in 39 photos</a>.
A full moon is seen behind the Statue of Liberty in New York on Sunday, May 11. See last week in 39 photos.
Gary Hershorn/Getty Images