US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reaffirmed President Joe Biden's commitment to “help Saudi Arabia defend its territory” during a meeting with Saudi Vice Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud during a meeting on Tuesday, the White House said.During the meeting Sullivan also underscored the longstanding partnership between the two nations, the White House said in a written statement.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Mr Sullivan reaffirmed President Biden's commitment to help Saudi Arabia defend its territory, and expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia's leadership in securing a UN-brokered truce in Yemen," the White House said. "They also discussed the importance of coordinating efforts to ensure global economic resilience.”Read more:Saudi Arabia’s deputy minister of defense to hold talks with officials in WashingtonSaudi Aramco weighs IPO of trading unit amid oil boomSandstorm blankets Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi vice defense minister meets NSA adviser Sullivan in Washington
Finland, Sweden submit application to join NATO amid Russia-Ukraine war
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that Finland, Sweden have officially applied to join the world’s biggest military alliance, a move driven by security concerns over Russia’s war in Ukraine.“I warmly welcome the requests by Finland and Sweden to join NATO. You are our closest partners,” Stoltenberg told reporters after a receiving their application letters from the two Nordic countries’ ambassadors.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The application must now be weighed by the 30 member countries. That process is expected to take about two weeks, although Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed reservations about Finland and Sweden joining.If his objections are overcome, and accession talks go as well as expected, the two could become members within a few months.The process usually takes eight to 12 months, but NATO wants to move quickly given the threat from Russia hanging over the Nordic countries’ heads.Canada, for example, says that it expects to ratify their accession protocol in just a few days.Public opinion in Finland and Sweden has shifted massively in favor of membership since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.Finland and Sweden are NATO’s closest partners.They have functioning democracies, well-funded armed forces and contribute to the alliance’s military operations and air policing. Any obstacles they face will merely be of a technical, or possibly political nature.Read more:Fears for Mariupol defenders after surrender to RussiaMacron tells Zelenskyy: French arms deliveries to Ukraine will intensifyPutin describes Europe’s oil sanctions as ‘economic suicide’
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Finland, Sweden submit application to join NATO amid Russia-Ukraine war
Dubai mother of hit-and-run victim, 4, urges motorists to curb dangerous driving
A mother who lost her four-year-old son in a Boxing Day tragedy caused by a motorist speeding the wrong way down a one-way street in Dubai has urged drivers to slow down and abide by the rules of the road.Golrokh Salehi was crossing a service road in Umm Suqeim on December 26, 2020, with her sons Kian Moborak, aged five, and Ashkan, the aged four, when her eldest child – a “perfect ray of sunshine” - was struck by a speeding Land Cruiser.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Kian, who was walking a short distance ahead of his mother and brother, was thrown at force to the ground, suffering a skull fracture. He died of his injuries four days later.Salehi, who has just marked the first anniversary of her son’s death, told the driver, aged 22 at the time of the accident, served just one month in jail.Recalling the last moments of her eldest son’s life, Salehi, an Iranian-American expatriate, said she had taken her boys to a flooring store in Dubai and was leaving the shop when Kian walked a short distance ahead of her.“I was holding my youngest son’s hand, Kian went ahead he always wanted to [be] the first in his car seat,” she told Al Arabia English. “Of course, he knew how to cross a street safely – he has learnt from me and from school. But it was one-way, and he thought the road was clear.”However, the Land Cruiser was going against the traffic and struck Kian, a pupil at Dubai British School in the Springs.“He was driving so fast,” recalled Salehi. “I just saw my son fall to the floor. I started screaming and screaming. My youngest son couldn’t understand what was going on, but he started crying too.”In her shock, Salehi said the driver emerged from his vehicle shouting at her.“He was saying, ‘why weren’t you holding your son?’.”The driver, she said, was also holding his mobile phone in his left hand.Salehi said the police and ambulance service arrived in minutes.“Kian was unconscious. He just had small spots of blood under his nose. But that was it.“But deep down I knew he was going to go. I thought that when the car hit him and I saw how he was thrown. The speed was too much.”Kian was taken to Dubai’s Saudi German Hospital and placed in intensive care. A CT scan shown Kian had suffered a fractured skull and bleeding in the brain.While he underwent surgery, doctors told Salehi that her son had showed limited cognitive ability afterwards and he would likely not survive more than a handful of days.He lost his fight on December 30, 2020.Salehi said she had wanted to donate his organs, however Kian’s body had suffered “too much trauma.”“Nothing was useful anymore. Everything had basically stopped working. They were no good.”More than a year on, after lengthy grief counselling, Salehi is still struggling to come to terms with her son’s death.“Every day I will suffer from losing my healthy son. I feel for any parent for any condition losing a child. It’s the worst thing anyone could experience.“He was my sunshine. Even in his short life he was sunshine, not just for me as his mum, but for so many people. He was nice, he was kind, he was a very happy guy.”Salehi said she has shared her story to encourage drivers to be more mindful on the roads.The driver who struck her son was found guilty of manslaughter at Dubai Criminal Court on January 13.Sentenced to a month in jail, he was also ordered to pay a $4,083 (AED 15,000) fine and $54,450 (AED 200,000) in blood money to the family. His license was suspended.Dubai Public Prosecution appealed against the verdict and pushed for a stronger sentence to be imposed. The appeal was later rejected.“I know for sure that the driver never intended to kill my son,” said Salehi. However, she believes stricter penalties would act a deterrent to other dangerous drivers on the road.“I have been living here for decades. Everything is improving and improving and getting better than they used to be – but driving still remians a problem“My son is just one example. My life has been damaged forever.”Read more:Dubai Police change timings for speed camera radars during coronavirus curfewDubai Lamborghini speeder finally agrees to settlement on $48,000 in finesEmirati cyclist killed in run-over accident while training in Dubai
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Dubai mother of hit-and-run victim, 4, urges motorists to curb dangerous driving
Qatar to boost investment in Spain by $5 billion
After Spain, the Qatari emir will continue his tour of Europe, visiting Germany, Britain, Slovenia and Switzerland..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar to boost investment in Spain by billion
Russian gymnast banned for one year after wearing pro-war symbol
The sports body said that the athlete must also return the bronze medal..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Russian gymnast banned for one year after wearing pro-war symbol
Two weeks before its expiry, UN pushes for extension of Yemen truce
The truce that went into effect in early April has made a “considerable positive impact on the daily lives of many Yemenis,” UN envoy said..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Two weeks before its expiry, UN pushes for extension of Yemen truce
Candidates backed by AIPAC and J Street face off for the first time
AIPAC-backed Don Davis beats J Street-backed Erica Smith in North Carolina as the tables turn in Pennsylvania.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Candidates backed by AIPAC and J Street face off for the first time
Qatar Airways CEO: high oil prices 'may' trigger recession in aviation industry
The surge in energy prices over the past two years has been the largest since the 1973 oil crisis, the World Bank said..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar Airways CEO: high oil prices 'may' trigger recession in aviation industry
Palestinian factions preparing 'battle' to break Gaza naval blockade
The maritime actions being planned by the Palestinian factions would reportedly be similar to the "March of Return."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Palestinian factions preparing 'battle' to break Gaza naval blockade
Multiple anti-Netanyahu bills postponed indefinitely in Knesset
A bill to enact term limits for prime ministers and another to prevent an MK under indictment from serving in the gov't still need a 61 majority to pass, something that won't be easy.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Multiple anti-Netanyahu bills postponed indefinitely in Knesset