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Israel shares Iran nuclear threat, Turkey aggression issues with Gulf states: Gantz

The Iranian nuclear threat is a key mutual interest shared by Israel and the Gulf Arab states, said Israeli Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz during his first open discussion with Gulf Arab journalists.Gantz, who is scheduled to become Israel's prime minister next year, took part in the first open group discussion between Arab journalists and an Israeli defense minister on Sunday.“I must say we have a major issue of mutual interest. We all share in the struggle against extremism and against the Iranian nuclear threat and aggression. This is a threat to the region and to the world and we will create a united front to face it,” he said.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Especially during turbulent times like this of a global pandemic. Peace makes us stronger. Let us be true and candid. We can only face the uncertainties of COVID-19 through international and regional solidarity and collaboration,” Gantz added, during the event sponsored and organized by the Arab Council for Regional Integration.First open discussion with Arab journalistsGantz was speaking to journalists from Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, nearly a month after Bahrain and the UAE signed the historic Abraham Accords that opened diplomatic and economic ties with Israel at the White House in Washington DC.Journalists also asked Gantz his thoughts on both Iran and Turkey’s recent actions in the region, especially given Ankara’s diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv.“The question of Turkey is a very complicated one, because Turkey is part of NATO. So we must take all the options that we have in our hands, and try to influence it through international pressure to make sure that they are pulling their hands from direct terrorism,” the Israeli defense minister said.“I know that they are involved in supporting Hamas in Gaza, and they're putting a lot of pressure in northern Syria. But I hope that they will come to a point which they would cease their support of this liberalizing those areas,” he added.‘Relations should improve gradually’Asked by Al Arabiya English whether Israel has any solid plans to improve people-to-people relations with Gulf Arab states, Gantz cautioned against moving too fast and instead encouraged a gradual improvement in ties.“I'm very optimistic about the people-to-people horizon. I think that we have a lot to offer in any area of life. We are well known for our ability, in science, in medical, in agriculture and so many different areas of life other than security,” Gantz told Al Arabiya English.“The issue, which I hope will help us is to have some kind of patience. It will take a while and I think the first and foremost aspect of it will be education, if we will succeed, to educate our kids and our youngsters, how to accept the other,” he added.Gantz concluded his open discussion by saying that he expects peace between Israel and the Arab world to be strong and enduring, and broadened through dialogue and discussions in the future.“I believe that this current peace with the UAE and Bahrain will lead as the countries proceed in joint cooperation to positive strategic developments for the region as a whole,” he said.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Israel shares Iran nuclear threat, Turkey aggression issues with Gulf states: Gantz

Coronavirus: US President Trump briefly leaves Walter Reed to wave at supporters

US President Donald Trump said he will leave Walter Reed National Military Medical Center very soon to meet with supporters outside the hospital after receiving treatment for coronavirus, according to a tweet from the president.“We're getting great reports from the doctors. This is an incredible hospital, Walter Reed, the work they do is just absolutely amazing and I want to thank them all. The nurses, the doctors, everybody here. I've also gotten to meet some of the soldiers and the first responders and what a group, I also think we're going to pay a little surprise to some of the great patriots that we have out on the street,” said Trump in a video he tweeted shortly before leaving the hospital to greet supporters outside.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“It's been a very interesting journey. I learned a lot about COVID. I learned it by really going to school. This is the real school. This isn't the "Let's read the book school." And I get it and I understand it. And it's a very interesting thing. I'm going to be letting you know about it. In the meantime, we love the USA and we love what's happening. Thank you,” he added.Visit our dedicated coronavirus site here for all the latest updates.Video footage by news agencies showed the president wearing a face mask and waving to crowds as he drove past."President Trump took a short, last-minute motorcade ride to wave to his supporters outside and has now returned to the Presidential Suite inside Walter Reed," said White House spokesperson Judd Deere in a statement to Al Arabiya English.Read more:Coronavirus: New York mayor announces shutdown plan for nine neighborhoodsCoronavirus: President Trump continues to improve, could be discharged MondayCoronavirus: As cold weather settles in, the US sees record COVID-19 increases
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: US President Trump briefly leaves Walter Reed to wave at supporters

Two rockets hit Baghdad’s Jadiriya, no casualties: Iraqi military

Iraq’s military said in a statement on Monday that two Katyusha rockets had fallen late on Sunday in Baghdad’s Jadiriya area, near the heavily fortified Green Zone, without causing any casualties.One of the rockets landed near the Babylon hotel, which is used by Iraqi travelers and sometimes for government meetings, the military said in the statement.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Iraqi military blamed “terrorist groups” for the attack and said the rockets were fired from an area in the western part of the capital.Rockets regularly fly across the Tigris towards the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign missions including the US embassy.Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi pledged in a meeting with top diplomats to protect foreign missions and limit the possession of weapons to state forces following a US threat to shut down its embassy in the city.Washington blames such attacks on Iranian-backed militia groups. Iran has not directly commented on the incidents.Iraq, often the scene of spillover violence from US-Iran tensions, wants to avoid being drawn into any regional conflict.Read more:One year on, Iraqis march on to demand reform, end to corruptionUS says 'can't tolerate' attacks by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Two rockets hit Baghdad’s Jadiriya, no casualties: Iraqi military

Coronavirus: UAE reports 932 COVID-19 cases, lowest daily number since September 28

The United Arab Emirates reported 932 new coronavirus cases on Monday, its lowest daily figure since September 28.The daily number of COVID-19 cases in the country was over the 1,000 mark for the past five days, a record-breaking jump that followed an uptick in cases as the UAE recorded 995 cases on Tuesday and 851 cases on September 28.Read more: UAE could reimpose lockdowns as COVID-19 cases rise, official saysOver 87,660 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, according to the UAE health ministry, which reported three deaths and 1,287 recoveries.The total number of cases recorded in the country is now close to 100,000, clocking in at 99,733.There have been 429 COVID-19 related deaths and 89,410 recoveries since the pandemic broke out in early February.The country’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management (NCEMA) announced Monday the formation of seven inspection teams - one in each emirate - to monitor the application of precautionary COVID-19 measures.NCEMA also called on the health sector to prepare vaccination campaigns nationwide for a potential flu outbreak.Read more:Turkey calls Armenia ‘aggressive’ while reportedly sending troops to help AzerbaijanUAE, Israel officials meet in Los Angeles for first bilateral West Coast meetingSaudis must boycott ‘everything Turkish,’ says commerce head after Erdogan remarks
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE reports 932 COVID-19 cases, lowest daily number since September 28

Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia reports drop with 379 COVID-19 cases

Saudi Arabia reported a drop in its daily coronavirus numbers with 379 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, according to the Ministry of Health.Additionally, 570 new recoveries were recorded and 23 new deaths.This brings the total number of cases in the Kingdom to 336,766 and the total number of recoveries to 322,055. Meanwhile, the death toll in the Kingdom was 4,898.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Medina recorded 82 cases, Hafouf had 31, and Yanbu had 25 coronavirus cases.Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia detects 390 new infections, 511 recoveries in 24 hoursNearly 8,000 people across Saudi Arabia take part in National Day exercise challenge
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia reports drop with 379 COVID-19 cases

The Round Up | 5 Oct 2020 – Doha News

Top stories in Qatar on The Round Up today 🇦🇫 Afghanistan’s president lands in Doha 🦠 Agreement signed to get COVID-19 vaccine 👓 New vision correction unit at HMC 📈 Extended renewals on commercial registration and licences online 🐢 Endangered turtle saved by local heroes Want more from Doha News? Website: www.dohanews.co Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dohanews Twitter: ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: The Round Up | 5 Oct 2020 – Doha News