Author: News Desk

US President Joe Biden is wheels up from Jeddah en route to Washington after wrapping up a four day Middle East tour in Israel, the West Bank and Saudi Arabia. Biden is seen off at the coastal city airport by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah. https://youtu.be/h16oofjlCH4

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman United States President Joe Biden Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa UAE’s President Kuwait’s Crown Prince Amir of Qatar Iraq’s Prime Minister Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs Egypt’s President King of Jordan

President Joe Biden, speaking at a summit of Arab Gulf leaders, said on Saturday that the United States “will not walk away’’ from the Middle East as he tries to ensure stability in a volatile corner of the globe and boost the worldwide flow of oil to reverse rising gas prices. His remarks were delivered at the Gulf Cooperation Council as he closes out the final leg of a four-day trip. “We will not walk away and leave a vacuum…,’’ Biden said. “We will seek to build on this moment with active, principled, American leadership.’’ https://youtu.be/mW0fK4GgtwI Although US forces continue…

Bahrain’s His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has stressed the need to unite efforts to stop direct interference in the internal affairs of states, saying that it was one of the most ominous current challenges and that it violates the principles and rights guaranteed by international laws. In his speech at the Jeddah Security and Development Summit, HM King also called for deep and balanced ways to resolve the crises and conflicts that have beset the Middle East, an important international strategic region that has suffered for years from difficult political, security and economic conditions and from very…

A U.S. Navy destroyer sailed near the disputed Spratly Islands on Saturday, the U.S. Navy said, its second such “freedom of navigation” operation in a week in the South China Sea. On Wednesday, China’s military said it had “driven away” the same ship, the USS Benfold, when it sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands. The United States regularly carries out what it calls freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, challenging what it says are restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China and other claimants. “On July 16, USS Benfold (DDG 65) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in…

The Group of 20 major economies’ finance chiefs reached what one called a “strong consensus” on issues including global food security at a two-day meeting in Indonesia but remained divided over Russia’s war in Ukraine. U.S Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the differences had prevented the finance ministers and central bankers from issuing a formal communique but that the group agreed on a need to address a worsening food security crisis. Western countries have enforced strict sanctions on Russia, accusing it of war crimes in Ukraine that Moscow denies. Other G20 nations, including China, India and South Africa, have been…

The US announced extending visit visas for Saudi nationals from five to 10 years starting Aug. 1, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Saturday. The step comes a day after US President Joe Biden arrived in Saudi Arabia as part of his first Mideast tour as president where he met Saudi King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and senior Saudi officials. In a statement quoted in SPA, the US Mission said extending the validity of visit visas aims to facilitate tourism and business between both countries. “Facilitating travel contributes to the prosperity of the economies of the Kingdom…

Bahrain has completed all preparations to host the 2022 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Goalball Asia Pacific Championship on July 25-29, it has been announced. Executive Director of 2022 IBSA Goalball Asia Pacific Championship, Khalid Al-Bastaki, said that the designation of Bahrain as hosts of the event, which is held every four years, reflects IBSA’s confidence in the kingdom’s distinguished organisational potentials. It is also in line with the directives of HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, as well…

The Saudi Ministers of Energy, Investment, Communications and Health have concluded 18 agreements with their US counterparts. The aforementioned agreements unlock new avenues for joint cooperation in investment, energy, ICT, space and health. The agreements align with Saudi Vision 2030, led by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as it seeks wider investment opportunities in promising sectors that can benefit the peoples of both nations, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. The bilateral agreements, signed during US President Joe Biden’s visit to the Kingdom comprise 13 agreements made with the Ministry of Investment, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, and numerous…

US President Joe Biden landed on Friday in Jeddah aboard a historic direct flight from Israel to Saudi Arabia, the latest stop on his first Middle East tour as US leader. Saudi state media showed images of Air Force One at the airport in the coastal city, making Biden the first US leader to fly directly from Israel to an Arab nation that does not recognise it. Biden was greeted by Prince Khalid Al Faisal, the governor of Mecca province, where Jeddah is located. Other people in the Saudi greeting party including the Saudi ambassador to the United States, Reema…