Blinken speaks to Israeli and Palestinian leaders

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Tuesday amid a push by Washington to broker a deal aimed at normalising relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

In a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Blinken “reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral partnership and US commitment to Israel’s security”.

According to a readout of the conversation, the two men also discussed “expanding Israel’s regional integration and countering threats posed by Iran”.

The Secretary of State also spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

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“The Secretary and President Abbas discussed their support for a two-state solution and opposition to actions endangering its viability,” State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

The timing of the two calls comes as the US appears to be ramping up efforts to help establish relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

“I wouldn't describe [the calls] as run-of-the-mill or routine,” White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said.

“He speaks with these leaders occasionally, but not every month, but it also does not portend any imminent breakthrough or action with respect to the question of normalisation.”

Mr Sullivan added that the calls were “an important moment for a check-in at a high level”.

President Joe Biden's administration has made it clear that helping the two regional powers normalise relations is a priority ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

A US delegation led by Brett McGurk, White House co-ordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, is travelling to the Gulf this week, the latest in a series of trips to Saudi Arabia that administration officials have made.

While in Riyadh, Mr McGurk is scheduled to meet senior Palestinian officials, Mr Sullivan said.

“He will speak to the Palestinians about the whole range of issues relative to the Israeli-Palestinian file,” Mr Sullivan said.

“Normalisation will be one of the topics on the agenda, but it's not the main thrust of this trip.”

Riyadh has long maintained that it will not pursue normalisation with Israel until progress towards peace with the Palestinians is achieved.

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Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.

- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law

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