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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday invited to Washington the family of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was shot dead during an Israeli army raid.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan revealed the details of the call between Mr Blinken and the family while en route to Israel for President Joe Biden’s first visit to the Middle East.
“Secretary Blinken actually spoke with Shireen’s family a short while ago. He has invited the family to the United States to be able to sit down and engage with them directly,” Mr Sullivan said.
Abu Akleh, a veteran Palestinian-American reporter with Al Jazeera, was fatally shot on May 11 while covering an Israeli raid in the West Bank.
A US statement on July 4 said a bullet fired from an Israeli military position was “likely responsible” for her death, but the US Security Co-ordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority said there was “no reason to believe that this was intentional”.
Mr Sullivan reiterated the US government's belief “that it is most likely that her death was caused by an [Israel Defence Forces] soldier”.
He added that “there will have to be efforts made and accountability and making sure that we find a way to conclude this chapter justly”.
The UN determined last month that the shot that killed Abu Akleh was fired by Israeli forces.
The family's invitation to the US comes as congressional pressure grows on the Biden administration to deliver clear answers about the journalist's death.
On Monday, four high-ranking Democratic senators, Chris Van Hollen, Patrick Leahy, Chris Murphy and Dick Durbin, wrote a letter to Mr Blinken asking for a follow-up on the investigation.
“While we were glad to see the United States Security Co-ordinator involved in an independent forensic analysis of the bullet that killed Ms Abu Akleh, that hardly constitutes an independent investigation into the overall circumstances of her killing,” they wrote.
The letter includes 13 questions on the steps and methods the US Security Co-ordinator used during its probe and how the administration will “ensure accountability” for the reporter's death.
Last month, a group of 24 senators called on Mr Biden to ensure the direct involvement of the US in the investigation.
Mr Biden will be visiting the Palestinian territories and meeting President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday.
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
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VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS
Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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.
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