Biden supports allied push to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets

US President Joe Biden informed G7 leaders at a summit in Japan that Washington would support a joint effort to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, The Associated Press and CNN reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Ukraine is seeking to lead its biggest advance in months against Russia before a planned counter-offensive. It says the F-16s are far more effective than the Soviet-era jets Ukraine currently has.

Mr Biden told G7 leaders that decisions on when, how many and who will provide the jets – built by Lockheed Martin – will be made in the coming months while training is under way, AP said, citing two people familiar with the matter.

The training will reportedly be conducted in Europe.

British Foreign Secretary urges US to supply Ukraine with F-16s

Western governments have been wary of leaving their own countries undefended by giving away too much equipment.

They have also avoided sending anything that could strike deep into Russian territory and give Moscow a reason to escalate the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet Mr Biden “in the coming days” at the G7 meeting in Hiroshima, his chief of staff said on television.

The two leaders will discuss a series of topics including the international fighter jet coalition, thanks to which “Ukraine will very soon have everything it needs to protect our skies, our cities and our citizens”, Andriy Yermak said.

Also on Friday, the US and its allies announced a series of actions meant to tighten restrictions on already-sanctioned people and companies involved in Russia's war effort.

More than 125 people and organisations across 20 countries were hit with US sanctions, the Treasury Department announced.

The financial penalties were primarily focused on sanctions evaders connected to technology procurement for the Kremlin. The US Commerce Department also added 71 companies to its own list.

In addition, new reporting requirements were issued for people and companies that have any interest in Russian Central Bank assets.

The purpose is to “fully map holdings of Russia’s sovereign assets that will remain immobilised in G7 jurisdictions until Russia pays for the damage it has caused to Ukraine”, a Treasury statement said.

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Electric scooters: some rules to remember

Riders must be 14-years-old or over
Wear a protective helmet
Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
Do not drive outside designated lanes

Jordan cabinet changes

In

Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth

Out

Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE

Join parent networks
Look beyond school fees
Keep an open mind

How it works

Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.

Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.

As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.

A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.

Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.

Racecard

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