US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met in Washington on Tuesday, with talks focused on issues including security co-operation before Prime Minister Mohammed Al Sudani's visit next month.
Mr Blinken received Mr Hussein at the State Department, where he said officials were looking forward to Mr Al Sudani's meeting with President Joe Biden, “as well as dealing with some of the immediate challenges on our plate”.
“For us, Iraq is … critical to the stability of the region and, once again, with which we have not only a long-standing relationship, but one that is comprehensive in the issues that it covers,” he said.
Mr Hussein said before the meeting that his delegation would aim to discuss the situation in the Middle East and “the tension there” during the visit, although he did not specify where.
“And we are going to work together also to have less tension in that area,” he said.
The two leaders discussed “efforts to enhance the Baghdad-Erbil relationship, bring economic benefits to all Iraqis, improve Iraq’s energy independence, strengthen Iraq’s ability to fully exercise its sovereignty, and promote stability and security for all Iraqis”, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
Mr Al Sudani, who will visit the White House on April 15, continues to be under pressure to ensure the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
There are about 2,500 US troops in Iraq serving in an advise-and-assist capacity as part of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
Talks are continuing between Washington and Baghdad over the future role of the anti-ISIS coalition in Iraq.
Both leaders “reaffirmed their commitment to the Higher Military Commission process”, Mr Miller said, referring to talks on the future of the US presence in the country.
The process “will enable the transition to a durable bilateral security partnership between Iraq and the United States and help to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS”, he said.
Mr Hussein's visit also follows a series of US strikes on Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq last month, in retaliation for attacks on American troops in the Middle East.
Maj Gen Yahya Rasool, Mr Al Sudani's military spokesman, called the strikes a “violation of Iraq's sovereignty”.
ISIS still a threat, diplomats say after Moscow attack
Mr Blinken and Mr Hussein also warned that the recent terrorist attack at a concert hall in Moscow showed that ISIS remains a threat in the region and elsewhere.
At least 137 people were killed in the attack at Crocus City Hall on March 22, which was claimed by ISIS-Khorasan, which is mainly based in Afghanistan.
“This is a very unfortunate reminder that we have to continue to deal with ISIS and make sure that doesn't revive,” Mr Blinken said.
“Despite the very good work that we've done over the years, and dealing with that threat … we're reminded by the horrific attack outside of Moscow just a few days ago that ISIS remains a potentially potent force and one that we have to continue to deal with.”
Mr Hussein joined Mr Blinken in condemning the attack, saying it showed ISIS remained a threat to peace in the Middle East and around the globe.
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Soldier F
“I was in complete disgust at the fact that only one person was to be charged for Bloody Sunday.
“Somebody later said to me, 'you just watch - they'll drop the charge against him'. And sure enough, the charges against Soldier F would go on to be dropped.
“It's pretty hard to think that 50 years on, the State is still covering up for what happened on Bloody Sunday.”
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Rating: 3.5/5
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
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Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
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1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)
4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)
5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)
6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)
9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)
10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)
11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
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The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Price, base: Dh1.2 million
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm
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Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
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Initial investment: $150,000
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Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
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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.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
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