Clinton stresses importance of defense minister's US visit

Washington, April 14: Minister of Defense Prince Salman expressed thanks and appreciation for the reception he was accorded in the United States in a meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America are friendly countries that share many common interests,” Prince Salman said.

The prince added that his current US visit is a continuation of the distinguished relations between the two countries.

“The United States of America considers the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a close and strategic partner in many critical issues facing the world today,” Hillary Clinton said welcoming the prince to the United States.

Clinton said Prince Salman's visit was very important.In a press statement after the reception, the prince said he conveyed Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah's greetings to US President Barack Obama during his meetings with Obama. The prince also met with US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and other senior officials.

The reception was attended by Minister of State Musaed Al-Aiban and Saudi Ambassador to Washington Adel Al-Jubeir.

Earlier, the prince also met with Director of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly and discussed bilateral issues of mutual concern, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Salman arrived on Tuesday from London where he held talks with Prime Minister David Cameron, Defense Secretary Philip Hammond and Foreign Secretary William Hague on strengthening bilateral relations.

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5 facts about 24-year-old Indian student shot dead inside his Audi in Canada

News Network

April 14,2024

New Delhi: A 24-year-old student from India was shot dead inside a car in Canada's South Vancouver, the local police have said. The Vancouver Police in a statement said Chirag Antil, 24, was found dead inside a vehicle in the area after neighbours reported hearing gunshots.

"Officers were called to East 55th Avenue and Main Street around 11 pm on April 12 after residents heard the sound of gunshots. Chirag Antil, 24, was found deceased inside a vehicle in the area. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing," the police said.

Chirag Antil's brother Ronit told reporters that Chirag seemed happy when they spoke on the phone in morning. Chirag later took out his Audi to go somewhere. That was when he was shot dead.

The Congress students' wing National Students' Union of India chief Varun Choudhary in a post on X tagging the Ministry of External Affairs requested for assistance to the student's family.

"Urgent attention regarding the murder of Chirag Antil, an Indian student in Vancouver, Canada. We urge the Ministry of External Affairs to closely monitor the progress of the investigation and ensure that justice is swiftly served," Mr Choudhary said.

"Additionally, we request the ministry to extend all necessary support and assistance to the family of the deceased during this difficult time," he said.

Chirag Antil's family is raising money through the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe to repatriate his body to India, local media reported.

Haryana resident Romit Antil, the brother of Chirag Antil, told CityNews that he was a kind-hearted person.

"My brother and I had a great relationship. We used to talk every day, day and night. I spoke to him last before the accident happened. He was kind of happy, he never had any issues or fights with anyone, ever. He was an extremely polite person," Romit Antil told CityNews.

Chirag Antil came to Vancouver in September 2022. He just finished MBA at University Canada West, and recently got his work permit.

Here are 5 facts about Chirag Antil

1.   Chirag Antil was a resident of Sonipat, Haryana.
2.   He was the youngest son of Mahavir Antil, a retired employee of the Sugar Mill Department of the Haryana Government.
3.   Chirag moved to Vancouver in 2022 to pursue higher studies at the University Canada West (UCW), in British Columbia.
4.   After completing his MBA, he started working at a company in Canada after getting a work permit.
5.   Chirag's brother Ronit shared in an interview that his younger sibling was a "kind-hearted" person. "I spoke to him last before the accident happened," he said and added that Chirag sounded "happy".

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