Saudi arabia

emeni children stand by the graves of schoolboys who were killed while on a bus that was hit by a Saudi-led coalition air strike on the Dahyan market in August. Photo: AFP After blocking the sale of 400 bombs to Saudi Arabia, involved in the Yemen conflict, Spain now appears to be back-pedalling to maintain other lucrative contracts with the oil giant, observers say. In so doing, Madrid will be hoping to avoid a row like the one between Riyadh and Canada, sparked by Ottawa's criticism of Saudi Arabia's human rights record. Ties between long-time allies Madrid and Riyadh were put to the test last week when Spain's defence ministry said it was cancelling a 2015 deal to sell laser-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia. READ MORE: Spain cancels sale of 400 laser-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia The ministry said it planned to return the €9.2 million ($10.7 million) already paid by the Saudis, leading a coalition fighting rebels in Yemen, where nearly 10,000 people have been … [Read more...] about Spain works to avoid row with Saudi Arabia over bomb deal

Amerigroup helps TexansRe: "Texas pays billions for 'sham' networks — Managed-care firms inflate number of doctors available to treat state's sickest," June 5 news story. On June 5, The Dallas Morning News published an article that cited the case of an elderly man with serious health problems who depends on Amerigroup, a state-contracted Medicaid managed care organization with a long history of helping vulnerable Texans. Amerigroup believes that this story contains erroneous implications.The story cited unpublished Medicaid agency reports that documented services provided to this man. These reports indicated that he had unmet needs, but Amerigroup identified these as preliminary reports, and that concerns were resolved when Amerigroup demonstrated to regulators that the man had received proper care. This was not shared by The DMN, and Amerigroup believes the omission paints an inaccurate picture.We care deeply about vulnerable Texans who trust us with their care, … [Read more...] about Letters: Managed care, health insurance, Ken Paxton, candidate debates, Saudi Arabia, Japan

Yemenis dig graves for children, who where killed when their bus was hit during a Saudi-led coalition air strike in August. Photo: AFP Spain said on Tuesday that it has cancelled a 2015 deal to sell 400 laser-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia, which is leading a coalition fighting rebels in Yemen. A defence ministry spokesman confirmed a Cadena Ser radio report that said Spain's new Socialist government planned to return the €9.2 million ($10.6 million) already paid by the Saudis for the arms under a deal signed by the previous conservative administration. The spokesman declined to elaborate but the announcement comes after an August air strike by the Saudi-led coalition battling rebels in Yemen that killed dozens of civilians, including 40 children. READ MORE: NGOs urge Spain not to sell warships to Saudi Arabia The incident sparked a wave of international anger and calls by the United Nations Security Council for a "credible and … [Read more...] about Spain cancels sale of 400 laser-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia