US President Joe Biden, carrying a bouquet of flowers, and his wife Jill welcomed Olena Zelenska to the White House before the Ukrainian president's wife addressed Congress on Wednesday.
Ms Zelenska, the wife of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, embraced Ms Biden as she received the flowers from the US president.
The two women then held talks with their delegations inside the White House, where Ms Biden recounted her visit to Ukraine in May.
Ms Zelenska largely disappeared with her two children during the early months of Russia's invasion, but came out of seclusion to meet Ms Biden.
"When I came back, one of the things that I said was, 'You cannot go into a war zone and come back and not feel the sorrow and the pain of the people'," Ms Biden said at the start of their meeting.
Ms Biden, who visited a school that was sheltering displaced Ukrainians in the war-torn country, said she spoke to her team about the mental health problems facing women and children who witness the horrors of Russia's invasion.
Before their White House meeting, Ms Zelenska accepted a human rights award on behalf of her people for Ukraine's fight against Russia's assault on the country.
“It is an honour to be here and accept this award in the name of every Ukrainian man and woman fighting Russian aggression today,” she said, speaking through a translator.
The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation recognised the Ukrainian people with its Dissident Human Rights Award.
Moscow has called its actions a "special military operation", while Mr Zelenskyy has remained in Ukraine to lead Kyiv in fending off the attack.
Ms Zelenska's scheduled address to US Congress comes after her husband pleaded to US legislators for more aid and a no-fly zone in March.
Agencies contributed to this report
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Toilet cleaner
1 cup baking soda
1 cup castile soap
10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice)
Method:
1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.
2. Add the essential oil to the mix.
Air Freshener
100ml water
5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this)
Method:
1. Add water and oil to spray bottle to store.
2. Shake well before use.
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
