Hamas claims to have taken Israeli soldier ‘prisoner’
The armed wing of Hamas said it had taken "prisoner" at least one Israeli soldier in an ambush on Saturday....Geostrategy
Israel furious as 3 European countries recognize Palestinian state
Israel reacted with fury after three European countries said Wednesday they would recognize a Palestinian state, more than seven months...Geostrategy
Islamic State carries out Syria gas pipeline attack
The Deir Ali station southeast of Damascus generates half of Syria's power needsThe Deir Ali station southeast of Damascus generates half of Syria's power needs
The explosion caused the station to go out of service temporarily
Lebanon seizes dangerous fertilizer in country’s east
Ammonium nitrate is an odourless crystalline substance commonly used as a fertiliser that has been the cause of numerous industrial...Ammonium nitrate is an odourless crystalline substance commonly used as a fertilizer that has been the cause of numerous industrial explosions
Security forces raided a fertilizer warehouse in the eastern Bekaa Valley, considered a hub for smuggling operations between Lebanon and Syria
Iran looks east after China-led bloc okays entry
Iran has been trying to enter the SCO for years, and was close last year, but Tajikisatn objected to it.Iran has hailed its acceptance into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a bloc led by China and Russia
This, for it, was an eastward turn that it sees as opening access to major world markets and a counter to Western sanctions
Algeria’s ex-president Bouteflika dies
Bouteflika became president of Algeria in 1999 as the former French colony emerged from a decade of civil war that...The former strongman had left office in April 2019 under pressure from the military
After quitting, he had stayed out of the public eye at a residence in western Algiers
US approves $500mn helicopter maintenance deal for Saudis
Under the deal, US will provide 350 contractor technicians and two government officials over two years to handle the maintenance...Before his election Biden had promised to make Saudi leaders "pay" for the murder of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
In late January Biden ordered a review of all arms contracts concluded by his predecessor Donald Trump with Saudi Arabia and other countries.
UAE to establish business council with Estonia
The council will aim to enhance bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries.The MoU was signed by Abdullah Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry
Peeter Raudsepp, CEO of Enterprise Estonia, signed the agreement on behalf of his country
UAE to invest billions of pounds in UK
The UAE has vowed to invest £10 billion ($13.8bn) in the UK over five years as Abu Dhabi Crown Prince...The focus of investment will be on the UK's technology, infrastructure and energy transition sectors
Mubadala's investment plans is likely to 'drive a significant increase' across the three target sectors
First Iranian fuel deliveries reach Lebanon
Lebanon has been without a government for more than a year, and the main priority of Prime Minister Najib Mikati's...The first Iranian ship with fuel reached the Syrian port of Baniyas earlier this week
The cargo was offloaded there and trucked to Lebanon, the first of several planned deliveries
Global economy to grow by 5.3 percent in 2021: UN
But if widening economic gaps between the developed world and the poor countries persists, only a few will enjoy the...Many developing economies are being held back by constraints on fiscal measures, lack of monetary autonomy and limited access to vaccines.
By 2025, developing countries will be $12 trillion poorer owing to the pandemic, the report said.
Iran replaces top nuclear negotiator with Raisi protégé
Analysts said the reshuffle was intended as a warning that a much tougher policy could lie ahead if talks drag...Analysts said the reshuffle was intended as a warning that a much tougher policy could lie ahead if talks drag on over bringing Washington back into a landmark nuclear deal
Abbas Araghchi was one of the key negotiators of the 2015 agreement but his role in the talks will now be limited to that of ministry adviser
