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Turkey starts supplying Azerbaijani gas to boost Syria's power output

Turkey on Saturday turned on a supply of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Syria, whose infrastructure was ravaged by civil war, with annual deliveries expected to reach up to two billion cubic metres. Syria's Islamist authorities, who toppled Bashar al-Assad in December, are seeking to rebuild the battered country where power cuts can last for more than 20 hours a day.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkey starts supplying Azerbaijani gas to boost Syria's power output

US envoy meets Israeli hostage families in Tel Aviv

US envoy Steve Witkoff met anguished relatives of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza on Saturday, as fears for the captives' survival mounted almost 22 months into the war sparked by Hamas's October 2023 attack.Witkoff was greeted with some applause and pleas for assistance from hundreds of protesters gathered in Tel Aviv, before going into a closed meeting with the families.The Hostages and Missing Families Forum confirmed the meeting was underway and videos shared online showed Witkoff arriving as families chanted "Bring them home!" and "We need your help."
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: US envoy meets Israeli hostage families in Tel Aviv

Hamas says it won't disarm unless independent Palestinian state established

(Reuters) -Hamas said on Saturday that it would not lay down arms unless an independent Palestinian state is established.In a statement, the Palestinian militant faction said its "armed resistance ... cannot be relinquished except through the full restoration of our national rights, foremost among them the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital."Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel aimed at securing a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza war and deal for the release of hostages ended last week in deadlock.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Hamas says it won't disarm unless independent Palestinian state established

Amsterdam Pride parade blends celebration and protest in LGBTQ+ show of solidarity

By Charlotte Van Campenhout and Milan BerckmansAMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Around 80 colorful pride boats sailed through Amsterdam’s World Heritage canals on Saturday in the finale of a week-long celebration in the city that stood in stark contrast to recent crackdowns on LGBTQ+ rights in fellow EU member state Hungary.While the flotilla is not political, attendees used the occasion to criticise conflicts or world leaders for their stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Amsterdam Pride parade blends celebration and protest in LGBTQ+ show of solidarity