July 23, 1968 was the hijacking of El Al flight 426 by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The flight was originally from Rome to Tel Aviv but diverted to Algeria.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: On this day: El Al flight 426 hijacked by PFLP
Polish Law preventing restitution of Jewish property passes in senate
"the law will strongly harm [Israel's] relations with Poland," said Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Polish Law preventing restitution of Jewish property passes in senate
UN: public water in Lebanon could stop pumping in matter of 'weeks'
Lebanon's water sector is on the verge of collapse due to the harrowing economic crisis, the United Nations has warned.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: UN: public water in Lebanon could stop pumping in matter of 'weeks'
Syria blames Israel for destruction of evidence in Douma chemical attack
The UN's chemical weapons watchdog warned Syria's government not to move or tamper with the gas canisters recovered at Douma.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Syria blames Israel for destruction of evidence in Douma chemical attack
Iraq still needs US help to defeat Islamic State, foreign minister says
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein made the remarks ahead of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s visit to Washington on Monday.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iraq still needs US help to defeat Islamic State, foreign minister says
How water has become a flashpoint in the Middle East
Al-Monitor reporting shows the increased risks and relevance of water security for Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia; Iran and Iraq; and Israel and Jordan.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: How water has become a flashpoint in the Middle East
Emirates inaugurates new passenger service between Dubai and Miami
Emirates has launched its first-ever passenger service between Dubai and the United States’ Miami, the media office reported on Friday.The airline celebrated the inaugural flight upon its arrival in Miami on July 22, marking its new four-times-a-week service and drawing in an audience of guests, aviation fans and passengers.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“We are excited to welcome new Emirates flights to MIA as we expand business and leisure traveling options for Miami-Dade residents and visitors, connecting them with new cultures and growing economies,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.Alongside Miami, Emirates also launched a new service to Orlando.The launch provides passengers with an addition access point to and from the state of Florida and expands the carrier’s US network to Southern Florida. It now links travelers from these areas to over 50 points across the Middle East, West Asia, Africa, the Far East and the Indian Ocean Islands via Dubai.“We are thrilled to start our long-anticipated service between Dubai and Miami for travelers. We expect that the service will be popular with our customers who are seeking new experiences as countries like the UAE and US advance their vaccination drives and the world safely opens up for international travel,” said Emirates’ Divisional Vice President of the USA and Canada, Essa Sulaiman Ahmed said in a statement released on Friday.“With the greater access that the new Miami service provides, we expect it to generate high demand, enhancing business, cruising and leisure traffic and forging more economic and tourism ties between both cities and beyond,” he added.With the addition of Orlando and Miami, the Dubai-based airlines now serves 12 gateways in the US including Chicago, New York (JFK and Newark) , Boston, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Sam Francisco, Washington DC and Seattle.Read more:Emirates tops UAE’s Recommended Rankings Index for 2021: SurveyAir Arabia signs JV to create new national airline for ArmeniaUAE, Israel business leaders hail historic opening of first Gulf embassy in Tel Aviv
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Emirates inaugurates new passenger service between Dubai and Miami
Lebanon, Cyprus discuss bilateral relations, agree to cooperate on oil and gas
Lebanon and Cyprus signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreeing to cooperate in the oil and gas sector, the Cypriot foreign affairs ministry revealed in a tweet on Friday. The announcement was made during a visit to the country by Lebanon’s Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Zeina Akar.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Akar, along with Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, signed the MoU to establish a framework to better serve their countries by enhancing their cooperation, online news media Cyprus Mail reported.During her visit, Lebanon’s first female defense minister held meetings at the ministries of foreign affairs and defense.Talks covered bilateral relations in an array of sectors including, mutual interests in the region, defense and security and current developments between the two countries, a statement released by Cyprus’ foreign affairs ministry revealed.Issues faced by Nicosia in the northern region of the island occupied by Turkey was also discussed.Peace efforts within the ethnically split island have repeatedly floundered.A new Turkey-backed Turkish Cypriot leadership says a peace accord between two sovereign states is the only viable option but Greek Cypriots have rejected the possibility of a two-state deal as it would give sovereign status to the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state that only Turkey recognizes, Reuters reported on Wednesday.Read more:Cyprus peace talks can resume only on two-state basis, says ErdoganFrance says it stands with Cyprus after Turkish move to reopen VaroshaUN Security Council condemns Turkey leader Erdogan’s position on Cyprus
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Lebanon, Cyprus discuss bilateral relations, agree to cooperate on oil and gas
Actress' decision to quit stage draws fierce backlash from liberals
An Egyptian actress' decision to quit acting and don the hijab has stirred controversy in Egypt, highlighting the widening rift between ultraconservatives and liberals in society.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Actress' decision to quit stage draws fierce backlash from liberals
US launches inquiry into Qatar’s alleged finance activities in Iran
The United States’ Department of State has launched an inquiry into an allegation made by the Israeli government stating that Qatar’s royal family funded Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, a US-designated terrorist organization, online news media the Washington Examiner reported Friday.The Israeli government report said that a spokesman from the state department told the Washington-based news agency about the ongoing investigation, stressing that, “Qatar and the United States have a robust strategic, security and counterterrorism partnership.”For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Qatar is one of the United States’ closest military allies in the region. US-Qatar military and security cooperation contributes to the safety and stability of the region,” the department’s spokesperson added.Outgoing Israeli President Reuven Rivlin revealed the alleged financing of the IRGC by Doha in an Oval Office meeting last month with US President Joe Biden, the Washington Examiner reported.An Israeli diplomatic official, who chose to remain anonymous, told The Times of Israel that the information came as a shock to the US.“We fear that by returning to the JCPOA [the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action], the US may be able to prevent Iran from reaching the bomb in the years ahead, but once the deal sunsets, Iran will immediately be able to restart its efforts and will have hundreds of millions of dollars in extra funds provided to them by the sanctions relief that the agreement provides,” the anonymous source added.Israeli governments usually dismiss false news reports, according to the Washington Examiner, but haven’t done so in this case, suggesting that the intelligence might be serious and was indeed forwarded to the US government. The news agency also reported that it tried to contact several Israeli government officials on the matter, including the country’s foreign ministry, all of which chose to remain quiet on the subject.On Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Qatar’s Deputy Pime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani to discuss the crises in Lebanon, Yemen and Afghanistan, where the two countries’ seemingly close ties were emphasized, with al-Thani hailing US efforts in calling for “peace and security” within the region.Read more:US top diplomat Antony Blinken to visit India, Kuwait next weekFormer UN rights boss to head probe into Israel, Hamas alleged crimesQatar Investment Authority sets up new advisory subsidiary in Singapore
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US launches inquiry into Qatar’s alleged finance activities in Iran