The Israeli government approved a plan to increase the population of the annexed Golan Heights, following the seizure of a UN-monitored buffer zone from Syria after rebel forces swept Bashar al-Assad out of power. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered troops to seize the demilitarized zone and approved a $11 million plan to double the population on the Israeli-held Golan Heights, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the area for Israel’s security. Saudi Arabia and Qatar denounced the move, while Israel stated it had no intention of confronting Syria and its actions were in response to the evolving reality on the ground.
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EU regulators to decide on ADNOC’s Covestro deal by May 12: Report
EU antitrust regulators will decide by May 12 on whether to approve Abu Dhabi state oil giant ADNOC's $17.2bn takeover of German chemicals company Covestro, as part of efforts to reduce oil dependency. The European Commission can clear the deal with or without conditions or open a four-month investigation, potentially under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation. ADNOC's bid for Covestro awaits confirmation, following a similar case involving UAE telecoms group e&’s acquisition of Czech telecoms company...
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