Author: News Desk

Israel and UAE open direct phone service after historic peace deal The Israeli and UAE foreign ministers introduced a direct phone service between the two nations on Sunday, in their first announcement following a peace agreement to the normalisation of diplomatic relations.  The UAE and Israel ministers “inaugurated a phone link between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, and exchanged greetings following the historic Peace Accord signed by the two countries,” tweeted the director of strategic communications at the UAE’s foreign ministry.  Shortly after, Israel’s Gabi Ashkenazi tweeted that the two “decided together on the establishment of a direct communication…

Trump promises ‘snapback’ to force return of UN Iran sanctions President Trump vowed to use a controversial technique to unilaterally reinstate UN sanctions on Tehran, a move with huge repercussions for the Iran nuclear deal.  It comes a day after the UN Security Council overwhelmingly rejected a US resolution to extend an Iranian arms embargo. “We’ll be doing a snapback,” Trump said during a news conference at his New Jersey golf club. “You’ll be watching it next week.” The president was referring to the contested argument that the US remains a “participant” in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal – despite…

GLOBAL COVID-19 TODAY CORONAVIRUS CASES: 21,826,634 DEATHS: 773,074 RECOVERED: 14,564,184 …………………………………… NHS needs tens of thousands of British Asians to join Covid-19 vaccine trials The Guardian says the NHS is launching a fresh attempt to recruit tens of thousands of volunteers from British Asian communities to its coronavirus vaccine trials following a “disappointing” uptake in the first phase.  The government’s vaccines taskforce announced on Monday that more than 112,000 people had signed up for trials which could begin as soon as next month. Read the full story on The Guardian  …………………………………… A-Level grades ‘drop below three-year average,’ new analysis suggests …

In today’s briefing update, the Sunday Papers lead with the controversial algorithms to set 97% of GCSE results – more than 280,000 A level students had their results downgraded on Thursday, and experts believe GCSE students will be downgraded further.   In our special feature, we look at global coronavirus updates.  ……………………………………… Controversial algorithms to set 97% of GCSE result The Observer says ahead of nearly five million GCSEs being awarded this week using a controversial model, the Observer reports – more than 4.6 million grades – will be assigned in England solely by the algorithm drawn up by the exam…

Dubai sends 24.88 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Beirut A plane with more than 43 tonnes of medical equipment left Dubai on Wednesday to help Bierut’s hospitals following the deadly port explosion last week which left thousands wounded. Syringes, bandages and surgical gowns were among the supplies on-board which was worth more than Dh2 million. At Dubai’s International Humanitarian City, 180 pallets were loaded on trucks for the cargo flight, which took off about 5:45 pm and was flown free of charge on the orders of the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. The aid was supplied by the WHO…

200,000 UAE residents stuck abroad no longer need ICA approval to return All UAE residents trapped approved no longer need to wait for special approval to return home, the government said on Wednesday.  All UAE residents abroad, who have a valid UAE visa, had to apply for approval to return to the country – if they were travelling into any emirate except Dubai.  But this procedure has now been removed and travel is permitted into the country as long as travellers carry out specific procedures.  Such procedures include updating their data, including a valid Emirates ID, passport number and citizenship.…

By Yvonne Ridley. Syrian-based American journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem who took the US Government to court for putting him on a “kill list” in the war-torn region, was arrested yesterday by a Sunni Islamist militant group. The brash New Yorker’s strong brand of journalism made him unpopular with some and turned him into an assassination target with others, including his own government. His ability to navigate his way through the treacherous political landscape of rebel-held Syria also made him the first person to see for visiting journalists including members of Sky News, BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera and other major outlets. Yesterday’s arrest…

GLOBAL COVID-19 TODAY CORONAVIRUS CASES: 21,082,038 DEATHS: 757,633 RECOVERED: 13,933,175 …………………………………… Lockdown to ease further Saturday BBC News says more beauty treatments, small wedding receptions and live indoor performances will be able to resume in England from Saturday, as lockdown rules are eased. Bowling alleys, casinos and soft play centres will also be able to reopen, PM Boris Johnson has announced. It comes as the government introduces bigger fines for failing to wear a mask in places where it is compulsory. Read the full story on BBC News …………………………………… Government quietly drops 1.3 million COVID tests from England’s tally The…

Israel launches new attacks on Hamas targets in Gaza, following ‘explosive balloons’ that started 80 fires Israel attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Thursday in response to what is said were continued launches of “explosive balloons” from the Palestinian territory.  Helium balloons loaded with incendiary material have been deployed in recent days in a bid to pressure Israel to ease its blockade of the Gaza Strip and allow new economic projects. Israel also said it will stop shipments of fuel into Gaza in response.  Israel earlier retaliated by shutting the Strip’s main commercial crossing and striking Hamas military…

Severe storms forecast after scorching temperatures An amber storm warning has been issued for most of Wales, the West Midlands and parts of the North West. Severe thunderstorms are expected across much of the UK after some areas saw the longest stretch of high temperatures since the 1960s. The warning means flooding, damage to buildings, travel disruption and power cuts are expected in those regions.  A yellow storm warning – meaning there is a small chance of flooding and travel disruption – was issued for the rest of Wales and most of England for Wednesday night, and extends to more…