Новости за 17.02.2016

WASHINGTON — The United States is coming under increasingly bitter criticism for its perceived lack of leadership over Syria as the country's brutal civil conflict heads toward new levels of intensity.

CAIRO — The UN envoy to Libya is urging its parliament to endorse a unity government that can help combat a mushrooming Daesh affiliate, he told The Associated Press on Wednesday, the fifth anniversary of the uprising that toppled Muammar Qadhafi and plunged the country into chaos.

AMMAN — An official on Wednesday said a government committee constantly reviews death row cases in order to make recommendations regarding the eventual decisions in due time.

GENEVA — The World Health Organisation (WHO) called on Wednesday for $56 million for its plan to combat the Zika virus, a disease that has been linked to severe birth defects in Brazil and has spread to 39 countries.

SAN FRANCISCO — Apple has rejected a judge's order to help the FBI break into an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters, warning it was "too dangerous" to create such a backdoor to the smartphones.

TAIPEI/WASHINGTON — China has deployed an advanced surface-to-air missile system to one of the disputed islands it controls in the South China Sea, Taiwan and US officials said, ratcheting up tensions even as US President Barack Obama urged restraint in the region.

AMMAN — The government on Tuesday left it unclear whether it has annulled the deal with Noble Energy to buy natural gas from Israel.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on Tuesday discussed with British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood the outcome of the “Supporting Syria and the Region Conference” that was held in London. 

GENEVA — The Syrian government has approved access to seven besieged areas and UN convoys are expected to set off in days, the United Nations said on Tuesday after crisis talks in Damascus.

AMMAN — The construction of a $2.2 billion power plant, Jordan's first to be fuelled by oil shale, is set to start in June, according to a government official.

AMMAN – Jordanian banks benefit from gradually improving operating conditions but will continue to face challenges in 2016, says Moody's Investors Service.

DOHA — Top oil exporters Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to freeze output levels but said the deal was contingent on other producers joining in, a major sticking point with Iran absent from the talks and determined to raise production.

TUNIS — Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) President Issa Murad on Tuesday called for establishing investment and commercial alliances between Jordan and Tunisia to enhance bilateral economic relations.