Rakeen, the real estate development arm of the Ras Al Khaimah Government, has no plans to seek government funding to complete its projects, a top company executive said.

The Bush Administration increased attempts to impose pressures and dictations on Syria after the invasion of Iraq, with then-US Secretary of State Colin Powell relaying a list of demands at the time that included ending support for the resistance and accepting the Israeli terms for peace, but Syria refused all the tempting and threatening offers and managed to change to formula to its advantage.

BEIRUT: The discovery of large natural-gas reserves under the eastern Mediterranean could potentially mean a huge economic windfall for Israel and Lebanon, both resource-poor nations - if it doesn't spark new war between them. Hizbullah has blared warnings that Israel plans to steal natural gas from Lebanese territory and vows to defend the resources