After three deadlocked elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/israel-s-netanyahu-presents-unity-government-to-parliament-after-three-elections-1.1020521">has presented a unity government</a> that includes Benny Gantz, of the opposition Blue and White party, for approval. It comes a week before his corruption trial begins. Rami Makhlouf, the cousin of Syria's President Bashar Al Assad and part-owner of the country's largest telecoms company – as well as other businesses – <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/syrian-tycoon-rami-makhlouf-warns-of-trouble-in-regime-s-own-house-1.1020498">posted a video to Facebook on Sunday</a> that said a takeover of Syriatel would destroy the company. He also alluded to it damaging the Alawite community, Mr Al Assad's core constituency. Mr Makhlouf’s videos have opened a rare window into the murky world Syria's ruling inner circle. EU countries are planning to <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/world/europe/eu-to-try-to-head-off-israel-annexations-luxembourg-minister-says-1.1020287">issue Israel with a warning</a> not to annex parts of the occupied West Bank to try to head off a diplomatic clash. The bloc is alarmed by the incoming government's plans to annex Jewish settlements, which it says would breach international law and harm the chances of peace with the Palestinians. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah on Sunday <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/world/asia/afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-and-abdullah-abdullah-sign-power-sharing-deal-1.1020530">reached a power-sharing deal</a> to end a political stalemate that has hampered progress towards peace.