UNITED States President Donald Trump’s declaration that Washington will recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights has drawn strong condemnation from Syria, Turkey and beyond.

The Syrian government called the move “irresponsible” and a threat to international peace and stability, while Iran’s foreign ministry said it would plunge the region into a new crisis.

The foreign ministry in Damascus said the US president’s statement confirms “the blind bias of the United States to the Zionist entity”, and added that it will not change “the fact that the Golan was and will remain Arab and Syrian”.

The US administration has for some time been considering recognising Israel’s sovereignty over the strategic highlands, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967.

Trump’s announcement gives Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a political boost a month before what is expected to be a close election.

THE man suspected of killing three passengers on a tram in the Netherlands will remain in detention for a further two weeks, according to a judge.

A court spokeswoman said 37-year-old Gokmen Tanis, who is suspected of the attack in Utrecht, would stay in custody for another 14 days as investigations continue.

In a statement, the court said the judge ruled that “the suspicion is strong enough to detain the man for longer”.

IN Italy, President Sergio Mattarella has told the visiting Chinese leader that the new “Silk Road” linking Europe and Asia must be a “two-way street”.

Xi Jinping met the Italian leader in Rome during an official state visit where they discussed the programme, which aims to invest in ports, roads, airports and railways in Asia, Africa and Europe.

Some are concerned that the major infrastructure project will amplify Beijing’s global influence.

While the meeting was taking place, the EU said it was preparing its own strategy to counter growing Chinese influence, described it as a “systemic rival”.

INDONESIA’S national airline is seeking the cancellation of a multibillion-pound order for 49 Boeing 737 Max 8 jets, citing a loss of confidence after two crashes in the past six months.

The announcement marks the first cancellation since Boeing’s new model aircraft were grounded following fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.

“Passengers always ask what type of plane they will fly as they have lost trust and confidence in the Max 8 jet,” PT Garuda Indonesia spokesman Ikhsan Rosan said.

“This would harm our business,” he added.