Author: Gulf News Week
Once a key US ally and ruler of Aden, the secessionist leader now faces ‘high treason’ charges and a manhunt after a failed power play.For years, Aidarous al-Zubaidi has been the undisputed strongman of southern Yemen, a former air force officer who transitioned from a rebel leader to a statesman courted by Western diplomats.But on Wednesday, his political trajectory took a drastic turn.In a decree that has shaken the country’s fragile power-sharing arrangement, the chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Rashad al-Alimi, removed al-Zubaidi from his post as council member, stripping him of his immunity and referring him to…
Orthodox and Coptic Christians don’t believe Jesus was born on a different day; they just use a different calendar.Millions of Christians, including those in Eastern Europe and across the Arab world, such as Palestine and Egypt, are celebrating Christmas today.Christmas Day commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, who was born in Bethlehem.However, for these communities, which number about 250 million people, the most important day of the season is not December 25, but January 7. In this visual explainer, media illustrates what cultural and historical reasons led to this difference in Christmas celebrations.Why are there two Christmases?The reason some Christians…
Foreign Press Association pledges to submit ‘robust response’ to Supreme Court over Israel’s media lockout.An international media association has denounced the Israeli government’s continued refusal to lift its ban on unrestricted media access to Gaza, despite the ceasefire in the embattled enclave.The Foreign Press Association (FPA) issued a statement on Tuesday expressing its “profound disappointment” with the government, which had told the Supreme Court two days earlier that the ban should be maintained due to “security reasons”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Palestine was the deadliest place to be a journalist in 2025: Media unionlist 2 of 3Israel…
In exclusive testimonies, women recount harrowing attacks by paramilitary forces as a senior doctor reveals that 14 female infants have been raped.In Sudan, victims of sexual violence are often forced to suffer in silence, their tears shed where no one can hear them. But for women like Mariam*, the horror of war followed her even as she tried to flee.Attempting to escape from Gezira State to Khartoum early last year, Mariam’s vehicle was stopped by armed men. She was the only passenger singled out.“We were coming from Gezira State… They stopped us on the street and forced us down,” Mariam…
Analysts believe Hezbollah will not accept the second phase of disarmament as long as Israel continues attacking Lebanon.Beirut, Lebanon – The strikes on Lebanon this week were the latest attacks conducted by Israel on its northern neighbour.Israel has consistently bombed Lebanon and conducted drone strikes despite a United States-brokered ceasefire in November 2024. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has documented more than 10,000 ceasefire violations by the Israelis, including 7,500 airspace violations and 2,500 ground violations.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Who decides what’s true in the digital age?list 2 of 3Israeli FM visits Somaliland…
Representatives from France, Israel, Lebanon, the US and UN tracking the ceasefire are due to meet amid Israeli attacks.Israeli forces have killed two people in southern Lebanon a day before a committee monitoring a yearlong ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was due to hold its next meeting.Lebanon’s NNA news agency said two people were killed in the Israeli attack on a house in south Lebanon’s Kfar Dunin in Bint Jbeil on Tuesday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Israel bombs Lebanon, saying it targeted Hezbollah and Hamaslist 2 of 4Trump’s abduction of Maduro escalates concerns over potential war with…
Amnesty International says security forces’ raid on hospital in Ilam to seize protesters violates international law.Tehran, Iran – Bolder protests are being recorded across Iran amid an increasing deployment of armed security officers as the government’s efforts to contain an unravelling economic situation fall flat.Footage circulating online showed huge protests on Tuesday night in the city of Abdanan, in the central province of Ilam, where several major demonstrations have taken place over the past week.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Iran’s New Year demonstrations and the question of regime survivallist 2 of 4UK, France pledge ‘reassurance force’ for…
Holders Ivory Coast beat Burkina Faso 3-0 in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations and now face Egypt in the quarterfinals.Manchester United winger Amad Diallo starred as Ivory Coast beat Burkina Faso 3-0 on Monday and became the first Africa Cup of Nations defending champions to reach the quarterfinals since 2010.Diallo struck the opening goal and created the second for Yan Diomande before half-time. Substitute Bazoumana Toure completed the scoring in the closing minutes in Marrakesh.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Who could be the next Manchester United manager?list 2 of 4Man Utd manager job…
Algeria beat DR Congo in extra time and will face Nigeria on Saturday in the quarterfinals of football’s Africa Cup of Nations.A thunderous strike by substitute Adil Boulbina deep in extra time settled a tense encounter as Algeria beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) last-16 tie.The game at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on Tuesday was edging towards a penalty shootout when Boulbina, a forward who plays club football in Qatar, was released on the left in the 119th minute and advanced into the area before unleashing a vicious…
Joint mechanism will be used to de-escalate militarily, and may pave the road for an eventual security agreement.Israel and Syria agreed to set up a joint mechanism for sharing intelligence and coordinating military de-escalation under United States supervision.The “dedicated communication cell”, as Tuesday’s joint statement described the mechanism, will also facilitate “diplomatic engagement and commercial opportunities”.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Syrian delegation meets Israelis in Paris amid sovereignty breacheslist 2 of 4‘Closing his eyes’: Why is Russia’s Putin quiet on US abduction of Maduro?list 3 of 4Iran’s New Year demonstrations and the question of regime survivallist 4…