Author: Gulf News Week

Global Sumud Flotilla braces for escalating dangers as it approaches Gaza amid drone attacks, Israeli threats.On board the Alma, Greek territorial waters – The activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla remain alert. Wednesday’s drone attack on the vessels – heading towards Gaza to break Israel’s siege on the Palestinian enclave – is not expected to be the last.As the flotilla, currently travelling in Greek territorial waters, nears Gaza, a larger Israeli attack is expected.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Gaza aid flotilla “undeterred” by Israel’s assaultlist 2 of 3Italy, Spain send navy ships to protect Gaza flotilla after…

Israel claims ‘powerful’ Sanaa strikes hit Houthi command sites, killing dozens.The Israeli military has launched air strikes on the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, Al Masirah TV reported, adding that plumes of smoke were seen rising over the city following the attacks.Thursday’s strikes were confirmed by an Israeli army spokesperson, who said forces used dozens of warplanes and air support units to target the alleged “command headquarters of the Houthi General Staff” and “compounds” of the group’s security and intelligence apparatus.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Is recognising the State of Palestine going to make a difference?list 2 of…

Genocide thrives when the world averts its eyes, and history is repeating before us.When we prevent or put an end to genocide, we honour the victims of past genocides and, in doing so, keep their memory alive. We draw a clear line between reasonable human behaviour and our capacity to inflict unimaginable violence on others. In doing so, we help ensure the suffering of the past is not repeated.This is why it is painful for survivors of genocide, and those who have inherited the trauma from their parents and grandparents, to witness the atrocities currently being committed by the State…

Sarkozy has been handed a five-year prison sentence after trial over finances from late Libyan leader Gaddafi.Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was found guilty on Thursday of criminal conspiracy following a trial in which he was accused of accepting millions of euros in illegal payments from the late Libyan ruler, Muammar Gaddafi, between 2005 and 2007.The Paris Criminal Court sentenced him to five years in prison: it is the first time a former French president has received a prison sentence.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4France’s Sarkozy stripped of Legion of Honour, nation’s top awardlist 2 of 4Le…

Paris criminal court finds Nicolas Sarkozy partly guilty in trial related to alleged campaign funds from Libya.A court in France has found former President Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of criminal conspiracy in his trial for the alleged illegal financing of his successful 2007 presidential campaign with funds from the government of then-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.The Paris criminal court, however, acquitted the 70-year-old of all other charges, including illegal campaign financing and passive corruption, on Thursday.The court is expected to sentence Sarkozy later in the day.Sarkozy, who led France between 2007 and 2012 and retired from active politics in 2017, can appeal…

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy and Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa discuss cooperation and mutual respect as Ukraine and Syria rebuild diplomatic relations.Ukraine and Syria have formally restored diplomatic relations as their leaders met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said following his meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, along with an accompanying delegation, also attended the meeting on Wednesday in New York, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a brief statement.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Russia a ‘paper tiger’: How Trump changed his position on Ukraine, NATOlist 2…

Israel escalates devastating attacks on Palestinians in Gaza despite world leaders calling for ceasefire at UN General Assembly.At least 12 Palestinians, among them seven women and two children, have been killed in a strike on a stadium sheltering displaced families in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, as Israel pressed ahead with its relentless attacks despite calls for a ceasefire from world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly.The al-Ahli Stadium, which has been converted into a makeshift refuge for Palestinians fleeing the Israeli onslaught, became the site of another massacre on Wednesday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of…

According to UNHCR, more than seven million Syrians remain displaced inside the country.The United Nations has said that one million Syrian refugees have returned to their country since the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad last December, while warning that funding for humanitarian operations is falling.“In just nine months, one million Syrians have returned to their country following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government on 8 December 2024,” the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said in a statement on Tuesday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine cleared to run against Museveni in 2026list 2…

The Syrian president calls for ‘complete lifting of sanctions’ as he becomes the country’s first head of state to speak at the gathering in nearly 60 years.Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has called for the lifting of international sanctions in his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, becoming the country’s first head of state to speak at the gathering in nearly 60 years.“Syria is reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world,” al-Sharaa told world leaders on Wednesday, saying his country’s story was “filled with emotions, and it mixes pain with hope”.Recommended Stories list of 4…

Emergency services say two people seriously injured in the southern Israeli city after failure to intercept.Israel’s military says a drone launched from Yemen has struck the southern city of Eilat, and rescuers report that at least 22 people are wounded, including two in serious condition, as Israel conducts its genocidal war on Gaza.A military statement said the drone “fell in the area of Eilat” on the Red Sea coast on Wednesday after air defences failed to intercept it.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Gaza aid flotilla hit by drone attacks and explosions, activists saylist 2 of 3Can Israel…