Author: Gulf News Week

Arabic is spoken by more than 400 million people. Can you recognise these Arabic words that have made their way into English?Arabic is one of the world’s most widely spoken languages with at least 400 million speakers, including 200 million native speakers and 200 million to 250 million non-native speakers.Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) serves as the formal language for government, legal matters and education, and it is widely used in international and religious contexts. Additionally, more than 25 dialects are spoken primarily across the Middle East and North Africa.Every year on December 18, the United Nations commemorates World Arabic Language…

The roof of a war-damaged family home collapses during winter storm in Gaza City’s Shati refugee camp.Winter storms are worsening conditions for hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza, as aid agencies warn that Israeli restrictions are preventing lifesaving shelter assistance from reaching people across the besieged enclave.The United Nations has said it has tents, blankets and other essential supplies ready to enter Gaza, but that Israeli authorities continue to block or restrict access through border crossings.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Nick Reiner’s lawyer asks public to not ‘rush to judgement’list 2 of 4‘I am concerned’:…

European champions Paris Saint-Germain pushed all the way in Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar by South Americans.Back-up goalkeeper Matvei Safonov saved four penalties as Paris Saint-Germain edged out Brazilians Flamengo 2-1 in a shootout to win the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar.PSG led through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before Jorginho’s spot-kick levelled for Flamengo as the game finished 1-1 after extra time on Wednesday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua: All to know before their heavyweight boxing fightlist 2 of 4‘False allegations’: Superstar Ilia Topuria explains absence from UFC 324list 3 of 4Photos: Angry fans vandalise India…

Legislation reflects Democrats’ efforts to seek tighter oversight of Trump administration’s military action.The United States Senate has passed a $901bn bill setting defence policy and spending for the 2026 fiscal year, combining priorities backed by President Donald Trump’s administration with provisions designed to preserve congressional oversight of US military power.The National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA) was approved in a 77-20 vote on Wednesday with senators adopting legislation passed by the House of Representatives last month. It now goes to Trump for his signature.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4England’s resident doctors begin five-day strikelist 2 of 4British Empire:…

Shifts in Hadramout and al-Mahra intensify Yemen’s fragmentation, risking further economic and political instability.Yemen’s separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) is trying to create facts on the ground with its recent advances in the country’s eastern governorates of Hadramout and al-Mahra.Its military push this month highlights that Yemen’s conflict – ongoing for more than a decade – cannot be reduced to one simply between the internationally recognised government and the Houthis. Instead, an overlapping map of influence is evident on the ground with de facto authorities competing over security, resources and representation.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Presidents the…

From stars Salah and Hakimi to breakout talent Baleba, media picks 10 ‘must watch’ footballers heading to into AFCON.The CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) gets under way on Sunday, with the host nation Morocco facing Comoros in Group A at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.Across the four weeklong continental showpiece, some of the game’s biggest names will take centre stage.Here’s a look at our top-10 players who are set to light up the competition:⚽ Mohamed Salah (Egypt)Arguably the biggest African football star of his generation, Mohamed Salah heads into the tournament hoping to lead Egypt to a record-extending eighth…

Fifteen years after revolution took hold, little remains of the hopes that ignited a region.Fifteen years ago, a Tunisian fruit seller, Mohamed Bouazizi, despairing at official corruption and police violence, walked to the centre of his hometown of Sidi Bouzid, set himself on fire, and changed the region forever.Much of the hope triggered by that act lies in ruins. The revolutions that followed in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Syria have cost the lives of tens and thousands before, in some cases, giving way to chaos or the return of authoritarianism.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4‘Enough repression’: Thousands…

Israeli authorities are engaged in multiple major efforts, including building settlements and pursuing annexation, to ensure there will be no Palestinian state in the future.Israeli authorities are expected to advance plans to build 9,000 new housing units in an illegal settlement on the site of the abandoned Qalandiya airport in occupied East Jerusalem, in another attempt to cut off Palestinian lands from each other and block any possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state ever emerging.The so-called Atarot neighbourhood in northern East Jerusalem, reminiscent of the E1 plan to undermine Palestinian statehood, is to be discussed and have its outlines approved…

Authorities distribute aid to tens of thousands of families hit by deadly winter stormsMorocco has launched a nationwide emergency relief operation to support families affected by severe winter weather as communities across the country grapple with deadly floods and plunging temperatures.The aid program was announced on Tuesday and will reach approximately 73,000 households across 28 provinces hit by freezing conditions, torrential rains and snowstorms, authorities said.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2At least 37 dead after flash floods hit Morocco’s Safilist 2 of 2Photos: Morocco’s Safi counts the cost in aftermath of deadly flash floodsend of listAuthorities are…

Fighting intensifies as humanitarian crisis deepens with cholera outbreak and mass displacement.At least 104 civilians have been killed in drone attacks across Sudan’s Kordofan region as fighting between rival military factions reached deadly new heights in the brutal civil war deep into its third year.The attacks have battered the central region since early December, right up to Friday, following the capture of a significant army base by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Babnusa after a week of intense fighting.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3What does RSF capture of Heglig oilfield mean for Sudan’s war?list 2…