Author: Gulf News Week
Global Sumud Flotilla to carry up to 1,000 activists in largest-ever ‘coordinated humanitarian intervention’ for Gaza.Organisers of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that Israel seized at sea last year say they are planning a new, larger mission next month.The Global Sumud Flotilla announced Thursday that it will sail more than 100 boats carrying up 1,000 activists, including medics and war crimes investigators, to Gaza in March.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3How the world is responding to Israel’s interception of Gaza flotillalist 2 of 3Last boat in Gaza humanitarian flotilla intercepted by Israellist 3 of 3Gaza protests held in…
Friedrich Merz said concerns about a further escalation with Iran have dominated his trip to the Gulf region.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned of the threat of a military escalation in the Middle East before talks between Iran and the United States in Oman on Friday.Speaking in Doha on Thursday, Merz said that fears of a new conflict had characterised his talks during his trip to the Gulf region.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3What would be the impact of a US attack on Iran?list 2 of 3Some in Israel question its influence over US as Iran war…
Food security experts say famine thresholds for acute malnutrition exceeded in Darfur’s Um Baru and Kernoi.Acute malnutrition has reached famine levels in two more areas of western Sudan’s Darfur region, United Nations-backed experts warn, as a civil war between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese army has caused widespread hunger.In an alert issued on Thursday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), global food security experts said famine thresholds for acute malnutrition had been surpassed in North Darfur state’s contested areas of Um Baru and Kernoi.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4‘Like judgement day’:…
Israeli warplanes conducted more than 50 raids on Lebanon last month amid major surge in attacks, says refugee rights NGO.Israel is carrying out a “clear and dangerous” surge in air attacks on Lebanon, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has said, with its warplanes conducting more attacks on its neighbour in January than in any previous month since the ceasefire.The humanitarian organisation said on Thursday that Israeli warplanes had carried out at least 50 air raids on Lebanon last month – about double the number of the previous month.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4A year after Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire,…
Imane Khelif, who won boxing gold at the 2024 Olympics, says before gender test, ‘Do not exploit me in your political agendas.’Algerian boxer Imane Khelif says she will comply with genetic testing requirements to be able to participate in competitions as long as the tests are conducted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).Khelif won gold in the women’s welterweight division at the Paris Games in 2024 during a gender dispute over her eligibility after the International Boxing Association disqualified her from the 2023 World Championships based on sex chromosome tests.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Who are the past…
Twenty-five more Palestinians arrive in Gaza as 13 patients in need of treatment to begin evacuations through Rafah crossing.Twenty-five more Palestinians have returned to Gaza through the Rafah crossing following its long-awaited partial reopening, describing an exhausting journey through humiliating Israeli security measures, while patients in need of urgent medical treatment abroad are being transferred to the border.This comes as the Wafa news agency reported a Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces in Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis, on Thursday, as Israeli attacks continue despite a “ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of…
Central Command confirms five operations over a week, striking weapons depots with precision-guided munitions. WASHINGTON — The U.S. military conducted a series of five airstrikes against ISIS (Daesh) targets in Syria between January 27 and February 2, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Wednesday. The operations specifically targeted weapons storage facilities, employing approximately 50 precision munitions. The strikes represent a continued effort to degrade the militant group’s logistics and operational capabilities in the region. CENTCOM did not provide immediate details on casualty assessments or the specific locations within Syria. These actions are part of the ongoing, albeit diminished, U.S. military mission in…
A brutal killing underscores widespread violence and impunity, stoking domestic fear and inflaming tensions with neighboring India. DHAKA,— As Bangladesh approaches a pivotal national election, its Hindu minority is confronting a sharp escalation in targeted violence, driven by political polarization and a resurgent Islamist movement, human rights groups say. The climate of fear was punctuated in December by the mob killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old Hindu garment worker. Accused of blasphemy by colleagues, Das was beaten, hanged from a tree, and set on fire—an act recorded and circulated widely, becoming a grim symbol of the community’s vulnerability. “This…
A policy change extending the age cut-off for early years admissions leaves parents scrambling as confirmed placements are revoked, raising concerns over child readiness. DUBAI— A sweeping update to school admissions rules in the UAE has triggered widespread uncertainty among parents, with some facing withdrawn offers and altered year-group placements for their young children, despite having already secured spots for the 2026-27 academic year. The rule change, announced by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in December, extends the age eligibility cut-off for Foundation Stage 1 (FS1) under the British curriculum. Children now need to turn three by December 31 of…
The veteran French striker signs a free transfer with the Saudi Pro League leaders, switching clubs after a trophy-laden spell in Jeddah. In a stunning inter-league transfer, Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal announced the signing of football superstar Karim Benzema on Monday. The former Real Madrid and France forward joins on a free transfer after terminating his contract with domestic rivals Al Ittihad. The 38-year-old finalized a one-and-a-half-year deal with the Riyadh-based leaders, a move precipitated by his decision to reject a contract extension with Al Ittihad, where he had been absent for the previous two league matches. Benzema…