Author: Gulf News Week
European funding aimed at curbing migration inadvertently strengthened Sudanese paramilitaries, while weak export oversight allowed the flow of weapons.Sudan was teetering on the edge of crisis long before open war erupted in April 2023. Decades of authoritarian rule under Omar al-Bashir resulted in a fragile economy, fragmented security forces, and entrenched paramilitary structures.Following the coup that overthrew al-Bashir in 2019, a fragile civilian-military transitional arrangement failed to unite competing factions. Political instability, localised rebellions, and a simmering rivalry between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – the successor to the Popular Defence Forces, government-backed militia…
The Israeli leader is up against three cases of corruption, including receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused in long-running corruption cases, has submitted a formal pardon request to President Isaac Herzog.“The Office of the President is aware that this is an extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications. After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the president will responsibly and sincerely consider the request,” Herzog’s office said in a statement on Sunday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Trump formally asks Israel’s president to pardon Netanyahu after Gaza trucelist 2 of…
Sudan’s army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces eye more territory as international stakeholders push for truce.The humanitarian situation in Sudan remains dire as the country’s army – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) – remains locked in a devastating conflict with the paramilitary, Rapid Support Forces (RSF).The generals leading the two sides, both accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the resource-rich Northeast African nation, show no real signs of yielding to international calls for a ceasefire.Here are the key battlefield, humanitarian and political developments from this month.Fighting and military control The RSF has been killing civilians and…
Kurdish authorities say one killed, several wounded in riots in Erbil’s Gwer, as authorities try to restore power after attack on Khor Mor.A group of “rioters” have opened fire at fuel tanker trucks in the northern Iraqi governorate of Erbil, killing at least one person and wounding several others, Kurdish authorities said, days after a rocket attack on the region’s Khor Mor gas field.In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency late on Saturday, the Ministry of Interior of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) linked the shooting to the Khor Mor attack.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of…
The pope is visiting Turkiye until Sunday on his first overseas trip as pontiff, which also includes a visit to Lebanon.Pope Leo XIV has visited Istanbul’s famed Blue Mosque on the third day of his trip to Turkiye, his first known visit as leader of the Catholic Church to a Muslim place of worship.The first US pope bowed slightly before entering the mosque early on Saturday and was led on a tour of the expansive complex, able to hold 10,000 worshippers, by its imam and the mufti of Istanbul.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Pope Leo begins first…
Arrest comes after appeals court handed jail terms to opposition leaders, businessmen and lawyers on charges of conspiracy to overthrow President Kais Saied.Tunisian police have arrested prominent opposition figure Chaima Issa at a protest in the capital Tunis on Saturday, lawyers said.The protest came after an appeals court on Friday handed jail terms of up to 45 years to opposition leaders, businessmen and lawyers on charges of conspiracy to overthrow President Kais Saied. Issa was handed a 20-year sentence during the trial.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Tunisia sentences lawyer and Saied critic to five years in prisonlist…
Drone attack hits Bani Suheila in southern Gaza amid continued Israeli attacks on the enclave.Two Palestinian children have been killed in an Israeli drone attack on the town of Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, according to medics.Witnesses told media that drones dropped a bomb on a group of civilians near al-Farabi School on Saturday morning, killing two brothers, Juma and Fadi Tamer Abu Assi.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Palestine Action’s legal challenge against UK government ban beginslist 2 of 4What’s the legacy of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation?list 3 of 4Jenin…
Major Israeli offensive has also destroyed roads, water networks and private property.Israeli forces have wounded more than 200 Palestinians in raids on the West Bank governorate of Tubas, as a major offensive on northern parts of the occupied territory that began on Wednesday continues to inflict widespread destruction.The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) told media that 78 of the people wounded in Israeli attacks on Tubas since Wednesday required treatment in hospital.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Sri Lanka seeks foreign help as Cyclone Ditwah death toll reaches 132list 2 of 3Indonesia death toll rises to 303 after…
Key dates, teams, players, format, favourites and tickets ahead of the 11th edition of the quadrennial tournament.The Arab world’s biggest football competition kicks off on Monday, as 16 teams from across the region face off in Qatar.Here’s everything you need to know about the tournament, which occurs every four years:Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Full match schedule ahead of the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 in Qatarlist 2 of 4Iran to boycott FIFA 2026 World Cup draw in US over visa disputelist 3 of 4India’s Olympic ambition in spotlight as Commonwealth Games build-up beginslist 4 of 4Real Madrid’s…
Save the Children says Palestinians are sheltering at home as Israeli raids injure dozens and lead to mass arrests.Entire Palestinian communities have been forced into lockdown in parts of the occupied West Bank, a human rights group warns, as the Israeli military continues to carry out wide-scale, deadly raids in the territory.Save the Children said on Friday that families in the northern West Bank have been forced to shelter inside their homes due to the fear of violence from the Israeli military, which launched an intensified operation earlier this week.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Amnesty warns ‘genocide…