Author: Gulf News Week

The last Syrian president to address the UN General Assembly spoke at the gathering in 1967.Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa has arrived in New York for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), becoming the first Syrian head of state to attend the annual gathering in almost six decades.The last Syrian leader to attend the UNGA was President Nureddin al-Atassi, who ruled before the al-Assad family came to power in 1971 and maintained its rule until al-Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad’s government in December.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Talks with Israel could lead to results ‘in…

Israel and the US are boycotting the UN-hosted event, but other countries are building on an earlier declaration.France and Saudi Arabia are preparing to host a one-day summit at the United Nations, a day before the start of the General Assembly (UNGA), both of which will be heavily focused on Israel’s war on Gaza and the elusive two-state solution.At the UN headquarters in New York, world leaders will convene on Monday to revive the long-stalled notion amid warnings that a contiguous Palestinian state could “vanish altogether” as a result of Israel’s hegemonic moves in both Gaza and the occupied West…

A third of the People’s Assembly of Syria seats will be appointed directly by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.Syria will elect a new People’s Assembly on October 5, the first parliament to be chosen since the fall of Bashar al-Assad late last year.The vote for members of the parliament will take place “across all electoral districts”, the state-run SANA news agency reported on Sunday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Asia Cup: No handshakes but plenty of heat as India beat Pakistan againlist 2 of 4Trump says Lachlan Murdoch part of proposed TikTok deallist 3 of 4US children among five killed…

Many Israelis react to the UK’s recognition of Palestine by lashing out at international support for Palestinians.West Jerusalem, Israel – Two blocks from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in West Jerusalem, where Balfour and Gaza Streets meet behind layers of steel barricades and weekly pro-hostage rallies, a tiny cornerside cafe, oddly unnamed and half-hidden, buzzed with mid-morning chatter.As phones lit up with news that United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer had announced formal recognition of a Palestinian state, a few patrons looked up, while others shrugged.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3US children among five killed in Israeli…

Israel says Hezbollah member killed in strike, but Lebanon says attack is a ‘crime against civilians’.An Israeli drone strike has killed five people, including three children, in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, Lebanon’s Health Ministry has said, as Israel continues to target its neighbour despite a US-brokered truce that took effect in November.The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported on Sunday that the strike targeted a motorcycle and a vehicle, and wounded two other people.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Few Lebanese families return to villages in south destroyed by Israel warlist 2 of 3Israel and…

Abhishek’s innings helps India chase 172 with seven balls to spare in their Super Fours cricket match against Pakistan in Dubai.A 105-run opening stand between Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill helped defending champions India beat Pakistan by six wickets in their Asia Cup Super Four match, a second victory over their archrivals in the Twenty20 cricket tournament.Put in to bat first in the match on Sunday, Pakistan set India a target of 172, which they reached with seven balls remaining.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Indian cricket’s Pakistan problem: Can you monetise patriotism?list 2 of 3Cricket after conflict:…

While a historic decision, Western states’ recognition of Palestine needs to come with more action, analysts say.Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia have recognised Palestinian statehood, a symbolic response to Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza and territorial expansion in the occupied West Bank.More states, including France and Portugal, are expected to recognise Palestine in the coming days after the announcements on Sunday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3US congress struggles to “regulate tech companies”list 2 of 3Israel unleashes horror in relentless attacks on Gaza Citylist 3 of 3Trump joins thousands at memorial for right-wing US activist Charlie Kirkend…

Palestinian family members at the scene say they fear as many as 50 people are trapped under the rubble.The Israeli military has killed at least 25 members of the same family in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City as it ramps up strikes across the besieged enclave.A group of homes were bombed in the early hours of Sunday by Israeli warplanes in the Sabra neighbourhood, where Israeli tanks began advancing in late August as part of a plan to destroy and seize the area.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Dispatch from Sumud Flotilla: Sailing into ‘yellow zone’ en…

Recognition of Palestine from Canada and Australia comes in coordination with the UK before UN General Assembly meeting this week.Canada, Australia, and Portugal have joined the United Kingdom in formally recognising Palestinian statehood as Israel plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank and intensifies its war on Gaza.In a statement on Sunday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the recognition of a Palestinian state and offered “our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Israeli forces kill 91…

Mediterranean Sea – Everyone gathered on the top deck of a Global Sumud Flotilla vessel loaded with humanitarian supplies for Gaza and volunteers determined to deliver it.Security protocols in case of an emergency were reviewed and put into action: life vests, head counts and designated muster points.They were training for scenarios that could occur on any vessel – fire, someone falling overboard, collision.But this training was different because there was another scenario.The volunteers were instructed on how to raise their hands in the event that Israeli soldiers intercepted the vessel, boarded it and detained them. The focus is on acting…