Author: Gulf News Week
Stockholm court finds Osama Krayem guilty of ‘serious war crimes and terrorist crimes’ over ISIL killing of Muath al-Kassasbeh in Syria.A court in Sweden has sentenced a Swedish man to life in prison over his role in the killing of a Jordanian pilot who was burned alive in a cage by ISIL (ISIS) in Syria in 2015.Judge Anna Liljenberg Gullesjo said in a statement on Thursday that the investigation has shown the defendant – identified in court documents as Osama Krayem – was “at the execution site, uniformed and armed, and allowed himself to be filmed”.While the video evidence showed…
Some Lebanese turn to AI tools for help dealing with psychological problems brought on by war and economic crises.Beirut, Lebanon – By the time Zainab Dhaher and her family fled their southern Lebanese village last September, Israeli shelling had become relentless. They packed what they could and drove 13 hours to Beirut, only to find themselves once again within range of Israeli bombardment. The cycle of displacement repeated.“We left in a rush. I didn’t have time to pack clothes for my children,” the 34-year-old mother of two recalls, her voice cracking during a phone interview. “We moved from place to…
Canada and the US are working on negotiating a trade deal by August 1, with Trump threatening a 35% tariff on Canada.United States President Donald Trump has said it will be difficult to make a trade deal with Canada after it announced that it would back Palestinian statehood, following the examples of the United Kingdom and France amid growing international condemnation of Israel’s war on Gaza.“Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh’ Canada!!!” Trump wrote on his social media…
In an open letter, 58 former EU envoys urge the bloc to end arms exports, sanction Israel, and act to stop what they call atrocity crimes.To the Presidents of the European Council, the European Commission, and the European Parliament, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union,To the Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers of the EU Member States,We, 58 former ambassadors of the European Union, were appalled and outraged by the slaughter of innocent Israelis and hostage taking on October 7, 2023 by Hamas and others. No cause can justify such acts, and…
Sanctions said to target shipping network controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of a top adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.The United States Department of the Treasury has imposed new sanctions on more than 100 Iran-linked individuals, companies and ocean-going vessels in what it described as its “largest Iran-related action since 2018”.The sanctions, announced on Wednesday, target more than 50 vessels which the Treasury Department describes as being part of a “vast shipping empire” of oil tankers and container ships controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of a senior political adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.“This…
The UN has warned aid entering Gaza remains far below required levelsIsraeli attacks have killed at least 71 Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid amid a deepening hunger crisis in Gaza, medical sources told media, as hospitals in the besieged territory recorded seven more deaths from famine and malnutrition.At least 51 people were killed and more than 648 others were wounded by Israeli forces on Wednesday as they were heading towards the Zikim crossing point for aid trucks entering northern Gaza, according to the Gaza Government Media Office.Another 20 people seeking aid were killed near the so-called Morag Corridor near Khan Younis…
The Canadian prime minister says Hamas cannot play a role in the future of Palestine or take part in possible 2026 elections.Canada has joined several Western countries in announcing its intention to recognise a Palestinian state amid the continuing Israeli atrocities unfolding in Gaza.Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement on Wednesday.He explained that Ottawa had hoped that a two-state solution could be achieved through a negotiated peace process, but that approach was “no longer tenable”.“Canada intends to recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025,” Carney told reporters.The…
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem says group will ‘not submit to Israel’ and disarm as pressure on Lebanon grows.Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has said that calls for the Lebanese group’s disarmament serve only Israel, amid pressure from the United States for Beirut to take such steps.“Those who call for submitting arms practically demand submitting them to Israel … We will not submit to Israel,” Qassem said on Wednesday in a televised address marking the first anniversary of the targeted killing by Israel of senior commander Fuad Shukr.Hezbollah emerged weakened from a war with Israel last year that eliminated most of the…
Mauritian rider Kim Le Court has made history for Africa by winning a stage at the women’s Tour de France.Mauritian Kim Le Court became the first African to win a stage on the women’s Tour de France..It was a case of double celebration for the 29-year-old who, on Wednesday took the fifth stage honours in a sprint to reclaim the leader’s yellow jersey.Le Court edged Dutch duo Demi Vollering and Anna van der Breggen after a hilly 166km ride, the longest of the Tour, from Chasseneuil-du-Poitou Futuroscope to Gueret.Overnight leader Marianne Vos lost yellow to the AG Insurance-Soudal team leader…
The cofounder of a pro-Palestinian campaign group has won her bid to bring a legal challenge against the British government’s decision to ban the group under “antiterrorism” laws.London’s High Court on Wednesday ruled that the ban could be considered to be an impingement of freedom of expression and the group should have been consulted before it went into effect.Palestine Action has increasingly targeted Israel-linked companies in Britain, often spraying red paint, blocking entrances or damaging equipment. It accuses Britain’s government of complicity in what it says are Israeli war crimes in Gaza.After the group broke into a military airbase in…