Author: Gulf News Week

Three people hiking on Indonesia’s Mount Dukono have died after the volcano erupted on Friday morning. Videos and pictures of the eruption show the volcano, located on North Maluku island, spewing a column of ash stretching 10km (six miles) into the sky. The three victims were part of a group of 20 Singaporeans and Indonesians hiking on the mountain despite restrictions. The rest of the group was eventually located by rescuers and evacuated from the mountain. The volcano has erupted more than 200 times since last March. Officials had previously issued warnings against climbing the mountain due to safety concerns.…

A cyber attack hit several universities and schools in the US, Canada and Australia, causing chaos, confusion and major disruptions amid the high stakes end-of-year season. The hacking group ShinyHunters reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, which caused the academic software Canvas used by thousands of schools and universities to go offline this week. By late Thursday, the company Instructure, which owns Canvas, posted an update on its website saying that Canvas was “available for most users”, but some universities were still reporting outages on Friday. The cyber attacks targeted universities and schools across the globe, affecting an estimated 9,000…

As households across the globe count the costs of the US-Israel war in Iran, some companies have been counting bumper profits instead. The uncertainty sparked by the conflict, and Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, is driving up the cost of living and hitting the budgets of firms, families and governments. But while some have been pushed to the brink, others, whose core businesses are more profitable in a war or who benefit from volatile energy prices, have seen record earnings. Here are some of the sectors and companies making billions while the Middle East conflict continues. 1.…

The Israeli-US war on Iran exposed the limits of foreign-backed security and the dangers of regional dependence on outside powers.In its recent statement, the Gulf Cooperation Council declared that “Iranian attacks have also led to a sharp loss of confidence by the Council states in Iran, which requires Iran to take the initiative to make serious efforts to rebuild trust”. While rebuilding trust in our region is a lofty and essential objective, and while Iran has always taken the initiative in this regard, it is imperative for all sides to recognise their share in the current regrettable state of affairs.The…

The confederation’s silence on US travel bans and visa restrictions for African fans is shameful.On December 5, at the draw for the 2026 men’s World Cup finals at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, FIFA president Gianni Infantino presented United States President Donald Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. “This is what we want from a leader – a leader that cares about the people,” Infantino told the president from the stage. “You definitely deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize.”Three days earlier, Trump used the closing minutes of a White House cabinet meeting to call Somalis “garbage”. “Their country…

A fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran was brought into question on Monday, May 4, after Iran launched fresh attacks on the UAE. The long-awaited deal was brokered on April 8 — 40 days after the US, Israel and Iran traded fire in what they called preemptive and retaliatory aerial strikes. World leaders have since condemned the severe escalation in hostilities in the Middle East, which occurred during a week both Iran and the US had ramped up their war rhetoric — despite ongoing attempts to negotiate a peace proposal. Here’s a breakdown of the events that unfolded on…

The Brazilian activist explains to his little girl his motivation to join the Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla.From inside prison, Thiago dictated this letter to his lawyer:Dear Teresa,I’m sorry for not being home with you right now. Unfortunately your father, your mother, and so many people around the world understood the historical task that we have the responsibility to fulfil.Today over a million children are suffering a genocide, being starved to death, being amputated without anesthesia, and suffering from horrific, hateful ideas, despite not knowing what Zionism and imperialism is.I’m sure you miss me too much and all the mothers and fathers…

The Iran war is triggering a major economic crisis that is boosting energy profits. Taxing those can help countries survive and become immune to energy shocks.The last fossil fuel crisis caused incredible amounts of pain for the people of Europe. In 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine, gas prices skyrocketed, resulting in the costs of energy rising to cripplingly high levels. Every European Union citizen overpaying for their fossil gas and power sent 150 euros ($175) to the United States per year, according to a recent report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).That pain meant unprecedented…

Resolving the conflict in Lebanon necessitates taking into account its long, layered history and new geopolitical realities.Amid a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun is preparing for what some claim would be a “historic trip” to Washington. It appears that United States President Donald Trump may pressure him into meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. If this summit takes place, it would be the first in history.But a symbolic meeting would not be enough to resolve the conflict in Lebanon, which has deep historical roots and a wide geopolitical reach.Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to occupy parts of southern…

The US will always prioritise Israel over the Arab world. Arab unity is the only way to establish security for all.For decades, Gulf states operated under the assumption that their most important strategic partner was the United States. They built an extensive and multidimensional partnership with Washington, one that spanned security, energy, finance, and diplomacy.In launching its war alongside Israel against Iran, however, the US sidelined its Gulf partners, ignoring their appeals and concerns. Now, as the Trump administration attempts to negotiate with Iran, it again appears to have the interests of Israel as its top priority; the concerns of its…