Author: Gulf News Week

Syria and Israel have agreed to set up a joint mechanism after US-mediated talks in Paris on Tuesday, in what they are calling a “dedicated communication cell” aimed at sharing intelligence and coordinating military de-escalation.The two countries have had a US-backed security agreement in place since 1974. However, when the Assad regime fell on December 8, 2024, Israel began attacking Syrian military infrastructure and pushed their troops into the demilitarised zone that is Syrian territory.Syria and Israel have been engaging in intermittent negotiations over the last year to find a security agreement that would stop Israel’s repeat aggression against Syrians…

Tremor in Shimane Prefecture felt at upper-5 intensity, halts bullet trains, but no damage or nuclear irregularities reported. A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 struck Japan’s western Chugoku region on Tuesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed. The tremor was centered in eastern Shimane Prefecture and was followed by a series of notable aftershocks. Authorities confirmed there was no risk of a tsunami. The quake registered a maximum seismic intensity of upper-5 on Japan’s 7-point scale, indicating shaking strong enough to make movement difficult without support. Despite the significant tremor, no immediate damage or injuries have been…

Shallow tremor centered near Dhing triggers strong shaking; USGS indicates limited impact in seismically active Himalayan region. A moderate earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale struck the northeastern Indian state of Assam in the early hours of Monday, with tremors felt in areas near the border with Bhutan. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred at 4:17 a.m. local time (2:47 a.m. UAE time) and was centered just three kilometers outside the village of Dhing in the Nagaon district. The epicenter was located at a shallow depth, amplifying the sensation of shaking in nearby regions.…

U.S. President cites national security and sets informal deadline, while Danish PM calls remarks a “threat” and a former aide’s “SOON” post sparks diplomatic friction. In a move that has reignited diplomatic tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his ambition to annex Greenland, calling it a national security necessity and suggesting talks within “20 days.” The comments drew a sharp rebuke from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who labeled the idea “absurd” and urged an end to what she termed threatening rhetoric toward a NATO ally. Speaking aboard his plane on Sunday, Trump emphasized Greenland’s strategic importance in the…

Muhammad Anas Ali bypassed traditional university to build a digital learning platform focused on e-commerce, trading, and digital marketing, aiming to democratize access to wealth-building skills. At a time when student debt is soaring and traditional career paths are being questioned, a 24-year-old entrepreneur is offering an alternative. Muhammad Anas Ali, the founder of Wealth University, is challenging the conventional link between formal degrees and success by providing high-value financial and business education for free. Wealth University, an online learning platform, has enrolled over 200,000 students worldwide. It offers courses in e-commerce, digital marketing, online business models, and financial literacy,…

Once a key US ally and ruler of Aden, the secessionist leader now faces ‘high treason’ charges and a manhunt after a failed power play.For years, Aidarous al-Zubaidi has been the undisputed strongman of southern Yemen, a former air force officer who transitioned from a rebel leader to a statesman courted by Western diplomats.But on Wednesday, his political trajectory took a drastic turn.In a decree that has shaken the country’s fragile power-sharing arrangement, the chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Rashad al-Alimi, removed al-Zubaidi from his post as council member, stripping him of his immunity and referring him to…

Orthodox and Coptic Christians don’t believe Jesus was born on a different day; they just use a different calendar.Millions of Christians, including those in Eastern Europe and across the Arab world, such as Palestine and Egypt, are celebrating Christmas today.Christmas Day commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, who was born in Bethlehem.However, for these communities, which number about 250 million people, the most important day of the season is not December 25, but January 7. In this visual explainer, media illustrates what cultural and historical reasons led to this difference in Christmas celebrations.Why are there two Christmases?The reason some Christians…

Foreign Press Association pledges to submit ‘robust response’ to Supreme Court over Israel’s media lockout.An international media association has denounced the Israeli government’s continued refusal to lift its ban on unrestricted media access to Gaza, despite the ceasefire in the embattled enclave.The Foreign Press Association (FPA) issued a statement on Tuesday expressing its “profound disappointment” with the government, which had told the Supreme Court two days earlier that the ban should be maintained due to “security reasons”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Palestine was the deadliest place to be a journalist in 2025: Media unionlist 2 of 3Israel…

In exclusive testimonies, women recount harrowing attacks by paramilitary forces as a senior doctor reveals that 14 female infants have been raped.In Sudan, victims of sexual violence are often forced to suffer in silence, their tears shed where no one can hear them. But for women like Mariam*, the horror of war followed her even as she tried to flee.Attempting to escape from Gezira State to Khartoum early last year, Mariam’s vehicle was stopped by armed men. She was the only passenger singled out.“We were coming from Gezira State… They stopped us on the street and forced us down,” Mariam…

Analysts believe Hezbollah will not accept the second phase of disarmament as long as Israel continues attacking Lebanon.Beirut, Lebanon – The strikes on Lebanon this week were the latest attacks conducted by Israel on its northern neighbour.Israel has consistently bombed Lebanon and conducted drone strikes despite a United States-brokered ceasefire in November 2024. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has documented more than 10,000 ceasefire violations by the Israelis, including 7,500 airspace violations and 2,500 ground violations.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Who decides what’s true in the digital age?list 2 of 3Israeli FM visits Somaliland…