Author: Gulf News Week
Hanna Petros SolomonAster Yohannes and Petros Solomon fought in Eritrea’s war of independenceHanna Petros Solomon breaks down in tears as she recalls how she and her siblings effectively became orphans 25 years ago when their father was arrested in Eritrea and jailed without trial. Their mother was subsequently detained – and no-one has heard from either of them – or of them – since.”He had a towel on his shoulders like a sportsman,” she tells the BBC about the last time she saw her father when she was 10 years old, and he had gone out for a jog.”He used…
ReutersVoters are heading to the polls in Berlin and the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-VorpommernLocal elections are taking place in two German states on Sunday which could increase the political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz.Opinion polls in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommerm suggest Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is at risk of damaging defeats, which would raise further questions about the chancellor’s future.These latest elections come after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party won a major victory in the state of Saxony-Anhalt two weeks ago, while the CDU saw its vote halved.There has been speculation in Germany that Merz could be replaced…
Diana’s brother says Harry and Meghan face ‘cancerous’ press like his sister Earl Spencer has told the BBC the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s treatment at the hands of the media has “echoes” of what happened to his sister Diana, Princess of Wales. He described press coverage of Prince Harry and Meghan as a “cancerous influence in their life” and said it would be “beholden on people to learn from Diana’s example”.The Sussexes, who recently returned to the UK from California six years after stepping back from royal duties, have been repeatedly critical of the media.It comes after the BBC…
Moscow oil refinery seen on fire after Ukrainian drone attackAt least two people have been killed and six injured in a “massive” overnight Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region, Governor Andrei Vorobyev has said.Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 450 drones heading for the capital had been shot down in what he called an “unprecedented attack”. An oil refinery was damaged and several homes were set ablaze.Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Kyiv had hit a “key” Russian oil facility and a logistics site in the region, representing “billions of dollars that sustain the war machine”.Ukrainian officials meanwhile said eight people,…
Watch: Fans react as Ed Sheeran speaks out over Macklemore controversy at showEd Sheeran told the crowd he had made mistakes after Macklemore was dropped from his tour for making pro-Palestinian remarks.2 hrs agoSuffolk
Watch: Diana’s brother says press has ‘cancerous influence’ on Harry and Meghan’s livesEarl Spencer says that he can see echoes of Princess Diana’s treatment from the press in the way Harry and Meghan are scrutinised.50 mins agoUK
Brighton humbling ‘a big lesson’ for Arsenal – ArtetaAn uncharacteristic performance from Arsenal saw the Gunners ship three goals in the defeat to Brighton – but could the loss be the “big lesson” they needed?10 hrs agoArsenal
Kiran Sakle/BBCRambai Ranveer took on a 3km sprint, hoping to win enough prize money to buy books for her daughterDespite having no training, or even a pair of running shoes, Ramabai Ranveer sprinted barefoot to victory in her first-ever race in August.The 47-year-old widow had entered a 3km (1.86-mile) community run with a single goal: winning the prize money to help pay for her two daughters’ education.When she crossed the finish line first, Ramabai from Maharashtra in western India was delighted. The 3,000-rupee ($31; £23) prize would help her buy books and study materials for her daughters.It was not much…
Watch: Concertgoers and pro-Palestinian activists arrive at Ed Sheeran concertSome Ed Sheeran fans say they are excited to enjoy music and are not there for politics after Macklemore was dropped from the tour for making pro-Palestinian comments.1 hr agoWorld
BBCZia and Yusron were both star pupils at a boarding school in Lombok Warning: This story contains details of sexual assaultThe voice on the end of the phone made Yusron Azzahidi’s stomach lurch. He had rung his sister’s number after she had texted, urgently asking him to call. But this was not her on the line – it was Yusron’s former head teacher. He was in Yusron’s family home.”I knew. I knew exactly what he wanted to talk about,” Yusron says.Listen: Ahmad Imanuddin Sumar pleads with former student Yusron to keep quiet about sex abuse claimsSexual abuse in Islamic boarding…