Author: Gulf News Week

Austrian authorities accuse the founder of Gaza Now of financing Hamas, a charge he has denied.A court in the Netherlands has ruled imprisoned Palestinian journalist Mustafa Ayyash can be extradited to Austria, after he fled the country earlier this year, claiming Austrian authorities raided his home and abused his pregnant wife.Ayyash, the founder of the news site Gaza Now, escaped to Austria after he lost relatives during Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. He had been living in Austria since 2016, but says he was forced to flee to the Netherlands after Austrian authorities raided his house and physically abused his…

The new film featuring firsthand testimonies of Israeli soldiers in Gaza reveals patterns of systematic abuse.About 30 minutes into a new documentary featuring testimonies of Israeli soldiers about being deployed to Gaza, a soldier reflects on the enclave after months of sustained Israeli war on it: “Terrible heat. Sand. Stench. And dogs wandering around in packs. They eat dead bodies … It’s horrifying … It’s a kind of zombie apocalypse. No trees. No bushes. No roads. There’s nothing.”The documentary, Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel’s War, shown on UK network ITV on Monday, featured Israeli soldiers, some speaking of shame at having…

Turkish Football Federation president calls betting scandal a ‘moral crisis in Turkish football’.Eight people have been arrested in Turkiye and more than 1,000 players have been suspended as a wide-ranging investigation into alleged betting on football matches rocks the country’s football federation.Turkish authorities formally arrested Eyupspor Chairman Murat Ozkaya, a top-tier club chairman, and seven others on Monday, while the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) suspended 1,024 players pending disciplinary investigations. Of the suspended players, 27 compete in the country’s top-tier Super Lig, notably Galatasaray defender Eren Elmali, who also represents the Turkish national team.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of…

Recent uncertainty seems to have prompted Gulf Cooperation Council members to consider new options for their defence.The Arab Gulf states have for decades looked externally for their security, particularly to the West.The United States, United Kingdom and France have bases throughout the region, underscoring the Gulf’s importance to the West. But the sense of security these bases provide is not as solid as it once was.In the US, a growing segment of the foreign policy sphere views East Asia as more important to Washington, largely because of the rise of China as a threat to American hegemony.Analysts who argue that…

Critics say that in practice, the death penalty would apply almost exclusively to Palestinians who kill Jews, not to Jewish hardliners who carry out attacks on Palestinians.Israel’s parliament has passed the first reading of a bill that would introduce the death penalty for “terrorism”.The amendment to the penal code, proposed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, was approved by 39 votes to 16 in the 120-member Knesset on Monday, signalling it has support from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Death toll in Gaza tops 69,000; Hamas retrieves body of Israeli soldierlist 2…

Since the ceasefire took effect one month ago, Israeli attacks have killed at least 242 Palestinians and injured 622.One month into the declaration of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Israel has violated the agreement with near-daily attacks, killing hundreds of people.Israel violated the ceasefire agreement at least 282 times from October 10 to November 10, through the continuation of attacks by air, artillery and direct shootings, the Government Media Office in Gaza reports.The office said Israel shot at civilians 88 times, raided residential areas beyond the “yellow line” 12 times, bombed Gaza 124 times, and demolished people’s properties on…

Syrian President al-Sharaa, recently dropped from global ‘terror’ list, pledges cooperation in combating armed group.Syria has signed up to join the international coalition led by the United States to combat the ISIL (ISIS) armed group.The announcement, made by Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa and US officials, came shortly after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Washington and was welcomed at the White House by US President Donald Trump on Monday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Typhoon Fung-wong leaves Philippines with 10 dead, 1.4 million displacedlist 2 of 3US Democrats recovered support from Muslim voters, poll suggestslist 3 of…

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who has sought to balance Iraq’s relations with the US and Iran, is seeking a second term.Polls have opened in Iraq for parliamentary elections that are marked by apathy and scepticism despite close geopolitical attention.Polling started across the country at 7am (04:00 GMT) on Tuesday, in a vote that will be closely watched in Iran and the United States.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Iraq’s elections and Muqtada al-Sadr’s endgame of powerlist 2 of 3Former US Vice President Dick Cheney dead at 84list 3 of 3Iraq resumes Kurdish oil exports to Turkiye after…

KHDA’s Girnas platform combines artificial intelligence with expert consultations to help Emirati families find ideal educational pathways for their children DUBAI – Dubai has introduced a groundbreaking educational guidance service that leverages artificial intelligence to assist parents in selecting the right schools for their children. The Girnas Educational Advisor, launched by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), offers personalized support through both digital and human channels. The innovative platform was unveiled during KHDA’s inaugural Education Expo this past weekend, where over 60 private schools and early childhood centers showcased their offerings to nearly 400 Emirati families. Comprehensive Support System Girnas…

Sberbank executive reveals expansion plans for AI Alliance Network as global south seeks greater voice in artificial intelligence governance and development MOSCOW – Russia is positioning itself as a bridge between emerging economies in the global artificial intelligence landscape, with plans to expand the BRICS AI Alliance Network to include Arab nations and shape international standards that reflect diverse global interests. In an exclusive interview, Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of Sberbank’s Executive Board, detailed Russia’s ambitious roadmap for international AI cooperation, emphasizing the strategic importance of Arab world participation in the technology’s development. Building a Global AI Coalition The BRICS…