Blog archive all
20th February 2018
A 329-page report by the UN's panel of experts on Yemen was published last week, and it makes grim reading. Yemen, as a state, has all but ceased to exist, it says.
It also notes that during the three-year conflict there have been "widespread violations of international… Read more
19th February 2018
What on earth is going on at Newsweek? An article posted on its website earlier this month wrongly claimed that James Mattis, the US defense secretary, had said there is no evidence of the Assad regime using the nerve agent sarin against its people.
The claim attributed to Mattis was demonstrably… Read more
12th February 2018
A British member of parliament was paid £15,000 (almost $21,000) for helping to organise a "Qatar opposition" conference in London, it emerged yesterday.
Daniel Kawczynski, a Conservative MP and a strong supporter of Saudi Arabia, declared the money in the register of members' interests, saying… Read more
11th February 2018
The former head of an Emirates-linked human rights organisation which went bankrupt in 2016 claims he is owed more than $200,000.
Palestinian-born Loai Deeb founded the Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD) in 2008 while also running a fake university from his home. Based in Norway,… Read more
9th February 2018
At a news conference last week US defence secretary James Mattis was asked about reports of recent chemical attacks in Syria using chlorine.
"Is this something you're seeing that's been weaponised?" a reporter asked.
"It has," Mattis replied, adding that the deadly nerve agent sarin may have been… Read more
2nd February 2018
Russia has so far kept a low profile in the Yemen conflict – in contrast to its role in Syria – but that is now changing. Over the last few months it has been stepping up political and diplomatic contacts and advertising itself as a potential mediator.
Given Russia's position in Syria, allied with… Read more
30th January 2018
The official aim of the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen is to restore the "legitimate" government of the internationally-recognised but unconstitutionally-elected President Hadi. That was always something of a fantasy and events during the last couple of months have made it even more… Read more
29th January 2018
Fighting broke out in Aden yesterday between southern separatists and forces loyal to Yemen's internationally recognised president, Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi. This was not the first time they have clashed but yesterday's outbreak was the most serious so far. At least 10 people are reported to… Read more
26th January 2018
The Saudi-owned Al Arabiya News channel has been fined £120,000 ($170,000) for "serious" breaches of Britain's broadcasting code.
Yesterday's announcement came after Ofcom, which regulates broadcasting in the UK, upheld a complaint of "unjust or unfair treatment and unwarranted infringement of… Read more
25th January 2018
Taxation has never been a prominent feature of life in the wealthy Gulf states – unlike many other countries. But that is changing. Last year Saudi Arabia introduced a "sin tax", doubling the price of tobacco products and sugary drinks. Then, earlier this month, Saudi Arabia and the UAE went a step… Read more
ARAB ART ONLINE: Susan Hefuna: Al Sabr Gamil (Patience is Beautiful) 2007. Ink stained on wood 140 x 170 cm. More information | Click to enlarge
