Israel launches airstrikes on Yemen’s capital Sanaa, day after bombing Doha

Published By Kamal Yalwa: September 10, 2025 Sanaa, Yemen – At least nine people have been killed and more than 100 injured after Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and the northern al-Jawf governorate on Wednesday. The attack comes just a day after Israeli forces reportedly struck Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar. Yemen’s Ministry of Health reported 118 people wounded in what it described as Israeli aggression, noting that the death toll could rise as emergency teams continue rescue operations. The airstrikes targeted several civilian and government sites, including a medical facility on al-Sitteen Street in southwest Sanaa, residential homes in the al-Tahrir neighborhood, and the local government compound in al-Hazm, the capital of al-Jawf. The Moral Guidance Headquarters was also hit, according to Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, which reported casualties and property damage. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group responded with surface-to-air missiles, claiming that some Israeli aircraft were forced to retreat before releasing their weapons. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed the attack, saying its air force targeted Houthi military positions, public relations offices, and fuel storage sites used for logistics and combat support. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the airstrikes were in response to a recent Houthi drone attack on Ramon Airport in southern Israel. Netanyahu said Israel would continue to strike back against any entity that targets it, warning that anyone who attacks Israel will be pursued. This strike is the latest in a series of Israeli attacks on Yemen. Last month, an Israeli air raid reportedly killed top Yemeni officials, including Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi. The Houthis accused Israel of attempting to pressure the group into withdrawing its support for Gaza. They reiterated that their operations would continue until a ceasefire is achieved in the Palestinian territory, where more than 64,000 people have reportedly been killed since the war began in October 2023. The Houthis have also maintained a maritime blockade on Israeli-linked ships passing through the Red Sea and have launched drone and missile attacks on Israeli territory in support of Palestinians.

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African Union Chair Condemns Israeli Strike on Qatar, Urges Restraint

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – September 10, 2025The African Union has joined the growing chorus of international condemnation following Israel’s airstrike on Qatar’s capital, Doha, which targeted a residential building reportedly housing Hamas officials. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, warned that the Israeli attack “risks endangering an already fragile situation in the Middle East.” Youssouf called for “restraint, respect for sovereignty, and the protection of civilians,” echoing longstanding AU principles on peace and conflict resolution. “Qatar has played a longstanding role in peace, mediation, and diplomacy,” he said, highlighting the Gulf nation’s role in facilitating ceasefire talks and regional dialogue. The AU chair emphasized the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts toward achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. The statement comes a day after the Qatari government denounced the strike as a “cowardly attack” and a “blatant violation of international law.” The incident marks the first known Israeli military operation on Qatari territory, raising concerns over further escalation in the broader Middle East conflict.

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Qatar condemns ‘cowardly’ Israeli attack in Doha

Qatar Condemns Israeli Strike in Doha as Cowardly Attack on Sovereignty

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned an Israeli airstrike that targeted a residential building in the capital, Doha, which was reportedly housing Hamas officials. The attack, described by Qatari authorities as a “cowardly” act, marks the first known Israeli strike on Qatari soil. In an official statement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari called the attack a “flagrant violation of international law” and warned that Qatar would not tolerate such aggression. “The State of Qatar affirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and its continued tampering with regional security,” al-Ansari said, adding that investigations are ongoing and further details will be released. Casualties Confirmed Qatar’s Interior Ministry confirmed the death of Corporal Bader Saad Mohammed Al-Humaidi Al-Dosari, a member of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), who was killed while on duty at the targeted site. Several other security personnel were reportedly injured. Israel Confirms Operation Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the strike, stating it was a “wholly independent Israeli operation” targeting top Hamas leaders. “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility,” Netanyahu said on social media. The targeted building, located in a densely populated area of Doha, is surrounded by residential units and several foreign embassies. The explosions were felt across the city. Hamas Leadership Survives Despite the strike, Hamas officials confirmed that the group’s leadership survived what they described as an “assassination attempt.” The attack reportedly took place while Hamas negotiators were meeting to discuss a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza. Suhail al-Hindi, a senior Hamas official, labeled the strike a “cowardly assassination attempt” in remarks to Al Jazeera. Qatar’s Role in Mediation Undermined Qatar has long played a key role in mediating ceasefire efforts between Israel and Hamas, often working in partnership with Egypt and the United States. The targeted Hamas office in Doha was reportedly established at the request of the U.S. to facilitate diplomatic efforts. Al Jazeera correspondent Osama Bin Javaid noted the unprecedented nature of the strike, stating, “This is not a country at war. This is a country trying to establish peace.” Wider Conflict Escalates The attack in Doha comes amid escalating regional tensions. Israel continues to conduct military operations across Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the occupied West Bank. According to rights groups, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed over 64,000 people since October 2023, prompting the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on war crimes charges. This latest strike is being viewed as a dangerous escalation, with potential implications for diplomatic mediation and regional stability.

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French Government Collapses After PM François Bayrou Loses Confidence Vote

French Government Collapses After PM François Bayrou Loses Confidence Vote

Paris, France — French Prime Minister François Bayrou has been ousted after losing a parliamentary confidence vote, deepening France’s political and economic crisis and leaving the country without a functioning government. In a dramatic vote on Monday, 364 lawmakers voted against Bayrou’s leadership—well above the 280 needed to topple the government—while 194 backed him. The vote was triggered by Bayrou himself in a last-ditch effort to push through a controversial €44 billion ($51 billion) austerity plan, which included scrapping two public holidays and freezing government spending. Bayrou, who served just nine months in office, is expected to submit his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday. He follows former Prime Minister Michel Barnier, who was also removed by a no-confidence vote in December 2024. Markets React, Fiscal Uncertainty Grows The collapse of the government has rattled financial markets. Yields on French government bonds have surged past those of Spain, Portugal, and Greece—countries once at the heart of the eurozone debt crisis. A potential downgrade of France’s credit rating, expected Friday, could further damage investor confidence. “You have the power to bring down the government, but you do not have the power to erase reality,” Bayrou warned lawmakers before the vote. “The burden of debt, already unbearable, will grow heavier and more costly.” Political Gridlock and Public Anger The political turmoil stems from President Macron’s snap election in 2024, which backfired and resulted in a fragmented parliament with no clear majority. Macron’s centrist coalition has since struggled to govern, losing ground to both far-right and far-left parties. Bayrou’s ouster has renewed pressure on Macron to either dissolve parliament or appoint a cross-party prime minister—an option fraught with political risk. Opposition parties on both extremes have already warned they would not support another centrist appointment and would likely trigger another no-confidence vote. Potential successors, including Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, are seen as unlikely to unify the fractured assembly. The Élysée Palace says Macron will name a new prime minister “in the coming days.” Protests Planned, Far Right Rising Public frustration is escalating. Demonstrators gathered Monday at a symbolic “Bayrou’s farewell party” in Clermont-Ferrand. Meanwhile, left-wing groups have called for nationwide protests on Wednesday under the slogan “Bloquons tout” (“Let’s block everything”), with major trade unions planning a national mobilization on September 18. Polls suggest another snap election would likely see the far-right National Rally emerge as the largest party, followed by the left-wing coalition. Macron’s bloc would trail in third place—further weakening his ability to govern. As France faces mounting debt, political paralysis, and widening public discontent, the path forward remains uncertain. “This is a crisis not just of leadership,” said one political analyst. “It’s a collapse of trust in the system itself.” Global Implications The timing of France’s instability comes as Europe grapples with ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Analysts warn that chaos in Paris could embolden adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. presidential hopeful Donald Trump—both known for deriding Europe’s unity and strength.

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LIVE: Israel to move forces into Gaza City; deadly West Bank raids

Israel to Launch Ground Operation in Gaza City as Airstrikes Kill Dozens; Deadly Raid Hits West Bank

Gaza City / East Jerusalem – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israeli ground forces will soon enter Gaza City, following a series of heavy airstrikes that killed at least 52 people across the Gaza Strip on Monday, including 32 in Gaza City alone. In the early hours of the day, Israeli warplanes targeted residential areas, including the destruction of a high-rise building in Gaza City. Images from the scene showed widespread devastation as emergency workers searched through rubble for survivors. Netanyahu, in a televised statement, warned civilians in Gaza City to evacuate immediately, stating that military operations would intensify in the coming hours. “Anyone who stays behind is risking their life,” he said. The escalation comes amid continued fighting in the occupied West Bank. In occupied East Jerusalem, six people were killed and several others wounded in a shooting attack that Israeli authorities have blamed on two Palestinians from the West Bank. The assailants were reportedly shot dead by Israeli police at the scene. Meanwhile, Palestinian officials and rights groups have condemned what they call a systematic campaign of displacement, pointing to Israeli military operations and settlement expansion across Palestinian territories. Mustafa Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian politician and activist, said ongoing raids and settler activity are “eliminating any chance for a Palestinian state,” further eroding hopes for a two-state solution. The Israeli military has intensified operations in both Gaza and the West Bank in recent weeks, citing security threats. However, the death toll continues to rise, drawing concern from international observers and humanitarian groups about the scale of civilian casualties and displacement.

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Israel bombs more Gaza City high-rises after forced evacuation orders

Israel Levels More High-Rises in Gaza City Amid Forced Evacuations and Rising Civilian Death Toll

GAZA CITY – September 6, 2025Israeli forces continued their bombardment of Gaza City on Saturday, targeting and demolishing high-rise buildings following mass evacuation orders issued to residents. The latest strike flattened the 15-storey Soussi Tower in the Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood, just opposite a UNRWA facility. The Israeli military released a map marking more high-rises for destruction, claiming—without presenting evidence—that Hamas operatives used the targeted structures for intelligence gathering and tunnel operations. Gaza’s Government Media Office rejected the claims as “systematic deception” aimed at justifying the destruction of civilian infrastructure and displacing Palestinians. Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Gaza, Hani Mahmoud, reported rising panic among residents, many of whom were given as little as 30 minutes to evacuate their homes before the strikes. Civilian Deaths Mount as Urban Destruction Escalates According to medical sources, at least 67 people have been killed since Saturday morning, 45 of them in Gaza City alone. The Ministry of Health also confirmed that six more Palestinians, including children, died from starvation in the past 24 hours, raising the famine death toll to 382, amid Israel’s continued blockade and siege. UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram described the situation as “an enormous threat” to nearly one million people in Gaza City, noting that half of the population are children. “Life is becoming almost impossible for them,” Ingram told Al Jazeera. Save the Children reported a devastating statistic: at least one child has been killed every hour on average since the war began nearly two years ago, calling it a “horrific new low.” Since the start of Israel’s military campaign in October 2023, over 64,368 Palestinians have been killed, and 162,367 wounded, according to Gaza health authorities. So-Called ‘Safe Zones’ Also Targeted Despite designating parts of southern Gaza—such as the coastal al-Mawasi area—as “humanitarian zones,” Israeli forces have continued to strike those regions. On Saturday, two people were killed in an Israeli air strike on a tent sheltering displaced families in al-Mawasi near Khan Younis. Gaza’s Ministry of Interior has warned residents not to trust Israeli-declared safe zones, calling them a pretext for forced displacement and noting repeated attacks on designated humanitarian areas. “We are walking not only on ruins but also on dead bodies of our loved ones,” said Aqeel Kishko, a Gaza City resident returning to the devastated Zeitoun neighbourhood. Others echoed the sentiment of total loss. “What we built in 50 years was flattened in five days,” Kishko added.“There is nothing to return to,” said resident Nohaa Tafish.“It’s as if the entire Zeitoun neighbourhood was hit with a nuclear bomb,” said Ahmed Rihem. International Condemnation Grows Amid mounting global criticism, UNRWA spokesperson Tamara Alrifai described the current Israeli offensive as “an incessant campaign to raze entire neighbourhoods” and wipe out entire families. Despite calls for a ceasefire, Israel appears determined to seize full control of Gaza City, raising fears of further mass casualties and irreversible destruction of Palestine’s largest urban centre.

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Why doesn’t Google Maps work in one of Asia’s most developed, tourist-friendly countries?

Why Google Maps Doesn’t Work Properly in Asia And South Korea

Despite being a global tech hub, South Korea restricts Google Maps from offering full navigation services like driving or walking directions. This forces visitors to rely on local apps such as Naver Map and Kakao Map. The core issue is that Google cannot access South Korea’s detailed 1:5,000 scale map data, which is necessary for turn-by-turn navigation. Google has been requesting access since 2016, but the South Korean government has consistently denied these requests. The official reason given is national security. Authorities argue that exporting detailed map data to foreign servers could reveal sensitive military and government sites, a concern heightened by the country’s proximity to North Korea. However, critics say these risks are exaggerated, especially since the same data is already used by domestic apps and satellite imagery is widely available from third-party providers. Beyond security, broader issues are at play. South Korea is keen on maintaining digital sovereignty and supporting its domestic tech industry. Companies like Kakao and Naver have raised concerns that Google’s entry could dominate the market and threaten local businesses. Moreover, there’s little domestic pressure to approve Google’s request, as most South Koreans already rely on local apps, and the change would primarily benefit foreign tourists. For tourists, this limitation can be frustrating. Language barriers and inconsistent English translations in Korean apps make them harder to use. Real-time walking directions and easy-to-search locations, standard in Google Maps elsewhere, are often unavailable. A South Korean government council is expected to decide on Google’s latest request by October 2025. Most analysts expect another rejection unless Google offers significant security concessions or the South Korean government sees strategic value in approving it, especially amid ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. This situation reflects a broader debate about data ownership, national interest, and the influence of global tech giants. As more countries assert control over their digital infrastructure, similar cases may emerge elsewhere in the world.

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Massive Immigration Raid at Hyundai Metaplant in Georgia Results in 475 Arrests — Most Are Korean Nationals

Massive Immigration Raid at Hyundai Metaplant in Georgia Results in 475 Arrests — Most Are Korean Nationals

In the largest immigration enforcement action of the current Trump administration, federal agents raided the Hyundai Metaplant in Bryan County, Georgia, arresting 475 people suspected of being in the U.S. unlawfully. The majority are Korean nationals, according to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), although an exact nationality breakdown has not been released. The joint operation, involving HSI, ICE, FBI, DEA, ATF, and Georgia State Patrol, was the result of a months-long criminal investigation into labor violations and immigration fraud at the construction site for Hyundai’s electric vehicle (EV) battery plant — a $5.5 billion joint venture with LG. Authorities said some individuals arrested had overstayed visas, entered the country illegally, or were working in violation of visa terms. During the raid, several tried to flee — with some jumping into a sewage pond in an attempt to escape. All were detained, with no immediate charges filed. Most of those arrested are believed to be contractors or subcontractors, not direct Hyundai employees. A Hyundai spokesperson said none of those detained were directly employed by the company and that they are “closely monitoring the situation.” Construction at the plant has been halted. LG, the joint venture partner, has not clarified how many workers were contractors or direct hires, but said it is cooperating with authorities. This facility, which spans 2,900 acres and was expected to create 8,500 jobs, has been a signature economic development for Georgia. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who has championed the project, said in a statement that Georgia “will always enforce the law, including all state and federal immigration laws.” In Seoul, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern, stating that “many of our nationals were detained” and urging U.S. authorities to ensure their “rights and interests are not unduly violated.” Meanwhile, in a separate operation in New York, ICE raided a family-owned nutrition bar manufacturing plant in Cato, detaining dozens of workers — estimated at over 60 people — despite the company’s claims that all workers had proper documentation. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul condemned the raid as “outrageous” and harmful to families. These coordinated raids come as part of a broader immigration crackdown and signal a ramp-up of worksite enforcement under President Trump’s second term, with local governments and foreign allies reacting strongly to the scale and execution of these operations.

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