News

Yemen’s Houthis say arrested UN staff will be tried over Israeli links

According to officials, Yemen’s Houthi-dominated government will bring charges against dozens of UN employees who have been detained for spying on Israel or having ties to an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the death of the prime minister.

Yemen’s acting foreign minister, Abdulwahid Abu Ras, claimed a cell within the UN’s World Food Programme was directly attempting to attack the government.

Recommended Stories

list of 3 itemsend of list

In the first such attack to result in the death of senior officials, an Israeli bombing in the capital Sanaa in August killed the Houthi prime minister and nine other ministers.

A total of 36 UN employees were detained on Friday, according to the UN, which has repeatedly refuted Houthi accusations. The organization is reportedly holding at least 59 UN personnel.

According to Abu Ras, security organizations were “agissant under full judicial supervision” and public prosecutors were “being kept informed step-by-step.” He claimed that the procedure would “produce trials and the issuance of judicial rulings.”

Senior Houthi official Nasruddin Amer also confirmed to the dpa news agency on Friday that the UN workers who had been detained would be tried on suspicion of spying for Israel.

According to Amer, “the judiciary will determine the penalty for those accused of spying for Israel in accordance with Yemeni law.” We did not pass this law, they said. Previous governments have used and used it in the nation as a law.

According to Yemeni law, the UN defendants are Yemenis and face the death penalty.

Trial is “not against the organizations.”

According to Farhan Haq, a deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary general, hundreds of UN personnel, including a small number of international staff, are still stationed in parts of Yemen.

On Sunday, Houthi security forces eluded Sanaa’s various UN offices. According to the UN, Yemen’s humanitarian assistance program is being conducted in increasingly challenging circumstances.

The trial is not against the organizations, but against those who carried out espionage against our country and our people, Amer told dpa.

Abu Ras asserted that the Houthis are “assist organizations committed to the principles of humanitarian work, facilitating their activities and work,” and that they are supporting humanitarian efforts.

The World Food Programme did not respond right away.

The Houthis claim to be acting in solidarity with Palestinians who are being attacked in Gaza since Israel launched its war against it in October 2023, and they have launched drone and missile attacks against Israel.

Israel has frequently struck the war-torn nation, killing dozens of people at once, while also destroying civilian infrastructure, including residential structures and the country’s main international airport.

Sinner beats Shelton to reach Paris semi-finals

Images courtesy of Getty

With the victory over Ben Shelton at the Paris Masters, Jannik Sinner made a significant improvement in his position as the world’s number one.

The shock defeat of Carlos Alcaraz to Cameron Norrie in the second-round ensures that the Italian will win the ATP Masters 1, 000 competition in Paris.

With a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Shelton, Sinner’s seventh straight victory over the American, made it to the semi-finals of Paris.

The 24-year-old told Sky Sports, “I’m very happy. It was a “very, very difficult match.”

In the middle of the second set, Sinner dropped his serve before quickly regaining control to win over Shelton, 23 minutes.

“I’m not thinking about the ranking right now,” added the Wimbledon and Australian Open champion. It results from my playing.

Making the semis in Paris means a lot, he says. I never take these results for granted because it has been a very long season with some excellent, excellent results.

In the final four, Sinner will face Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Zverev.

After defeating sixth seed Alex de Minaur of Australia 6-7, 7, and 6 for the first time, Alexander Bublik will make it to the semi-finals of the Masters. This caused uproar for Kazakhstan’s number one.

related subjects

  • Tennis
    • a day ago
    Cameron Norrie hits a backhand
    • five hours ago
    Aryna Sabalenka

More on this story.

  • Some tennis balls
    • August 16
    BBC Sport microphone and phone

Tunisia sentences lawyer and Saied critic to five years in prison

Ahmed Souab, a lawyer and fervent critic of President Kais Saeed, was sentenced by a Tunisian court to five years in prison, according to his lawyer, according to his lawyer. The case, according to rights groups, shows a furthering crackdown on dissent in the North African nation.

After being detained in April, Yosr Hamid, a defense lawyer, received a second three-year sentence of “administrative supervision” after receiving criticism of the legal system in a trial of prominent figures, including opposition leaders.

Recommended Stories

list of 3 itemsend of list

Hamid expressed concerns that Souab’s trial on “anti-terror” charges would set a troubling legal precedent.

In Tunisia, hundreds of opposition figures, lawyers, journalists, trade unionists, and humanitarian workers are facing charges for “conspiracy” or “fake news” being violated by authorities.

Rights activists have criticized the legislation, Decree Law 54, because some courts have criticized its broad interpretation.

Souab, 68, allegedly declined to testify via videolink in court on Friday, according to Hamid. Under the circumstances, his legal team refused to enter a plea.

Souab is charged with a dozen counts related to the false information presidential decree.

Before the judge retired to deliberate, Hamid told the AFP news agency on Friday. “The hearing lasted only seven minutes.”

He claimed that the trial’s outcome was “a precedent” and that there were “lack of fundamental grounds for a fair trial.”

The defendant’s brother, Mongi Souab, criticized the trial’s briefness, claiming that authorities “prevented family members from entering” the court.

A “dangerous escalation”

After criticizing the trial process for about 40 prominent people, including opposition figures, in a case involving “conspiracy against state security,” Souab was detained in April.

In that case, figures from what was once the largest party, Ennahdha, including Said Ferjani, a member of the political executive, and former prime minister Hichem Mechichi, former leader and former leader of the party, Noureddine Bhiri, as well as former members of the party’s leadership.

One of the principal defense attorneys was Souab.

After a trial that involved just three hearings, Souab claimed that the trial’s organizers had “put a knife to the judge’s throat” by refusing to provide closing arguments or defense arguments.

The comment was interpreted as a threat to judges by an anti-terrorist court, and Souab was taken into custody for it, according to his attorneys, who claimed it was a reference to the intense political pressure judges are subject to.

In the “conspiracy” mega-trial, defendants received hefty prison sentences of up to 74 years. On November 17, the appeal relating to that trial is scheduled to occur.

Siling opposing voices

On Friday, several dozen people chanted that the nation was “under repression and tyranny” and held demonstrations outside the court.

Since Said’s retake of power in 2021, which critics have characterized as a coup, a number of Tunisian and international NGOs have decried a rollback of rights and freedoms.

In a broadening crackdown, Tunisian authorities on Friday ordered the suspension of the Nawaat journalists’ group, which runs one of the nation’s top independent investigative media outlets.

Following similar actions against well-known civil society organizations, including the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights and the Association of Democratic Women, which are both renowned for defending civil liberties, the one-month suspension comes.

Legal advocates claimed that the real goal was to silence opposing voices, despite the fact that authorities cited financial audits relating to foreign funding as justification.

The suspension was described as “a dangerous escalation in efforts to silence independent journalism under an administrative guise,” according to the National Union of Tunisian Journalists.

Before and after the revolution, Nawaat conducted investigations into corruption and human rights violations. It stated in a statement that it would not be “intimidated by the current political climate or defamation campaigns.”

Lioness star Mary Earps reveals girlfriend as she speaks out on sexuality for first time

https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article36172218.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_The-2024-Pride-of-Britain-Awards.jpg

After keeping her romantic life a secret for years, football legend Mary Earps MBE has revealed her sexuality for the first time.

England footballer Mary Earps MBE has opened up on her relationship for the first time after opting to keep her love life private. The Lionesses star revealed she is loved up with girlfriend Kitty as she spoke of her same-sex relationship for the first time.

She detailed her romance in her forthcoming autobiography, All In, which will be published on 6 November. In the book, the England goalkeeper opened up about her personal life and decision to share her story publicly after years of keeping it private.

Mary acknowledged that she hoped her sincerity would inspire others to live authentically and that she longed to be open about who she was. The sports star revealed she had received a lot of support after telling her friends and teammates about her decision.

READ MORE: Mary Earps ‘postpones Wembley farewell’ after dramatic retirement before Euros triumphREAD MORE: Mary Earps set to reveal things ‘she’s never talked about publicly before’ in new memoir

Lionesses teammates Ella Toone and Alessia Russo have particularly helped Mary. LGBTQ+ charities and organisations have also praised her announcement.

British LGBT Awards’ Sarah Garrett MBE has called Mary “a hero and inspirational role model to young women and girls all over the world “.

The Nottingham-born footballer stated in a statement that it would have felt unauthentic to not include something so significant to me in this book. “I’ve always tried to keep my personal life separate from my professional one. I’m a truly content relationship.

“The people closest to me have always known, and I feel ready and happy to share that with everyone else now.” Goalkeeper Mary currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain, having previously starred for Manchester United.

She was a member of the legendary Lionesses squad that won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 and received an MBE earlier this year for her contributions to the sport.

Her book, All In, is a sincere and potent account of her journey, from the heights of international success to her own struggles with mental illness and overcoming her identity both on and off the pitch.

Mary said, “This book is me, unfiltered, before the book’s release. Anyone who has ever been told they’re not enough will find this to be inspirational and unapologetically themselves.

The Lionesses legend has invested a lot of her heart into the book, which follows readers from their humble beginnings to their place as one of the world’s most admired goalkeepers.

Continue reading the article.

All In chronicles the triumphs, the apologies, and heroics that made Mary a national treasure, as well as revealing intimate encounters she has never discussed.

All In has already been praised by early readers as “brilliant” and “inspirational,” with many anticipating that it will be a must-read for young fans aiming to emulate the success of the Lionesses.

READ MORE: Vet warning to pet owners to do one thing this winter to avoid ‘dangerous’ risk

Fans, Fosun and future – what next for struggling Wolves?

Images courtesy of Getty
  • 12 Comments

Fosun may be celebrating his tenth year in charge of Wolves in the Championship.

Bottom of the Premier League, nine wins short of winning in their first nine games and six points clear of safety.

Since losing six games in the top flight, they travel to Fulham on Saturday, when three desperately needed points would equal the 10-game start without success last season.

Fans sang “sacked in the morning” during Sunday’s home defeat against Burnley, the first time the former Porto manager had turned on him since he led them to safety last season, just 39 days after Pereira signed a new three-year contract.

Owners Fosun and executive chairman Jeff Shi are their main targets, but he is not one of them, and he urged them to stay together as they fought over a heated topic with supporters in the South Bank.

Ironically Wolves are in the “happy” basket along with other businesses like pram manufacturer Silver Cross and fashion brand Tom Taylor, which is split into health, wealth, and happiness.

Wolves are only a small portion of the larger picture, with their pharmaceutical companies producing cancer medications and the majority of their assets located outside of China.

Do Fosun’s plans and plans include selling?

Wolves remain the only English club still under Chinese ownership, and Fosun do not want to relinquish control.

Selling the club is not something the business are actively thinking about, even if they enter the Championship for the first time since 2018.

It is understood that selling a Championship asset would naturally result in a decline in value and that relegation would not have an impact on Fosun’s commitment and the level of backing would remain the same.

Any ideas they might have about the club would receive swift rebukes.

Since taking over, Fosun has reportedly lost between £250 million and £300 million in transfers and running costs. The club is expected to be valued at around £500 million.

John Textor, who previously offered to invest in Wolves’ executive chairman Shi, is interested in this.

The former co-owner of Crystal Palace, the American businessman, has the opportunity to return, and Wolves is open to further discussions, but Molineux is skeptical that it will lead to anything more concrete.

Sources suggest Textor’s initial offer was unfavorable, and he must now have the ball in his hands if he wants to return to the table.

The ownership of Wolves seeking investment is not new; in 2019 Fosun plans to sell a 20% stake worth between £50 million and £100 million.

Since then, minority stakes have fluctuated.

JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.

Fans have been vocal and obvious about Shi and the ownership, and those in charge are aware that it is nearly impossible to change their opinion once it has changed.

Before Wolves came back from 2-0 down to equalize with a last-minute winner against Burnley, supporters broke during the first half.

One of the chants read, “You’ve sold the team, now sell the club,” and Shi received more resentment.

It would be wrong for Fosun to ignore pure fan pressure, but they would also be wrong not to listen.

The owners have looked to cut spending in recent years after purchasing Wolves for £45 million in 2016 and making a commitment to invest between £20 million and £30 million in the first two years of ownership.

Shi claimed six years ago that it was crucial not to be completely dependent on Fosun, but they never completely raised the financial drawbridge.

Given that there have been numerous successful spending sprees, it was wise to reduce the spending and wage bill.

Matheus Nunes left Sporting for £38 million, despite being flattered before making a £53 million move to Manchester City two years ago, while Matheus Cunha’s £43 million move from Atletico Madrid is still a club record.

However, the highest summer signings for versatile midfielder Ladislav Krecji and Jorgen Strand Larsen’s £23 million move from Celta Vigo and the £26 million commitment to his versatility were made in a more conservative transfer plan.

Nelson Semedo, Raul Jimenez, and Joao Moutinho all received salaries of over £100,000 per week, while Pablo Sarabia, who was one of the club’s highest earners, joined Julen Lopetegui in 2023 as one of their highest earners but was unable to maintain a regular place before he left in June, saw the club burn.

Fosun wants a sustainable model, and Wolves have previously overpaid. The hard work is then finding better players for better prices after there is a direct correlation between wage budget and league position.

After a lavish investment, they will spend again in January, though not significantly, and the squad’s evolution is viewed as a new cycle.

Domenico Teti, a former employee of Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia, took over as sporting director in the summer of 2016.

What is Pereira’s position like?

Vitor Pereira Images courtesy of Getty

Pereira’s dismissal is a major reluctance.

Wolves are looking for consistency after losing to Lopetegui in his 2022 arrival after four managers in the previous four years, five if you add Steve Davis’ eight-game interim tenure.

Although the struggles cannot continue indefinitely, Pereira maintains the board’s and players’ faith ahead of the trip to Craven Cottage.

Wolves are not ready to fire Pereira despite having an ulterior motive and holding onto O’Neil for too long, which has been accepted.

The 57-year-old won their best top-flight run since 1970, winning six games straight between March and April, and will have more time to resurrect their fortunes.

He expressed disappointment that players who had lost valuable Premier League experience with Rayan Ait-Nouri, Semedo, and Cunha’s departures, which also resulted in a 15-goal squad gap, arrived late in the window.

With the addition of more homegrown players, Wolves will have to choose a new direction because none of the five new senior signings had prior league experience.

Pereira has made an effort to understand the city and its fans, drinking with them after winning last year and coining the adage, “first the points, then the pints,” and misses the friendship he shared last year.

However, only victories can bring about reconciliation.

He said, “Of course,” about missing the pub trips on Friday. I enjoy going to the pub to drink my beer when I’m happy. I stay at home and look for solutions if I’m unhappy.

My goal is to find solutions every day to ensure that my team, my players, and the club’s members are doing the same.

related subjects

  • Premier League
  • Football
  • Wolverhampton Wanderers