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File photo of Nickolay Mladenov. The man expected to represent the US-backed Board of Peace in Gaza, Bulgarian politician and diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, has in recent days already held meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials.Mladenov has experience in the region, having served as the UN envoy for the Middle East peace process from early 2015 until the end of 2020.Media reports say he is expected to be the representative on the ground for the board, which is to be created as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement brokered last year by US President Donald Trump.Trump himself is set to chair the board.US media outlet Axios reported that the US president is expected to announce the board’s membership next week and that it would include around 15 world leaders.”Among the countries expected to join the board are the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye,” it reported.Shortly after meeting Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday, Mladenov held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.Yesterday, Mladenov visited the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, seat of the Palestinian Authority, to meet Palestinian vice president Hussein al-Sheikh.In a statement on X, Sheikh said that the discussion focused on “the situation in the Gaza Strip, means of transitioning to the second phase,” of the fragile ceasefire that took effect between Israel and Hamas in October, and implementing Trump’s plan.Under the 20-point programme, Gaza is to be governed by a transitional and technocratic Palestinian committee, under the oversight and supervision of the Board of Peace.During the second stage of the ceasefire, Israel is supposed to gradually withdraw from its positions in Gaza, while Hamas is supposed to lay down its weapons.An international stabilisation force is also to be deployed.The US and regional mediators are keen to move to the second phase, but progress has stalled, with each side accusing the other of violations.Gaza’s civil defence agency — which operates as as rescue force under Hamas authority — said Israeli attacks in the territory on Thursday killed at least 13 people, including five children.The Israeli military said it “precisely struck Hamas fighters” in response to a “failed projectile” launch.Writing for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in October, Mladenov said that “sustained US engagement will be essential, alongside the willingness of European and regional partners to contribute both funds and troops.”Mladenov was Bulgaria’s defence minister and then foreign minister from 2010 until 2013, before serving as the UN’s special representative for Iraq.”He does not view diplomacy as mere bargaining. He knows that setting a goal and having the will to achieve it is just as important,” said Vessela Tcherneva of the European Council on Foreign Relations who previously worked as Mladenov’s spokesperson.A senior diplomat in the region told AFP that Mladenov had channels open with a range of actors, including both Israelis and Palestinians.”What we’re really hoping for here is basically a miracle: that he finds the one thing that finally shifts the whole thing.” Source link
The US will provide $45mn in assistance to Cambodia and Thailand, the senior US diplomat for East Asia said yesterday during a visit to the region, to help solidify President Donald Trump’s peace-making efforts between the two.”The US will continue to support the Cambodian and Thai governments as they implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords and pave the way for a return to peace, prosperity, and stability for their people and the region,” Michael DeSombre, the US assistant secretary for East Asia, said in a statement.A senior state department official said DeSombre would meet senior Thai and Cambodian officials in Bangkok and Phnom Penh today to discuss implementation of the peace accords “and broader efforts to promote our shared interests in a safer, stronger and more prosperous Indo-Pacific.”DeSombre said the US, which has slashed its global foreign assistance programmes under Trump, would provide $15mn for border stabilisation to help communities recover and to support people displaced by the recent conflict, and $10mn for demining and clearing of unexploded ordnance.The US would also provide $20mn for initiatives that will help Cambodia and Thailand combat scam operations and drug trafficking, and other programmes, DeSombre said.The Trump administration has made combating the so-called scam centers based in Southeast Asia a priority, as US citizens have been targeted by their financial fraud operations.Border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand flared up again last month after the collapse of a previous ceasefire deal brokered in July by Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to end a previous round of conflict.The Southeast Asian neighbours agreed on another ceasefire at the end of last year, halting 20 days of fighting that killed at least 101 people and displaced more than half a million on both sides. The more recent clashes included fighter-jet sorties, exchanges of rocket fire and artillery barrages.Thailand is a long-time US ally, while the US has sought to improve relations with Cambodia to try to woo it away from strategic rival China. Source link
Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa met in Damascus today with President of the European Council Antonio Costa, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and their accompanying delegation to discuss ways to develop cooperation relations between Syria and the European Union. Syrian News Agency SANA reported that the two sides discussed cooperation in the reconstruction of Syria, in addition to economic partnerships, sustainable development, and humanitarian issues. The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining the unity of Syrian territories and expanding political dialogue to serve the interests of the Syrian people. Source link
A doctor by profession and a painter by passion, Dr Padmanabhan turns everyday moments and human emotions into striking oil and acrylic paintings, inviting viewers to pause, reflect and connectAt Art Factory Lusail, Fox Hills, a quiet exhibition space is currently drawing visitors into a world of unspoken emotions, fleeting moments and deeply personal reflections. The reason is ‘Soul in Strokes,’ the latest solo exhibition by Dr Sreekumar Padmanabhan, a medical professional whose paintbrush has become as powerful a tool of healing as his stethoscope.The week-long exhibition, which kicked off on January 2, features a compelling series of realistic oil and acrylic works that explore everyday life, human expressions and the subtle emotions often overlooked in modern routines.“From the name ‘Soul in Strokes,’ I wanted to capture emotions, the very essence of the soul, through my brush,” Dr Padmanabhan explains. “In our busy lives, we forget to appreciate the beauty in small moments. These paintings give those moments a space to be seen.”Each artwork is accompanied by a short narrative that describes what inspired its creation, encouraging visitors not only to observe but also to reflect. The result is an immersive viewing experience where art becomes conversation between the canvas and the viewer, and often within the viewer’s own memories.Dr Padmanabhan has spent more than 18 years in Qatar, building a medical career rooted in discipline, service and continuous learning. He arrived in Doha in 2007 after a decade of medical practice in the UAE and currently serves as a doctor in the government sector. His professional journey includes advanced qualifications such as MRCGP and specialised diplomas in Occupational Health, Diving Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine. He also conducts multiple training programmes at the Hamad International Training Centre.Yet, alongside this structured medical path runs a parallel life shaped by creativity.“I paint whenever I get free time. It is not something I have to plan; it just happens,” he says. “Painting keeps me grounded.”What makes Soul in Strokes especially distinctive is the way it mirrors Dr Padmanabhan’s multicultural life journey. His Indian roots, professional life in Qatar, interactions across the Middle East and travels abroad all quietly surface through the faces, settings and emotions portrayed in his paintings.Being self-taught, his artistic evolution has been shaped by observation, curiosity and constant experimentation.“I learn by watching people, their expressions, their silences, their stories,” he shares. “I hope people can see my growth through my paintings.”His works often focus on people, not as posed subjects, but as carriers of stories, emotions and lived realities. Viewers frequently find themselves emotionally drawn to his canvases, connecting the scenes to their own personal experiences.“Art is not just about technique,” he reflects. “It is about making people feel something.”A member of the Katara Fine Arts Society, Dr Padmanabhan has participated in nearly 60 exhibitions in Qatar, including about 15 solo shows and more than 17 group exhibitions at Katara alone. He is also a familiar face as a jury member for children’s art competitions, quietly nurturing young creative talent.Despite this extensive artistic footprint, he remains humble, introducing himself first as a doctor, and letting his paintings speak for him.For him, artistic success is not measured in sales, but in emotional connection.“When someone stands in front of a painting and sees their own story in it, that is my real reward,” he says.A cultural connectorLiving in Qatar has further shaped his belief in multicultural harmony. He speaks warmly of working alongside colleagues from across the world and of the natural closeness that grows within Qatar’s compact and diverse society.He is currently also part of the Katara group exhibition ‘From Qatar’, which brings together artists of different nationalities, reflecting the country’s cultural mosaic.At the heart of his philosophy lies the Indian principle Atithi Devo Bhava (The guest is God), a value that influences both his medical practice and his artistic interactions.“As a doctor, I always ask myself how I would like to be treated if I were the patient. That is how I treat people,” he says.While realism remains the foundation of his work, Dr Padmanabhan plans to explore simplified styles, mixed media, story-driven compositions and larger-format works in future exhibitions — signalling a new creative chapter ahead.In his world, healing does not end in the clinic. It continues — quietly and beautifully — on canvas. Source link
People try to rescue a pod of whales stranded on the shore at Farewell Spit, in Golden Bay, New Zealand. Fifteen whales restranded and six have died after a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on the coast of New Zealand’s South Island, conservation group Project Jonah said yesterday, as volunteers prepared to attempt to refloat them.On Thursday, 55 whales were stranded in two locations in Farewell Spit, a 26km sandbar at the northern tip of the South Island. Most of them were refloated.Project Jonah, in a statement on Facebook, said teams had been checking beaches across Golden Bay, where Farewell Spit is located, for other stranded whales and are working to keep the surviving animals cool and comfortable until the afternoon high tide.”These whales have restranded along the high-tide line, which adds to the complexity of the refloat,” Project Jonah said in an update.Farewell Spit has been the site of numerous whale strandings over the years. It is a remote location with no facilities and those travelling to the area are being reminded to stock up on energy snacks, food, toiletries and water. Source link
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met today with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who is visiting Beirut, to discuss ways to boost relations between the two countries. The two sides agreed to enhance and develop bilateral relations, particularly in the economic and trade sectors. They also emphasized the dangers facing the region, especially Lebanon, as a result of the aggressive policies pursued by the Israeli occupation. Source link
MES Indian School’s department of Arabic and Islamic studies recently organised a motivational session, titled “Moral and Spiritual Guidance and Its Implications” for students of classes VII to XII at the KG Hall.The session, which aims to foster ethical values and inner growth among students, was attended by some 260 participants and featured two distinguished speakers.Dr Sulaiman Melpathur, an eminent motivational speaker from India known for his impactful sessions on character-building and youth empowerment, addressed the students with compelling messages on the importance of nurturing moral values in the formative years.Melpathur’s thought-provoking speech emphasised the role of spiritual grounding in building resilience, purpose, and compassion in a fast-changing world. Joining him was Wafi Shihad, an alumnus of MES Indian School and a youth mentor, who shared his inspiring journey from being a student of the school to becoming a positive influence on the youth community.Usman Mayyeri, head of the department of Arabic and Islamic studies, co-ordinated the event. Source link
In a new report released on Friday, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) said that since the 2021 elections, authorities have enacted or amended laws that…
A Russian vessel arrives at the Simon’s Town Naval base as part of the Brics Plus countries which include China, Russia and Iran for joint naval…
The Somali army has announced the killing of 22 members of Al Shabaab militant group last night during a special forces operation in the Bur Elli area of Burhakaba district in the Bay region of southwestern Somalia. The Somali National News Agency (SONNA) quoted the Somali Ministry of Defense as saying that the operation targeted a group of Al Shabaab militants who were preparing to carry out suicide attacks and car bombings. The ministry added that the operation also resulted in the destruction of all explosives and vehicles that were intended for attacks against civilians and security targets. The Somali security forces have managed in recent months to recapture several areas in central and southern Somalia from Al Shabaab militants, against whom the country has been fighting for more than a decade. Source link