If you have questions regarding your subscription of European Security & Defence contact our subscriber service: Yemen - Just when Mohammed al-Qalisi thought his university was liberated from armed control After months of angry student protests at Sana’a University al-Qalisi on Thursday said the Houthi rebels handed control to Yemeni security forces the militias were once again seen walking on campus despite the presence of the security forces they just returned wearing army uniforms," said al-Qalisi who is studying radio and television broadcasting armed Houthi fighters stormed the grounds of the Lebanese International University (LIU) and demanded that a new electricity line be opened outside the campus who studies international business administration said the campus resembled a battlefield: gunshots were fired and women scrambled into classrooms looking for refuge "This is very bad from Ansar Allah [the Houthis] Their actions discourage young people from wanting to study," al-Yabari said For many professors and students at Sana'a University this was not the first time they saw armed vehicles on campus controlled the university until it was evacuated in December 2012 "There has been a significant rise in the use of firearms on campus after the Shia rebels took over Sana’a in September," said F.B. head of the English department at Sana’a University who spoke under a pseudonym for security reasons since the Houthi rebels are a part of the government "Universities are sanctuaries for learning is this their idea of a revolution?" asked Ghaleb Hizam now working as an Arabic professor at the University of Science and Technology On 17 December, Houthi fighters stormed several government buildings in Sana'a The Houthis - an opposition group whose stronghold is in Yemen's north - first overran Sana'a in September and have since tightened control over the capital The fighters said they were following orders from their leader "to end corruption in all state institutions" a spokesperson for the Houthi political office said that universities are no places for weapons and that the Houthis should withdraw that "the Houthis are responsible for security in Sana’a" it might be a target for extremists," he said The Iran ambassador’s residence in the capital came under a heavy attack by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) a few weeks ago the group also targeted the Ministry of Defence and the military hospital "What will stop them from the university?" al-Bokhaiti asked According to the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment Yemen is the second most heavily armed society in the world after the United States Current estimates suggest that Yemen's 22 million citizens possess approximately 11 million civilian firearms Yemen has no laws covering the possession of weapons on campus Some days I don’t attend class because of the war and uncertain political environment," said Shami Abdulaziz an English translation student who explained that she takes alternative routes to avoid coming across the Houthis said she is unfettered by the presence of armed men on campus and doesn’t let it interfere with her studies Another student pointed to a few women who identify themselves as Houthi supporters and who "They are not kind and friendly," al-Zubri said because you never know what they will do next." Al-Zubri said she is weary of the fighting and killing But not all young women are able to relocate like al-Zubri It’s not permitted in our culture," said Imtiaz Hussein Despite the fears brought on by the weapons on campus and in the streets the women said they are determined to see a brighter future I don’t think that will happen," Hussein said a professor of Indian origin who has taught literature and poetry at Sana'a University for more than a decade said he would not comment directly on the presence of arms on campus for security reasons He added: "Yemen today is going through an important political transition and there are obstacles." recounted a violent incident that took place in the language department a week ago when his glasses were broken due to an altercation between two student groups Salem said that the dean of the college washed his hands of the incident when the president of the student’s union informed him what had transpired "We asked for a committee to monitor who enters the building "When people have guns they think they can protect themselves But who are they defending themselves against?" He added that students aren’t the only ones who are suffering "Faculties don’t feel safe - I have personally known of some students sitting in my class with weapons," he said adding that the situation may improve now that the university is pursuing talks with the Ministry of Higher Education to ban weapons from university grounds ‘We believe [that the] Houthis are with the government now but again I’m not sure how much will change," he said Copyright © 2014 - 2025. Middle East Eye Only England and Wales jurisdiction apply in all legal matters Middle East Eye ISSN 2634-2456 but any shyness is certainly not patent to his music he confidently sketches the scenes of his childhood and teenage years via memories of his life experiences And despite our culture of fast distraction which seems hell-bent on crushing authenticity beneath its endless scrolling Photogrpahy: Sami ZubriHat: Lincoln Gong / Sunglasses: Gee Shades / Jewellery: Artist’s own His latest EP, ‘Alpha Place’ feels like a chronicling of such events in his life illuminating the chaos of the environment he was raised in – said environment being Alpha House and the greater northwest London region “I feel I have a duty to represent where I’m from And that’s something that I step into wholeheartedly because me speaking for them is also me speaking for myself and the person I once was – because I was once in their position just in a slightly more privileged situation It’s very important for me that I am still relatable to the people that I become a voice for.” ‘Alpha Place’ is Knucks reintroduction to the world “..showing people the integral parts that make me And that’s something that I step into wholeheartedly because me speaking for them is also me speaking for myself and the person I once was – because I was once in their position.” Photography: Sami ZubriJacket: ALIVEANDMORE / Trousers: Levi’s / Shoes: Licong Gong Storytelling is a seamless part of Knucks’ musicality: From his appreciation of Nas’ Illmatic via his rendition ‘Killmatic’; Quentin Tarantino references; a small detail taken from a South Korean drama series in the album ‘London Class’; even down to the way in which he structures his flows I was the kid that would tell a story and then twist the ending with ‘and then it was all a dream’.” Even as he got older he went on to study creative writing throughout his school years and even A-Levels “So I learnt from a young age how to evoke certain emotions from people through storytelling.” This love for creating a puzzle for listeners to piece together is at the core of his lyricism. I was doing creative writing… I was the kid that would tell a story and then twist the ending with ‘and then Photography: Sami Zubri Hat: Acne Studios / T-shirt: Shift Zero Offical “Naturally I’m an introvert” Knucks admits At 27-years-old he finds his peace at home, somewhere he can fuel his imagination and deep dive into the details of anything which might have caught his eye And despite the influx of new buildings and the shifting communities of northwest London That’s all I knew.” This is an environment which once shaped him and informs his walks of life today “… And that’s not just South Kilburn; that’s Cricklewood Stonebridge… I feel like that’s partly because of where I went to school which is very central to northwest London so everyone from that area gravitated towards it.” Not only was his surroundings particularly influential on his lyricism Talking about the sounds that he was raised on he feels that listening to genres like Igbo music imprinted a relentless rhythm on him instilling a sense of subconscious learning “[Alpha Place EP] It’s like my origin story I’m talking about things on here that I’ve never rapped about before I got emotional… This is the stuff that made me who I am today and the person I am going to be.” Photography: Sami ZubriHat: Acne Studios / T-shirt: Shift Zero Offical Three years on from the release of this project the northwest Londoner has curated for himself a place amongst the stars. Photography: Sami Zubri Hat: Acne Studios / T-shirt: Shift Zero Offical Such stardom was asserted recently when Kenny Beats, no less, name-dropped Knucks as a UK artist to watch during his interview with the iconic Pharrel and Famlay on their Othertone podcast “I was thinking about this thing recently … Some of the things I’ve been doing of late – the people I’ve met and some of the names I have in my phone – I couldn’t have imagined it I don’t want it to make me big-headed [laughs].” This self-awareness is expressed through a host of idiosyncrasies that Knucks displays through his sage demeanour “I can’t allow something to change who I am as a person I always said that if I have to compromise anything that affects my character or music the fact that I get to maintain my true self and character within my music Photography: Sami Zubri Hat: Licong Gong Quiboloy sought to appear in probes related to sex offences Manila: Two legislative subpoenas are out now on FBI-wanted Filipino pastor Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Philippines-based sect, called the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. The Senate subpoena issued on Quiboloy on Monday refers to alleged abuses and sexual offenses. The other subpoena, issued by the House of Representatives, refers to an abuse-of-franchise investigation against SMNI network, a free-to-air media company allegedly run by the powerful pastor, a known ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte. “Pastor Quiboloy's refusal to appear amounts to disrespect for the entire institution of the Senate. This is not religious persecution. This is an investigation into the misuse of beliefs, faith, or religion to abuse and take advantage of fellow individuals,” Senator Riza Hontiveros stated in Filipino in a post on X. The office of Sen. Risa Hontiveros confirmed to reporters on Monday that Senate President Juan Miguel Zubri had signed the subpoena against Quiboloy. “Yes, the subpoena order against Apollo Quiboloy is out. No matter how loud the noise of politics is, the voice of justice remains the loudest,” Hontiveros said, speaking partly in Filipino, in her opening statement during her panel hearing on the alleged crimes of Quiboloy. “As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, I will not allow the courage and strength gathered by the victim-survivors to be sidelined just to prioritise political squabbles,” she added. Quiboloy is wanted by the FBI for involvement in sex trafficking of young girls. The US embassy in Manila stated that the Filipino pastor is sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Act for human rights violations. "Among other effects, all property and interests in property for Quiboloy in the US are blocked, and US persons and entities are blocked from engaging in transactions with Quiboloy." Meanwhile, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting had also authorised a subpoena against Quiboloy, compelling his attendance at a House panel hearing. The subpoena, signed on February 13, follows Quiboloy's repeated absences from committee hearings regarding SMNI-related bills and resolutions, prompting Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel to request the subpoena. Documents from Romualdez' office display signatures from Romualdez and Tambunting, requesting Quiboloy's presence at the upcoming hearing concerning Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) on March 12 at 1:00 pm. Failure to appear would result in the committee holding Quiboloy in contempt. Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox Philippines: Quarterly drug tests for drivers ordered Marcos siblings at loggerheads: What you need to know Stunning UAE beach earns spot in world's top 50 list 4-year-old among two dead in Manila airport car crash Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. BURSASGXHome The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race 2015By This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily Taking part in the mixed category is Microlink Solutions Bhd CEO Chia Yong Wei who says there is always some pressure when representing a company or group of people Hew Wen Li says training for the race gives her a sense of achievement “I go to gym four to five times a week to increase my stamina in preparation for the race Joining the race allows me to experience participation and most importantly it keeps me healthy,” she says She would like to see more youngsters become aware of charitable causes in the country Associate analyst Lee Kar Sheng says he is excited about getting to know his colleagues better beyond the office and work space I also wish to see people getting involved in charitable work,” he says A new way of experiencing Kuala Lumpur for MKH runners MKH Bhd will be fielding a mix of experienced and fresh runners this year Last year’s race allowed runners to “experience” Kuala Lumpur in a new way according to deputy director Datuk Kenneth Chen who has been doing cardio exercises to prepare for the event remembers that he had to endure the heat and humidity in the city centre Chen and Keng say the company is doing its part in promoting a caring society and helping the underprivileged Keng sees the race as a great event to meet new people while participating in a healthy activity Aberdeen Asset Management Sdn Bhd has decided that after seven years of taking part in the Rat Race After coming in last in the past seven years CEO Gerald Ambrose is determined to change the results next month “I have put up a poster above my PC that says: ‘Failure is not an option He adds that Aberdeen is no stranger to charitable work children and orphans living with HIV/AIDS at charitable foundation and halfway house Rumah Solehah “I’m not sure if they want us to do it again!” Aberdeen’s team — comprising Jeremy Michael Greenhall Evan Cheah Khiang Hin and Nadjlaa Zubri — is taking its preparation to a whole new level by not only going for group training sessions but also undergoing intensive psychological sessions to raise their confidence The team has been rigorously following Lance Armstrong’s macrobiotic diet before the race in the past three years all Aberdeen staff have to be able to run a mile in four minutes spar with Manny Pacquiao and climb Petronas Tower One before they are shortlisted,” quips a team member “The Rat Race ensures that we remain superb physical specimens,” he adds June 21: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who ushered in the digital economy era for Sarawak was introduced to the first 5G smart pole named ELAB 01 It was a defining milestone as ELAB 01 is the result of research and development by the telecommunication division of Austral Techsmith Sdn Bhd a Sarawak SME in the Malaysian technology scene Chief executive officer Azfar Zubri explained the locally innovated ELAB 01 is more than ready to facilitate and join the 5G rollout in Sarawak “YAB Premier shared with me that Sarawak’s 5G rollout is happening soon and I think Austral Techsmith would be proud to erect ELAB 01 on home soil “We are small and one of the newest players on the scene but we are passionate and determined to catch up and rise fast with good R&D (research and development) and bringing good to the least empowered in our community “I am confident 5G will be a great enabler for Sarawak to catch up from the longhouses to the cities,” he said in a statement 72 ELAB 01 smart poles have been erected as part of Peninsular Malaysia’s 5G rollout The Premier was visiting Austral Techsmith’s technology display booth at the 5th International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2022 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today JOIN NOW