US President Donald Trump has warned Iran against continuing its support for the Yemeni group. Reuters
US President Donald Trump has warned Iran against continuing its support for the Yemeni group. Reuters
US President Donald Trump has warned Iran against continuing its support for the Yemeni group. Reuters
US President Donald Trump has warned Iran against continuing its support for the Yemeni group. Reuters

Houthi 'barbarians' will be annihilated, Trump says


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US President Donald Trump on Wednesday described Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels as “barbarians” and said they would be “completely annihilated” by an intensified American military campaign against them.

Mr Trump also warned Iran against continuing its aid for the group.

The US military began launching strikes against the rebels on Saturday. Washington has pledged to use overwhelming force until the rebels stop firing on shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

“Iran must stop the sending of these supplies immediately. Let the Houthis fight it out themselves. Either way they lose, but this way they lose quickly,” Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “Tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians, and watch how it will get progressively worse – It’s not even a fair fight, and never will be. They will be completely annihilated.”

US President Donald Trump posted this message about the Houthis on Truth Social on March 19, 2025.
US President Donald Trump posted this message about the Houthis on Truth Social on March 19, 2025.

Mr Trump made reference to reports that Iran “has lessened its intensity on military equipment and general support” for the Houthis, although he added: “They are still sending large levels of supplies.”

This month, Mr Trump wrote a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offering to hold talks on Tehran's nuclear programme. Axios reported on Wednesday that the letter included a two-month deadline to reach a nuclear deal

The Houthis, part of Iran's “axis of resistance” against the US and Israel, have been launching attacks on Red Sea shipping since the start of the Gaza war, claiming solidarity with Palestinians.

The Houthis on Wednesday claimed to have carried out an attack on American warships in the Red Sea. It was the fourth strike they took responsibility for in three days.

On Wednesday, the US military's Central Command released video of its warplanes shooting down Houthi attack drones.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
  • Drones
  • Animals
  • Fireworks/ flares
  • Radios or power banks
  • Laser pointers
  • Glass
  • Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
  • Sharp objects
  • Political flags or banners
  • Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

What is Folia?

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.

In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love". 

There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."

You may remember …

Robbie Keane (Atletico de Kolkata) The Irish striker is, along with his former Spurs teammate Dimitar Berbatov, the headline figure in this season’s ISL, having joined defending champions ATK. His grand entrance after arrival from Major League Soccer in the US will be delayed by three games, though, due to a knee injury.

Dimitar Berbatov (Kerala Blasters) Word has it that Rene Meulensteen, the Kerala manager, plans to deploy his Bulgarian star in central midfield. The idea of Berbatov as an all-action, box-to-box midfielder, might jar with Spurs and Manchester United supporters, who more likely recall an always-languid, often-lazy striker.

Wes Brown (Kerala Blasters) Revived his playing career last season to help out at Blackburn Rovers, where he was also a coach. Since then, the 23-cap England centre back, who is now 38, has been reunited with the former Manchester United assistant coach Meulensteen, after signing for Kerala.

Andre Bikey (Jamshedpur) The Cameroonian defender is onto the 17th club of a career has taken him to Spain, Portugal, Russia, the UK, Greece, and now India. He is still only 32, so there is plenty of time to add to that tally, too. Scored goals against Liverpool and Chelsea during his time with Reading in England.

Emiliano Alfaro (Pune City) The Uruguayan striker has played for Liverpool – the Montevideo one, rather than the better-known side in England – and Lazio in Italy. He was prolific for a season at Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf League in 2012/13. He returned for one season with Fujairah, whom he left to join Pune.

Ammar 808:
Maghreb United

Sofyann Ben Youssef
Glitterbeat 

Updated: March 20, 2025, 11:20 AM`