Israeli airstrikes on two newspapers in Yemen on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of 31 media staff, sparking widespread mourning and outcry within local communities.
In a statement, Yemen's Houthi group said that the strikes destroyed the offices of two newspapers -- 26th September and Al-Yemen -- in Tahrir Square in central Sanaa, the country's capital. The group added that the attack would not "weaken its media operations."
On Sunday morning, local media staff gathered at the sites of the destroyed offices to pay tribute to their colleagues.
"The airstrikes occurred in the evening. Israeli aircraft dropped four bombs on the building housing the 26th September Newspaper. The explosion was extremely powerful, completely leveling the building. Ours is a news organization that has no military ties. Many journalists lost their lives while doing their jobs. The surrounding residential homes were also heavily damaged, resulting in the deaths of numerous women and children," said Essam Al-Moshki, a journalist from the 26th September Newspaper.
"The enemy has repeatedly targeted the media, especially those exposing Israel's atrocities. These journalists were attacked and killed. May the souls of the deceased rest in peace," said Omar Al-Bukhaiti, a press official from Yemen's Houthi group.
Israel's airstrikes in Sanaa have caused 47 deaths across the city, with another 165 people reported injured, including women and children, according to Houthi-controlled health authorities.
Efforts to rescue survivors from the rubble are still underway.
The Israeli military said it struck military camps, the Houthis' public relations headquarters, and a fuel storage site, describing the action as "a response" to drone and missile attacks launched by the group.
The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have pledged to continue attacks on Israel in response and to press for an end to the war and blockade in Gaza.
Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's newspapers spark mourning, outcry
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
