Author: Gulf News Week

Syria’s army accelerates its campaign, securing key infrastructure and forcing Kurdish-led SDF retreat.The Syrian army has taken full control of the strategic city of Tabqa and its military airport on the Euphrates River, expanding a rapid offensive in Raqqa province, state media reported.Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa said early on Sunday that government forces had secured Tabqa and the nearby Euphrates Dam, Syria’s largest, after expelling fighters linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Syrian army takes control of east Aleppo towns as Kurdish fighters withdrawlist 2 of 3US urges de-escalation as Syrian army…

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Legal appeals by Palestinians facing largest-scale evictions in occupied East Jerusalem since 1967 were denied in the new year.Batn al-Hawa, Occupied East Jerusalem – During his last days in the only home he’s ever known, Kayed Rajabi is spending most of his time on the family’s rooftop, gazing at Al-Aqsa Mosque just a stone’s throw across the Silwan valley. “Smoke, smoke, smoke,” Rajabi says anxiously, a cigarette in his hand. “That is all we can do.”A street sweeper for Jerusalem’s municipality, Rajabi has stopped going to work, afraid his family might be thrown out of their home while he’s out.…

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The technocratic body will operate under the direction of Trump’s ‘board of peace’, stacked with pro-Israel figures.The Palestinian committee tasked with overseeing the future administration of Gaza as part of a US-backed ceasefire plan has released what it says is a “mission statement”, laying out its key priorities and goals.The general commissioner of the National Committee for Gaza Management (NGAC), Ali Shaath, said that the technocratic body would seek to restore core services and cultivate a society “rooted in peace”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Palestinian child shot dead by Israeli troops in occupied West Banklist 2 of…

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While launched as part of the Gaza ceasefire, Trump envisions the board as a ‘bold new approach to resolving global conflicts’.United States President Donald Trump has begun to invite world leaders and other prominent figures to be part of his so-called “board of peace“, reportedly outlining a wider vision for a long-term body that responds to global conflicts beyond Gaza.Trump had initially unveiled the board as part of phase two of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas to end Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, envisioning that the body would oversee “governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding,…

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CENTCOM says the strike in northwest Syria on Friday killed a man tied to the December attack that killed US troops and an interpreter.The United States says an air strike in northwestern Syria has killed an al-Qaeda-affiliated leader who had ties to an ISIL (ISIS) member involved in a deadly ambush of US forces last month.The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Saturday that an air strike a day earlier killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, who was “directly connected with the ISIS gunman who killed and injured American and Syrian personnel” in mid-December.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Trump…

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Stanley Nwabali denies Mohamed Salah, saving two penalties as Nigeria beats Egypt for third place at 2025 AFCON.Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties including the first from Mohamed Salah for Nigeria to beat Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shootout for third place at the Africa Cup Nations.Ademola Lookman scored the winning penalty in Saturday’s match.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Carrick off to perfect start as United beat City 2-0 in Manchester derbylist 2 of 4Australian Open: Djokovic targets Sincaraz to end wait for record 25th slamlist 3 of 4Yin-yang of tennis: ‘Sincaraz’ rivalry back in focus before…

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Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane announced after the semifinal that he would not appear at another AFCON for Senegal.Senegal coach Pape Thiaw says he hoped the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco would not be Sadio Mane’s last game at the tournament, insisting the former Liverpool forward could reconsider walking away from the team.“His decision is no longer up to him. There is a whole people behind him, too, and they would like to see him continue,” Thiaw told reporters in Rabat on the eve of the final against the host nation.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of…

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The board will supervise the temporary governance of Gaza, which has been under a fragile ceasefire since October.United States President Donald Trump has invited the leaders of Egypt and Turkiye to join his “board of peace” to oversee the post-war transition in Gaza, according to authorities in Ankara and Cairo.The board is expected to supervise the temporary governance of the Gaza Strip under the US president’s plan to end Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in the besieged territory.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Trump names Tony Blair, Jared Kushner to Gaza ‘Board of Peace’list 2 of 4‘Nothing has…

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Morocco carry the weight of a nation into the 2025 AFCON final as the hosts look to end a 50-year wait against Senegal.Who: Senegal vs Morocco What: Africa Cup of Nations final Where: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco When: Sunday, January 18, at 8pm (19:00 GMT) How to follow: We will have all the build-up on media Sport from 16:00 GMT, in advance of our text commentary stream.Morocco hosts Senegal in the final of the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, ending a four-week tournament that showcased the continent’s best football.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1…

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Military says it seized 34 villages and towns in the region as it keeps taking over territories from Kurdish fighters.Syria’s army says its forces have taken control of dozens of towns in the east of Aleppo governorate after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew from the areas.After driving out Kurdish forces from Aleppo city last week following deadly clashes, Syria’s army deployed reinforcements near Deir Hafer and other towns, and told the SDF to evacuate the area between the town and the Euphrates river, about 30km (18 miles) further east, amid a power struggle over the disarmament of the…

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