Author: Gulf News Week
Clashes resume after Kurdish forces reject withdrawal ultimatum; over 140,000 displaced as international mediators seek to prevent wider conflict. ALEPPO, Syria – Syrian military forces are advancing into the last Kurdish-held district of Aleppo after a government ceasefire ultimatum was rejected by Kurdish groups, security officials confirmed Friday. The breakdown in talks marks a critical escalation in Syria’s protracted conflict, pitting President Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s government against Kurdish forces who have controlled several Aleppo neighborhoods since the early stages of the civil war. A temporary ceasefire announced overnight by Damascus had demanded Kurdish fighters withdraw to northeastern Syria by 9 a.m. local…
Foreign Ministry calls for protection of diplomatic missions and reiterates commitment to peaceful dialogue amid ongoing Ukraine conflict. The United Arab Emirates has issued a strong call for the protection of diplomatic premises following damage to the Qatar embassy in Kyiv during recent shelling of the Ukrainian capital. In an official statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized “the need to protect civilian and diplomatic buildings and the headquarters of embassy staff in accordance with international norms and conventions regulating diplomatic work.” The appeal came after images showed structural damage to the Qatari diplomatic mission, struck during a reported…
Videos challenge the official account of the fatal shooting, but federal immunity and high prosecution standards create a steep path to any charges. The fatal shooting of a woman by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis has triggered a legal and public firestorm, with a central question looming: Can the agent be criminally prosecuted? An analysis of the law reveals significant barriers to any state or federal charges, despite video evidence that appears to contradict the official narrative. The Contested IncidentThe shooting occurred during a federal operation. Authorities stated the agent fired “defensive shots” because a…
Second-day decline brings 24K to Dh533.75 per gram; analysts point to dollar strength and profit-taking but see long-term support. DUBAI: Gold prices in Dubai extended losses for a second consecutive session on Thursday, presenting a potential opportunity for buyers ahead of the weekend. The decline was driven by a stronger US dollar and profit-taking in global markets, pulling the precious metal lower. Opening Rates in Dubai: Internationally, spot gold was down 0.57% to $4,427.34 per ounce at 9:15 AM UAE time. Analysts See a Strategic Pause in Strong Trend Market experts view the dip as a minor correction within a…
Syrian army announces the start of a military operation in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood of Aleppo.The Syrian army has launched new strikes on Kurdish-held areas in Aleppo after Kurdish fighters refused to withdraw under a ceasefire, as more civilians fled their homes to escape the violence in the northern Syrian city.The Operations Command of the Syrian Arab Army announced the start of a military operation in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood of Aleppo on Friday evening after a deadline for Kurdish fighters to evacuate the area, imposed as part of its temporary ceasefire, expired.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of…
Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz continues 2025 AFCON scoring streak as Morocco edge out Cameroon in quarterfinals.Brahim Diaz scored for the fifth game in a row at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as hosts Morocco defeated Cameroon 2-0 in their quarterfinal clash on Friday to keep alive their hopes of a first continental title in 50 years.Ismael Saibari was also on target in another workmanlike display in which Morocco were efficient enough but also created little in the way of chances, netting from two of their three shots on target.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4‘I didn’t set…
NewsFeedKurdish leader urges dialogue to avoid ‘real disaster in Aleppo’Kurdish political leader Ahmad Suleiman is urging dialogue between the Syrian army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic forces to avoid ‘real disaster in Aleppo’ that could spread across the country. The Syrian army says a curfew will go into effect for the SDF-stronghold Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood this evening, but a humanitarian corridor is open for civilians to flee the district until then.Published On 9 Jan 20269 Jan 2026Click here to share on social mediashare2SharefacebooktwitterwhatsappcopylinkSave
Analysts say a temporary ceasefire may bring relief, but the complex issues behind the violence must be addressed.The outbreak of clashes between the Syrian army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has highlighted the political and security challenges the country continues to face more than a year after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad.The fighting in Aleppo, which has killed at least 22 people this week, brought to the forefront fundamental tensions between Damascus and the SDF – both of which are backed by the United States.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Thousands flee Aleppo as…
Naval exercises come as tensions run high after US military intervention in Venezuela, seizures of several oil tankers.Chinese, Russian and Iranian warships have arrived in South African waters for a week of naval drills as geopolitical tensions run high over the United States’s military intervention in Venezuela and its seizures of several oil tankers.China’s defence ministry said in a statement on Friday that the exercises, set to kick off with an opening ceremony on Saturday, are “joint operations to safeguard vital shipping lanes and economic activities”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3How many countries has Trump bombed in 2025?list…
The tournaments top-performing teams meet in a mouthwatering quarterfinal at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.Who: Algeria vs Nigeria What: CAF Africa Cup of Nations Where: Marrakech Stadium in Marrakesh, Morocco When: Saturday at 5pm (16:00 GMT) How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on media Sport from 13:00 GMT in advance of our text commentary stream.A test of a formidable defence against a lethal attack will be on display when Algeria take on Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations’ (AFCON) most eagerly-awaited quarterfinal in Marrakesh on Saturday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3From Salah to Hakimi: Top-10 players…