Author: Gulf News Week
Truce covers key neighborhoods after days of fighting leaves at least 21 dead, amid stalled integration talks and rising regional tensions. DAMASCUS — The Syrian Defense Ministry announced a unilateral ceasefire in several districts of Aleppo on Friday, following intense clashes with Kurdish-led forces that resulted in at least 21 fatalities this week. The ceasefire, effective from 3:00 a.m. local time, applies to the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Alashrafieh, and Bani Zeid. In an official statement, the ministry said the move aims “to prevent any slide toward a new military escalation within residential neighborhoods.” Violence erupted on Tuesday between Syrian…
Amid U.S. acquisition threats and cash offers, a 1952 directive permits Danish forces in Greenland to counterattack immediately, escalating Arctic tensions. As former U.S. President Donald Trump revives his pursuit of acquiring Greenland, it has emerged that Danish forces in the territory operate under a decades-old order allowing them to counterattack without awaiting commands if assaulted. The Danish Ministry of Defence confirmed to Berlingske that a 1952 “custody order” remains in effect, stating that in the event of an attack, military units must “engage in battle without waiting for or seeking orders.” This establishes what amounts to a “shoot first,…
From family reunions to classroom readiness—how a major policy shift is reshaping school admissions and parent choices in Dubai. Starting from the 2026–27 academic year, a significant revision to the UAE’s school admissions policy will take effect, shifting the age eligibility cut-off from August 31 to December 31. The change means children who turn three at any point during the admission year can now start Pre-Kindergarten. The updated policy standardizes entry requirements as follows: This adjustment particularly benefits children born between September and December, who previously faced a year’s delay under the old system. For Dubai resident Musa Abdulkarim, whose…
Specialized support, priority access, and simplified procedures introduced to help elderly residents meet compliance requirements efficiently. The UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has announced the launch of the “Labaih Initiative,” a specialized program designed to simplify tax compliance for senior citizens across the country. The initiative provides tailored support to help elderly residents complete tax procedures accurately and efficiently while ensuring full respect for their privacy. FTA Director-General Khalid Ali Al Bustani stated that the program reflects the authority’s commitment to social responsibility and aligns with national directives to enhance the quality of life for senior citizens. “Senior citizens form…
In a candid interview, the actress reveals public scrutiny wasn’t the true challenge, emphasizing the emotional toll of breaking up a family and finding peace through co-parenting. Jennifer Garner is opening up about the profound personal impact of her divorce from Ben Affleck, shifting the focus away from Hollywood gossip to the real emotional cost of ending a marriage. In a new interview, the 53-year-old actress reflected on her 2015 separation from Affleck—legally finalized in 2018—and dismissed the idea that intense public attention was the most difficult aspect. “You have to be smart about what you can and can’t handle,…
Israel’s regional manoeuvres could further destabilise the Eastern Mediterranean and widen tensions with Turkiye.Two meetings, held almost simultaneously towards the end of December, offered a stark illustration of the competing strategic visions now shaping the Eastern Mediterranean and the Levant.In Damascus, Turkiye’s foreign, defence and intelligence chiefs met Syrian officials on December 22 as Ankara continued to prioritise the consolidation of state authority and stabilisation after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Gaza PhD scholar is now baker to feed family, others amid Israel’s warlist 2 of 3Five-storey building damaged during…
Doctors say cancer-related deaths have tripled since Israel’s war on Gaza began, as Israel blocks patients from leaving and restricts the entry of chemotherapy drugs.For Hani Naim, the wait is not for a cure, but for permission to save his own life.Living with cancer for six years, Naim had been approved for treatment abroad. But like thousands of others, he remains trapped in Gaza, barred from leaving by tightening Israeli restrictions.“I used to receive treatment in the West Bank and Jerusalem,” Naim told media’s Tareq Abu Azzoum. “Today, I cannot access any treatment at all. I need radiotherapy, and it…
US president signals he is not ready to back the Israel-aligned opposition figure to lead Iran in case of regime change.United States President Donald Trump has ruled out meeting with Iran’s self-proclaimed Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, suggesting that Washington is not ready to back a successor to the Iranian government, should it collapse.On Thursday, Trump called Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah who was toppled by the Islamic revolution of 1979, a “nice person”. But Trump added that, as president, it would not be appropriate to meet with him.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3The Take: Could…
The US is watching as economic hardships have driven Iranians to hold protests in cities across the nation.Iranians have taken to the streets in nationwide protests against the country’s economic crisis. During a police crackdown on protesters, dozens of people have been killed, and more have been arrested. United States President Donald Trump has warned Iran that if the brutality continues, Iran would be “hit very hard by the United States”. Why is the US threatening intervention?In this episode: Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2The Take: Is AI headed for a breaking point?list 2 of 2The Take: ‘Peace’…
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu announcemed the Bulgarian diplomat as the ‘designated’ director-general for Trump’s ‘board of peace’.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that former United Nations Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov will direct a proposed United States-led “board of peace” in Gaza.Netanyahu made the announcement after meeting Mladenov in Jerusalem on Thursday, referring to the Bulgarian diplomat as the “designated” director-general for the proposed board, a key part of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end Israel’s genocidal war on the Palestinian people of Gaza.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Lebanon army says phase one of disarming…