New year hope and joy reign in a Damascus freed from Assad

Turkish police raided the home of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, detaining him over a corruption probe, which the main opposition CHP party denounced as a "coup". The move came days before he was to be named the party's candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Imamoglu's detention, related to bribery and extortion charges, was also connected to a separate probe for allegedly aiding the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), leading to social media restrictions and a...

Israeli forces launched deadly aerial attacks across the Gaza Strip, ending a temporary cease-fire with Hamas and resulting in over 400 deaths, including children. The attacks followed failed negotiations to extend the truce and were prompted by Hamas's refusal to release Israeli hostages. The situation remains tense as Hamas weighs its response and Israel vows to continue military action until all war objectives are achieved. Full Article

A community of Palestinian Bedouins in the occupied West Bank condemned a major theft of their livestock by armed Israeli settlers under the protection of Israeli forces, who attacked residents in Ras Ein al Auja, stealing over 1,500 livestock and causing damage. The Israeli military stated that police intervened and arrested a Palestinian suspect, while the UN reported settler violence, including physical assaults and theft. The UN rights chief called for an end to settlement...

Israel launched a massive bombing campaign in Gaza, resulting in over 400 deaths; Hamas has not launched a discernible counterattack, focusing on regrouping and preparing for potential ground invasion. Despite Israel's efforts to pressure Hamas to release hostages and dismantle its military wing, Hamas remains unwilling to surrender and end the war permanently. The group's strategy involves assessing Israel's intentions before deciding on a response, emphasizing the importance of maintaining its military capabilities in Gaza....

The UAE's affordable luxury real estate sector is experiencing significant growth, with a 34% surge in transaction values in 2024 and forecasts indicating a 5-10% increase in property launches targeting this segment in 2025. Dubai's luxury market saw a 26% year-on-year increase in transaction prices for apartments in sought-after areas, reflecting a maturing market with balanced supply and demand. Projections suggest the market will maintain a 2.28% annual growth rate from 2025 to 2029, reaching...

Columbia University is facing backlash from President Trump due to massive funding cuts and a crackdown on student protesters, particularly the arrest of activist Mahmoud Khalil. Trump accuses the university of failing to protect Jewish students and demands drastic reforms, threatening to withhold $400 million in federal funding. The administration's actions are seen as an attempt to control academic freedom and impose a particular definition of anti-Semitism, raising concerns about the future of higher education...