Middle East

Israel

Israel begins demolition of UNRWA headquarters in east Jerusalem

Israel has repeatedly accused UNRWA of providing cover for Hamas militants, claiming that some of its employees took part in the group's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel.

20/01/2026

Qatar

Qatar Football Festival features Finalissima 2026 and friendlies

Qatar Football Festival 2026 will be headlined by the men’s Finalissima between Argentina and Spain, with some of the world’s biggest football stars set to appear in Doha during a six-match international window.

19/01/2026

Gaza

Putin invited to join Trump's 'Board of Peace' for Gaza, Kremlin says

The invitation to Putin is expected to raise eyebrows with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearing its fourth year and the Russian leader seemingly reluctant to commit to a peace deal.

19/01/2026

No Comment

Joy fills Oman as Muscat Nights illuminates the sky

The Muscat Nights 2026 festival has attracted over 800,000 visitors, featuring fireworks, cultural events, and modern technology across key venues until 31 January.

19/01/2026

Lifestyle

Run the ultimate race: Samla endurance race opens up to the world

Sports tourism is a fast booming cultural trend as elite athletes seek new frontiers to fulfil their passion while pushing their limits. Qatar's unforgiving homegrown endurance contest, Samla, is hoping to meet that demand by opening up to international competitors for the first time.

19/01/2026

Syria

Syrian government announces ceasefire with Syrian Democratic Forces

A ceasefire agreement and the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian army was announced following the army's takeover of areas in the east of the country, including military, security and administrative arrangements.

18/01/2026

Lifestyle

Talking sport shop: a global meeting of minds and voices in Dubai

The inaugural World Sports Summit in Dubai brought together elite athletes and sports leaders to discuss the growing pressures of modern sport, mental health, faith and responsibility; and how that contributes to making sport a better human experience, way beyond competition.

17/01/2026

Gaza

White House reveals board members tasked with temporary rule over Gaza

The White House has released the names of some of members of various boards who will play a role in guiding Gaza through the next steps of the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, brokered by Trump in October.

17/01/2026

United Arab Emirates

Organisers say this year's WGS in Dubai is the most ambitious yet

The summit, which will be held from 3-5 February, is expected to bring together 35 heads of state and government, more than 150 government delegations and over 6,000 attendees.

16/01/2026

No Comment

Gaza air strike by Israel kills Hamas commander and four others

An Israeli air strike in Gaza killed five, including a commander of Hamas' Al Qassam Brigades. Hamas called it an assassination, accusing Israel of escalating tensions.

16/01/2026

No Comment

Protest in Israel supports Iranian demonstrators after weeks of unrest

About 100 members of the Persian Jewish community in Israel gathered to express support for Iranian protesters, following several weeks of anti-government demonstrations. The participants voiced solidarity and called for freedom and political reform in Iran.

15/01/2026

Destinations

Why this culture-rich island should be on your 2026 Europe travel list

Nicosia in Cyprus was praised by European Best Destinations for its year-long programme of festivals and events.

15/01/2026

Gaza

Gaza is entering second phase of Trump's ceasefire plan, Witkoff says

Under the first phase of the three-phase deal, Hamas released all but one hostage it was holding in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians who were held in Israeli prisons.

14/01/2026

Qatar

Qatar confirms departures out of key US air base amid rising tensions

Qatar has confirmed “the departure of certain personnel from Al Udeid Air Base” due to current regional tensions, after reports that the US military is evacuating a part of its key base as Washington considers military action against Iran.

14/01/2026

Israel

Israel cuts ties with three global organisations after US withdrawal

Last week, President Donald Trump signed a memorandum ordering the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organisations as they "no longer serve American interests," the White House said.

13/01/2026

Turkey

Prosecutor shoots and injures judge in Istanbul appeals court

Judge Aslı Kahraman sustained serious injuries when Muhammet Çağatay Kılıçaslan, a prosecutor and Kahraman's alleged ex-partner, opened fire inside the courthouse, according to the domestic press.

13/01/2026

Cyprus

Cyprus president's top aide quits after state corruption allegations

Chief of staff Charalambos Charalambous resigns after online video suggested he and others used their ties to President Nikos Christodoulides to earn favours for would-be investors in exchange for money.

13/01/2026

No Comment

Syria: Aleppo residents return after clashes between government and SDF

As fighting eased on Sunday, residents cautiously returned to contested neighbourhoods in the northern city of Aleppo. The area is now controlled by government forces, though unexploded ordnance continues to threaten civilian safety.

12/01/2026

Gaza

Hamas to dissolve Gaza government after Palestinian body takes over

The government and other elements of the truce that went into effect on 10 October, such as disarming Hamas and sending an international security force, are to be supervised by US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace".

12/01/2026

Syria

US launches new large-scale strikes against IS militants in Syria

The large-scale strikes come in retaliation to an ambush attack in December, in which two US soldiers and one US civilian interpreter were killed.

11/01/2026

Syria

Europe to do 'everything it can' to support Syria, von der Leyen says

The chief of the EU executive pledged Europe's full support for Syria's recovery after meeting interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Friday.

09/01/2026

No Comment

Aleppo faces new displacement amid Syrian forces and SDF clashes

Syria sees mass displacement in Aleppo as clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters intensify amid stalled political talks.

09/01/2026

Gaza

Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov to head Gaza peace board

Mladenov is a former Bulgarian defence and foreign minister who served as the UN envoy to Iraq before being appointed as the UN Middle East peace envoy from 2015-2020.

08/01/2026

Syria

Syria urges civilians to leave Aleppo as clashes with Kurds continue

The leadership in Damascus signed a deal with the SDF in March for it to merge with the Syrian army by the end of 2025 but there have been disagreements over how that would happen.

08/01/2026

No Comment

Civilians flee Aleppo as Syrian army closes Kurdish-majority areas

Clashes in Aleppo forced residents to flee Kurdish areas, with at least nine killed. The violence follows stalled talks to merge Kurdish forces into the army.

07/01/2026

Qatar

Qatar offers to continue mediation efforts over Venezuela

Following successful mediations between Venezuela and the United States in the past, Qatar has expressed deep concern over the situation in Venezuela, calling for restraint, de-escalation and dialogue, while reaffirming its readiness to support mediation.

06/01/2026