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Defiant Khamenei insists 'won't back down' in face of Iran protests


Friday, 9 January, 2026 , 10:32 AFP Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday insisted that the Islamic republic would "not back down" in the face of protests after the biggest rallies yet in an almost two week movement sparked by anger over the rising cost of living.

Kurdish fighters refuse to leave Syria's Aleppo: local council


Friday, 9 January, 2026 , 10:14 AFP Kurdish fighters are refusing to leave the Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsud areas in the city of Aleppo and intend to "resist" the Syrian army encircling them, a statement by the local councils of the two neighbourhoods said Friday.

Kurdish fighters refuse to leave Syria's Aleppo: local council


Friday, 9 January, 2026 , 10:02 AFP

CORRECTED: Iran rocked by night of protests despite internet blackout: videos


Friday, 9 January, 2026 , 09:16 AFP Iranians staged their biggest protests yet of an almost two week movement sparked by anger over the rising cost of living, chanting slogans including "death to the dictator" and setting fire to official buildings, videos showed Friday.

Iran rocked by night of protests despite internet blackout: videos


Friday, 9 January, 2026 , 08:59 AFP Iranians staged their biggest protests yet of an almost two week movement sparked by anger over the rising cost of living, chanting slogans including "death to the dictator" and setting fire to official buildings, videos showed Friday.

Syrian President Sharaa meets with EU chief von der Leyen: state media


Friday, 9 January, 2026 , 08:49 AFP Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Friday, state media said, as she became the highest ranking EU official to visit since longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad was ousted.

Iran rocked by night of protests despite internet blackout: videos


Friday, 9 January, 2026 , 08:45 AFP Iranians staged their biggest protests yet of an almost two week movement sparked by anger over the rising cost of living, chanting slogans including "death to the dictator" and setting fire to official buildings, videos showed Friday.

Syria announces ceasefire with Kurdish fighters in Aleppo


Friday, 9 January, 2026 , 08:29 AFP Syria's defence ministry announced a ceasefire in Aleppo on Friday after days of deadly clashes between the army and Kurdish fighters forced thousands of civilians to flee.

Syrian President Sharaa meets with EU chief von der Leyen: state media


Friday, 9 January, 2026 , 08:17 AFP Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Friday, state media said, as she became the highest ranking EU official to visit since longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad was ousted.

Syria says Kurdish fighters in Aleppo will be sent to Kurdish region


Friday, 9 January, 2026 , 07:30 AFP Kurdish fighters encircled by the Syrian army in two districts of Aleppo are to be sent to the Kurdish region of northeastern Syria, authorities said Friday.