Blinken's diplomatic moves in Middle East spark speculation, and other trending stories, Gulf News Editors comment on Jan 9 top news

BLINKEN'S DIPLOMATIC MOVES IN MIDDLE EAST SPARK SPECULATION: Today's pivotal meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli leaders centered around preventing the escalation of the Gaza conflict into a broader regional crisis. Blinken's ongoing regional diplomatic tour, engaging with leaders in the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, reflects a collective effort to bring an end to a conflict that has claimed over 23,000 lives in Gaza. The discussions emphasise a measured and diplomatic approach, with a focus on addressing humanitarian needs and preventing the conflict's spread. As the international community grapples with the complexities of the Middle East, diplomatic endeavors take centrestage in the pursuit of lasting peace and stability. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

PLANE MAKER BOEING BACK IN THE HOT SEAT AFTER MID-AIR BLOW OUT: American aircraft manufacturer Boeing is facing renewed scrutiny from aviation regulators as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated the temporary grounding of 171 737 MAX 9 jetliners for safety inspections. This directive follows an incident where a cabin panel blowout occurred, prompting an emergency landing of a new Alaska Airlines jet with 171 passengers on board. The aircraft had been in service for only eight weeks, reported Reuters. The recent mishap adds to the challenges Boeing and its supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, are already confronting due to ongoing production setbacks. These issues have hindered the recovery process following an extensive safety grounding of the 737 MAX and have been compounded by broader disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the incident on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 last Friday must have been frightening for passengers, it resulted in no serious injuries, and the aircraft landed safely. Perhaps this event will serve as a wakeup call for the manufacturer to address and rectify safety concerns. (By Dhanusha Gokulan, Chief Reporter)

BEWARE OF IMPERSONATORS: In a recent announcement, Dubai Police have raised the alarm once more about a surge in fraudulent activities targeting residents. Scammers are posing as government officials, specifically impersonating Dubai Police employees. The perpetrators contact residents through emails or SMS, coercing them to immediately pay purported traffic fines, providing a link for the transaction. Dubai Police, via their official social media platforms, issued a stern warning: "Several residents have fallen victim to scammers pretending to be from the police department. If you receive requests for payments through links or are asked to divulge personal information, halt the process, double-check the sender's email, and promptly report it to Dubai Police e-Crime cell, our social media channels, or call 901." It is incumbent upon residents to check the authenticity of messages. Recognising potential signs of fraud, residents are advised to be vigilant, verify sender details, and report suspicious incidents promptly to safeguard against such scams. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

DUBAI MARATHON HAS SOMETHING TO CHERISH FOR ALL: The Dubai Marathon has once again illustrated that the UAE is the sporting capital of the world. Debutants Tigist Ketema and Addisu Gobena produced a scintillating show on the fast-paced Jumeirah streets to lead a Ethiopian sweep of titles. The quality of the field makes the Dubai Marathon an important event in UAE's sporting calendar. Ketema won the women's title with the eighth fastest time in the history of marathon and the unverified fastest time by a debutant, etching Dubai's name in the record books. The 23rd edition showcased the rich tradition of the run, which saw a huge number of participants from the community taking part in the 10km and 4km runs, making it a complete affair for everyone to cherish in their memory. (By A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor)

OPPENHEIMER RIUMPHS OVER BARBIE: It was payback time as ‘Oppenheimer’ pipped ‘Barbie’ to bag five awards at the 81st Golden Globe Awards on Sunday. And with that, Hollywood officially throws open the awards season. About time, some would say, as the writers’, and then the actors’, strike threw cinema-making into complete disarray. So, yes, the celebration was well-deserved. And it wasn’t just a celebration of creative collaborations that filmmaking is all about, but also a celebration of comebacks. Especially people coming back to the theatres to watch good films, even if it’s three hours long and mostly black and white (Marvel, are you listening?). The fact that Lily Gladstone won Best Actress Award – the first indigenous star to do so – for her sterling performance in ‘Killers of the Moon’ shows that the Golden Globes, riddled with scandal and allegations of bias and exclusivity, is well on the way to redemption. Drumrolls, please. (Juliana Lazarus, Copy Editor)