Author: Gulf News Week
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for authorities to “spare no effort” in treating the injured and conducting search and rescue operationsA gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has killed at least 90 people, state media reported on Saturday, the country’s biggest mining disaster in 17 years.A total of 247 workers were underground at the time of the blast, which occurred at 7:29 pm (11:29 GMT) on Friday at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province, according to state news agency Xinhua.A total of 345 emergency personnel were dispatched to the site, with rescuers earlier searching “intensively” for…
More than 40,000 people have been evacuated after a toxic chemical started to leak from a tank at an aerospace manufacturing facility in the US.The tank in southern California contains an estimated 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a highly volatile and flammable substance used in the production of plastic. The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) issued initial evacuation orders for the area surrounding the Garden Grove facility on Thursday afternoon, after reports of a tank temperature increase.The evacuation zone has been expanded and the cause of the leak is being investigated.In a press conference on Friday afternoon, OCFA Chief Craig…
Pounding rain and strong winds did not stop more than 5,000 spectators from turning up at a football stadium in Suwon, just south of Seoul, on Wednesday night.Wrapped in raincoats, they cheered and booed, their screams sweeping across the stands as a rare match unfolded on the pitch: North Korea vs South Korea.But there was something more unusual. Hundreds of South Koreans appeared to be cheering with loud cries of “Naegohyang”, the name of the visiting North Korean club. They had been brought together by local NGOs who did wanted them to cheer both sides. The North Koreans’ participation was…
Rubio began his four-day, four-city tour in Kolkata where the top US diplomat toured the headquarters of the late Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of CharityUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio started his first visit to India on Saturday, looking to restore ties with a usually like-minded partner a week after Washington’s warm summit with China.Rubio began his four-day, four-city tour in the eastern metropolis of Kolkata where the top US diplomat, a devout Catholic, will tour the headquarters of the late Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity.Rubio will then fly to New Delhi where he will meet later Saturday with Prime Minister…
From ihram and unscented essentials to documents, heat-and-crowd items and a final health check, here’s a practical guide to what UAE pilgrims should put in the bagFor UAE pilgrims already registered and approved through the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, the final days before travelling for Hajj come down to one practical task — packing the bag.The first thing for pilgrims to do is start with ihram — the sacred spiritual state and specific attire every pilgrim must enter before performing Hajj. For men, this means carrying two white garments, ideally with a spare set, as they…
Pro-Palestinian activists who were deported after their Gaza-bound aid flotilla was intercepted in international waters by Israeli forces have alleged they were subjected to abuse while held in detention.Canada said it had received information detailing “appalling abuse” of its citizens, while Germany and Spain confirmed that a number of their citizens had injuries.The flotilla’s organisers alleged there were “at least 15 cases of sexual assaults” while other people who were detained said they were beaten and mistreated.The BBC has not been able to independently verify the allegations. Israel’s prison service has dismissed them as false, saying all detainees were “held…
“I saw the burial team taking eight of them,” recalls Ebola survivor Patrick Faley. “They put them into a bag and carried them to the burial. I made new friends although they ended up dying. I was the only person that was left there.”This week’s scenes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where medics are scrambling to respond to an outbreak of Ebola, have brought back haunting memories for those who have lived through similar crises.A decade ago Faley found himself on the front line of a similar situation in West Africa – the worst recorded outbreak of the disease,…
Legal experts explain the difference between official disclosures in serious cases and unlawful online exposure by individuals, which can carry prison terms and fines of up to Dh500,000Authorities in the UAE have been increasingly disclosing details of suspects and offenders in certain high-profile cases publicly — from terrorism-related investigations to crimes deemed harmful to social order — even as residents themselves can face prison terms and hefty fines for exposing or accusing others online. Abu Dhabi legal experts told media the distinction lies in who holds the legal authority to disclose such information.Recent examples include the UAE’s announcement of arrests…
The phone owner contacted the police, who arrived at the scene and launched an investigationA Dubai resident whose smartphone vanished from his home managed to trace it using modern tracking technology, helping police uncover a theft involving a part-time domestic worker and a delivery rider who was accused of possessing stolen property.According to court records, the Arab resident returned home to discover that his smartphone had gone missing after his wife informed him it could not be found inside the house. Suspecting it had been stolen, he immediately activated the ‘Find My Phone’ feature through another device and began monitoring…
Resorts across the emirate report rising demand for all-inclusive and family-focused holiday packages as travellers seek convenient short-haul escapes during the Eid breakHotels across Ras Al Khaimah are reporting strong occupancy ahead of Eid Al Adha, driven by rising demand from UAE residents opting for short-haul staycations within driving distance, as travellers prioritise convenience, value, and experience-led breaks.Phillipa Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), said the Eid period is seeing increased demand for bundled resort stays that combine accommodation, dining, and leisure activities, particularly among families seeking simplicity in holiday planning.“This Eid Al…