Author: Gulf News Week

NurPhoto via Getty ImagesA vegetable vendor waits for customers at a market in Kolkata, with a QR code displayed for digital paymentsFor most Indians, paying by Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become almost absurdly routine.Scan a QR code, tap a few buttons and the money moves instantly. There is no card machine, no cash, and – most importantly – for the user, no visible fee.That may be about to change.India has paved the way for banks and payment companies to charge merchants a fee on UPI transactions, potentially ending a decade-long experiment in free digital payments. The government says consumers…

‘I want my brother back’ – Tupac’s brother tells BBC murder trial won’t bring justiceThe BBC’s Shaimaa Khalil sat down with Mopreme Shakur ahead of the trial for his brother and late rapper’s 1996 murder.2 hrs agoUS & Canada

Getty ImagesThe captives were held in Ghana’s Cape Coast Castle before being forced into ships to take them across the Atlantic Ocean This year has seen a dramatic change in tone in the global conversation about the transatlantic slave trade.The demand for formal apologies, debt relief and financial compensation from nations and institutions that benefited from slavery has become increasingly forceful.In March, a resolution was passed at the United Nations recognising slavery as “the greatest crime against humanity” – though the United States voted against the resolution and every European nation abstained from the vote.The UK, which alongside Portugal dominated…

Getty ImagesJason didn’t want a “Coke can” – that’s the nickname for a penis that has been enlarged with so much filler it resembles a stubby drink can.”Some people go really overboard,” Jason tells me when we meet in Manchester.His procedure increased the girth of his penis by 16% – an amount he, and his partner, are really happy with. He says it has given him a “self-confidence boost”.”Everything still functions” as normal, Jason explains – just with “that extra little bit of width”.Penis fillers even became the topic of a bizarre conspiracy theory at the last Winter Olympics. Male…

Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump has said the US will “substantially reduce” joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his “very good relationship” with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un.He also noted on Truth Social that South Korea had recently declined to join the US in the “denuclearisation” of Iran.”These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile,” Trump posted.Neither Seoul nor Pyongyang has commented. The decision comes after North Korea this month conducted ballistic missile tests that are…

ReutersThe top US military commander in the Middle East has said mental health is a “priority” on the warship USS Lincoln, following reports of difficult conditions on board the long-deployed ship.After visiting the vessel on Saturday, Adm Brad Cooper said it had “among the lowest number of cases related to mental health” out of 11 active US aircraft carriers.But he acknowledged that Navy service at sea for long periods was “uniquely challenging and tough”.The ship arrived in the Middle East in January and has been supporting the US war against Iran, including the blockade on Iranian ports. It has spent…

Watch: Footage shows huge plumes of smoke rising into the sky in the Moscow regionAt least seven people have been killed in Russia after what officials called the “largest-scale” attack launched by Ukraine this year.Some 822 drones were used – 600 aiming for Moscow, according to its regional governor who said the Russian capital had suffered “one of the most massive drone attacks in recent memory”. A warehouse belonging to Russian online retailer Wildberries was hit.Russian attacks on Ukraine also killed at least seven people and injured more than 39.Russia has intensified missile attacks across Ukraine in recent weeks, with…

NewsFeedErdogan says Hamas acted sincerely, criticises Israeli attacksSpeaking to media in an exclusive interview for ‘Al Muqabala’, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Hamas has shown all the possible sincere solidarity, while Israel continues what he described as aggressive attacks on Gaza and Lebanon. He added that Trump is concerned about the situation and that Turkiye will continue to warn against further escalation.Published On 16 Aug 202616 Aug 2026SaveClick here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd media on Googleinfo

‘Probably my last year’ – Ronaldo hints at retirementCristiano Ronaldo says this season will probably be his last as a player after a glittering football career.3 hrs agoFootball

ReutersThe fires broke out within minutes of each other on Sunday afternoonTwo people died and and hundreds were evacuated after two fires broke out “almost simultaneously” on a Greek island near Athens, officials said.About 200 firefighters were working to keep the twin fires from converging on the island of Salamina, which was under a high wildfire risk on Sunday.The first blaze was reported at 14:40 local time (11:40 GMT) near the island’s south coast and spread rapidly due to high winds, followed by the second some 20 minutes later in the east.More than 500 people have so far been evacuated…