Author: Gulf News Week
BBCFor the third time in four years, we appear on the brink of a prime minister announcing their plan to leave office, not because they have lost a general election but because their own party has concluded they would be better off without them.Many people within government and in the wider Labour Party expect Sir Keir Starmer to say just this, perhaps as soon as this morning.Four years ago, and three prime ministers ago, Boris Johnson was running the country.He was arguing defiantly he would carry on, but that defiance drained away as it became clear his capacity to viably…
ReutersIran’s lead negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has dismissed Donald Trump’s threat to renew strikesThe first round of negotiations between the US and Iran to reach a final deal to end the war has ended with “encouraging progress”, mediators Qatar and Pakistan say.The talks began on Sunday in Switzerland, after last week’s initial agreement between the US and Iran. Technical talks will continue throughout the week.In a joint statement early on Monday, Qatar and Pakistan said that a “High Level Committee” had agreed to “a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days”. Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said…
Big Hit MusicBTS is on a mammoth world tour after a hiatus that lasted more than three years When Vevee logged in to Ticketmaster on 9 June, she hoped her years-long wait to see supergroup BTS was finally drawing to an end. Like millions of fans everywhere, the 26-year-old thought she was ready for battle. She had even taken the day off from work. The septet’s mammoth global tour was making a stop in her backyard – the Indonesian capital, Jakarta – and as a longtime fan, she couldn’t fathom missing it. Perched in front of her computer, eyes glued…
GettyAbelardo de la Espriella, a lawyer and businessman, nicknamed himself “El Tigre” (the Tiger)Right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has narrowly won Colombia’s presidential election, an initial vote count shows, marking a dramatic shift in how the government will tackle the country’s internal armed conflict and violence.De la Espriella, who was endorsed by Donald Trump, has pledged a military crackdown on illegal armed groups, drug trafficking and crime.He appeared to defeat left-wing Iván Cepeda, a close ally of the president, Gustavo Petro.De la Espriella said “today begins a new stage for our country, a stage built on the free and…
QatarEnergy did not indicate whether the explosion had caused any damage to the plant, which supplies gas to the domestic market An explosion at Qatar’s giant Ras Laffan LNG complex killed 13 Indian and Pakistani workers and injured 66 others during the restart of operations halted following an Iranian attack in March, Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi said on Monday. Qatar’s energy minister said on Monday that the deadly gas plant explosion on Sunday night at the Barzan local gas supply facility was the result of an accident and that it would not affect the country’s exports. “I find myself…
ReutersUS President Donald Trump says he has “inspected” the Reflecting Pool in Washington DC, and that “work will begin immediately” to repair the American landmark.Despite a recent multi-million dollar renovation, including a fresh coat of blue paint, the historic structure continues to face issues – most prominently algae turning the water a bright shade of green.The pool may need to be drained and refilled for a second time this month, according to Trump, who flew over the site in a helicopter on Sunday while on his way back from Camp David.It comes as Trump claims the pool’s paint has been…
ReutersUkraine’s commanders say the situation in Kostyantynivka is still under control, but accept Russian troops are active in the cityRussian troops have infiltrated the strategic city of Kostyantynivka in eastern Ukraine and are now trying to surround it. The entire city is now effectively in a “grey zone”, no longer controlled by anyone, Ukrainian soldiers have told the BBC. “They get into areas behind our backs and in urban conditions it’s extremely difficult to push them out,” says a Ukrainian drone pilot who operates in that area and prefers to remain anonymous.Kostyantynivka is a gateway to the rest of the…
PA MediaOn Monday, the total number of migrant crossings so far this year was 40% down on the same period last yearA 32-year-old man from Syria has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a woman died on a small boat attempting to reach the UK.The migrant was found unresponsive on a boat which had entered UK waters in the English Channel on Saturday, and died despite receiving medical help, the Home Office said.Kent Police was called to the Western Docks in Dover at about 15:10 BST, where the woman was declared deceased.The force said it was working to identify…
Indian cricketer, 15, hits record-breaking 50 in just 11 ballsVaibhav Sooryavanshi breaks the record for the fastest 50-over List A half-century in history on the same day he was not included in India’s one-day international squad. 12 hrs agoIndia
Luke DysonGorillaz played a career-spanning two-and-a-half hour set as they marked their 29th anniversaryDamon Albarn has forgotten himself.It’s Friday night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he’s in the middle of rehearsals for Gorillaz’ first ever stadium show – a multicultural, multimedia pop extravaganza, with more guests than a double-booked Airbnb. As the band launches into Dirty Harry, the long, pitch-side advertising hoardings light up with a cartoon choir, singing the song’s refrain, “all I do is dance”.Apparently taken by surprise, Albarn jumps off the stage to watch, with a broad, toothy grin spreading across his face. Then he spots Argentine…