Author: Gulf News Week

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…

Getty ImagesThe alert took many by surprise when it was sent on Friday nightAn emergency government phone alert warning of wildfires across England and Wales put domestic abuse victims at risk, campaigners have told the BBC.Millions of people’s mobile phones lit up and bleeped with a “severe alert” notification on Friday which said there was a “very high risk of wildfires nationally”.But charities and survivors have criticised how a lack of advance warning meant there was little chance to protect those hiding secret phones in domestic abuse situations.A government spokesperson said the alert was sent “after a direct request from…

Getty Images/Formula ETaylor Barnard is the youngest driver to secure a podium, pole and points in Formula EMaking split-second decisions while driving up to 200mph probably seems like a crazy task for most of us.But Britain’s youngest Formula E driver is learning to take it in his stride as his second season in the series draws to a close.Back in 2024, Taylor Barnard became the youngest person to start an E-Prix and since then he’s broken several other records – including becoming the youngest driver to secure a podium, pole and points in the sport.So what’s the 22-year-old got his…

Katia TemkinThe star has told fans she may not tour again for a “long, long” timeIt feels inconsiderate of Ariana Grande to bring a tour called Eternal Sunshine to the UK at the tail end of the year’s fifth heatwave. Haven’t we suffered enough already?But the fans packed into London’s O2 arena on Saturday night didn’t seem to care about the heat and the sweat.They came ready to dance. Thousands of them, dressed in cat ears, bridal gowns and elaborate floral headpieces. They scream when she references rumours she’s back together with her ex, Ricky Alvarez. And they bounce in…

ReutersThree of the five surviving panels of the Polyptych of San Gregorio were takenFour Renaissance paintings of “extraordinary value” have been stolen from a museum in Sicily, Italy’s culture minister has said.Alessandro Giuli confirmed that three panels of the Polyptych of San Gregorio and a double-sided panel of the Madonna with Child and Christ in Pietà, all attributed to Antonello da Messina, were taken Regional Interdisciplinary Museum of Messina on Saturday night.Police are now probing how the thieves were able to enter the museum without triggering its alarms and who may have been responsible.The incident is the latest in a…

Watch: BBC visits smouldering market in Ukraine after overnight strikesSix people were injured in the strike on the market selling second-hand records, posters, toys and tools.50 mins agoEurope

Getty ImagesGetty ImagesThe 55.6-metre (182ft) concrete figure is nearly 18m taller than Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the RedeemerBishop Krzysztof Wętkowski, who consecrated the statue, said “many contemporary people look only to the earth”A statue of the Virgin Mary believed to be Europe’s tallest has been formally unveiled in a small Polish village.The 55.6-metre (182ft) concrete figure is roughly two double-decker buses longer than Rio de Janeiro’s smaller – if more prominently placed – Christ the Redeemer monument, though it still pales in comparison to a 98m Virgin Mary erected in the Philippines.The ecclesiastical sculpture in rural Konotopie was consecrated by…

World’s Ugliest Dog contest crowns 2026 winnerThe annual contest has been taking place in Santa Rosa, California.21 hrs ago

Bangladesh seal crushing win in Australia for one of Test cricket’s greatest upsetsBangladesh thrash Australia by nine wickets on the fourth day of the series-opener in Darwin to complete one of Test cricket’s greatest upsets.3 hrs agoCricket

Watch: Buildings partially collapse in Indonesia after 7.7 earthquakeAround 5,000 people have been displaced by a powerful earthquake in Indonesia that has caused at least 51 fatalities.Rescuers continue to search for survivors of the shallow magnitude 7.7 quake, which struck the island of Flores shortly before 05:00 local time on Saturday (22:00 GMT on Friday).Preliminary reports indicate more than 900 homes and hundreds of other buildings have been severely damaged by the tremor and 341 subsequent aftershocks, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said.The full scale of the disaster is still being uncovered, with news of a second magnitude 6.9…