Author: Gulf News Week

LONDON (news agencies) — There is a history-rich part of London that few people have seen, where the city braced for the Blitz, James Bond’s creator got inspiration and secret Cold War messages passed between Washington and Moscow.It’s a network of tunnels 100 feet (30 meters) below the streets that was secret for decades — but could be the city’s next big tourist destination. Local authorities have approved plans to fill the 90,000 square-foot (8,400 square-meter) site with an intelligence museum, an interactive World War II memorial and one of the world’s deepest underground bars.“It’s an amazing space, an amazing…

CAIRO (news agencies) — Dozens of international charities and humanitarian groups called Tuesday for disbanding a controversial Israeli- and U.S.-backed system to distribute aid in Gaza because of recurring chaos and violence against Palestinians seeking food at its sites.The call by groups including Oxfam, Save the Children and Amnesty International was made as at least 10 Palestinians were killed Tuesday while seeking desperately needed food, witnesses and health official said. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 37 people Tuesday in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital.In other developments, Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, warned that his country would…

WASHINGTON (news agencies) — Attorney General Pam Bondi’s recent comments about evidence the Justice Department is reviewing from its Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation has fueled anticipation about the expected release of more files related to the wealthy financier. But weeks after Bondi’s claim about “tens of thousands” of Epstein videos in the government’s possession, it remains unclear what she was referring to. Here’s a look at some of the takeaways from an media report about the Epstein case and Bondi’s recent remarks:A New York financier with ties to politicians and other famous and powerful people, Epstein was arrested in…

WASHINGTON (news agencies) — The Senate’s long day of voting churned into a long Monday night, with Republican leaders grasping for ways to shore up support for President Donald Trump’s big bill of tax breaks and spending cuts while fending off proposed amendments from Democrats who oppose the package and are trying to defeat it.The outcome was not yet in sight. Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota acknowledged the Republicans are “figuring out how to get to the end game.”And House Speaker Mike Johnson signaled the potential problems the Senate package could face when it is eventually sent…

ORLANDO, Fla. (news agencies) — Marcos Leonardo scored his second goal on a rebound in the 112th minute, and Al Hilal stunned Manchester City 4-3 on Monday night, eliminating the Premier League power from the Club World Cup in the round of 16.In a back-and-forth thriller at Camping World Stadium, the Saudi Arabian club took the lead three times, including twice in extra time. Kalidou Koulibaly put Al Hilal ahead 3-2 in the 94th minute, but Phil Foden — who entered as a substitute four minutes earlier — equalized in the 104th.Leonardo finally put Man City away. Goalkeeper Ederson saved…

Blurring the line between preemptive and preventive strike risks sending the world into a state of perpetual war.In the predawn darkness of June 13, Israel launched a “preemptive” attack on Iran. Explosions rocked various parts of the country. Among the targets were nuclear sites at Natanz and Fordo, military bases, research labs, and senior military residences. By the end of the operation, Israel had killed at least 974 people while Iranian missile strikes in retaliation had killed 28 people in Israel. Israel described its actions as anticipatory self-defence, claiming Iran was mere weeks away from producing a functional nuclear weapon.…

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (news agencies) — The Czech Philharmonic announced Monday that Jakub Hrůša has been selected to become its new chief conductor and music director and will assume full duties in 2028 for an initial five year-term.He will replace Semyon Bychkov, who took over at the start of the 2018-19 season. He said in a statement he was “overjoyed and deeply honored.”The 43-year-old Hrůša is currently chief conductor of the Bamberg Symphony in Germany and is set to become the music director of the Royal Opera House in London in September this year.Hrůša has been a regular guest conductor…

Attacks come as Israeli forces continue to demolish homes as fears of another ground incursion grow.Israeli forces have killed at least 109 Palestinians in attacks across the Gaza Strip, medical sources told media, even as United States President Donald Trump claimed that Israel had agreed to “the necessary conditions” to finalise a 60-day ceasefire. Trump wrote on his Truth Social site on Tuesday that the US would work “with all parties” to end the war on Gaza during the ceasefire, and called on Hamas to agree to the deal. Trump’s comments came after a particularly bloody day in Gaza, as…

WASHINGTON (news agencies) — Legally mandated U.S. national climate assessments seem to have disappeared from the federal websites built to display them, making it harder for state and local governments and the public to learn what to expect in their backyards from a warming world.Scientists said the peer-reviewed authoritative reports save money and lives. Websites for the national assessments and the U.S. Global Change Research Program were down Monday and Tuesday with no links, notes or referrals elsewhere. The White House, which was responsible for the assessments, said the information will be housed within NASA to comply with the law,…

Iran’s embassy in Berlin swiftly rejects allegation after man is arrested in neighbouring Denmark.A Danish man has been arrested on suspicion of spying in Germany on behalf of Iran, an allegation swiftly denied by the Iranian embassy in Berlin. German prosecutors on Tuesday said the man, identified only as Ali S under German privacy law, was suspected of conducting the surveillance “in preparation of further intelligence activities in Germany, possibly including terrorist attacks on Jewish targets”. It added that the individual was suspected of receiving the espionage orders from “an Iranian intelligence service”. German and Danish authorities said the man…