Author: Gulf News Week
Getty ImagesMany were surprised last week when the US state of Minnesota reported that more than 30 of its state water systems had faced a “co-ordinated cyber-attack”. Days later the FBI warned cyber-attacks had been reported in seven states and “some of that activity degraded water operations”. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (Cisa) is reportedly probing a possible Iranian connection to the Minnesota attacks, according to US media. Cisa would not comment.Although US President Donald Trump has not blamed Iran, cyber-experts tell the BBC it’s likely the attack was directed by Tehran.Is Iran behind these attacks?Morgan Wright, a…
ReutersA mother and son inspect the surrounds of their home in Le Porge on Monday, after it was destroyed in a wildfire A forest fire in the south of France has revealed a cache of 400 historic shells and munitions in the village of Le Porge, according to local authorities.Blasts, initially thought to be exploding gas cylinders, may have been World War Two explosives detonated by the heat of the fires, the local fire commander told local media.More than 100 explosions were heard on the second night of the fire, Mayor Martial Zaninetti told French news outlet France Info, likening…
Watch: Wild police chase in Queensland, Australia ends in two arrestsA police pursuit in Queensland has ended in two arrests, with authorities taken on a high-speed car chase across Ipswich and Brisbane.1 hr agoAustralia
AFP via Getty ImagesTwenty five US states sued the administration of US President Donald Trump on Monday over new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners.The tariffs came into effect in July, targeting countries including the UK and China as well as the European Union, over Washington’s contention that they have failed to properly tackle forced labour.In a legal document seen by the BBC, the coalition of Democratic states said the decision was “arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law.”In response, White House spokesman Kush Desai said: “The US is using its lawful authority” to address practices…
BBCRichard Itoro says returning to Nigeria and starting again was the better optionNigerian Richard Itoro is not sure when he will see his twin children again.Fearing for his safety as the anti-migrant protests cranked up in South Africa this year, the 47-year-old left his family and business behind in Johannesburg and boarded one of the voluntary repatriation flights to Nigeria in June.His is just one of many experiences that is fuelling diplomatic tension and threatening to rupture relations between South Africa and other countries on the continent. Tens of thousands of foreigners have left the country over the past two…
Watch: “She folded like an umbrella” – Trump attacks Jeanine Pirro over Reflecting PoolIt’s been a humbling few days for Donald Trump, even if the American president is reluctant to acknowledge it.In a series of setbacks, Trump has faced adversity in matters both large and small; two of which he cares about dearly and one that could determine his and his party’s political fate for the remaining two years of his presidential term.From a flawed attempt to renovate a Washington landmark to questions about his pick to head the justice department to increasingly complicated efforts to end his war in…
Katia TemkinGrande has cancelled appearances including a starring role in a stage musical in London next yearThree years ago, Ariana Grande made a plea for people not to comment about her body. Responding in a TikTok video to comments about her weight and figure, the pop star and actress told fans there were “many different ways to look healthy and beautiful”.Three years on, and the social media speculation about her body and her health has continued. After “endless, ongoing public scrutiny”, the star’s spokesperson released a statement saying she “will be taking a step back from visibility” at the end…
Getty ImagesMicrosoft has increased the price of Xbox consoles worldwide, citing rising memory and storage chip costs.Its premium Series X console with a disc drive will now cost £670, when it previously retailed for £500.Meanwhile a baseline Xbox Series S console now costs £430 – a roughly 43% increase on its previous £300 price tag.It is among a host of tech firms to have told consumers that spiralling component costs mean they must charge more, with rival Sony hiking PlayStation 5 prices by £90 in March.In the US, its basic consoles rose by $100 to $499, and the cost of…
Watch: Migrants started to return to Morocco after thousands entered Spain’s Ceuta on 30 JulyEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for “united action” on border security after the chaotic influx of tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta last week.Spain estimates that about 69,500 migrants have now returned to Morocco, exceeding initial estimates of 50,000. The official death toll on the Spanish side of the border stands at 72, with 11 deaths on the Moroccan side.On Tuesday, EU interior ministers will have emergency talks by video conference to discuss the issue.The…
Over 60,000 evacuated from wildfire danger, says Spokane mayor Lisa BrownWildfires have forced around 60,000 people to evacuate parts of Washington state, destroying hundreds of buildings and leaving thousands without power.Three major blazes continued to burn around the city of Spokane on Monday, with officials warning that the fires had not been contained.Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown described the situation as “the worst natural disaster our region has faced”, adding that authorities were assessing the extent of the damage and were “still discussing the potential for lives to be lost”.No deaths or injuries have been confirmed.The National Weather Service (NWS) had…