Author: Gulf News Week
ReutersVance said Trump was joking when he said he might blame himAs he defended the US-Iran deal at the White House press briefing on Thursday, Vice-President JD Vance brushed aside a question about whether President Donald Trump had positioned him as the “fall guy” for an agreement that is broadly unpopular with Republicans in Washington.”I think the president was joking,” Vance said, referring to Trump’s comment the previous day that he might blame the vice-president if the deal collapses. Vance has spent the week defending the memorandum of understanding with Iran. Yet he was often contradicted or overshadowed by Trump…
ISNA/WANA/ReutersThe US has dropped its naval blockade of Iran after the two countries signed a deal to end the war in the Middle East.US Central Command confirmed the end of the blockade on X “in accordance with the President’s direction”, and said some US vessels would remain “in the general area”.Soon afterwards, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he had approved the deal with the US despite having a “different view”, without elaborating. He said he allowed it to go ahead after assurances from Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian that he would “protect the rights of the Iranian nation”. Khamenei said…
BBCThe soaring, light-filled quire in Rochester Cathedral has witnessed centuries of worship. But beneath where the cathedral’s singers sit, its timeworn paving stones lies a dark financial legacy.Hidden in an archive until just a few years ago, were share dividends from the early 18th Century showing the cathedral’s dean and chapter invested directly in a company that trafficked slaves, making profits of around 400%.”We think it paid for a huge renovation project here at that time,” says the Very Reverend Philip Hesketh, Dean of Rochester, pointing out the quire paving that was relaid.”There were some major things like seven Georgian…
Parents, schools and communities must also help children develop healthy digital habitsAs the UAE moves to restrict social media access for children under 15, mental health professionals said that they are seeing young people whose online habits are affecting their sleep, studies, confidence and overall wellbeing.On June 18, a new resolution was issued to ban those under the age of 15 from creating or using personal social media accounts or accessing their full features. The decision was welcomed by UAE doctors who shed light on the dangers of social media addiction, especially among children.From children staying awake until the early…
Set to begin operations in 2032, Al Maktoum International will have a 14-station underground multi-track train. Here’s what a journey could look likeDubai’s airport of the future is being designed around a simple idea: passengers should not spend their journey standing in queues.At Al Maktoum International Airport, bags could be dropped off before travellers reach the terminal, check-in could be completed during the journey, and passengers could move through the airport without the usual repeated stops for formalities. Inside, automated people movers will link terminals and concourses, advanced baggage systems will process tens of thousands of bags an hour, and…
Abu Dhabi tenants are expected to stay longer in their homes and renew existing contracts after the emirate temporarily froze rental increasesThe Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre announced earlier this week that the annual rental increase percentage has been cut from 5 per cent to 0 per cent across residential, commercial and industrial properties. The decision took effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.Under the new rule, all lease renewals and new agreements on previously rented units will be based on the value recorded in the most recent registered Tawtheeq contract.Industry professionals say the decision directly addresses…
Getty ImagesLawyers for the defendant accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson will no longer argue a psychiatric defence at his state murder trial.Luigi Mangione’s attorneys reversed course a day after telling Judge Gregory Carro that they would try to show he was suffering from “extreme emotional disturbance at the time of the occurrence”.Mangione, 28, has pleaded not guilty in both the federal and state cases against him for the fatal shooting of Thompson in midtown Manhattan at the end of 2024.The BBC has contacted Mangione’s attorneys. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined to comment.The reversal came ahead…
LIVEQatar down to nine men as Canada hit four but lose Kone to serious-looking injuryListen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary and follow text updates as Canada take on Qatar in Group B of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Linkin Park tell the BBC they’re big fans of up-and-coming rapper Morgan Da SavageAn up-and-coming UK rapper’s thanked Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda for “changing my life” after he praised one of her freestyles.Morgan Da Savage’s rap went viral after she performed on DJ and producer Toddla T’s independent music platform Steeze Factory.Shinoda mentioned her name when asked by BBC News at Download Festival who he’d want to collaborate with on a 2026 version of Collision Course, their 2004 mash-up album with Jay-Z.Da Savage says it feels “surreal” as she listened to Linkin Park growing up and all the attention means…
LIVEVoting closes in local election that could pave way for UK leadership challengeIn Makerfield, Labour’s Andy Burnham is hoping to return to Westminster. Meanwhile, two other by-elections are taking place in Scotland.