Author: Gulf News Week

 Carrier resumes select departures to London, New York, and Madrid after temporary clearance from aviation authorities DOHA: Qatar Airways has received temporary authorization to operate 29 flights on Thursday, offering a lifeline to passengers disrupted by ongoing regional instability following Iranian retaliatory strikes across the Gulf. The airline announced late Tuesday that the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority had granted permission for limited operating corridors, allowing select departures to resume. The approved routes include flights to London, New York, and Madrid. “Following temporary authorization from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority allowing limited operating corridors, Qatar Airways plans to operate select flights in…

 Revolutionary Guards claim strikes on Israeli military sites and US assets; several injured near Tel Aviv, Israeli media reports JERUSALEM: Israel’s military confirmed Wednesday that missiles were launched from Iran toward its territory, triggering air defense systems and sending residents across the country scrambling for shelters. Air raid sirens wailed in Jerusalem and other areas as AFP journalists reported hearing distant explosions. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Telegram that defensive systems were “operating to intercept the threat,” later giving the all-clear for civilians to leave protected areas. Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service reported no direct casualties from the…

 Home Affairs Minister confirms one of seven athletes who sought sanctuary reversed her decision after being encouraged to contact the Iranian embassy. SYDNEY: An Iranian women’s football team member who initially sought asylum in Australia has withdrawn her application after speaking with teammates who returned home, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The player was among seven members of Iran’s visiting women’s squad who applied for protection in Australia. The group faced harsh criticism in Iran, being branded “traitors” following a pre-match protest. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told parliament that one of the individuals had a change of heart after communicating with…

WASHINGTON (news agencies) — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved a generic medication for a rare brain disorder, while walking back statements by President Donald Trump and other administration officials that the drug showed great promise for people with autism.The agency said it approved leucovorin for children and adults with a genetic condition that limits delivery of folate, a form of vitamin B, to the brain. FDA officials estimate the ultrarare condition impacts fewer than 1 in a million people in the U.S.It’s a major step back from comments made at a White House news conference in September,…

The GCAA warned that failure to comply with the ban could lead to legal action, stressing that the measure is in place to ensure public safety The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has announced a ban on all types of drones and light sports aircraft across the country. The authority said the decision comes in light of the current circumstances. The GCAA stressed that compliance with the ban is mandatory and warned that failure to follow the decision could lead to legal action. It also urged the public to cooperate with the measure, noting that adherence to the rules is…

Authorities say additional supplies have already been sent to markets, with prices expected to return to normal levels as supply continues to increase Prices of some food commodities like tomatoes and onions have seen a temporary increase over the past two days, authorities said, as the Ministry of Economy and Tourism intensified monitoring efforts across markets nationwide to ensure price stability and the availability of essential goods. The ministry said the “limited” increase was a result of the effects of the ongoing regional crisis, stressing that additional quantities of the affected commodities have already been supplied to markets in “abundant”…

Hotel associations in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chennai say many eateries may be forced to shut temporarily as LPG deliveries slowed or stopped in recent days A shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is disrupting restaurants and small businesses across several Indian cities, with commercial supplies curtailed as authorities prioritise household cooking gas. Hotel associations in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chennai say many eateries may be forced to shut temporarily as deliveries of 19 kg commercial cylinders widely used by restaurants have slowed or stopped in recent days. The disruption comes as tensions in the Middle East raise concerns about energy shipments…

The law seeks to enhance occupant comfort, reduce accidents, protect lives and property, and preserve the emirate’s urban identity Sheikh Mohammed, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, in his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, has issued a new law on the quality and safety of buildings in the emirate. The law aims to ensure the quality, safety and sustainability of buildings in the emirate by maintaining structural integrity, ensuring regular maintenance and supporting the safe operation of all systems. It also seeks to enhance occupant comfort, reduce accidents, protect lives and property, and preserve the emirate’s urban…

WASHINGTON (news agencies) — An unprecedented effort to reverse the effects of a racially biased medical test that blocked or delayed Black people from getting kidney transplants seems to be working.Researchers reported Monday that thousands of Black transplant candidates have been given credit on the transplant waiting list for time they lost because of that misguided test, moving up their priority in an attempt at restorative justice.That test used a race-based formula to calculate patients’ kidney function. It made Black patients’ kidneys appear healthier than they really were, delaying diagnosis of impending organ failure and referral for transplant.After the U.S.…

WASHINGTON (news agencies) — “Exercise your brain,” experts advise people hoping to stave off dementia. But how? Stretching your brain might be the better description.Do a crossword puzzle a day and you may just get good at crosswords. Instead, research increasingly shows that a variety of habits and hobbies are like a cognitive workout, building knowledge and skills that may beef up parts of the brain as we get older.One recent study linked a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline to lifelong learning, meaning intellectually stimulating experiences — reading and writing, learning another language, playing chess, solving puzzles,…