Author: Gulf News Week
Watch: Japan’s defence minister sits down with the BBC’s Japan correspondentJapan must “strengthen its defence capabilities”, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has told the BBC, emphasising the need to revisit the pacifist posture that has defined the country since World War Two.He said boosting defence, “reinforcing its alliance with the United States, and expanding collaboration with like-minded countries” was part of “building multi-layered deterrence critical for ensuring that no new war breaks out in this region”.He spoke of the recent changes in Japan’s defence policy, such as relaxing decades-old arms export rules. For the first time in about 50 years, Tokyo…
Getty ImagesDiezani Alison-Madueke pictured in January on her way to the trial in Southwark.A former Nigerian oil minister has been cleared of taking bribes from wealthy oil executives in the form of luxury home stays and lavish spending sprees in the UK.Diezani Alison-Madueke, 65, was found not guilty after a trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court of five counts of accepting bribes and a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery.Alison-Madueke was Nigeria’s oil minister between 2010 and 2015 and the first female president of the oil exporters group Opec.The verdict is a blow for the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA),…
Getty ImagesThe US-Iran memorandum of understanding announced on Wednesday amounts to a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a deal to try to reach a final deal on almost everything else.President Donald Trump framed it as a major win for the US in a lengthy press conference at the G7 summit in France. Both countries later confirmed the memo was signed electonically on Wednesday and was now in effect.But new details released by US officials in a call with reporters confirm both countries still have a long way to go to reach a comprehensive final peace agreement that achieves…
Watch: Bystanders help rescue survivors after Texas plane crashNearly a dozen bystanders and first responders rushed to the scene of a private jet crash on a Texas motorway on Tuesday to help free trapped passengers.Using what appeared to be a shovel and a sledgehammer, the passers-by and emergency officials helped several passengers escape through an opened door, video shows.The aircraft was flying from Los Cabos, Mexico, to Austin, Texas, when it reported major mechanical issues to Laredo airport, Gilberto Sanchez, the airport’s director, told the New York Times.One of the six people on board died in the crash, said police.…
Getty ImagesPresident Trump believes that the deal could be signed as early as 18 June.US officials have unveiled the full text of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding to extend the ceasefire, open the Strait of Hormuz and, they hope, end the conflict between the two countries nearly four months after it began.The Trump administration has described the 14-point agreement as “performance-based”, with Iran benefitting only if it complies with its commitments. Speaking at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains in France, President Donald Trump said that the deal will be formally signed “shortly” – potentially as soon as Thursday. Here’s what…
LIVEBellingham starts as England confirm team to face Croatia in World Cup openerFollow live as England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas.
When the U.S. and Israel launched the war against Iran on Feb. 28, President Donald Trump said one of the main objectives was to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon.That has put a focus on Iran’s stockpile of uranium and its program to convert this naturally occurring element into material that can sustain a nuclear reaction — a process called enrichment. Several key nuclear sites in Iran were attacked by the U.S. and Israel last summer, and again during the latest war.Iran’s leaders insist the country’s nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes. Before the war began, it had…
LIVEWatch as Neves gives Portugal early lead against DR Congo at World CupWatch live on BBC, listen to Radio 5 Live commentary and follow text coverage as Portugal face DR Congo at the World Cup.
James Carbone/Pool via REUTERSGilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann stands and speaks in court June 17 at his sentencing on Long Island in New York.Rex Heuermann, known as the Gilgo Beach serial killer, who admitted to brutally murdering eight women, received the maximum sentence on Wednesday. He will serve three life sentences for first-degree murder, plus 25 years to life on four second-degree murder charges, all running consecutively.The sentencing followed a series of angry, poignant statements on Wednesday, as victims’ family members described how the brutal losses created “lifelong devastation” for them.In April, Heuermann confirmed that he strangled and bound his…
BBCThree Iranian tankers loaded with crude oil have passed the US blockade line in the Gulf of Oman, ship-tracking data shows.Two were broadcasting their locations as they crossed and a third appeared to switch on its location tracker just past the line.Despite President Donald Trump announcing on Sunday the “immediate removal” of the blockade of Iranian ports, US naval forces later confirmed it would remain in effect until the deal with Iran was signed. This is expected to take place in Switzerland on Friday.”This a sign that Iran is confident the blockade is over, even if the US has insisted…