Author: Gulf News Week
BBC News UkraineDaria left her apartment in Kyiv this summer after Russia’s attacks on the city intensifiedFor much of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Daria was not afraid of the shelling.Even on nights of heavy bombardment, the 27-year-old could sleep through the explosions in her apartment in Kyiv. Like many Ukrainians, she relied on the “two-wall rule”: staying safe by keeping two walls between herself and the outside world.But this year that has changed.In recent months, Russia has scaled up the intensity and frequency of its attacks against the Ukrainian capital. A BBC Verify analysis of government figures found Kyiv…
Ed Sheeran’s tour in ‘damage control mode’ after Macklemore backlashBritish singer Ed Sheeran is facing growing backlash over a controversial decision to drop rapper Macklemore from the rest of his US tour after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian comments on stage. The decision – which Sheeran said was made by his promoter, not by himself – has caused ticket sales to decline, supporting acts to drop out, and fans to express frustration. Sheeran’s first show since the debacle began will be on Saturday in Philadelphia, and pro-Palestinian groups are planning to protest outside the venue. Here’s everything you need to know about…
Getty ImagesGoogle’s AI model Gemini autonomously hacked into three companies during a test of its cyber-security capabilities, the company has said, in what is thought to be the first known case of it carrying out such an act.Gemini found “public information online and guessed credentials to access websites it thought were part of the test”, a Google official told the BBC, noting that in each instance “the model stopped”.The affected companies have been informed about the breach.It comes after renewed public scrutiny over the pace of AI development, with some tech firms calling for a slowdown as they raise concerns…
JungEvery summer, Seoul turns a deep green, growing dense and lush under humid skies.But this year, one tree was visibly suffering. “Green leaves were falling to the ground, which shouldn’t happen at that time of year,” recalls Jung, who lives near the streetside ginkgo in Buam-dong, a largely residential neighbourhood in the north of Seoul.The tree is beloved by locals, who believe it has occupied its spot for more than 100 years. So Jung couldn’t ignore what she was seeing. With each passing day, her curiosity turned to concern.The whodunnit engrossed Buam-dong and piqued the country’s interest, making national headlines.…
Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump has said his son paid back a Russian oligarch with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin for hosting post-wedding festivities in the Bahamas.Asked in the Oval Office about Umar Kremlev’s involvement in Donald Trump Jr’s celebrations, Trump said it is “totally allowed” and that it is “very common” to give wedding parties for others.After an investigation said Kremlev paid “hundreds of thousands of dollars”, the couple confirmed he partially funded two nights of their three-day festivities on a private island as a gift.Trump did not say how he knew the Putin ally was paid back.…
‘We are dying’: Aunt of murdered woman pleads for action on femicide”What we are going to do, I have no idea,” sobs Nokwanda Matshikiza, reflecting on the murder of her niece Dineo Motapane. “But something must give.””For us, for all the other women. How many other bodies will be found before something happens?”Nokwanda is speaking to the BBC from the family home near South Africa’s main city, Johannesburg, just two days after relatives identified Dineo’s body.The 38-year-old mother-of-two was last seen alive last Sunday. Her battered body, partly burned, found later in the residential region of Ekurhuleni.”How do you explain…
EPA/ShutterstockUS President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping sanctions bill, taking aim at Russia’s economy by punishing major purchasers of its oil and gas. The bill, passed by the US House of Representatives earlier this week, gives Trump broad powers to levy tariffs of up to 100% on the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas – most significantly China and India.At Trump’s behest, the bill also extends to Iran’s energy and weapons sectors. The bill is named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Ukraine’s staunchest defenders in Washington before his death on 11 July. Additionally, the…
Kerry Kennedy: ‘It would be a tragedy’ if Kennedy Center is demolishedThe BBC’s Caitríona Perry spoke to the late president’s niece, as protesters gathered at the venue to condemn demolition threats.23 mins agoUS & Canada
Watch: Trump says ban on some news outlets from White House is “because they’re fake news”US President Donald Trump has announced that he is “immediately” banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, the latest twist in his fraught relationship with media outlets. In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump said that the outlets “constantly write or report fiction or lies” about his administration, although he provided no examples. Trump later called it a “very simple ban”, but did not explain how it would work. It is unclear whether employees of those outlets would be prevented…
Watch: Earl Spencer says he’s ‘telling the truth’ about what Charles said after Diana diedPrincess Diana’s brother has told the BBC exclusively that he is “telling the truth” about a phone call with King Charles in the days after his sister’s death. Earl Spencer claims in a new book the then-Prince of Wales said “we’ll forget her soon enough” during an argument over whether Princes William and Harry should walk in Diana’s funeral procession.In a strongly worded response, Buckingham Palace said the King was “mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgement and colour memory in…