Author: Gulf News Week

Early prenatal care improves the chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby. But a new federal report shows it’s been on the decline.The share of U.S. births to women who began prenatal care in the first trimester dropped from 78.3% in 2021 to 75.5% in 2024, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday.Meanwhile, starting care later in pregnancy or getting no care at all has been on the rise. Prenatal care beginning in the second trimester rose from 15.4% to 17.3%, and starting care in the third trimester or getting no care…

Cnews agenciesE CANAVERAL, Fla. (news agencies) — NASA aims to send astronauts to the moon in March after acing the latest rocket fueling test.Officials announced the decision Friday, two weeks ahead of the first targeted launch opportunity on March 6.“This is really getting real, and it’s time to get serious and start getting excited,” said Lori Glaze, NASA’s exploration systems development chief.Administrator Jared Isaacman noted that launch teams made “major progress” between the first countdown rehearsal, which was disrupted by hydrogen leaks earlier this month, and the second test, which was completed with exceptionally low seepage Thursday night. The test…

Eric Dane, known for his roles on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” died this week from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at age 53.The fatal nervous system disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, killed Dane less than a year after he announced his diagnosis.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ALS is rare. In 2022, there were nearly 33,000 estimated cases, say researchers, who project that cases will rise to more than 36,000 by 2030. The disease is slightly more common in men than in women and tends to strike in midlife, between the ages of 40 and 60.Here’s what…

Cnews agenciesE CANAVERAL, Fla. (news agencies) — In the latest setback to return astronauts to the moon, NASA delayed the highly anticipated flight yet again after a new problem cropped up with the rocket Saturday.April is now the earliest that the four Artemis II astronauts could fly to the moon.NASA revealed the latest problem just one day after targeting March 6 for Artemis II, humanity’s first flight to the moon in more than half a century. Overnight, the flow of helium to the rocket’s upper stage was interrupted, officials said. Solid helium flow is essential for purging the engines and…

President Aoun decries “blatant aggression” as Hezbollah lawmaker calls for boycott of multinational truce monitoring committee scheduled to meet next week. BEIRUT – Lebanon’s fragile ceasefire with Israel faced its most severe test yet on Saturday as political leaders condemned deadly Israeli airstrikes that killed 12 people, prompting calls from Hezbollah to suspend the very mechanism designed to uphold the truce. President Joseph Aoun led the condemnation, describing Friday’s attacks on southern and eastern Lebanon as “a blatant act of aggression aimed at thwarting diplomatic efforts” by the United States and other international actors seeking to stabilize the region . The…

In an unprecedented move, British police took the Duke of York into custody on his 66th birthday over allegations he passed confidential government papers to the disgraced financier. LONDON – In a historic first for the British monarchy, Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, plunging the House of Windsor into its deepest crisis of the 21st century. The Duke of York, 66, was detained by Thames Valley Police on Thursday at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate. The arrest stems from allegations that, while serving as a UK trade envoy, he supplied classified government…

 The dual recall addresses critical defects in throttle body gears and engine bearings that could lead to sudden power loss or fire, according to safety regulators. WASHINGTON – Nissan is issuing a major safety recall affecting 642,698 Rogue SUVs in the United States, tackling two separate mechanical defects that could lead to dangerous outcomes, including engine fires and a sudden loss of drive power. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the recalls on Thursday, outlining two distinct issues impacting the popular compact SUV. What Nissan Will DoTo address both safety concerns, Nissan dealers will reprogram the engine-control software as…

 The Filipino trailblazer reflects positively on her WTA 1000 run after a tough defeat to the American, vowing to close the gap to the world’s elite. DUBAI – The scoreline read 6-0, 6-2 in favor of Coco Gauff, but Alexandra Eala left the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with her head held high and a nation’s heart in her hands. Despite a “demoralising” defeat to the two-time Grand Slam winner on Thursday, the 20-year-old from the Philippines spent her final moments on court signing autographs for the adoring crowd that had packed Dubai Stadium. Her post-match reflections were not of disappointment,…

The Catholic church in Ein Karem was defaced with Hebrew graffiti, the latest in a series of attacks on religious sites in the city. JERUSALEM – Israeli settlers vandalized the Church of the Visitation in the Ein Karem neighborhood of West Jerusalem on Thursday, spraying “revenge” messages and religious slogans on its walls and nearby vehicles, according to Palestinian officials. The Jerusalem Governorate of the Palestinian Authority reported that a group of extremists targeted the Catholic church, which is located in what was a Palestinian village before 1948. Photographs from the scene show red spray-painted graffiti in Hebrew, including the words: “Revenge,”…

 The ban, now extended until March 23, continues to force Indian carriers on costly detours, with losses estimated at $1 billion annually. ISLAMABAD – The protracted closure of airspace between Pakistan and India is set to enter its 11th month, with Pakistan issuing a new notice to airmen (NOTAM) on Thursday, extending the ban on Indian aircraft until March 23. Observers anticipate that India will once again reciprocate the measure. The tit-for-tat closure, which began in April 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack, has severely disrupted flight operations and inflicted significant financial damage, primarily on Indian carriers. According to aviation industry…