Author: Gulf News Week
Pier Marco Tacca via Getty ImagesA famous bull mosaic in one of Italy’s grand arcades is getting some much-needed care after being worn down by tourists honouring a tradition involving its delicate body parts.As the legend goes, tourists in Milan who grind their heels on the bull’s testicles and spin in place three times are guaranteed good fortune and are destined to return.Visitors twirling clockwise for luck have left a small crater on the bull’s “lucky spot”.”Thousands of people every day have performed the famous heel-spinning gesture,” city councillors said. “The pink tiles that make up its testicles are being…
A debate is under way in Tehran over whether control of the world’s busiest oil chokepoint can replace uranium enrichment as the country’s deterrent.Iran’s decision to act on its long-promised threat to close the Strait of Hormuz has brought United States countermeasures in the form of a US naval blockade. Despite doubts over the legality, feasibility and efficacy of Iran’s initial move and flip-flops about the continuation of the closure, the immediate global impact, surging oil prices and cascading market shocks appear to have surprised even Iran itself, judging by reactions from regime loyalists on state and social media.A radical…
BBCTuk tuk driver Mohammad Umar had to miss a day of work because he could not cope with the heatOn a scorching afternoon in one of Delhi’s busiest markets, two different worlds exist side by side.One is inside brightly-lit, air-conditioned showrooms, where customers move slowly between racks of clothes, escaping the worst of the summer heat.The other is outside, under a blazing sun – where street vendors, fruit sellers, cycle-rickshaw drivers and ice-cream cart operators continue working through temperatures soaring above 40C.In the afternoon, even walking through the market feels exhausting. But for millions of informal workers across Delhi, staying…
Are the US and Iran close to reaching a peace deal… again?The US and Iran still need to work out several sticking points before an agreement on the war can be reached, Vice-President JD Vance has said.Asked by the BBC if President Donald Trump was close to signing a deal, Vance said it was too early to say “when or if” the two sides would finalise an agreement.The deal would reportedly extend the ceasefire for 60 days and launch talks on the future of Iran’s nuclear programme.Earlier on Thursday, US officials told the BBC that the two countries had agreed…
DSU via ReutersAbout 70 people were evacuated as the fire was put outA Russian drone hit an apartment building in Romania, the country’s defence ministry said early on Friday, causing a fire and injuring two people. The drone crashed in the eastern city of Galati as Russia carried out attacks in Ukraine near the border, the ministry said in a statement. The Romanian General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations said the drone’s entire explosive payload detonated, causing a fire on the 10th floor of the residential building. Russian drones have strayed across the border of the Nato member country a number…
Israel intensifies strikes on Lebanon during ceasefire, videos showVerified videos show strikes on densely populated neighbourhoods in southern Lebanon.11 hrs agoMiddle East
Moment Blue Origin rocket explodes during test in FloridaA Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded on a launch pad at Cape Canaveral in Florida on Thursday night.1 hr agoScience & Environment
Are the US and Iran close to reaching a peace deal… again?BBC’s Sarah Smith looks at why both countries are in a tense cycle of negotiations, despite the progress President Trump consistently claims.4 hrs agoMiddle East
Getty ImagesThe best child spellers in the US are competing in an annual spelling bee to see who knows their ABCs best – and who will win $52,000 (£39,000) in cash.The 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee finals began on Tuesday with 247 spellers aged nine to 15. The 101-year-old contest concludes Thursday evening when nine spellers will take to the stage in front of their parents, teachers, friends and TV audiences to go letter-by-letter through some of the toughest words in the English language.Whoever wins takes home The Scripps Cup and the prize money. Test your spelling skills with our…
PA MediaAn AI facial recognition tool that aims to detect adult migrants posing as children will be deployed at the UK’s borders next year.A software company has been awarded a contract to develop and test the technology, which will estimate a person’s age by analysing photographs of them taken at the border.The Home Office says the technology will make it easier to identify adult migrants “attempting to game the system”, after initial testing indicated “promising performance and accuracy”.But Human Rights Watch urged the government to scrap the scheme, describing it as “unproven technology” that will undermine the protections vulnerable children…