Author: Gulf News Week
Dubai recorded a 37.4% year-on-year increase in licensed buildings during the first half of 2026, underscoring the pace of construction and urban expansion across the emirate.The number of licensed buildings rose to 4,305 from 3,134 in the first six months of 2025, an increase of 1,171 buildings. The figures point to continuing development across residential, commercial and service-related projects as Dubai accommodates population growth, business expansion and strong property investment.Building activity extended well beyond completely new developments. Dubai Municipality issued 19,715 building permits during the six-month period, including 3,364 permits for new projects and 16,351 covering additional buildings, modifications and…
Getty ImagesBuckling under exam pressure, teens in China are turning to prescription drugsAt 14, *Xiaomei, a high-performing student from a coastal province in China, decided to overdose on cough medication.She wanted to impress an older boy who told her it would help her relax. The tablets were usually only available with a doctor’s prescription, but she managed to buy them online.At first she found that they made her a bit dizzy. But she was soon hooked to the slightly numb sensation, which, to her, felt like a brief respite from the pressure of looming exams. When taken in large doses,…
Getty ImagesRussia has hit more than 200 Ukrainian petrol stations since April, according to a think tank”Fill up quickly and move on,” Mayor Ihor Terekhov warns drivers in Ukraine’s second largest city Kharkiv.Two petrol stations in the city in Ukraine’s north-east were hit by Russian drones on Monday, which local officials say wounded two people. In another attack on a petrol station outside the city of Kryvyi Rih last week, three people were killed.Russia’s campaign of targeting civilian filling stations with drones and missiles began in earnest in April, primarily in regions on the front line, and the attacks are…
Shaktimaya TamangHeavy casualties are feared after a massive flash flood in parts of northern Nepal washed away villages and damaged infrastructure, including a hydropower dam. The flood hit early on Wednesday in Rasuwa, an area north of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu. It borders the Himalayan region of Tibet and is along Nepal’s main trading route with China. Officials believe the flood was caused by melting snow that had fallen into the Bhote Koshi river that flows from Tibet to Nepal.Several districts downstream are on high alert. While officials expect the damage to be severe, it is too early to estimate the…
LIVEAt least 14 newborn babies killed after fire breaks out in Pakistan hospitalThe fire broke out in an air-conditioning unit in the ward and was ignited by oxygen connections, a spokesperson said.
What was behind Dolly Parton’s widespread appeal?The BBC’s entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson looks at why the singer attracted such a range of fans.3 hrs agoCulture
Watch: “We used flour for powder” – Dolly reflects on early life in 1979 BBC interviewThe much-loved US singer-songwriter, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton, who has died aged 80, was known as the Queen of Country.Raised in Tennessee, she rose to fame in the late 1960s with hits that bridged country and pop music.Her songs covered deeply personal themes around growing up poor, love and loss, as well as female empowerment and spirituality.Live updates: Dolly Parton, legendary US country singer, dies aged 80Dolly Parton: The country legend who sang from the heartDolly Parton: A life in picturesCoat of Many ColorsDolly…
AFP via Getty ImagesHidden door handles were popularised by TeslaHidden car door handles – the sleek designs often found on electric vehicles (EVs) – have come under the spotlight over the past week.That’s after China announced its biggest ever recall of cars, with more than four million vehicles – mostly Teslas – affected.The recall comes ahead of new regulations in China, requiring cars to have a mechanical release both on the inside and outside of their doors.Popularised by Elon Musk’s electric vehicle giant, this type of handle has become commonplace around the world.’A real safety concern’ Hidden door handles are…
Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesDrone attacks have escalated in recent months in SudanUS President Donald Trump’s senior Africa envoy has asked the UN to extend its arms embargo from Darfur to all of Sudan, warning the war could spread across the wider region.The UN Security Council “must act to stop external financial and military support to the parties, such as drones and related technologies, from entering Sudan,” Massad Boulos said.Drone attacks are escalating with both the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accused of using them. Now in its fourth year, the conflict has killed tens of…
NurPhoto via Getty ImagesMulti-billionaire Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX has announced that it will build its largest launch site yet in the southern US state of Louisiana.Construction of the $100bn (£73bn) project – named Starbase – is due to start next year, with the 125,000-acre (50,585-hectare) site expanding on the company’s operations beyond its current Texas headquarters and locations in Florida.It will be used to “support thousands of Starship flights a year with missions launching to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond,” SpaceX said on Tuesday.In June, SpaceX shares started trading on New York’s technology-focused Nasdaq in the world’s…