Author: Gulf News Week
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has sacked Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the nation’s government after months of tensions between the two men.A shock decree, read out on TV by a presidential aide, said Faye had “ended the duties” of his one-time political ally Sonko and “consequently those of the ministers and secretaries of state who are members of the government”.Sonko, a popular figure among Senegal’s youth, said on social media that he would “sleep with a light heart”.The split comes as the country faces mounting economic pressure, with its public debt having reached the equivalent of 132% of…
Airlines ask UAE residents and travellers to reach airports up to four hours before flights, opt for online and home check-in during Eid Al Adha holidaysUAE carriers Emirates, Etihad Airways and flydubai have issued travel advisories urging passengers flying during the Eid Al Adha holiday period to arrive at airports early and make use of online and home check-in services to avoid delays.The airlines have advised passengers to reach airports up to four hours before departure as they expect heavy congestion during the peak travel season.Travellers are also encouraged to use public transport where possible and complete check-in procedures in…
A new James Bond is about to make his debut – not on the big screen, but in a video game.007 First Light introduces a younger version of Ian Fleming’s iconic spy, played by Irish actor Patrick Gibson. It presents Bond before he’s earned his “00” status, offering a fresh take on a character that’s seen continual reinvention for more than six decades.The new game arrives at a moment of transition for the franchise, with no actor yet confirmed as the next cinematic Bond following Daniel Craig’s final appearance in No Time to Die in 2021.WireImageIrish actor Patrick Gibson plays…
Under the blazing Vegas sun, giant billboards advertise “Live Enhanced” as the baritone voice of a sports announcer pretends to introduce British swimmer Ben Proud and other athletes.The announcer is practicing at a new open air arena hosting one of the most controversial events in recent sporting history: the Enhanced Games.Think Olympics on steroids. Literally.The inaugural competition on Sunday will feature dozens of elite athletes using performance-enhancing drugs to try and break world records in track, weightlifting and swimming. The drugs they use must be legal, and approved by the Federal Drug Administration. But substances like testosterone and human growth…
The shooting suspect was identified as an emotionally disturbed person, with a ‘stay-away order’ being issued to him previouslyA gunman who fired at a White House checkpoint was shot by officers and died after being taken to the hospital on Saturday evening, the Secret Service said.The man approached the checkpoint at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House, pulled a gun out of his bag and started shooting at officers, according to a Secret Service statement sent to Reuters. Officers returned fire and shot the suspect, the agency said.A bystander was struck by gunfire, the statement said, but…
“I felt the whole ship shake. I thought there’d been some fault with the engine. But as soon as I stepped outside of my room, there was another explosion.”Sunil Puniya, 26, was on his first job at sea when a missile struck the oil tanker Skylight in the early hours of 1 March.The US-sanctioned vessel had travelled from Dubai and was nearing the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. Skylight was the first commercial vessel to be struck after the US-Israel war with Iran erupted in the region.At the time of the attack, Sunil was…
Bakeries said that families are placing advance orders for sweets, cakes and traditional Eid items for gatherings and giftingFrom packed perfume stores to busy tyre shops and bakeries working on bulk orders, businesses across the UAE are seeing a rise in customer activity ahead of the Eid Al Adha holidays.While some residents are keeping a watch on spending, many are still shopping for family gatherings, gifting and road trips before the peak summer season begins.Perfume retailers said that Eid gifting remains one of the biggest drivers during this period, especially for customers sending presents to relatives abroad.“We understand that people…
The victim filed a lawsuit after discovering he had been deceived through a bogus online platform designed to resemble legitimate mobile phone top-up servicesTwo young men have been ordered to repay nearly Dh15,000 to a victim after an Al Ain court found they used a fake mobile phone recharge website to scam him out of money.The Al Ain Civil, Commercial and Administrative Court also ordered the pair to pay the victim Dh3,000 in compensation for the financial and emotional harm he suffered as a result of the fraud.According to court records, the victim filed a lawsuit after discovering he had…
According to industry professionals, a few simple precautions can make all the difference for travellersAs UAE residents prepare for a long public holiday this Eid Al Adha, experts are urging holidaymakers to prioritise safe practices during travelling. With the break running from May 25 to May 31 for many residents, thousands are expected to travel, and according to industry professionals, a few simple precautions can make all the difference.”Many travellers don’t know that there are different kinds of insurance, which protects people in various scenarios including medical emergencies and baggage loss or theft,” said Safeer Mohammed, General Manager of Smart…
On Russian state TV a news bulletin shows images of a five-storey building reduced to rubble.Teams of rescuers are sifting through debris.On a severely damaged façade there’s a sign:”Starobilsk Professional College.”The town of Starobilsk is in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine: in the Luhansk region which Moscow claims to have annexed.Russian officials accuse Ukraine of a carrying out a drone attack on the college dormitory. According to official figures, 21 people were killed and 42 wounded.The Russian TV report shows а number of survivors in hospital. One of them is identified as 21-year-old Olga Kovaleva. She’d been trapped under the rubble, but…