Author: Gulf News Week
Getty ImagesJeffrey Deaver, a 58-year-old retired timber cutter in the state of Washington, has taken kratom for four years to help with severe chronic hip and knee pain.He discovered the herbal product when he couldn’t find relief from doctors and while waiting for surgeries. Scared at first, he “started small”, but then took more until his pain went away.”It was like a miracle,” Deaver said. “I could sleep. I could function.”I just don’t know what I’d do without it.”This week, investigators found packaged kratom in the possession of two deceased University of Mississippi students. Although their deaths were not attributed…
Thousands turn out to greet Pope in FranceThe BBC’s Hugh Schofield looks at why the visit is met with enthusiasm the Church attributes to growing spirituality among the French. 4 hrs agoEurope
Robbie Williams’ surprise singalong after Peru gig cancelledRobbie Williams gave an impromptu performance outside a hotel in Lima after his stadium concert was cancelled.9 hrs agoCulture
Getty ImagesThe US Supreme Court has lifted restrictions on the Trump administration to use a controversial federal voter database, which uses citizenship information and other sensitive data to filter alleged non-citizen voting.Critics warn the ruling could lead to valid voters being removed from electoral rolls.The ruling marks a victory for the Trump administration as it seeks to clamp down on allegations of non-citizen voting.The three liberal-leaning liberals on the Supreme Court dissented from the decision, with the other six conservative justices supporting it. In June, a federal judge ruled that the system was illegal and violated the privacy rights of…
‘We can’t guarantee any programme or channel forever’ – BBC Director General Matt BrittinThe BBC’s financial situation and changing audience habits “may well mean” some channels and radio stations have to close so resources can be invested in on-demand services, its director general has said.As the BBC seeks £500m savings, Matt Brittin told BBC One’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg that “we wouldn’t guarantee any programme or any channel will exist forever”.He said: “The tight financial situation means that we’re having to look at some of those decisions a bit sooner than we might like.”Audience behaviour is also rapidly changing, he…
Anadolu via Getty ImagesCyber-criminals who hacked the FBI say they have extremely sensitive medical data for thousands of its special agents.BBC News has seen samples of the stolen “fitness-for-work” medical examinations, which contain information such as blood and urine test results, and doctors’ notes mentioning conditions such as a “shellfish and banana allergy”.The records include agents’ full names and addresses, as well as references to medical concerns including ‘blood in the urine’ and ‘high cholesterol’.Experts say the hack – which the FBI is investigating – could leave agents vulnerable to scams, blackmail and targeted attacks, as well as help criminals…
EPACopenhaver was one of three Trump rally attendees who was shot, as well as Trump, whose ear was grazed by a bulletOne of the three attendees who was shot at Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has passed away from complications stemming from his injuries, according to the Pennsylvania attorney general. Jim Copenhaver, 76, was struck twice when a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop. Another attendee, Corey Comperatore, was killed in the shooting and Trump’s ear was grazed by a bullet.Copenhaver died on Wednesday at a hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, according to a statement from…
This week, the US and Denmark reached a deal over Greenland, Earl Spencer’s controversial book about Princess Diana was published, and Ed Sheeran apologised to fans for making “mistakes” after Macklemore was dropped from his tour for making pro-Palestinian remarks on stage.But how much attention did you pay to what else happened in the world over the past seven days?Quiz collated by Grace Dean and Ben Fell.Fancy some more? Try last week’s quiz, or have a go at something from the archives.
Getty ImagesJay-Z, pictured at the Met Gala in May 2026, previously hit out at the “frivolous, fictitious and appalling allegations”A woman who accused Jay-Z of raping her when she was 13 has formally said her allegation was untrue.The unnamed woman filed a lawsuit in 2024 claiming she had been drugged and raped by Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, and Sean “Diddy” Combs at a party after the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000.The stars denied the allegation and she dropped the lawsuit last year. Carter then sued her and her lawyers.In a statement filed in that case on Thursday, she…
Getty ImagesThe US government is seeking to join Elon Musk’s legal challenge to overturn a €120m (£105m) EU fine against X over its blue tick badges.In December 2025, the European Commission said the platform “deceives users” by allowing people to pay for a blue verified check mark, because it is not “meaningfully verifying” who is behind the account.But US Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate said on Thursday that the commission had “inappropriately attempted” to expand its reach to American companies outside its control.Musk, who spent millions helping elect Donald Trump and other Republicans, has previously claimed EU tech regulation…