SYDNEY — Australia has filed a major lawsuit against US chemicals giant 3M, seeking AU$2bn in damages (US$1.4bn)in damages for widespread contamination from “forever chemicals” present in its firefighting foam. The action, launched on Thursday, is the largest-ever brought by the Australian government. The lawsuit targets the American chemicals maker and its local subsidiary, reflecting the past and future environmental as well as economic and cultural costs of the contamination, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said. It seeks to recoup the “substantial costs” in dealing with the chemicals known as PFAS at 28 locations, she added. The lawsuit claims 3M withheld and…
Author: Editorial Team
Four men from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines have won Dh100,000 in Big Ticket’s third weekly e-draw this May, including a 48-year-old who has been trying his luck for decades and a Filipino national who is still not aware of his win. The fourth and last weekly e-draw of the month will be held on Monday, June 1 for tickets purchased from May 26 to 31. Stories of this week’s winners, who all live in the Gulf region, reflect hopes among Big Ticket participants that keep them continuing to participate in the raffle. Stay up to date with the…
DUBAI — Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Thursday they launched an attack targeting an American air base they say was the source of US strikes targeting an Iranian drone operation near the Strait of Hormuz hours earlier. The fresh exchange of fire came hours after US President Donald Trump rejected a report he was close to a compromise deal with Tehran.It was the second time in three days that the US has attacked targets in Iran saying that the strikes were cond-ucted in self defense.The US Central Command confirmed a previous round of “self-defense” strikes on southern Iran on…
A single click on the wrong link can pull a user into a far wider attack, a cybersecurity expert has warned. Today’s threats no longer target only devices and systems, Jassim Khadim added. They target the way people think, react and share information online. Why individuals are the easiest target Khadim says the region has entered an era of digital psychological warfare, where tension and curiosity are weaponised against ordinary users. Phishing links carrying sensational headlines, AI-generated fabricated content, malicious apps and attempts to harvest sensitive data are all on the rise. “The attacker may not need sophisticated tools. They…
PORTLAND — A chemical tank has ruptured at a paper and packaging facility in the US state of Washington, reportedly killing several people and critically injuring others, authorities said. At least one person has been confirmed dead and nine people were injured while nine employees remain unaccounted for after a large vat of chemical treatment product, including hazardous materials, ruptured at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility in Longview, fire officials said. Officials previously said the tank imploded. There is no threat to the surrounding community, officials said, while advising people to avoid the area. Emergency responders on Tuesday remained…
NEW DELHI — India’s shipping authorities have announced that 10 Indian sailors, who were on board an oil tanker detained in Iran since July 2025, have been freed following “sustained diplomatic engagement”. India’s Directorate General of Shipping stated that the crew members from the MV Harbour Phoenix had been held, arrested, and jailed by Iranian authorities after their ship was intercepted close to Jask Port last year. “The seafarers have now been released and reunited safely,” the shipping authority said, according to the French news agency AFP. “Necessary arrangements are being coordinated for the earliest return of the crew members…
WORLD CAPITALS, 28th May, 2026 (WAM) — Gold prices fell to a two-month low on Thursday, with spot gold down 1.7 percent at $4,380.62 per ounce as of 0409 GMT, earlier falling to its lowest level since 26th March. US gold futures for June delivery fell 1.6 percent to $4,377.10. Spot silver fell 3 percent to $72.37 per ounce and platinum lost 1.4 percent to $1,890.81, both hitting a near one-month low. Palladium slid 1.9 percent to $1,364.26. Source: Emirates News Agency
An Emirati cybersecurity researcher has developed an AI-powered platform that detects deepfakes in images, videos and audio, with the aim of curbing the rapid spread of fabricated content across social media. Bashayer Al Salami built the platform, called Deepy, after her master’s research at Zayed University focused on modern digital threats and the ways AI-generated manipulation has begun to outpace what ordinary users can recognise on their own. “As AI advanced, deepfakes emerged as one of the most serious digital challenges, making it possible to alter images, videos and audio in ways the average viewer cannot easily detect,” she said.…
MINA — On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received Eid Al-Adha well-wishers on Wednesday at the Royal Court in Mina Palace. The reception included royal family members, Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan, senior scholars and sheikhs, high-level guests from Gulf Cooperation Council countries, ministers, commanders of military sectors participating in this year’s Hajj operations and leaders of Saudi scouting groups serving pilgrims. The ceremony began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an. During the event, the Crown Prince delivered a speech congratulating citizens, residents and…
SEOUL — A Chinese dissident has been detained in South Korea after he made a daring 30-hour escape from China by sea to the country, his fourth attempt to flee authorities in his homeland and reunite with his family who have been granted asylum in Canada. Dong Guangping, a former police officer who has faced years of imprisonment and detention for his activism, fled using an inflatable boat and was picked up by the coast guard in Korean waters on Monday night. South Korea’s coast guard told the BBC that Dong is under investigation for suspected immigration violations and his…