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…
Author: Editorial Team
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…
BANGKOK — Rescuers in Laos on Wednesday found five villagers alive inside a flooded cave where they were trapped for a week following heavy rain and landslides. Two other villagers who were with them are missing, Lao and Thai rescue teams involved in the operation said. “We’ve found 5 people alive and all safe. There are still 2 people we are searching for,” Laotian rescue group Rescue Volunteer for People said in a social media post. “At 4:30 pm, we found our target. We found five people. We are looking for the other two,” added Thai rescuer Kengkach Bangkawong in…
[Editor’s Note: This article is part of Khaleej Times’ Schools and Parents, a dedicated section designed to support families in the UAE as they explore educational choices. The section offers explainers, guidance from education leaders, expert advice and insights from parents to help readers make informed decisions about schools, curricula and communities.] Dubai families will not see an increase in private school tuition fees for the 2026–27 academic year, offering relief amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures. This recent regulatory decision announced by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) reflects Dubai’s continued focus on supporting families and ensuring stability in the education…
MINA — The Ministry of Interior has penalized five Saudi citizens and five expatriates for violating Hajj regulations and instructions by transporting 34 individuals to Makkah without permits to perform Hajj. Hajj security forces apprehended them at the entrances to Makkah. The ministry issued administrative decisions through its seasonal administrative committees with regard to the penalties against them. These include fines of up to SR100,000 for the transporters and those involved in the violations, in addition to imprisonment and publicizing their names in the local media at their personal expense. Fines of up to SR20,000 were also imposed on those…
[Editor’s Note: Follow the Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.] The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the egregious drone attack on an electricity generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Al Dhafra region in the UAE. They underscored that the attack constitutes a flagrant violation of international law with grave risks for civilian lives, infrastructure and the environment. In a statement issued last night, the members expressed deep concern over this dangerous escalation and demanded the immediate and permanent cessation…