Author: Olive Metuge

Megha MohanGender and identity correspondent, BBC World ServiceGetty ImagesDuring a meeting at her office in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, 24-year-old Faith suddenly became nervous – reluctant to be perceived as difficult in a part of the world that does not like opinionated young women.It had started pleasantly enough. Faith, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, had dutifully laughed along at the bad jokes made by her bosses.But then a senior colleague made a suggestion that she felt would not work practically. But before Faith could express her opinion, her colleague mentioned her name.”And Faith agrees with me!”…

When the sun is out, it’s time to chill out, discover the coolest spots and icy adventures that will keep you refreshedAugust is melting, but your plans don’t have to. Whether you’re solo-chilling or entertaining the fam, we’ve found Dubai’s coolest ways to beat the heat. From arctic adventures and sub-zero sips to wellness with a serious chill, these are the must-do icy escapes worth adding to your summer bucket list.Ice & Snow ActivitiesIce Skating at Dubai Ice RinkGlide, spin, or stumble your way across the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink at Dubai Mall. A classic escape from the blazing sun,…

The family of Israeli hostage Evyatar David held by Hamas in Gaza has accused the group of deliberately starving him as part of a “propaganda campaign”.”He is being starved purely to serve Hamas’s propaganda,” the family said on Saturday, a day after Hamas released a video showing an emaciated David in a narrow concrete tunnel.David, 24, has been in captivity since his seizure by Hamas at a music festival in southern Israel on 7 October 2023.”We are forced to witness our beloved son and brother, Evyatar David, deliberately and cynically starved in Hamas’s tunnels in Gaza – a living skeleton,…

Be transported from the desert to the French RivieraLa Petite Maison at The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, is a love letter to French flair. From buttery snails to dreamy desserts, this fine dining favourite delivers on flavour, charm and style. Here’s our review of this Abu Dhabi fine dining favourite.The Spot La Petite Maison sits inside The Galleria on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. The Michelin-starred restaurant began as a charming restaurant in the old town of Nice in the 1980s. It was founded by Nicole Rubi, a French woman of Italian descent who believed in simple, honest food made…

The Chincoteague wild ponies have made their annual swim across the Assateague Channel in Virginia for the 100th time.The tradition began in 1925 and sees “Saltwater Cowboys” on horseback round up the ponies, who then swim the channel and come ashore on the east side of Chincoteague Island. The event hosted by the Chincoteague Fire Department, which manages the ponies, includes an auction of some of the foals. The money raised helps control the size of the herd to help maintain a healthy pony population on Assateague, where the ponies live most of the year. Source link

Swap a dozen roses for a dozen romantic restaurants in Dubai, perfect for unforgettable date nightsLooking to impress your date? From first sparks to forever moments, these romantic restaurants in Dubai serve up sky-high views, beachfront charm, and candlelit ambience that turns every dinner into something special.Swipe through the gallery CÉ LA VI Dubai 3 of 12 Elevated in every sense, this rooftop restaurant, sky bar, and club lounge delivers a dose of Southeast Asian flair with breathtaking Burj Khalifa views. Born in Asia and rooted in celebration, CÉ LA VI lives up to its name ‘This is the life’, with…

Natalie ShermanBusiness reporter, in New YorkWatch: Trump defends firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics head over “wrong” numbersUS President Donald Trump has fired the boss of one of America’s most important economic institutions hours after weaker-than-expected jobs data stoked further alarm about his tariff policy.On social media Trump claimed – without any evidence – that Erika McEntarfer, commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), had “RIGGED” jobs figures “to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad”. US stock markets plunged following the unprecedented move by the White House, with some accusing Trump of destroying public trust by politicising data.Senate…

Updated on August 1 at 8:50 pm. Two groups of plaintiffs seeking to stop the National Institutes of Health from terminating $783 million in grants urged the Supreme Court on Friday afternoon to leave in place a ruling by a federal judge in Massachusetts that requires the federal government to continue making the grant payments. Lawyers for a group of 16 states, led by Massachusetts, told the justices that the termination of the grants “caused unrecoverable loss of scientific knowledge,” while lawyers for a group of private plaintiffs, led by the American Public Health Association, echoed that sentiment, arguing that…

Hungry for something new? From indulgent comfort food to refined plates bursting with flavour, these must-try dishes are stealing the spotlight across Dubai.Dubai’s dining scene is ever-evolving, and this week we’re spotlighting six standout dishes you need on your radar. Think melt-in-your-mouth wagyu served straight from the pot, a Peruvian-inspired dessert that plays with texture and spice, and pasta perfection that brings the coast of Italy to your plate. Whether you’re in the mood for bold, creative, or comforting, here’s what to order right now.Wagyu Kamameshi at MatagiA comforting Japanese classic done with flair, the Wagyu Kamameshi at Matagi features…

Number one grandmaster, Magnus Carlsen, has won the inaugural online chess competition at the Esports World Cup. The 34-year-old Norwegian will take home $250,000 (around £188,000).The Esports World Cup (EWC) being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest multi-discipline tournaments in competitive professional gaming. The inclusion of chess in this year’s schedule was somewhat controversial, but the tournament’s organisers argued it counted as an esport as it is played by millions of people of all ages.This is the second time the EWC has been staged and it comes with a total prize pot of around $70m (£50m).…