Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in keeping Dubai’s roads safe, with Dubai Police deploying smart traffic systems that can predict accident-prone locations, detect speeding vehicles in real time and help officers intervene before incidents escalate.According to a report by Khaleej Times, Dubai Police said its advanced traffic management system continuously analyzes live traffic information including vehicle volume, speed and movement patterns across the emirate.The system combines real-time inputs with historical traffic data to identify risky trends and locations where intervention may be required.Officials said areas where excessive speeding is detected can be brought under radar coverage and targeted enforcement measures will be taken, allowing officials to take preventive action and improve road safety.The force has also integrated AI-powered platforms capable of monitoring driver behavior in real time. These systems are designed to continuously learn and adapt, enabling officers to expand their use to a wider range of traffic violations.Dubai Police said the technology has also been used to develop special solutions to identify vehicles causing excessive noise and disturbance.Beyond enforcement, predictive analytics is helping authorities plan major events, predict congestion, and allocate traffic resources more effectively.Traffic patrols are connected to a network of cameras, surveillance systems and command centers, helping officers receive instant alerts on accidents, violations and traffic build-ups.The emphasis on technology comes as Dubai Police continues to crack down on dangerous driving practices. In a recent enforcement drive, police issued 4,504 fines for overtaking on the hard shoulder during the first five months of the year.Brigadier Juma bin Suwaidan, acting director of the General Traffic Department, warned that the hard shoulder is reserved exclusively for emergencies, including stranded vehicles and emergency responders such as ambulances, civil defense teams and police patrols, Gulf News reported.“This reckless behavior not only shows disregard for traffic laws, but also a lack of concern for the safety of others,” he said. He said motorists do not expect vehicles to drive on the hard shoulder, increasing the risk of collisions and run-over accidents.According to Dubai Police data, the highest number of hard-shoulder overtaking violations was recorded in February with 1,638 offences, followed by January with 1,379 offences. There were 676 violations in March, while 482 and 329 crimes were recorded in May and April respectively.Dubai Police said the awareness campaign remains a key pillar of their road safety strategy alongside enforcement. Authorities believe that combining education with legal deterrence yields the best results by encouraging motorists to obey traffic laws through both awareness and accountability.The latest effort builds on Dubai Police’s comprehensive AI roadmap. During GITEX Global 2023, the force unveiled an AI-based mechanism to deal with minor traffic accidents. The system, which is currently under development and testing, is designed to analyze minor accidents and automatically issue accident reports to motorists without the need for manual review by a police officer.Officials said the initiative aims to speed up issuance of reports, reduce manual processes by 50 per cent and reduce congestion caused by minor accidents.

WATCH: Ukrainian drone attacks St. Petersburg region again

Ukraine said on Saturday its long-range drones attacked targets inside Russia overnight, including a military facility near St. Petersburg and an oil depot in the southern Krasnodar region, as the war escalated with both sides reporting fresh battlefield gains and airstrikes.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strikes targeted “an enemy naval arsenal and a base in Kronstadt” in Russia’s northwestern Saint Petersburg region, while another attack targeted an oil depot in Krasnodar, according to Reuters.In a post on“It is now time to end this war. But Russia’s rulers want to continue fighting,” Zelensky wrote, “Russia must end its war and stop its attacks on life.” “Any expression of injustice against Ukraine will receive an appropriate response.”

St. Petersburg residents told to stay indoors

The attack prompted officials in St. Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, to advise residents not to leave their homes, highlighting Ukraine’s growing ability to strike deep inside Russian territory.St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov warned residents of a “large-scale” drone attack and possible disruption of mobile internet services.Regional governor Alexander Drozdenko said 141 drones were shot down in the surrounding Leningrad region, while Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 376 Ukrainian drones across the country, according to news agency AP.There was no immediate report of any casualties.The latest attack follows a Ukrainian drone strike earlier this week that set fire to an oil terminal and hit a naval base near St. Petersburg.

Russia claims to have captured a village in Kharkiv

Separately, Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces had captured the settlement of Shevchenko in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region.Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the village had been captured after what the ministry described as a “decisive action” by units of Russia’s Northern Military Group.

Fresh attacks have been reported from both sides

The latest developments come as both Russia and Ukraine continue long-range drone campaigns while fighting on largely static fronts.One person was killed and three others were wounded in Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk region after overnight Russian drone and artillery attacks, according to the AP.In the Zaporizhia region, five people sought medical treatment after a parking area caught fire following a Russian drone strike.Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 272 strike drones overnight, of which 249 were intercepted.The fresh exchange came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected Ukrainian President Zelensky’s offer for a face-to-face meeting, saying he saw “no point” in such talks.

Independent MP Adnan Hussain has supported Southampton’s Sikh community following reports of growing fear and intimidation following the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Novak, saying no group should be blamed for the actions of an individual.In a post on X, the Blackburn MP said Sikh residents should not face harassment over a crime committed by one person.Hussain wrote, “This is horrifying. No community should live in fear like this and no community should be held responsible for an individual’s crimes.”“Solidarity with the Sikh community. The government must ensure that its safety is prioritized and necessary assurances are provided.”His comments come after Sikh community leaders in Southampton reported an increase in racial abuse and hostility after 23-year-old Vikram Singh Digwa was convicted of Novak’s murder.Digva was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 21 years for the December 2025 fatal attack on a university student with a 21 cm kirpan, a ceremonial blade held by some Sikhs as a symbol of faith. During the investigation, Digwa falsely claimed that she was racially abused, which was rejected by the court.Representatives of Southampton’s Sikh community told The Times that many residents now feel unsafe in public and are avoiding routine activities, including visits to local gurudwaras.A spokesperson for the Gurdwara Khalsa Darbar said some members had faced racial abuse at workplaces, supermarkets and care facilities, and a community memorial event was canceled due to safety concerns.“We feel victimized and people are afraid to come out of their homes,” the spokesperson said, adding that public discussion of the case has unfairly associated the broader Sikh community with the actions of one individual.Community leaders have also resisted criticism of the kirpan, arguing that the weapon used in the attack should not define the religious article celebrated by Sikhs worldwide.Representatives of the community have also called for peace and urged residents not to be angry at the broader Sikh population, stressing that the killing was the act of an individual rather than a reflection of the entire religious community.

us President donald trump Revealed that he once considered a plan to send US troops to Iran to extract its enriched uranium reserves, but ultimately canceled it as tensions re-emerged in the Middle East along with ongoing diplomatic talks.Trump said the plan was rejected because it was considered “too risky” and would require widespread military mobilization. He said the operation would take at least two weeks and would involve the delivery of significant amounts of military hardware to Iranian territory. “I didn’t want to be like Jimmy Carter,” he said, referring to the former president’s failed attempt to free 52 U.S. embassy staffers taken hostage by Iran in 1980.Referring to the nuclear material as “nuclear dust”, Trump said that Pentagon planners had examined several methods to recover the stockpile.While the proposal was shelved, Trump said the United States still had the capability to carry out such an operation. “We can get it right now,” he said, “I don’t think they could stop us if we wanted, but there’s no reason to. It’s complicated.” The US President further noted that the material is currently safe and does not require immediate action, and said that Washington does not need a formal agreement with Tehran to take control of the enriched uranium.Trump also said he is not willing to meet directly with Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba KhameneiHowever, he did not rule out the possibility if a broader diplomatic understanding is reached between the two countries. He said, “If it happens… I will respect it.”Islamic cleric Mojtaba Khamenei, 54, assumed supreme leadership of Iran after his father was assassinated in a joint US-Israeli military strike. Trump said that despite US and Israeli precision operations targeting Khamenei’s immediate family members, he still expected professional conduct from the Iranian leader. “We killed his father, his wife and his son, so maybe I’m not his favorite person...But in some circles, he actually has a very good reputation,” Trump said.In a parallel development, a report from Axios said senior US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on Thursday for consultations with technical experts expected to play a key role in upcoming nuclear talks with Iran.The White House is working toward a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tehran aimed at halting hostilities and pursuing comprehensive nuclear talks. However, officials and regional mediators involved in the process say the two sides remain deeply divided over key elements of the proposed agreement.Although talks are said to be in their final stages, officials have cautioned that the chances of success remain uncertain. A US official said the Oak Ridge visit should not be seen as a guarantee of an agreement, but rather a sign that discussions have entered a more serious phase.Key sticking points The slow pace of progress continues, with the Trump administration pushing for a strict 60-day deadline to deplete Iran’s enriched uranium, while Tehran is pushing for a 90-day deadline.Meanwhile, the chaos in the Middle East has already crossed 3 months, now approaching the 100-day mark. The conflict began on 28 February, when the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. Following the attack, the country retaliated by seizing the vital Strait of Hormuz, disrupting 20% ​​of global oil supplies, disrupting economies.

Representative Image (AI)

As conflict escalates in the Middle East, Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, said a potential peace deal between the United States and Iran depends on the Trump administration agreeing to release $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets.In an interview with CNN, Rezai said: “The talks are at an impasse and (US President Donald) Trump must break this impasse. The ball is in Trump’s court.”His comments come amid efforts to revive talks between Washington and Tehran after months of military confrontation between Iran, Israel and the United States. Although both sides have expressed an interest in avoiding broader regional conflict, significant differences remain over the terms of any agreement.According to Rezaei, Iran has proposed that $12 billion of frozen assets be released immediately after the interim agreement is signed, with a further $12 billion to be released at a later stage. He described this proposal as a test of trust between the two countries.

‘Test of Trust’

Rezaei argued that releasing the funds would signal a new phase in relations between Washington and Tehran.He said, “If he (Trump) wants to reach an agreement with Iran, this $24 billion is a test of the trust that Iran wants to have with Trump – this is a test that America has to pass and the door will be open. This is our own money, not America’s money.” However, this demand is likely to face resistance in Washington. US officials have expressed concern that releasing frozen funds at this stage could weaken one of the key pressure points available to the United States during negotiations.Trump has repeatedly criticized the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiated under former US President Barack Obama and has sought a framework that would be considered significantly stricter than the previous agreement.

Warning against renewed conflict

During the interview, Rezaei warned against any return to military confrontation, saying Iran would increase the scope of its response if attacked again.“We will give another dimension to the war by attacking these other American targets that we have been attacking so far,” he said.They suggested that any future conflict could spill beyond the Persian Gulf and potentially affect strategic waterways including the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.

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Despite the warning, Rezaei said he believed the likelihood of a new war was low.Rezaei also rejected suggestions that a meeting between Trump and Khamenei could take place in the near future.He said, “It will not happen, right now we are in the first phase of negotiations and Mr. Trump has stopped the negotiations. It will not happen.”His comments come days after Trump said he would be “honored” to meet the Iranian leader and claimed the two sides were “getting along very well.”

Strait of Hormuz and regional impact

The veteran Iranian official also reiterated Tehran’s long-term position regarding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.He said Iran and Oman share sovereignty over the waterway and should jointly manage it. Rezaei also suggested that Iran should not be expected to bear the financial burden of maintaining the route alone and proposed charging a maintenance fee for its management.The Strait of Hormuz remains a highly strategic passage, with a large portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through it.Rezaei is considered one of the most influential figures in Iran’s security establishment. A member of the old guard of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, he fought during the Iran–Iraq War and served as commander of the IRGC between 1981 and 1997.He later joined the Expediency Council, which advises the Supreme Leader, served as vice president under former President Ibrahim Raisi, and unsuccessfully ran in several presidential elections.Discussing the prospects for diplomacy, Rezai expressed doubts about the durability of any future agreement with the United States.He cited Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and accused Washington of adopting a strategy of ambiguity during negotiations.Rezaei said Iran was prepared for a possible military confrontation if talks did not take place.He said, “If the United States attacks Iran, the world will understand Iran’s true capabilities, because our land power is many times greater than our missiles.”Rezaei also claimed that the recent conflict marks a historic turning point for Iran.He said, “This is the first time that Iran has emerged victorious in wars, whereas in previous wars Iran has always lost.”

Anthony Head, beloved Buffy and Ted Lasso star, dies at 72 / Image: File

British actor anthony headWhose career spanned more than four decades in television, theater and film, died at the age of 72. Known internationally for playing Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso, Head was one of Britain’s most recognizable screen actors, his work spanning from West End musicals to some of television’s best-loved dramas. His family said he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones due to complications related to pneumonia.This news was announced by his daughters, actors emily head and Daisy Head, who paid tribute to her father in a statement shared with British media. She described him as an “extraordinary father” and said that his legacy would continue through the many productions he helped bring to life and that audiences loved his work.Long before achieving global fame in Hollywood, Head had become a familiar face to British audiences through the highly successful Nescafé Gold Blend advertising campaign in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Along with actress Sharon Maughan, he starred in a series of commercials, which became a cultural phenomenon in the UK and helped turn him into a household name.Born in London in 1954 into a family deeply involved in the arts, Head made his early career in theater and musical productions, including appearances in The Rocky Horror Show, Godspell and Chess. His distinctive baritone voice and commanding screen presence made him a natural fit for both stage and television roles.Head’s breakthrough role came in 1997 when he was cast as Rupert Giles in the iconic television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. As Buffy’s mentor, librarian, and father figure, he became one of the show’s most beloved characters and remained a central part of the series throughout its seven seasons. The role introduced him to millions of viewers around the world and cemented his place in television history.Although Buffy achieved international fame, Hades was never defined by any one character. He continued to have an extensive career in British and international productions, moving seamlessly between drama, comedy and fantasy.British audiences also knew Head from a number of popular television roles. He played King Uther Pendragon in Merlin, appeared as the Prime Minister in Little Britain, and starred in shows including Motherland, Silent Witness, Doctor Who, Spooks, and The Archer.A new generation of fans discovered him through Ted Lasso, where he played Rupert Mannion, the wealthy and cunning former owner of AFC Richmond. The role showcased her ability to portray charming yet complex characters and became one of the standout performances of the award-winning series.Her film credits include The Iron Lady, Repo! Attendance included! The Genetic Opera, The Inbetweeners Movie and many other productions.Following news of his death, tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry, with colleagues and fans remembering Head not only as a talented performer but also as a generous and respectful person behind the scenes. Many highlighted the warmth, humor and professionalism he brought to presentations throughout his career.His death came just months after the death of his long-term partner, animal welfare campaigner Sarah Fisher, who died in December 2025. Friends and colleagues described the pair as devoted partners for many years.For many Britons, Anthony Head’s career reflects the development of modern British television. From iconic advertising campaigns and BBC dramas to global streaming hits, he has been a constant presence on screen for over 40 years. His performances as Giles, Uther Pendragon and Rupert Mannion have ensured that generations of audiences know his work, and his legacy is likely to endure long after his final curtain call.

Anand was an H-1B visa holder. With Anand’s departure, his wife’s H4 status collapsed.

After a major tragedy last year, a mother decided to leave her property in Texas and return to India with her two children. The story of Priya Narayanswami, who visited India this April, emerged in a Bloomberg report on the real estate crisis that is looming over the US, with Indians deciding to leave due to the constant targeting. South Asians have been the driving force behind the rapid construction in many parts of Texas.According to the report, Narayanaswamy and her husband Anand bought their home in Keller in 2023 for $435,000. Keller is a suburb to the west, close to Fort Worth. And although they wanted to live in Frisco, the property price was right in Keller. At that time he had big dreams of settling in America. They were raising their two children as Americans.The report said Anand was on an H-1B visa and often worked 12 to 15-hour days at Citibank through an IT-staffing firm called Iris Software. Narayanaswamy was a human resources expert. In August, she came home and found her husband crying. She was fired from her job, which meant she could lose her visa if she didn’t find another job quickly. Then the family got the biggest shock. About a week later, Anand died by suicide. In his last note he wrote that he fears that he will not be able to compete with AI. Bloomberg reports that it contacted Iris Software and Citigroup, but they did not comment on the incident.Narayanaswamy was in the US on an H4 visa, which is for dependents of H-1B. After Anand left, her visa status was reduced to a six-month visitor visa, and she could no longer work legally. In October, Narayanswamy listed the five-bedroom brick home for $465,000. He reduced the price but no one made an offer. He said the bank has agreed to foreclose on the mortgage, but now the home is possibly going into foreclosure.Narayanaswamy told Bloomberg that when he saw viral videos of the Frisco City Council meeting criticizing Indians, including asking H-1Bs to leave the US and go back to India, he wondered how the economy would fare without Indians.(If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, a global list of helplines is available at blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/)