Bradley Carlisle, a 37-year-old community theatre actor from suburban Atlanta, has become the first professional Santa Claus in the US with Down syndrome. He was also inducted as an honorary member of the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame after completing one of the largest Christmas performer schools in the US in late August. From…

A fragment of an ancient stele dating to the reign of the Assyrian King Ashurbanipal found in Iraq’s Nineveh province, July 17, 2026 A rare 2,600-year-old Assyrian monument has been found at the ancient city of Nineveh in Iraq. The discovery is a major success for an area where Islamic State militants (ISIS) deliberately destroyed…

Airbnb has pledged $250 million (£190 million) in below-market financing to help restart stalled housing projects, with its first $6.4 million investment going toward an affordable housing development in Austin, Texas. The short-term rental company announced the Airbnb Housing Accelerator, a new program aimed at addressing the U.S. housing shortage by filling funding gaps for…

Planting trees is often described as a simple way to deal with climate change. The idea is easy to understand. Trees take in carbon dioxide and store it. Forests also support wildlife and help regulate water systems. Because of this, many governments and companies have promised to plant large numbers of trees. The expectation is…

Saudi Arabia’s Qiwa labour platform has outlined a series of regulations covering work permits for Premium Residency holders, employee resignations, training contracts and visa-related services.Holders of Premium Residency must obtain a dedicated work permit through the Qiwa platform. The permit is issued for a fee of SR100.Qiwa said subscription fees for businesses vary depending on…