International

03-05-2026 BAMAKO: Mali’s capital city Bamako, a major West African hub and home to more than three million people, is under a partial blockade by Islamist militants, days after the country’s defence minister was assassinated there. “Our army isn’t capable of protecting us, how are we going to get back …

03-05-2026 BEIJING: China is set to ban the sale of drones in Beijing and introduce sweeping new restrictions requiring permits for all drone flights in the capital, under regulations taking effect on Friday. Under the new rules, drones and key components will be prohibited from being sold, rented, or brought …

02-05-2026 WASHINGTON: Bankrupt ​discount carrier Spirit Airlines ceased operations on Saturday, the industry’s first casualty linked to the Iran war, after failing to secure creditor support for a US government bailout plan. The collapse of the carrier following a ‌doubling in jet fuel prices during the two-month-old Iran war will …

02-05-2026 BEIRUT/ JERUSALEM: At least 26 people have been martyred & injured including a child, in southern Lebanon, as Israel continues its strikes despite a ceasefire. Israeli forces martyred at least twelve people in Habboush in the Nabatieh district, and wounded at least seventeen others, including another child and a …

02-05-2026 WASHINGTON: The US will release a limited number of passports that feature a portrait of US President Donald Trump, the White House has confirmed. First reported by Fox News, the passports will be released as part of celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence in …

02-05-2026 PARIS/ BAMAKO: France has urged its citizens to leave Mali “as soon as possible”, after a weekend of coordinated attacks by separatist fighters and Islamist militants. In an update on Wednesday, the advice also warned French citizens not to travel to the West African nation, describing the situation as …

02-05-2026 DUBLIN: The Irish government has announced further fuel supports for some workers and businesses, after nationwide protests in recent weeks. Irish government ministers are insisting the package of supports was being worked on by the government before the protests, which saw many major motorways, as well as the main …

02-05-2026 Bureau Report NEW DELHI: India’s economy remains resilient but faces mounting risks from the Middle East conflict, which has disrupted supplies of energy, fertilizers and industrial raw materials, raised costs and weakened trade, ‌the government’s monthly economic report said on Wednesday. “India enters FY2026-27 at the intersection of domestic …

02-05-2026 BEIRUT/ JERUSALEM: It is a spool of glass the width of a human hair, wound inside a 3D-printed housing that weighs less than a bag of sugar. On 4 April, in southern Lebanon, it destroyed a Merkava Mk.4 main battle tank. The drone it trailed behind cost less than …

02-05-2026 COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s government has taken control of the country’s cricket board, saying it is a temporary measure designed to pave the way for “structural reforms”. “All administrative functions of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will be temporarily brought under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, effective today,” the …