French minister says uncertain if hantavirus strain from cruise ship has mutated – World
French Health Minister Stephanie Rist said on Tuesday that it was not certain whether the hantavirus strain involved in the outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship may have mutated, although officials were “rather reassured”. “There are things … we do not know about this virus,” Rist told the National Assembly. “We do not yet […]
India’s Hindu extremist group RSS lobbies foreign groups to counter minority rights criticism – World
A powerful Hindu group from which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party emerged claimed on Tuesday it had organised foreign visits, including to the US, to counter perceptions that it is a paramilitary outfit involved in attacks on minority communities. The outreach by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), or National Volunteer Organisation, came after the […]
Trump announces talks with ‘failed’ Cuba – World
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced talks with Cuba, which has been crippled by a fuel blockade in the wake of Washington’s capture of key regional ally Nicolas Maduro, the former president of Venezuela. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the communist-ruled island as “a failed country,” adding: “Cuba is asking for […]
UK PM Starmer defies calls to quit, says he’s getting on with governing – World
Prime Minister Keir Starmer defied calls to resign on Tuesday, telling ministers he would “get on with governing” despite a “destabilising” 48 hours of growing calls to set out a timetable for his departure after a drubbing in local elections. At a meeting of his cabinet, Starmer, in the top job for less than two […]
‘Children paying intolerable price’: UN condemns child death toll from Israel’s West Bank operations – World
The United Nations condemned on Tuesday the toll from “escalating” Israeli military operations and settler attacks in the occupied West Bank on children, with 70 Palestinian children killed since the start of 2025. “Children are paying an intolerable price for escalating military operations and settler attacks across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem,” UN […]
US-Iran conflict likely to dominate strategic calculations during Trump’s China visit – World
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump arrives in China on Wednesday for a three-day state visit that is expected to mainly focus on trade and economic ties. But, the US-Iran conflict is likely to dominate the strategic calculations of both Washington and Beijing. The May 13–15 visit — the first by a sitting US president to […]
New Israeli law sets military tribunal for Hamas fighters linked to October 7 attack – World
Israel’s parliament passed a law late on Monday establishing a military tribunal to try hundreds of Palestinian fighters linked to the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The surprise attack, led by elite “Nukhba” force fighters from the Palestinian group Hamas, killed at least 1,200 people. The fighters also took 251 hostages back to Gaza. […]
FIFA releases ‘Illuminate’ for World Cup 2026 with Elyanna and Jesse Reyez
The song blends R&B with Arabic melodies, focusing on themes of identity, unity and resilience Elyanna and Jessie Reyez. Photo: File FIFA released yet another song for the 2026 World Cup, featuring Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna alongside Canadian artist Jesse Reyez. Titled “Illuminate”, the song is part of FIFA’s growing musical rollout for the tournament and […]
Why are some people mosquito magnets? – World
Ever felt like mosquitoes bite you while ignoring everyone else? Scientists are now making progress in deciphering the complex chemical cocktail that makes particular people more enticing to these disease-spreading bloodsuckers. “It’s not a misconception — mosquitoes are attracted to some people more than others,” Frederic Simard of France’s Institute of Research for Development told […]
FO terms report claiming Pakistan allowed Iranian military aircraft to park at airbase as ‘misleading and sensationalised’ – World
The Foreign Office (FO) on Tuesday termed a report by an American media outlet claiming that Islamabad had allowed Iranian military aircraft to park on its airfields while playing the role of a mediator in the Middle East conflict as “misleading and sensationalised”. Citing US officials, CBS News had reported that Pakistan “quietly allowed Iranian […]