Starmer’s Party suffers stark losses in UK local elections
LONDON — With the right-wing populist Reform UK party headed by Nigel Farage posting significant gains in local elections, Prime Minister Keir Starmer took responsibility Friday fo…
War and energy shortages boost China’s Influence in Asia
HONG KONG: As the war in Iran drags on, China has deepened its influence with fuel-starved neighbors, offering to ease shortages while pushing its renewable energy technology.In th…
German airports warn millions of flights could be cancelled
Berlin – The Association of German Airports (ADV) warned that flights may be cancelled and prices are likely to rise as jet fuel shortages loom. “We fear further flights will be c…
US -Iran talks teeter after tanker strikes
A US warplane disabled two Iranian tankers to enforce a port blockade on Friday, after Washington’s top diplomat said he was awaiting Tehran’s response to the latest proposed deal…
Pentagon releases declassified UFO files dating back to 1940s
WASHINGTON: The Pentagon on Friday released a first batch of secret files documenting reported sightings of unidentified flying objects — some dating back to the 1940s — fanning sp…
Indonesia volcanic eruption kills 3 hikers
NORTH HALMAHERA, INDONESIA: Three hikers — two Singaporeans and a local — died in an eruption on Friday of Indonesia’s Mount Dukono volcano where they found themselves in a no-go z…
Oman desert retreat redefines resilience
As Oman sharpens its position as a global hub for experiential travel, a standout addition to its 2026-2027 adventure calendar is the ‘Desert Resilience Retreat’ — a programme that…
Is loving food the secret to eating less of it?
PETE WELLSLosing weight and keeping it off are diabolically hard for many people. Nearly 2 in 5 Americans suffer from obesity. Around 1 in 8 are diabetic. In the United States, spe…
Top seeds shine as Oman Open badminton begins
Muscat, May 8The 2026 Oman Open Badminton Championship got off to an exciting start on Thursday at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, with a packed opening day featuring…
Brent holds near $100 as Gulf tensions rise
Oil edged higher and stocks slipped on Friday after the US and Iran exchanged fire in the Middle East, though many equity markets — particularly in Asia — remained on track for st…