World Echo

Dubai Airports' operations and flights are being ramped up now ​that United Arab Emirates airspace is fully ‌clear, with capacity increasing in line with available routing, CEO Paul Griffiths said on Monday. UAE's aviation authority said on Saturday ​that air traffic had returned to normal ​after precautionary measures introduced on February 28, at ⁠the start of the US-Iran war, were lifted. Despite disruption ​from the conflict, Dubai International and Al Maktoum International ​airports have handled more than six million passengers, over 32,000 aircraft movements, and more than 213,000 metric tons of cargo, with ​travel demand through Dubai remaining strong, Griffiths said ​in a LinkedIn post. Also Read: Drone strikes near Dubai airport deepen Gulf aviation chaos Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world's busiest international ‌travel ⁠hub, handled 18.6 million passengers in the first quarter of 2026, down from 23.4 million a year earlier, the Dubai m...

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been ​hospitalised and is in "critical but stable condition," ‌his spokesperson said on Sunday. The spokesperson, Ted Goodman, did not immediately provide more details about Giuliani's condition or how ​long he has been hospitalized. "Mayor Giuliani is ​a fighter who has faced every challenge ⁠in his life with unwavering strength, and he's ​fighting with that same strength now," Goodman said in ​a statement. "We do ask that you join us in prayer for America's Mayor Rudy Giuliani." Giuliani, 81, garnered acclaim for ​his response to the September 11, 2001, al ​Qaeda attack on New York City, earning the nickname "America's Mayor." Giuliani ‌worked ⁠as an attorney for President Donald Trump in his failed efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, an effort that led to criminal ​charges against ​Giuliani in ⁠two US states and a defamation lawsuit from election w...

The Swedish Coast Guard said on Sunday it had seized a tanker in the Baltic Sea ​believed to be part of Russia's shadow fleet, the ‌latest in a string of similar actions carried out in recent months by the country's authorities. The Swedish Coast Guard said in a ​statement that it and police had boarded the Syrian-flagged ​Jin Hui in Swedish territorial waters south of ⁠Trelleborg and begun a preliminary investigation into a lack ​of seaworthiness. "The coast guard suspects that the ship is sailing ​under a false flag, given there are a number of irregularities concerning its flag status, and therefore does not meet demands for ​seaworthiness as set out in international regulations and agreements," ​it said. The coast guard said the ship, whose destination was unclear and ‌was ⁠thought to be carrying no cargo, figured on several sanctions lists, including those of the European Union and Britain. Read More: Trump likens US navy to 'pirates' ov...

Two people have died after an ​explosion at a house in ‌the southern English city of Bristol, with authorities treating ​the cause of ​the incident as suspicious, local ⁠police said on Sunday. Police, ​who have declared it a ​major incident, said they were not treating it as a ​suspected terrorist incident. They said enquiries were at ​an early ​stage, ⁠but that at this point, authorities were ​not looking for ​anyone ⁠else in connection with the explosion. Police added that ⁠there ​was not believed ​to be any significant damage to ​other properties. The Avon and Somersat Police said “two people have died in an explosion at a property in Sterncourt Road on Sunday Morning. We can confirm sadly two people have died in an explosion at a property in Sterncourt Road this morning. Their families have been updated. Please see the statement below for full details. An accessible version of the statement is available to read here: https://t.co/ghXRTF0Mc1 pic.twitter.com/K...

Israel gave final approval for a plan to purchase two new combat squadrons of F-35 and F-15IA advanced fighter aircraft from Lockheed Martin and Boeing in a deal worth tens of billions of dollars, the defence ministry said on Sunday. The deal, approved by Israel's Ministerial Committee on Procurement, is a first step in a 350 billion shekel ($119 billion) plan to bolster Israel's military and "strengthen readiness ahead of a demanding decade for Israeli security," it said. It added that the new squadrons will serve as a cornerstone of the military's long-term force development, addressing regional threats and preserving Israel’s strategic air superiority. Read: US bypasses congressional review for military sales of $8.6b to Middle East allies "Alongside immediate wartime procurement needs, we have a responsibility to act now to secure the IDF’s military edge ten years from now and beyond," said ministry Director General Amir Bara...

The Israeli military issued an urgent warning on Sunday to residents of 11 towns and villages in southern Lebanon, urging them to evacuate their homes and move at least 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) away to open areas. The military said it was conducting operations against Hezbollah following what it described as a violation of their ceasefire agreement, warning that anyone near Hezbollah fighters or facilities could be at risk. Israel has continued to carry out strikes across southern Lebanon, and its troops ​are occupying a strip of the country's south, destroying homes they describe as infrastructure being used by ⁠Hezbollah. The Israeli army has also warned residents of various southern Lebanese villages not to return, citing the ongoing military activity. Read: Trump says Iran war should end 'soon', Hezbollah should support truce The Iran-backed militant group has kept up its drone and rocket attacks against Israeli troops in Lebanon and on northern ​Israel. Leba...