Hanoi, Vietnam — Vietnam Airlines has officially launched a new direct route connecting Hanoi to Bengaluru, India’s prominent technology hub, marking a significant expansion in its South Asia service network. The inaugural flight, VN983, departed Hanoi on May 1 with over 130 passengers and arrived in Bengaluru the same day. The return flight, VN982, carried more than 160 passengers and landed in Hanoi at 5:25 a.m. on May 2.
Starting May 7, the national carrier will also introduce direct service between Hanoi and Hyderabad, another major Indian tech center, with three round-trip flights weekly. Both new routes are operated using Airbus A321 aircraft.
With these additions, Vietnam Airlines now operates six direct routes linking Vietnam with four key Indian cities — New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad — reinforcing its role as a key connector between Vietnam and the fast-growing Indian market.
“This expansion addresses rising travel demand driven by increased trade, tourism, and bilateral cooperation,” said Dang Anh Tuan, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines. He emphasized the importance of connecting with India’s dynamic tech hubs to strengthen regional ties.
India, home to over 1.4 billion people and one of the fastest-growing aviation markets, has seen a surge in outbound travel. In 2024 alone, over 500,000 Indian tourists visited Vietnam, placing India among Vietnam’s top 10 tourism source markets.
Since its entry into the Indian market, Vietnam Airlines has conducted over 3,200 flights, serving more than 511,700 passengers, highlighting the growing connectivity and cooperation between the two nations.
New Delhi, India – A violent thunderstorm swept through New Delhi on Friday (May 2), killing four members of a family and injuring another after a tree collapsed onto their room while they were sleeping, according to the capital territory’s Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported wind speeds between 70 to 100 kph, accompanied by lightning and the city’s heaviest May rainfall since 2021.
“Instructions have been given to the district administration to provide all necessary assistance to the affected family immediately,” Gupta stated in a post on X.
The extreme weather also disrupted daily life across the capital. Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport were delayed due to waterlogging and poor visibility. Delhi Metro services faced significant delays, and traffic congestion was reported in several areas.
The storm comes amid growing concerns about climate volatility in urban areas. A recent WaterAid study highlighted a disturbing pattern in some of the world’s most densely populated cities, including New Delhi, where weather oscillates between extreme droughts and sudden floods due to rising global temperatures.
Last month, similar unseasonal heavy rains swept through parts of eastern and central India and Nepal, claiming more than 100 lives.
KYIV, Ukraine — A deadly wave of drone strikes shook Ukraine on Thursday, killing at least nine people just hours after the country signed a major agreement with the United States granting American access to its vast mineral resources. The timing of the attacks underscored the volatile backdrop against which the high-stakes deal was reached.
In southern Ukraine’s partially occupied Kherson region, a Ukrainian drone strike on the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky killed seven people and wounded over 20, according to Moscow-appointed Governor Vladimir Saldo. “After the first wave of strikes, Ukraine sent further drones to ‘finish off’ any survivors,” Saldo alleged on Telegram.
Meanwhile, a Russian drone assault on the Black Sea port city of Odesa killed two and injured 15 others. The strike hit residential buildings, a school, and a supermarket, regional governor Oleh Kiper confirmed. Videos showed shattered facades, scorched storefronts, and emergency crews battling blazes. In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, another drone set a petrol station ablaze in a separate strike, local authorities said.
A “Truly Historic” Minerals Agreement
Despite the violence, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the newly signed U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal as “truly historic.” The agreement, finalized Wednesday and presented as the first concrete outcome of Zelenskyy’s recent meeting with President Donald Trump at the Vatican during the Pope’s funeral, grants U.S. firms access to Ukraine’s critical mineral wealth. These include rare earth elements, lithium, and other materials essential to defense and energy technologies.
“This is working together with America on fair terms,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address. “Both Ukraine and the United States can benefit through partnership, without owing anything from past military aid.”
The deal is set to be ratified by Ukraine’s parliament in the coming days. Zelenskyy emphasized that the agreement positions Ukraine as a key player in global energy security while attracting foreign investment to bolster its postwar economy.
Mixed Reactions in Kyiv
Public reaction in Kyiv was divided. Some welcomed the deal as a potential turning point. “I still believe that any action that brings us closer to victory is worth it,” said Diana Abramova, attending a rally for missing soldiers.
Others expressed skepticism. “I feel like we are selling our land in exchange for protection we should have built ourselves,” said Kyiv resident Iryna Vasylevska. “Instead of strengthening our own capacity, we give away our resources.”
Former Economy Minister Tymofiy Mylovanov, now president of the Kyiv School of Economics, defended the deal, calling it a “political and diplomatic win” for Ukraine. He stressed that the agreement ensures Ukraine can continue selling to other countries and doesn’t grant exclusive rights to U.S. buyers.
Moscow’s Response: “A Disappearing Country”
Russian officials were quick to denounce the agreement. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of Russia’s National Security Council, accused Trump of forcing Ukraine to “pay” for military aid with its mineral wealth. “Now military supplies will have to be paid for with the national wealth of a disappearing country,” he wrote on Telegram.
Vladimir Rogov, a pro-Kremlin figure, likened the deal to “legally prescribed slavery,” claiming it formalized Western exploitation of Ukrainian sovereignty.
Ceasefire Ignored
Zelenskyy accused Russia of ignoring a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal that had been on the table for over 50 days. “Our offers included halting attacks on civilian infrastructure and silence on land, sea, and in the air. Russia answered with bombs,” he said.
As Ukraine moves forward with the minerals agreement, the twin realities of war and economic rebuilding remain tightly intertwined. Whether the deal will strengthen Ukraine’s position or deepen international entanglements is now the subject of fierce debate — both at home and abroad.
Ankara, Turkey — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed the newly appointed ambassadors of Belarus, Brazil, Ecuador, Georgia, and Vietnam in an official ceremony held at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.
During the reception, the ambassadors — Anatoly Glaz of Belarus, Gilda Motta Santos Neves of Brazil, Pedro Vintimilla of Ecuador, Archil Kalandia of Georgia, and Dang Thi Thu Ha of Vietnam — formally presented their letters of credence to President Erdoğan, marking the beginning of their diplomatic missions in Turkey.
The ambassadors were accompanied by their family members and embassy staff, and each delegation posed for a commemorative photograph with the Turkish president following the credential ceremony.
Following the official presentations, President Erdoğan held individual meetings with each ambassador to discuss bilateral relations and areas of mutual cooperation, reaffirming Turkey’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties with all five nations.
NIAMEY, Niger — Five Indian nationals have been kidnapped in western Niger during an armed assault last week that also claimed the lives of 12 soldiers, according to Nigerien security sources and a statement by Indian authorities reviewed by Reuters on Wednesday (April 30).
The attack occurred near the village of Sakoira, situated in the volatile tri-border region where Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali converge — an area notorious for jihadist violence. The victims were working for Kalpataru Projects International Limited (KPIL), an Indian infrastructure company providing services to the Kandadji dam project.
All five kidnapped workers — Sanjay Mahto, Chandrika Mahto, Faljeet Mahto, Raju Kumar, and Utaam Mahto — hail from the Giridih district in the Indian state of Jharkhand, the state government confirmed. They were stationed at a power transmission site north of Sakoira when the armed group struck.
The Jharkhand state government and the Indian Embassy in Niger have both reached out to local authorities, urging swift action to secure the safe release of the hostages. A formal letter has also been sent by the Indian Ambassador to Niger to the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, seeking immediate intervention.
While no group has officially claimed responsibility for the abduction, authorities suspect the involvement of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS), a group previously blamed for multiple deadly attacks in the region, including a mosque assault in March that killed 44 civilians.
Western Niger, along with neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, remains at the epicenter of a protracted jihadist insurgency that has escalated over the past decade, rooted in the aftermath of a Tuareg rebellion in Mali in 2012. Kidnappings have intensified in recent months, with an Austrian woman abducted in January and a Swiss national in April. Four Moroccan truck drivers also went missing along the Niger-Burkina Faso border earlier this year.
Efforts are ongoing to locate the missing Indian nationals and ensure their safe return.
Beijing, China – An explosion ripped through a residential area in Taiyuan, the capital of northern China’s Shanxi province, on Wednesday (April 30), killing at least one person and injuring 21 others, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Two people remain missing as rescue efforts continue.
The blast occurred at around 1:17 p.m., sending plumes of smoke into the sky and shattering glass in nearby buildings. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
Unverified footage circulating on Chinese social media platform Weibo appeared to show several vehicles ablaze outside a building, with thick black smoke pouring from the scene and damage to nearby apartment windows.
Emergency responders acted swiftly, deploying 210 firefighters and 43 fire trucks to the site, CCTV reported.
This latest incident comes just a day after a devastating restaurant fire in northeastern China’s Liaoning province killed 22 people. President Xi Jinping called that tragedy “a deeply sobering lesson.” Authorities have ruled out gas explosion and arson in that case, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
China has seen a troubling rise in similar accidents in recent years. Earlier in April, 20 people died in a fire at a nursing home in Hebei province, underscoring growing concerns over safety standards in residential and public buildings.
ROME, ITALY — Türkiye and Italy took significant steps to deepen their strategic partnership during the 4th Intergovernmental Summit held in Rome on Tuesday. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced their intention to enhance defense industry collaboration and set an ambitious new target to elevate their bilateral trade exchange to $40 billion.
At a joint press conference, President Erdoğan highlighted the growing alignment between the two NATO allies, stating, “Relations between us are improving day by day. We share valuable alignment on significant matters.” He reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to strengthening defense ties with Italy, particularly in the context of advancing new partnerships and projects in the defense sector.
One notable outcome of the summit was the signing of agreements in multiple sectors, including defense, trade, industrial investments, transportation, and space exploration. Among the agreements, a key deal was the preliminary protocol between Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar and Italian defense giant Leonardo to jointly develop unmanned aerial systems (UAS), building on the surge in demand for advanced defense technologies following the conflict in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Meloni expressed confidence in the growing relationship between the two countries, stating, “I believe that we are laying new foundations for the further advancement of the excellent relations between Italy and Türkiye, which could easily be the number one in the Mediterranean.”
In the realm of trade, the two leaders outlined an ambitious new trade target of $40 billion—a significant increase from the $32.2 billion reached in 2024. Italy is Türkiye’s second-largest trading partner in Europe, and both sides expressed optimism that the newly signed agreements would fuel continued economic growth and collaboration.
Erdoğan also expressed his gratitude for Italy’s ongoing support of Türkiye’s EU membership bid, noting that the country has been a consistent advocate throughout the process. He reiterated that Italy’s role in Türkiye’s EU aspirations would remain pivotal moving forward.
Beyond economic and defense matters, Erdoğan and Meloni discussed regional and global issues, including the conflict in Ukraine, the Middle East, and migration. Erdoğan reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to peace efforts, particularly regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “Restoring the ceasefire in Gaza is our top priority,” Erdoğan said, highlighting Türkiye’s role in facilitating peace talks.
On Libya, both leaders agreed to continue working together for a long-term solution to the nation’s ongoing instability. In Syria, Erdoğan emphasized Türkiye’s focus on reconstruction, strengthening local institutions, and preserving the country’s territorial integrity.
The summit, which was preceded by a ceremonial welcome at the Villa Pamphili residence in Rome, also included discussions on migration, with Türkiye playing a central role in curbing irregular arrivals to Europe. Both countries are also set to jointly host the Euro 2032 football tournament, which is expected to further boost their collaborative efforts in sports and infrastructure.
The summit will be followed by a business forum with representatives from both nations, further solidifying the economic and diplomatic ties between Türkiye and Italy.
SINGAPORE — Changi Airport has been crowned the World’s Best Airport for 2025 by London-based aviation consultancy Skytrax, marking a triumphant return to the top after slipping to second place in 2024. This is the 13th time Singapore’s iconic airport has achieved the prestigious No. 1 ranking at the World Airport Awards.
In addition to securing the top overall spot, Changi Airport also won accolades for the Best Airport Dining Experience and World’s Best Airport Washrooms, reinforcing its reputation for delivering a world-class and passenger-centric travel experience.
Changi Airport Group (CAG) Chief Executive Yam Kum Weng expressed his gratitude for the global recognition, stating: “It is gratifying to receive this recognition once again. It certainly encourages us to continue striving to provide the best travel experience for all our passengers.”
Following Changi, Hamad International Airport in Doha took second place, with Tokyo International Airport (Haneda), Incheon International Airport, and Narita International Airport rounding out the top five.
At the other end of the spectrum, Türkiye’s Ankara Airport ranked 100th, while Vietnam’s Noi Bai International Airport made significant progress, climbing 17 spots to reach 79th place in 2025.
The Skytrax rankings are based on a comprehensive global survey conducted between August 2024 and February 2025, gathering feedback from over 13 million travellers across 575 airports in more than 100 countries. Passengers rated their experiences across various touchpoints including check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security, immigration, and gate departure.
The 2025 results once again highlight Changi Airport’s continued commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction on the global aviation stage.
Toronto, Canada – Canadian police reported Sunday that eleven people died in the mass crash that occurred late Saturday in the city of Vancouver, in western Canada.
Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai added at a press conference that the death toll could rise in the coming hours because the attack, which he said was not an act of terrorism, left dozens injured, many of them seriously.
“This is the darkest day in our city’s history, as thousands of members of Vancouver’s Filipino community gathered for an important cultural celebration. One person has shattered our collective sense of safety,” Rai said.
Mental problems of the perpetrator of the accident The police official confirmed that the alleged perpetrator of the massacre, who was arrested immediately after the accident at the scene, is an individual “known” to the police and who suffers from mental health problems.
Video capture showing the moment after a mass car crash into a crowd attending a street festival in Vancouver. EFE/JC Janiola
“I can say that the person in custody has a significant history of interactions with police and mental health professionals. I cannot publicly identify the person we have in custody because charges have not yet been filed,” he said.
Rai explained that the police believe it was not a terrorist act because “there is no evidence that this individual had any religious or political beliefs” and because of the individual’s past history.
The police report said the incident began at 8:14 p.m. local time Saturday (3:14 a.m. GMT Sunday) on a busy city street during the final moments of the Filipino-Canadian community’s Lapu Lapu street festival, when tens of thousands of people were still present.
A witness to the accident told Canadian Public Radio and Television that he saw a vehicle accelerate and hit pedestrians participating in the street festival at full speed.
The Prime Minister rules out “an active threat”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney ruled out “an active threat to Canadians” following last night’s deadly multiple vehicle crash in Vancouver.
In an appearance this morning at a hotel in Ontario, where he is campaigning for tomorrow’s election, Carney added that his government believes the gunman who plowed into a crowd with a speeding car “acted alone.”
“I’m shocked, devastated,” said Carney, who canceled a campaign event he was scheduled to hold this morning while his team fine-tunes the rest of his program, which was scheduled to take place today in Vancouver.
Authorities have not released the identities or ages of the victims. But Rai, visibly shaken, did indicate that there were men, women, and young people among the dead. Pressed on whether children were among the dead, given that the festival was a family event for the Filipino-Canadian community, the police chief simply said, dismayed, “There were young people.”
The mass attack occurred shortly before the country’s general elections on Monday.
It so happens that the leader of the social-democratic New Democratic Party (NDP), Jagmeet Singh, the third-largest political party in the country, was at the festival when the vehicle plowed into the crowd.
Speaking to the media, Singh, who was not injured in the incident, said: “I have no words to describe what I saw.” He added: “I don’t know what to say, it’s just horrific. I’m devastated.”
The EU is “horrified” after the fatal crash in Vancouver
The European Union’s (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, expressed her “horror” after the mass attack in Vancouver.
“Horrified by the tragic scenes in Vancouver, where lives were lost and many people injured at a festival,” Kallas said in a social media post.
For his part, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. offered his “deepest” condolences on Sunday and said he was “completely devastated” after a man plowed into a crowd participating in a Filipino-Canadian community celebration in Vancouver, Canada.
“On behalf of the Philippine government and the Filipino people, we would like to express our deepest condolences to the victims and our sympathy to the strong and successful Filipino community in Canada,” Marcos Jr. said in a statement.
Sana’a, Yaman – At least two people were killed and ten others were injured Sunday in a series of bombings carried out last night by U.S. fighter jets against the Yemeni capital Sana’a, according to the Houthi rebels’ Ministry of Health.
The department said in a statement carried by the Yemeni news agency Saba that the victims, including children and women, were the result of “the US aggression targeting residential neighborhoods in the districts of Al Sabeen and Bani al Harith, north and south of the capital Sanaa, respectively.
According to the statement, “two citizens were killed and one was wounded” after a US attack on a house in the 14th of October neighborhood in Al Sabeen, and “nine others, including two women and three children, were wounded” in another attack on a residential neighborhood in the Bani al Harith district.
“The Ministry of Health condemned the continued attacks by the US enemy on residential neighborhoods, in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law,” the Houthi ministry denounced.
US warplanes have been launching massive airstrikes against Houthi positions almost daily for weeks, causing dozens of civilian deaths, according to the rebels, who do not provide casualty figures among their own.
At the direction of President Donald Trump, the United States launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Yemen on March 15 with the stated goal of destroying the Houthis’ military capabilities. However, the insurgents report that the attacks have hit civilian sites and killed around 200 people.
Allied with Iran, the insurgents have responded with attacks on U.S. and Israeli warships, while urging the international community to pressure Washington to halt its intensive bombing campaign.
