Author: News Desk

Washington: Spirit Airlines has announced it will cease operations after failing to secure a $500 million (£368 million) bailout from the administration of Donald Trump. The budget carrier confirmed on May 2 that it has begun an immediate and orderly wind-down of its business, expressing “great disappointment” over the outcome. The airline had been in discussions with the US government over a potential rescue package that could have prevented its collapse. However, negotiations ultimately broke down despite earlier optimism that an agreement would be finalised by the end of April. https://twitter.com/SpiritAirlines/status/2050464195444121893 Spirit Airlines stated that all upcoming flights have been…

Bermuda: King Charles III has arrived in Bermuda for a solo royal visit following the conclusion of his official trip to the United States alongside Queen Camilla. The King landed at LF Wade International Airport on the evening of April 30 and is scheduled to remain in the British Overseas Territory until May 2. Upon arrival, HM was welcomed by Andrew Murdoch and David Burt, along with a ceremonial guard of honour formed by the Royal Bermuda Regiment. https://twitter.com/BdaGovernment/status/2050013352416440688 During his visit, the King will receive a formal ceremonial welcome, including a 21-gun salute. His itinerary also includes engagements with…

Geneva: The UN Women has raised alarm over the growing and increasingly complex forms of online violence targeting women in public life, highlighting how artificial intelligence is amplifying abuse and making it more accessible to perpetrators. According to a new report, female activists, journalists, and public figures are facing heightened risks driven by a combination of AI tools, online anonymity, and insufficient legal protections. The findings reveal that among more than 1,500 women surveyed, 6 percent reported being victims of deepfake content, nearly one-third experienced unsolicited sexual advances online, and around 12 percent had images shared without their consent, including…

London: Whitbread, the owner of Premier Inn, has announced plans to cut up to 3,800 jobs across the UK and Ireland as part of a major restructuring of its restaurant operations. The proposed cuts could impact around 12.6 percent of its 30,000-strong workforce. The decision forms part of a new five-year strategy aimed at reducing costs, with the company citing rising expenses, including higher business rates and increased employer National Insurance contributions, as key factors behind the move. Recent government changes have raised operating costs for many businesses, adding pressure on the hospitality sector. Whitbread, which also operates restaurant brands…

Brussels: The rollout of the European Union’s new Entry-Exit System (EES) has led to significant delays at border checkpoints across multiple airports, with some travellers experiencing wait times of up to three hours. Introduced gradually since October 2025, the system officially came into force across the Schengen Area, covering most EU member states along with Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, on May 1. The system is designed to digitally record the entry and exit of non-EU travellers using biometric data such as fingerprints. Despite its intended efficiency, the implementation of the EU Entry-Exit System has faced widespread operational challenges. Travellers…

Vancouver: FIFA has approved the return of Afghanistan’s women’s football team to international competition, a move former captain Khalida Popal says will make them a ‘symbol of resilience.’ The team has not played a competitive international match since December 2018. Following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, sweeping restrictions on women’s rights, including a ban on women’s sports, forced many players to flee the country and seek asylum abroad. Previously, FIFA regulations required teams to be recognised by their national federation, in this case, the Afghanistan Football Federation, before being allowed to compete. https://twitter.com/FIFAcom/status/2049412119637201175 However, a rule change approved…

Anaheim, California: The Walt Disney Company has introduced facial recognition technology in some entrance lanes at Disneyland, a move aimed at preventing fraud and making park re-entry more efficient. At designated lanes, cameras capture images of visitors, which are then processed through biometric systems and converted into unique numerical identifiers, according to the company’s website. This system can help determine whether a guest has already entered the park and may also be used to prevent practices such as sharing annual passes. Guests are not required to use the technology and can opt out by choosing lanes that do not have…

English Channel: As governments and travellers look for ways to reduce transport-related emissions, a UK-based startup, SailLink, is offering a low-carbon alternative for crossing the English Channel, by sail. The company operates a 17-metre catamaran carrying up to 12 passengers between Dover and Boulogne-sur-Mer, relying mainly on wind and tidal energy instead of fossil fuels. The journey typically takes four to five hours, depending on weather conditions. Now entering its second full season, SailLink’s founder and skipper, Andrew Simons, said that the growing demand could demonstrate that wind-powered passenger transport is both environmentally and commercially viable. Simons explained that the…

Washington: King Charles III is expected to subtly address recent tensions between the United Kingdom and the United States during a rare speech to both houses of the US Congress, emphasizing that despite challenges, the two nations have consistently found ways to maintain unity. The remarks come amid strained relations following comments and actions by Donald Trump, who has threatened to withdraw from a UK-US trade agreement, criticised the Royal Navy, and directed remarks at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Much of the tension stems from the UK’s decision not to participate in a US and Israeli military campaign against…

New Delhi: Shares of Paytm dropped sharply on Monday, falling as much as 8.4 percent, their biggest intraday decline in over three months, after the Reserve Bank of India cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited. The stock later recovered some of the losses and was trading about 3.5 percent lower. The RBI’s decision comes two years after it first imposed business restrictions on the payments bank over regulatory violations. At the time, the central bank had directed the lender to stop accepting fresh deposits, citing non-compliance in areas such as customer due diligence, utilisation of funds, and…