GLOBAL SNAPSHOT

Copter crash kills 8

JAKARTA: A rescue helicopter has crashed while heading to help evacuate residents near an active volcano on Indonesia’s main island, killing all eight people on board. The helicopter crashed about three minutes before arriving at Dieng Plateau, the popular tourist area where a volcanic eruption on Sunday, injuring at least 10 people. The aircraft reportedly hit a cliff on Butak Mountain near the Sileri Crater in the Temanggung district of Central Java province.

China warns US

BEIJING: China has sent military vessels and warplanes to “warn off” an American warship that sailed near a disputed island in the South China Sea. In a provocative move, that could further strain relations between the superpowers, the USS Stethem destroyer passed less than 22km from tiny Triton Island in the Paracel Islands archipelago, which is occupied by China but also claimed by other Asian countries. Beijing has reacted with outrage, saying the US move “infringed upon China’s sovereignty”. The US said its operation was meant to demonstrate freedom of navigation in disputed waters.

Hostages alive

BAMAKO: An al Qaeda-linked group in Mali has released a proof-of-life video showing six foreign hostages, according to a group that monitors jihadist communications. The video was released shortly before the French president arrived in the West African country for an anti-terror summit. The recently formed Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen issued the video on Telegram, the SITE Intelligence Group said. The video shows six foreigners from six different countries including a South American nun. “No genuine negotiations have begun to rescue your children,” a narrator says. French president Emmanuel Macron said he welcomed the first sign of life for months from the hostages.

Alarm over drones

LONDON: Pilots have warned of a “disaster” unless drones are subjected to tougher regulation. The warning from the British Airline Pilots Association comes as the runway at Gatwick Airport was closed for parts of Sunday evening over fears for safety. Four EasyJet flights were diverted.

Deadline extended

DOHA: A group of Arab nations has extended a deadline for Qatar to respond to their list of demands in a diplomatic crisis roiling the Gulf, saying Kuwait’s emir requested the delay as part of his efforts to mediate the dispute. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain cut off ties with Qatar on June 5, restricting access to their airspace and ports and sealing Qatar’s only land border.