Islamist militants free Moroccan truck drivers held since January, Mali says
BAMAKO - Islamic State-affiliated militants have released four Moroccan truck drivers kidnapped in January, Mali said late on Monday, according to state media, highlighting growing intelligence cooperation between the two countries.
The men and their three trucks disappeared in January while crossing without an escort from Dori in Burkina Faso to Tera in Niger, an area known for jihadist threats, a diplomatic source said at the time.
They were shown alongside Mali junta leader Assimi Goita in footage broadcast on Monday night by state media, which reported that they had been freed on Sunday.
Junta-led Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali are battling militant groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State that have been destabilising West Africa's Sahel region for more than a decade.
All three countries have halted defence cooperation with France and other Western forces and turned towards Russia for military support. And last year they announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), raising the risk of diplomatic isolation.
Morocco has meanwhile drawn closer to the three landlocked countries.
In April, the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali endorsed an initiative offering them access to global trade through Morocco's Atlantic ports. Morocco also mediated to secure the release in December of four French nationals who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore 'She had a whole life ahead of her': Boyfriend mourns Yishun fatal crash victim
Singapore Doctor hounded ex-girlfriend, threatened to share her intimate photos, abducted her off street
Singapore Beauty industry consumers hit by 464% rise in prepayment losses in first half of 2025
Business Singapore retail sales up by 2.3%, driven by sales of motor vehicles
Singapore Over 5,900 vape products found in car at Woodlands Checkpoint
Singapore Locally developed VR tool can detect pre-dementia with almost 90% accuracy
Singapore 13 taken to hospital after accident involving SBS buses, car in Tampines
Sport Singapore National Olympic Council launches book series honouring local athletes
The release on Sunday of the four truck drivers came as a result of cooperation between the security and intelligence services of Mali and Morocco, Malian state media reported. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
43 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Forum: Let's build respect and empathy for service staff from young
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A recent case where a customer at a Bugis dessert shop was filmed verbally abusing an employee until she cried is concerning. Sadly, I believe such instances of abuse directed at front-line service staff in Singapore are becoming more common. This is not just a problem of bad manners – it reflects a worrying erosion of empathy and respect for the dignity of work. While stronger workplace policies and enforcement are important, we must also focus on long-term cultural change and this begins with how we educate the next generation. We should integrate structured efforts to promote respect for all workers into our education system. For example, Character and Citizenship Education lessons in schools can include real-world scenarios involving service interactions and empathy-building exercises. Volunteering or short-term service placements during holidays could also offer students first-hand insight into the daily challenges service staff face. In parallel, parents and caregivers must model respectful behaviour. Children learn quickly from how adults treat others, whether with gratitude or entitlement. As we strive to build a gracious society, let us not forget those who serve us quietly every day. If we want a future Singapore that is not only smart but also kind, we must start by nurturing those values in our youth today. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MRT track issue causes 5-hour delay; Jeffrey Siow says 'we can and will do better' Singapore ST Explains: What is a track point fault and why does it cause lengthy train disruptions? Singapore Three people taken to hospital after fire in Punggol executive condominium Singapore Elderly man found dead in SingPost Centre stairwell could have been in confused state: Coroner Singapore 81 primary schools to hold ballot for Phase 2C of Primary 1 registration Singapore S'pore and Indonesia have discussed jointly developing military training facilities: Chan Chun Sing Singapore Two workers died after being hit by flying gas cylinders in separate incidents in 2025 Sport Young Lions and distance runner Soh Rui Yong left out of SEA Games contingent Dennis Heng Jin Tong
Straits Times
43 minutes ago
- Straits Times
US stocks rise as Apple surges
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Traders working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, in New York City, on Aug 6. NEW YORK - Wall Street stocks rose on Aug 6 with Apple and most other large tech companies rallying as markets largely shrugged off US President Donald Trump's latest tariff hikes. Apple piled on more than 5 per cent after White House officials said the tech giant plans an additional US$100 billion (S$129 billion) in capital spending in the United States. Amazon and Google parent Alphabet were among the other large tech names that also rose. 'By standing up and publicly announcing a domestic investment with President Trump, it reduces the likelihood of Trump imposing new tariff burdens on Apple,' said FHN Financial's Chris Low. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished up 0.2 per cent at 44,193.12. The broad-based S&P 500 gained 0.7 per cent to 6,345.06, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 1.2 per cent to 21,169.42, less than 10 points from an all-time record. Mr Trump ordered an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods. The levy, which is expected to come into force in three weeks, is due to New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil. A new wave of Trump tariffs is due to take effect on Aug 7 on dozens of other economies. But the Aug 6 gains suggest investors are becoming more inured to the levies. 'This is a market that's fuelled by enthusiasm,' said Mr Jack Ablin, of Cresset Capital Management. 'Nothing has blown up yet. Perhaps the impact of tariffs won't be as great as investors originally feared.' Among individual companies, Disney fell 2.7 per cent as it reported around a doubling of profits to US$5.3 billion and announced a series of new deals to boost its upcoming ESPN streaming venture. But McDonald's jumped 3 per cent as it reported an 11 per cent rise in profits to US$2.3 billion. While the fast food giant returned to sales growth at US stores, it warned that low-income consumers were cutting back amid financial pressures. AFP
Straits Times
43 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Forum: Thank you, Singapore, for having been home, truly
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox This year marks 60 years of Singapore's independence – and 75 years since the birth of the European project. We believe in multilateralism, the rules-based international order and its global institutions. We uphold fair trade as the basis for shared prosperity. We continue to stand at the forefront of the fight against climate change. Yet, the world around us is changing rapidly. When I arrived in September 2021, the pandemic was still a reality. One of my first major tasks was to facilitate the mutual recognition of Covid-19 certificates. This allowed travel to resume in both directions. In February 2022, when Russia unleashed its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Singapore and the European Union (EU) stood shoulder to shoulder in condemning this violation of international law and the principles we uphold, wherever they were put at risk. Both of us are adapting to the new political realities – by strengthening our capacity to defend ourselves and by broadening and deepening our network of partners. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MRT track issue causes 5-hour delay; Jeffrey Siow says 'we can and will do better' Singapore ST Explains: What is a track point fault and why does it cause lengthy train disruptions? Singapore Three people taken to hospital after fire in Punggol executive condominium Singapore Elderly man found dead in SingPost Centre stairwell could have been in confused state: Coroner Singapore 81 primary schools to hold ballot for Phase 2C of Primary 1 registration Singapore S'pore and Indonesia have discussed jointly developing military training facilities: Chan Chun Sing Singapore Two workers died after being hit by flying gas cylinders in separate incidents in 2025 Sport Young Lions and distance runner Soh Rui Yong left out of SEA Games contingent Our ties have grown stronger. Singapore is our largest trade and investment partner in South-east Asia, with over €130 billion (S$194 billion) in goods and services exchanged in 2023. Our free trade agreement , in force for five years, continues to open up new opportunities to deepen and diversify our relationship further. More than 12,000 EU companies have a presence here, serving Singapore and the wider region. In May, we reached another milestone: the signing of the EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement. During my tenure, we welcomed 15 visits by European commissioners . Most recently, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas underlined the interconnectedness of the security challenges Europe and Asia face, and presented the EU's offer of reliable partnerships on trade, innovation, green transition and security. My team and I have also worked to promote European culture in creative, fresh and innovative ways connecting Singapore and Asean with Europe through the arts. I have had the privilege of witnessing key moments: the inauguration of a new prime minister, the election of a new president, a general election, the ongoing SG60 celebrations, and even a visit by the late Pope Francis. My family and I enjoyed learning about Singapore's fascinating culture and discovering its nature. Above all, we have treasured the warmth, the strength of character, and the professionalism of our Singaporean colleagues and friends, who have made our life and work a joy and a privilege. Allow me, therefore, to say my thanks to colleagues across Singapore's ministries and public service, to the business community, the academics, journalists, artists and innovators – and so many inspiring women leaders, to Team Europe, our member states, businesses and chambers of commerce, to my friends in the wider diplomatic community, and to my team at the EU Delegation. Above all: Thank you, Singapore, for having been home, truly. Iwona Piorko Outgoing European Union Ambassador to Singapore
