Author: Ayna Zarbaliyeva

14:14

White House

'I'm such a king I can't get a ballroom approved', jokes Trump after judge orders halt to White House project

“He is not… the owner!” U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon wrote, temporarily halting construction of President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom, underscoring a cascade of legal, regulatory and public opposition that has engulfed the controversial expansion.

07:27

Middle East Conflict

Trump signals final phase of Iran war in national address but gives no timeline, warns of heavy strikes

Iran is “essentially… no longer a threat,” U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (1 April), signalling what he described as the final phase of the war with Iran. In a televised address from the White House, Trump stated the U.S.-led campaign "Operation Epic Fury" was nearing completion.

07:06

Middle East Conflict

Iran: 'No enemy troops should survive if adversaries attempt a ground operation' - Middle East conflict on 2 April

Fears of wider escalation grow despite President Donald Trump saying U.S. strikes on Iran could end within weeks. Meanwhile missile attacks, tanker incidents and rising casualties across Israel, Lebanon and the Gulf heighten risks to regional stability and energy routes.

20:14

Middle East Conflict

Russia pulls staff, attacks stopped, Trump says Iran wants ceasefire - Middle East conflict on 1 April

There are fears of an oil spill after a drone strike hit a Kuwaiti oil tanker near Dubai on Tuesday, while U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran reportedly killed at least two people. A loud explosion was heard in Beirut in southern Lebanon early Wednesday, as oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel.

14:42

Energy Security

Strait of Hormuz blockade triggers urgent response from UK, France and Japan

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have called for urgent action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as escalating conflict continues to choke one of the world’s most critical energy routes.

08:18

Entertainment

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion hospitalised after falling ill on Broadway during Moulin Rouge performance

Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion was hospitalised in New York City after she fell ill mid-performance during a Broadway production of 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical'.

07:40

Plane Crash

Russian military plane crash in Crimea kills 30 people

A Russian military An-26 aircraft has crashed in Crimea, killing all 30 people on board, Russia’s Defence Ministry has confirmed.

21:05

Middle East Conflict

Iran-U.S.-Israel tensions rise after strikes and threats of retaliation - 31 March

The Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict is intensifying, with fresh strikes near Tehran, European calls for restraint, and Iran threatening to target U.S. firms in the region, raising fears of a broader escalation across the Middle East.

15:01

UN Report

UN says 20,000 seafarers trapped as Strait of Hormuz crisis hits global trade

Some 20,000 seafarers remain stranded on around 2,000 ships in the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, in what has been described as an unprecedented situation in the post-Second World War era. The vessels include oil and gas tankers, cargo ships and six cruise liners.

14:33

March 1918 Tragedy

The March days of 1918: Azerbaijan's history, remembrance, and path to peace

Over a century ago, the streets of Baku were engulfed in violence as thousands of civilians perished during the March Days of 1918, marking one of the darkest chapters in Azerbaijan’s history.

14:07

Culture

Eurovision expands to Asia with first contest set for 2026

The European Broadcasting Union and global entertainment company Voxovation have announced that the first-ever Eurovision Song Contest Asia will take place in 2026, with Bangkok selected to host the inaugural edition.

07:29

Gang Violence

Dozens killed in Haiti gang 'massacre', rights organisations report

At least 70 people have been killed and more than 30 wounded in a gang attack in Haiti’s Artibonite region, according to two rights organisations, as thousands of residents fled the violence in the towns of Jean Denis and Pont Sondé.

13:31

Prices Surge

Global markets slide as Iran conflict drives oil surge and recession fears

Stock markets across Asia fell on Monday as escalating conflict involving Iran drove oil prices sharply higher, fuelling fears of inflation and a potential global recession, with investors reacting to disruption risks in the Strait of Hormuz and prolonged hostilities.

12:56

Middle East Crisis

Trump: We will obliterate Iran's electric and oil infrastructure if Strait of Hormuz is not opened

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the U.S is in talks with the new Iranian regime. He said this in a post on his Truth Social account but warned that the U.S. will "Obliterate" Iran's electric and oil facilities if no deal is reached, especially regarding the Strait of Hormuz closure.

08:11

Space Mission

NASA prepares Artemis 2 mission as astronauts set for lunar slingshot

NASA is aiming to launch its Artemis 2 mission on Wednesday (1 April), sending astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon, officials confirmed. According to the Space Administration, the launch window is due to open at 23:24 GMT, with additional opportunities to 6 April if delays occur.

11:09

Explainer

Close Slovenia election pits reform agenda against conservative shift

Slovenia heads to the polls on Sunday (22 March) in a closely contested race between incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob and right-wing former Prime Minister Janez Janša.

10:57

Explainer

Italy votes on judicial reform in test of PM Meloni’s strength

Italy is voting on 22 and 23 March in a judicial reform referendum that could reshape the justice system and test Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s political strength ahead of the 2027 general election.

20:59

Record Breaker

'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' trailer breaks record with 718M views

The trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day has officially become the most-watched trailer of all time, racking up 718.6 million views in its first 24 hours and surpassing the previous record set by Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024.

18:24

Action Legend

Chuck Norris, martial arts legend and ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ star, dies at 86

Carlos Ray “Chuck” Norris, the martial artist, actor and cultural icon best known for his roles in action films and the long-running CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger, has died at the age of 86.

18:04

Controversial Coin

President Trump to feature on 24K gold coin after U.S. arts panel approval

A U.S. federal arts body has approved the design of a 24-karat gold commemorative coin featuring President Donald Trump, on Thursday (19 March) paving the way for its release as part of celebrations marking the country’s 250th anniversary on 4 July.

20:52

Tourism Impact

Middle East crisis disrupts travel flows, $56B loss and millions of trips at risk

The ongoing conflict involving Iran is set to disrupt global travel on a massive scale, with nearly 28 million outbound trips from the Middle East at risk this year, according to Oxford Economics.

18:21

Oil Prices

Philippines transport workers strike over gas prices

Transport groups across the Philippines launched a nationwide strike on Thursday in protest against rising oil prices. The action affected 15 to 20 protest centres in Metro Manila, with similar demonstrations taking place across several major provinces.

15:40

Film Innovation

AI to recreate Val Kilmer's performance in film after actor’s death

Late Hollywood actor Val Kilmer will appear posthumously in the upcoming film "As Deep as the Grave" through the use of generative artificial intelligence, in what producers describe as a first-of-its-kind performance.

19:48

National Holiday

Novruz festivities kick off in Azerbaijan with dances, crafts and bonfires

Festive events across Azerbaijan are bringing the spirit of Novruz to life, with the Gala State Historical and Ethnographic Reserve hosting its annual “Spring Fortress” celebration. Visitors are immersed in a historic setting, surrounded by colourful decorations and live performances.