00:00

Middle East conflict

Trump says Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei not seen after strike – Latest on Middle East crisis

President Trump called on countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Starmer said the UK is working with allies to restore navigation and stabilise oil markets. It comes as a strike near Iraq’s western border killed several Hashed al-Shaabi fighters, raising regional tensions.

18:33

Middle East conflict

Trump’s call to guard Hormuz shipping faces reluctant global response

Governments around the world are responding cautiously to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for countries to send naval ships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect commercial shipping and help restore the flow of global oil supplies.

16:58

View from Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz MP Shairbek Tashiev resigns after questioning by investigators

Kyrgyzstan lawmaker Shairbek Tashiev has resigned from parliament after being questioned by investigators. The Central Election Commission confirmed it has formally terminated his parliamentary mandate.

16:26

KAZAKHSTAN ELECTIONS

Kazakhstan to hold next presidential election in 2029, Tokayev says after constitutional referendum

Kazakhstan’s next presidential election will be held in 2029 in line with the Constitution, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said after voting in a referendum on a draft new Constitution amid debate over whether the reforms could signal a future transfer of power.

16:02

View from Afghanistan

China urges Afghanistan and Pakistan to hold talks and declare ceasefire

China’s special envoy for Afghanistan has begun visits to Kabul and Islamabad to mediate between the two countries, as cross-border clashes continue following Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan in February.

15:13

Middle East Conflict

Israel set to approve mobilisation of 450,000 reserve troops as ground attacks in southern Lebanon step up

Israel is set to approve the mobilisation of up to 450,000 reserve troops at the request of the military, as Israeli forces begin further ground attacks in southern Lebanon against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.

14:05

Baykar

Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar unveils UAV able to coordinate with other drones without humans

Türkiye’s leading drone manufacturer has unveiled its newest long-range kamikaze drone, capable of operating alongside other drones without human intervention. The K2 Kamikaze UAV, developed by Baykar, can carry out missions up to 2,000km from its launch point.

12:42

India

At least 10 dead in Indian hospital fire

At least 10 people have died after a fire broke out at a hospital trauma unit in eastern India on Monday (16 March). The victims, who were all patients, were being moved to safer areas away from the blaze when they died, officials said.  

08:29

Kazakhstan Politics

Kazakh voters approve new constitution that could allow Tokayev stay in power beyond 2029

Kazakhstan has adopted a new constitution that could allow President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to stay in power beyond 2029. The Central Election Commission confirmed that 87.15% of voters backed the constitution in a referendum held on Sunday (17 March).   

21:02

Middle East conflict

Iran is 'open' to talks on Strait of Hormuz, Iranian FM says - Middle East conflict on 15 March

Iran says it is open to talks with countries seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz - disrupted by recent attacks - as Israel continues to launch wide‑scale strikes on Iranian infrastructure in the west. This live report tracks the latest developments.

16:37

Politics

Six more people evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan

The process of evacuating foreign diplomats and citizens from Iran to Azerbaijan through the Astara state border crossing continues on Sunday (15 March), ensuring smooth and efficient transit for those arriving. 

15:05

Politics

Israeli forces reportedly kill Palestinian family of four in West Bank

Israeli forces killed a Palestinian father, mother, and two of their children as they drove in West Bank on Sunday (15 March), Palestinian health authorities said, and the Israeli military said the incident was under review.

12:31

Kazakhstan’s referendum

Kazakhstan votes in referendum on new constitution

Kazakhstan is holding a nationwide referendum on a new draft Constitution on Sunday (15 March) that could significantly reshape the country’s political system. Polling stations have opened across the country, with nearly 12.5 million people eligible to take part. 

09:00

Middle East tension

Trump threatens more attacks on Iran’s Kharg Island, presses allies on Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub and urged allies to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran vowed to step up its response and the war showed no sign of ending on Sunday ( 15 March).

18:07

Middle East Conflict

Indian LPG shipments navigate Strait of Hormuz despite blockage by Iran

Two Indian-flagged tankers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, carrying 92,700 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), are en route to India despite disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, the Indian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday (14 March).

15:00

Extreme Weather

Sandstorm sweeps Gaza as dust storms hit parts of Asia and India

A sandstorm swept across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, worsening conditions for displaced civilians already living in fragile shelters amid the ongoing conflict, according to local reports. 

14:24

WUF13

Baku prepares to host WUF13 as organisers outline plans

A media briefing in Baku has outlined preparations for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to take place in Baku from 17 to 22 May 2026.  

08:46

Middle East Conflict

Iran tells civilians to avoid UAE ports as conflict widens in Gulf: Middle East conflict on 14 March

A widening conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel has triggered escalating military strikes across the Middle East, disrupted shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz and raised concerns over global energy supplies. This live report tracks the latest developments.

23:19

Middle East Conflict

Six U.S. service members killed in Iraq plane crash: Middle East conflict on 13 March

All six U.S. service members aboard a plane that crashed in western on Iraq on Thursday have died, the U.S. military confirmed on Friday (13 March). Meanwhile, one French soldier was killed in a drone attack in the Erbil region of northern Iraq, President Emmanuel Macron announced.

21:46

Georgia Politics

Georgia urged to investigate torture allegations in OSCE report

The treatment of some detainees in Georgia “has arguably reached the threshold of torture”, a probe into the country’s human rights situation backed by 23 OSCE members has found.