Latest News and Breaking Stories

Pakistan offers to host peace talks between U.S. and Iran - Middle East conflict on 24 March

Pakistan offered to host talks between Iran and the U.S. to bring about an end to the Middle East conflict on Tuesday (24 March), as U.S. President Donald Trump repeated that Washington was speaking to Tehran, despite the White House downplaying earlier comments by Trump saying the same thing.

$500 million oil bets placed minutes before Trump delays Iran strikes, prices plunge

20:35

Middle East Conflict.

$500 million oil bets placed minutes before Trump delays Iran strikes, prices plunge

Traders placed more than $500 million in oil bets minutes before Donald Trump announced a delay to planned strikes on Iran, data shows, shortly before prices plunged.

Pakistan offers to host U.S.-Iran talks as Gulf conflict intensifies

19:42

Middle East Conflict

Pakistan offers to host U.S.-Iran talks as Gulf conflict intensifies

Pakistan has offered to host talks between the U.S. and Iran to end the Gulf conflict, as tensions remain high despite reports of possible diplomacy and continued military strikes across the region.

Hezbollah vows to resist as Israel outlines plan to occupy southern Lebanon

17:18

Middle East Conflict

Hezbollah vows to resist as Israel outlines plan to occupy southern Lebanon

Hezbollah has pledged to defend the region against Israeli forces, warning it will resist any move to occupy southern Lebanon, as Israel sets out plans to establish a buffer zone following its latest invasion.

21:59

Denmark election

Denmark election ends as Frederiksen seeks new mandate amid domestic and geopolitical pressures

Voting has ended in Denmark’s parliamentary election, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen seeking a third term after a campaign shaped by tensions with the U.S. over Greenland and mounting domestic concerns.

Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

Erdoğan urges restraint as Türkiye navigates Middle East tensions

21:18

Middle East Conflict

Erdoğan urges restraint as Türkiye navigates Middle East tensions

Türkiye is pursuing a cautious approach to the escalating Middle East conflict while maintaining regional ties, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Tuesday, warning against actions that could deepen instability.

Pakistan–Afghanistan tensions rise as reported jet overflights and UN protest draw global attention

16:04

View from Afghanistan

Pakistan–Afghanistan tensions rise as reported jet overflights and UN protest draw global attention

Afghan authorities say Pakistani jets entered northern Afghanistan, while Pakistan insists its actions target terrorism, highlighting continued strain after a temporary Eid ceasefire ended.

U.S. envoy spotlights Georgia’s Black Sea ports and transit ambitions

14:28

View from Georgia

U.S. envoy spotlights Georgia’s Black Sea ports and transit ambitions

A senior U.S. official has arrived in Georgia, renewing attention on the country’s strategic infrastructure and its growing role as a regional transit hub.

Turkish authorities arrest journalist over alleged ‘misleading’ reporting

18:20

View from Türkiye

Turkish authorities arrest journalist over alleged ‘misleading’ reporting

Turkish authorities on Sunday arrested a reporter for allegedly spreading false information, sparking small demonstrations by journalists and civil society groups in İstanbul and Ankara.

Pakistan offers U.S.-Iran talks as Lebanon expels Iran envoy - Tuesday 24 March

5h ago

Middle East conflict

Pakistan offers U.S.-Iran talks as Lebanon expels Iran envoy - Tuesday 24 March

U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. was talking to the right people in Iran to make a deal on Tuesday (24 March), as Pakistan's Prime Min...

5h ago

Middle East Conflict

Pakistan offers to host peace talks between U.S. and Iran - Middle East conflict on 24 March

Pakistan offered to host talks between Iran and the U.S. to bring about an end...

7h ago

Denmark election

Denmark election ends as Frederiksen seeks new mandate amid domestic and geopolitical pressures

Voting has ended in Denmark’s parliamentary election, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen seeking a third term after a campaign shaped by t...

7h ago

Middle East Conflict

Erdoğan urges restraint as Türkiye navigates Middle East tensions

Türkiye is pursuing a cautious approach to the escalating Middle East conflict while maintaining regional ties, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğa...

8h ago

Middle East Conflict.

$500 million oil bets placed minutes before Trump delays Iran strikes, prices plunge

Traders placed more than $500 million in oil bets minutes before Donald Trump announced a delay to planned strikes on Iran, ...

Israeli fire killed first Israeli civilian at border with Lebanon

14:59

Middle East conflict

Israeli fire killed first Israeli civilian at border with Lebanon

Israel said on Monday its own forces had misfired artillery that killed an Israeli farmer near the Lebanese frontier, the first Israeli civilian killed in a border conflict being waged in parallel with the war in Iran.

World

World News

Italy rejects Prime Minister Meloni's justice plans in referendum

13:16

Italian politics

Italy rejects Prime Minister Meloni's justice plans in referendum

Italian voters emphatically rejected a flagship judicial reform championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, dealing a blow to her right-wing coalition ahead of next year's general elections. Meloni posted on social media "clearly, we regret this missed opportunity to modernise Italy".

08:07

Colombia

Colombian military plane crashes killing 66 people, four missing

A Colombian military plane carrying 128 passengers crashed during a takeoff on Monday (23 March) from Puerto Leguizamo, on the border with Peru, killing 66 people, as rescuers shuttled dozens of survivors to nearby hospitals and searched for four who were still missing, according to a top official.

UK must prepare for possibility of prolonged Middle East conflict, Starmer says

10:29

View from UK

UK must prepare for possibility of prolonged Middle East conflict, Starmer says

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday (23 March) that Britain must plan for the possibility that the Iran war could continue for some time, and added that he had no "meaningful concerns" about energy supply.

New Zealand permits fuel imports meeting Australian standards amid supply shock

08:17

Middle East conflict

New Zealand permits fuel imports meeting Australian standards amid supply shock

New Zealand will temporarily permit fuel meeting Australian standards to be imported for up to 12 months, the government said on Monday, as it seeks to mitigate supply risks linked to the Middle East conflict and soaring prices.

Business

Business Economy Markets

11:29

Business News

CIS business owners highlight UAE security amid Middle East conflict

The prevailing security situation in the region has done little to deter entrepreneurs from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) who continue to view Dubai as a premier and safe location for business.

French court rules against government's appeal to shut down Chinese online retailer Shein

11:34

France Shein Court Case

French court rules against government's appeal to shut down Chinese online retailer Shein

The French government’s bid to suspend the marketplace of Chinese online retailer Shein in the country has been overruled by a Paris Court of Appeal.

China raises gasoline and diesel prices as it pushes greener transport

16:33

Fuel Prices

China raises gasoline and diesel prices as it pushes greener transport

China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.

11:28

Global markets

Global markets remain volatile as Middle East conflict drives energy surge

Global financial markets remained on edge on Friday as the escalating war involving the United States, Israel and Iran continued to rattle investors, fuelling volatility in stocks and sending energy prices sharply higher.

China unveils 15th Five-Year Plan to accelerate high-tech industrial growth

19:50

CHINESE ECONOMY

China unveils 15th Five-Year Plan to accelerate high-tech industrial growth

China’s top leadership has unveiled a new push to turn advanced technologies into large-scale industrial priorities as part of the country’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, which will guide economic and social development from 2026 to 2030.

Culture

Culture News Lifestyle Art

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

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.

BTS documentary ‘THE RETURN’ to premiere on Netflix after hiatus

16:36

BTS Comeback

BTS documentary ‘THE RETURN’ to premiere on Netflix after hiatus

South Korean pop sensation BTS, one of the world’s biggest music acts known for their record-breaking albums, global tours and devoted fanbase ARMY, will return to the spotlight in a new documentary, BTS: THE RETURN, premiering globally on Netflix on 27 March.

Oscars 2026 Winners: 'One battle after another', 'Sinners' sweep awards

07:37

Academy Awards

Oscars 2026 Winners: 'One battle after another', 'Sinners' sweep awards

'One Battle After Another' tops the Oscars with 6 awards, followed by 'Sinners' which takes 4, 'Frankenstein' 3 and Netflix's most-watched film in its history, 'KPop Demon Hunters' winning 2. There was also the rare event of a tie.

Oscars 2026 nominations announced: 'Sinners' breaks record with 16 nods

20:36

Academy Awards

Oscars 2026 nominations announced: 'Sinners' breaks record with 16 nods

The Academy Awards nominations have been announced, with the crime drama Sinners leading the race securing a record 16 nominations ahead of the ceremony set for 15 March. The event, which honours the film industry’s top achievements over the past year, will be hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien.

Most viewed

Two dead as Air Canada Express plane hits ground vehicle at New York's LaGuardia airport

10:19

Plane crash

Two dead as Air Canada Express plane hits ground vehicle at New York's LaGuardia airport

The pilot and co-pilot of an Air Canada Express regional jet were killed after it collided with a fire truck while landing at New York's LaGuardia airport late on Sunday, in an incident that closed the airport, authorities and U.S. media said.

23:52

Middle East conflict

Pakistan offers U.S.-Iran talks as Lebanon expels Iran envoy - Tuesday 24 March

U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. was talking to the right people in Iran to make a deal on Tuesday (24 March), as Pakistan's Prime Minister offered to host peace talks between the two countries to bring about an end to the conflict.

Tehran denies any talks with U.S., while Trump claims ‘major points of agreement’ with Iran - Monday 23 March

23:46

Middle East conflict

Tehran denies any talks with U.S., while Trump claims ‘major points of agreement’ with Iran - Monday 23 March

Trump says U.S. found “major points of agreement” with Iran and has paused strikes on Iranian power plants, but Tehran denies any direct talks or negotiations, contradicting U.S. claims - latest on Middle East conflict.

Violent protests in Tirana amid alleged corruption case

10:57

Albania

Violent protests in Tirana amid alleged corruption case

Violent clashes broke out between police and opposition protesters in Tirana on Sunday (22 March) as demonstrators were demanding the resignation of the Albanian government following corruption allegations against the deputy prime minister.

16:04

View from Afghanistan

Pakistan–Afghanistan tensions rise as reported jet overflights and UN protest draw global attention

Afghan authorities say Pakistani jets entered northern Afghanistan, while Pakistan insists its actions target terrorism, highlighting continued strain after a temporary Eid ceasefire ended.

Health

Health news Healthcare

Six new meningitis cases reported in UK bringing total to 27

18:14

Mingitis Outbreak UK

Six new meningitis cases reported in UK bringing total to 27

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that as of Wednesday evening, it has identified six new cases of meningococcal disease in Kent, bringing the total of confirmed or suspected cases to at least 27.

WHO maps out $2m for Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, warns of health crisis as conflict escalates

10:40

Middle East Conflict

WHO maps out $2m for Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, warns of health crisis as conflict escalates

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released $2m in emergency funding to support health responses in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria as escalating regional conflict strains hospitals, raises displacement and increases pressure on already fragile health systems.

Scottish lawmakers vote against bill legalising assisted dying

12:17

Health news

Scottish lawmakers vote against bill legalising assisted dying

The Scottish Parliament has voted against legalising assisted dying, ending a years-long campaign to make Scotland the first part of the UK to allow the practice.

War in Middle East disrupts medicine shipments to Gulf, raising concerns over cancer drug supply

15:37

Middle East conflict

War in Middle East disrupts medicine shipments to Gulf, raising concerns over cancer drug supply

The war in the Middle East is beginning to disrupt the flow of critical medicines to Gulf countries, raising concerns about the supply of cancer treatments and other temperature-sensitive drugs, according to pharmaceutical industry executives.

Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia fall by 75% but UN agencies warn of the risk of outbreaks

13:20

WHO Report

Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia fall by 75% but UN agencies warn of the risk of outbreaks

Measles cases across Europe and Central Asia fell sharply in 2025 compared to the previous year but health officials have warned that the risk of fresh outbreaks remains unless vaccination gaps are urgently addressed.

05:00

Measles outbreak

Florida university reports measles outbreak as U.S. cases climb

A Florida university has become a new hotspot in a widening U.S. measles outbreak, with health officials confirming multiple infections and hospitalisations.

Travel

Travel News Destinations

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.

Rome opens Colosseum’s southern walkways as public square for tourists

15:45

Historic Reopening

Rome opens Colosseum’s southern walkways as public square for tourists

The Colosseum in Rome has reopened its southern corridors as a public square following a four-year restoration, giving visitors free access to a long-lost part of the ancient monument. The newly restored area was unveiled on Tuesday (17 March).

Iran conflict slashes Middle East tourism, costing $600M daily

16:20

Middle East Conflict

Iran conflict slashes Middle East tourism, costing $600M daily

The escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran is already hitting the Middle East travel and tourism sector hard, with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimating losses of at least $600 million per day in international visitor spending.

Vietnam Airlines to cut domestic routes due to jet fuel shortage

07:42

Middle East conflict

Vietnam Airlines to cut domestic routes due to jet fuel shortage

Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines plans to cancel 23 flights per week across several domestic routes from April because of looming jet fuel shortages, Vietnam's aviation authority said.

Green

Green News Climate Nature

04:30

Floods

Death toll from Brazil floods rises to 46 as rescue efforts continue

The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state has risen to 46, authorities said, with 21 people still reported missing. The storms triggered landslides and widespread flooding, displacing thousands across Juiz de Fora and Uba.

23:04

Climate

Trump rolls back U.S. climate regulations, ends vehicle emissions standards

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday (12 February) announced the repeal of a scientific finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health, and eliminated federal tailpipe emissions standards for cars and trucks.

13:11

Cyclone Gezani

Cyclone Gezani kills at least 31 in Madagascar as fierce winds hit key port city

Tropical Cyclone Gezani has killed at least 31 people and left four others missing after tearing through eastern Madagascar, the government said on Wednesday, with the island nation’s second-largest city bearing the brunt of the destruction.

Flood danger rises as Spain and Portugal face another storm

06:00

Spain flood

Flood danger rises as Spain and Portugal face another storm

Rivers and reservoirs across Spain and Portugal were on the verge of overflowing on Wednesday as a new weather front pounded the Iberian peninsula, compounding damage from last week's Storm Kristin.

Morocco evacuates more than 100,000 people after floods hit four provinces

04:00

Morocco floods

Morocco evacuates more than 100,000 people after floods hit four provinces

Morocco has evacuated more than 100,000 people from four provinces after heavy rainfall triggered flash floods across several northern regions, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

Program more

13:28

Board of Peace

Can the Board of Peace deliver on promises to rebuild Gaza - and reshape diplomacy?

In a special edition of Context, Orkhan Amashov reports from Washington on the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, examining plans for Gaza’s reconstruction, a proposed stabilisation force, and the wider diplomatic impact of the U.S.-led initiative.

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