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live U.S. and Iran trade threats as World focus' on reopening Strait of Hormuz - Middle East conflict on 3 April

Iran has rejected claims it has been weakened, vowing instead “more crushing” attacks against the United States and Israel. President Masoud Pezeshkian also warned that Israel is fabricating threats about Iran, as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed affecting the global energy market.

U.S. vows to target more Iranian infrastructure as nations seek to open Hormuz

09:25

Middle East conflict

U.S. vows to target more Iranian infrastructure as nations seek to open Hormuz

President Donald Trump said the U.S. "hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran", reiterating vows to increase the ferocity of attacks on its infrastructure, as dozens of countries sought ways to restart vital energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz

UN to vote on Hormuz resolution as China opposes allowing use of force

07:46

Middle East conflict

UN to vote on Hormuz resolution as China opposes allowing use of force

The United Nations Security Council is to vote on a Bahraini resolution to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, diplomats said on Friday, but veto-wielding China made clear its opposition to authorising any use of force.

UN: Humanitarian situation in Lebanon deteriorating 'at an alarming speed'

09:51

Middle East conflict

UN: Humanitarian situation in Lebanon deteriorating 'at an alarming speed'

More than 1.1 million people have been forced from their homes in Lebanon, according to the United Nations, as the UN spokesman says the humanitarian situation is worsening. Israel recently announced it intends to annex part of Southern Lebanon.

'Beautiful view' of Earth as crew of NASA's Artemis II historic mission heads towards the moon

07:58

Space exploration

'Beautiful view' of Earth as crew of NASA's Artemis II historic mission heads towards the moon

The 4-person crew in the Orion capsule on NASA's Artemis II space shuttle carried out a key thruster firing on Thursday, sending the ship past the main orbit of the Earth towards the moon, in the hope of beating Apollo 13's distance in 1970, as they took pictures using phones and cameras.

Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

Pakistan in talks with Afghanistan in China to end conflict

13:20

Diplomacy

Pakistan in talks with Afghanistan in China to end conflict

Pakistan is holding talks with Afghanistan to end the worst conflict between the South Asian neighbours since ‌the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

IOM says 1,492 Afghans died or went missing on migration routes in 2025

17:40

Missing Afghan Migrants

IOM says 1,492 Afghans died or went missing on migration routes in 2025

At least 1,492 Afghans died or went missing during migration journeys worldwide in 2025, most on the Afghanistan–Iran route, according to a new International Organization for Migration (IOM) report.

15:52

Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan

Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan trade rises 16.2% to nearly $5bn

Trade between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan rose by 16.2% in 2025 to nearly $5 billion, underscoring deepening economic ties highlighted during a visit by Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yerlan Kosherbayev.

Georgia limits election observer roles to foreign citizens amid post-election reforms

14:53

Georgia election law

Georgia limits election observer roles to foreign citizens amid post-election reforms

Georgia has introduced changes to its election laws, fuelling renewed debate over transparency and political control in an already tense post-election climate.

3min ago

Middle East Conflict

live U.S. and Iran trade threats as World focus' on reopening Strait of Hormuz - Middle East conflict on 3 April

Iran has rejected claims it has been weakened, vowing instead “more crushing” attacks against the United States and ...

Iran condemns Trump’s ‘Stone Age’ threat as war crime incitement

2h ago

View from Iran

Iran condemns Trump’s ‘Stone Age’ threat as war crime incitement

Iran has strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb the country “back to the Stone A...

U.S. hands over Chinese fugitive in rare extradition to Beijing

3h ago

drug fugitive

U.S. hands over Chinese fugitive in rare extradition to Beijing

In a highly unusual move highlighting shifting narcotics diplomacy, the U.S. has handed over a Chinese fugitive accus...

American strikes on Iran may be war crimes says group of U.S. experts

4h ago

Middle East conflict

American strikes on Iran may be war crimes says group of U.S. experts

International law experts from across the U.S., including Harvard, Yale and Stanford, have signed an open letter saying the strikes on Iran may amo...

Global aluminium prices surge as Iranian strikes cripple Gulf production

5h ago

Middle East conflict

Global aluminium prices surge as Iranian strikes cripple Gulf production

The global commodities market is facing a severe structural supply shock after a series of coordinated military strikes in the Middle East de...

At least 18 people dead after migrant boat sinks off Türkiye's Aegean coast

11:53

Migrants

At least 18 people dead after migrant boat sinks off Türkiye's Aegean coast

At least 18 people were killed when an inflatable boat carrying migrants sank off Türkiye's western province of Mugla on Wednesday, the coastguard said in a statement, adding that search and rescue efforts continued in the area.

World

World News

12:25

drug fugitive

U.S. hands over Chinese fugitive in rare extradition to Beijing

In a highly unusual move highlighting shifting narcotics diplomacy, the U.S. has handed over a Chinese fugitive accused of serious drug crimes to authorities in Beijing.

French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan to be tried in July over post on X

22:21

Politics

French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan to be tried in July over post on X

French police detained European Parliament member Rima Hassan in Paris for several hours on Thursday as part of an investigation into an alleged “apology for terrorism”, following a social media post linked to a deadly attack in Israel in the 1970s.

FIFA World Cup final ticket price $11,000: Is it still for fans?

22:26

Sport

FIFA World Cup final ticket price $11,000: Is it still for fans?

The 2026 World Cup final is setting new records for sports ticketing costs, characterised by unprecedented price hikes and the debut of controversial sales models.

U.S. drops sanctions on Venezuela’s Rodríguez, enabling control of overseas assets

12:48

U.S. lifts sanctions

U.S. drops sanctions on Venezuela’s Rodríguez, enabling control of overseas assets

In a major policy reversal, the U.S. Treasury has removed Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, from its sanctions list, signalling a sharp shift in Washington’s approach to Caracas.

Business

Business Economy Markets

07:34

EV Transition

EV transition slows as U.S.-China competition impacts regional markets

Major automakers showcased new electric vehicles at the New York Auto Show this week, under the slogan “electrification is the future." However, weakening demand in the United States and intense competition with China are raising questions for markets across the globe, including the South Caucasus.

U.S. petrol prices top $4 a gallon amid Iran conflict and energy market turmoil

14:48

Energy supply

U.S. petrol prices top $4 a gallon amid Iran conflict and energy market turmoil

The U.S. national average retail price of petrol rose above $4 a gallon for the first time in over three years on Monday (30 March), according to GasBuddy data, as the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran continued to roil global energy markets.

Japan, Indonesia step up energy ties as U.S.-Israeli Iran war strains supplies

14:16

Energy crisis

Japan, Indonesia step up energy ties as U.S.-Israeli Iran war strains supplies

Japan and Indonesia will deepen coordination on energy security, Tokyo said, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupts vital oil and gas flows to Asia.

China's top airlines cautious on financial outlook as impact of Iran war raises fuel costs

11:28

Aviation

China's top airlines cautious on financial outlook as impact of Iran war raises fuel costs

China's three largest state-owned airlines have issued warnings regarding their financial outlook for the current year, acknowledging that the eruption of war involving Iran has driven jet fuel prices to unsustainable highs.

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

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.

Culture

Culture News Lifestyle Art

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

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'.

Eurovision expands to Asia with first contest set for 2026

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.

Taylor Swift and 'Showgirl' dominate iHeartRadio Music Awards

07:56

Entertainment

Taylor Swift and 'Showgirl' dominate iHeartRadio Music Awards

Music superstar Taylor Swift scored a leading seven trophies at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Thursday including artist of the year and best pop album for the upbeat record "The Life of a Showgirl."

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.

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