Türkiye blocks X's Grok chatbot for alleged insults to Erdoğan
A Turkish court has ordered a block on access to Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI, after it reportedly produced responses d...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for March 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59.
A fire tore through an overcrowded and unlicensed nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, early Sunday, killing 59 people and injuring over 150. Authorities say the blaze began when sparks from stage flares ignited the ceiling, triggering panic. Officials have arrested around 20 people as investigations continue.
2. Azerbaijan reports gunfire from Armenian positions in Goris.
On March 16, units of the Armenian armed forces opened fire multiple times on Azerbaijan Army positions using small arms from various locations in the Gorus region. The first incident occurred at approximately 09:45 from the direction of Digh settlement, followed by another at around 18:35 from Khazinavar settlement, and finally, between 20:10 and 20:45 from the Burun settlement area.
3. SpaceX Crew-10 docks at ISS, enabling astronaut return.
A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule delivered four astronauts to the International Space Station on March 16, marking a routine NASA crew rotation that will also enable astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return home after an extended nine-month stay due to Starliner delays.
4. Trump announces new tariffs on steel, aluminium, and autos.
US President Donald Trump confirmed that there will be no exemptions on steel and aluminium tariffs, announcing reciprocal and sectoral tariffs will take effect on April 2, alongside auto duties, in a bid to address trade imbalances.
5. Trump to speak with Putin on Tuesday, hopeful for peace talks.
US President Donald Trump confirmed plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, expressing optimism about the possibility of ending the ongoing conflict, after significant discussions over the weekend.
6. President Erdogan confident in strengthening US-Türkiye relations.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with US President Donald Trump, expressing confidence that Türkiye and the US will enhance bilateral relations through solidarity and a results-driven approach. The leaders discussed key regional and global issues, including peace efforts in Ukraine and cooperation on terrorism and Syria.
7. Serbian president reports injuries and detentions during protest.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reported 56 injuries and 22 detentions following a massive anti-government protest in Belgrade. The protest, which involved an estimated 107,000 participants, stems from public dissatisfaction over government handling of infrastructure issues, including the deadly Novi Sad train station collapse.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A deadly mass shooting early on Monday (7 July) in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighbourhood left three men dead and nine others wounded, including teenagers, as more than 100 shots were fired.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged stronger sanctions and defence support for Ukraine as the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia nears approval.
Archaeologists have uncovered a 3,500-year-old city in northern Peru that likely served as a key trade hub connecting ancient coastal, Andean, and Amazonian cultures.
The United States has rescinded licensing restrictions on ethane exports to China, allowing shipments to resume after a temporary halt and signalling progress in efforts to ease recent trade tensions.
Shipments of antimony to the United States have jumped to more than 3,800 tonnes in five months via Thailand and Mexico, customs data show, as buyers find back-door routes around Beijing’s export ban on critical minerals bound for the U.S.
From launching 25 % duties on Mexican goods in February to unveiling a 50 % levy on imported copper on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump has fired off a rapid-fire series of tariff moves that has jolted financial markets and unsettled global supply chains.
Russia has confiscated 3.9 trillion roubles (about $50 billion) in company assets since 2022, signalling a decisive shift towards a 'fortress Russia' economic model, the Kommersant business daily reported on Wednesday.
A Turkish court has ordered a block on access to Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI, after it reportedly produced responses deemed insulting to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
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