The Strait of Hormuz used to carry millions of barrels of oil into the region. Nearly 90% of all the oil and gas flowing through the strait last year was bound for Asia, which is the world's largest oil-importing region. About a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) pass through the Strait.
In 1831 after intense pressure from the UK, Brazil banned the trafficking of enslaved Africans. The case is one of the most notorious examples of British involvement in illegal enslavement in Brazil. British citizens and companies profited from slavery in Latin America’s biggest country for another half century.
Bullock says the board is focused on the inflationary risks, and economists still see a third straight rate hike in May. The bank wanted to cut household spending and prevent businesses passing on higher fuel costs by charging higher prices. Bullock said without a quick response from the central bank, they would accelerate a broadening inflationary pulse.
The Bank of England is set to meet and vote on whether to cut interest rates from 3.75% later this week. Chris Cheverall, Head of UK, CMC Markets said: “The balance of risks has clearly tilted away from easing and towards a more hawkish outlook”Axel Rudolph, Senior Technical Analyst at investing and trading platform IGMarkets reminds us that it’s uncertainty prevailing again.
Elon Musk hinted at Tesla's ambitions to build a chip factory during Tesla's latest earnings call earlier this year. Morgan Stanley estimates they would require more than 200 million chips, over 50 times what the company uses in its car and robotaxis today. In-house semiconductor fabrication capabilities would tie directly into Musk's other aims, including selling more electric vehicles.
Trump postpones his China trip to focus on the war in Iran. Trump indicated his travel plans depended on Beijing’s response. He added Tuesday that the U.S. didn’t need help from allies who rebuffed his request. Trump”s priorities have shifted as the war sends oil prices skyrocketing.
Michael B. Jordan celebrated his Oscar win for best actor with a burger from In-N-Out after Sunday night's Academy Awards ceremony. Jordan has set the internet ablaze with his unique Oscar celebration at an In- N-Out Burger joint. A man who captured footage of Michael B Jordan celebrating his Oscar wins at In- n-Out in Hollywood talks about the surreal experience.
Peter Purves, who played the Doctor’s companion, Steven, at the time, has likened making it to performing weekly repertory theatre – but on television. A few photographs taken of the broadcast episode exist for ‘The Feast of Steven’ – a small number, taken by actor Robert Jewell, and not to the same standard.
The 2026 Oscars featured surprise wins, emotional speeches and some comical moments. There have been a whopping seven ties over the Oscars’ nearly 100-year history. The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva both won in the best-live-action-short category in 2026.
MotionVFX built its reputation by offering high-quality visual effects, animated titles, tracking tools, and production templates that help editors produce cinematic-style visuals. MotionVFX has long served as a critical partner for content creators, filmmakers, and broadcast professionals who rely on Final Cut Pro and Apple Motion.
The MenB vaccine is given to babies at eight weeks, 12 weeks and a year old. It was introduced as part of the routine childhood immunisation programme in 2015. Coverage in the period between July and September last year as low as 63 per cent in Hackney, east London and up to 97% in North Tyneside and East Riding of Yorkshire.
Judge rules that RFK Jr. overstepped his legal authority by changing vaccine policy. The judge also ruled that Kennedy's decision to fire 17 members of the CDC's vaccine advisory committee was in violation of federal law. The decision prevents the government from slashing the number of vaccines recommended for children.
President Donald Trump faces decisions that could define the rest of his presidency. If Trump chooses to act, it could put US forces in greater danger due to their proximity to Iran. At the very least, the war in Iran distracts Trump and his administration from efforts to convince the public that the president is addressing their economic concerns.
Larijani was Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator in the first decade of the century. He was a skillful navigator of the shifting politics of the Islamic Republic. Larijani had become the de facto leader of Iran amid the upheavals of recent weeks, especially in the days following Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's death.
The bill would require voters to provide proof of citizenship when they register and to present approved identification when they go to the polls. Trump and his most loyal supporters are pushing as part of an effort to assert more federal control over elections. They say the legislation would disenfranchise millions of American voters who don’t have birth certificates or other documents readily available.
U.S., Israel largely aligned on Iran war aims, but public opinion and political timelines diverge. U.S. President Donald Trump praised Israel for helping secure the Strait of Hormuz. Israel, in the meantime, will “help topple this regime in Iran.”
Masjood Masjoody, a former university maths teacher, went missing in early February in the city of Burnaby, British Columbia. He sued Razavi and several others for defamation in September 2024 and Soltani was named in a subsequent defamation suit. He was himself accused of sexual harassment and making misogynistic and violent social media posts targeting female colleagues.
IPPR North: Fiscal devolution could help rebalance UK economy. Councillor John Merry, Chair of Key Cities and Deputy Mayor of Salford, says the Chancellor’s plan directly answers a long‑standing frustration from cities that they are expected to drive economic growth without the fiscal tools.
"Cuba is a failing nation whose rulers have had a major setback with the loss of support from Venezuela and with Mexico ceasing to send them oil," Trump said. "I am holding Cuba -- Cuba is a failed nation -- Cuba also wants to make a deal, and I think we will pretty soon," he said.
Western leaders warn against a ground offensive in Lebanon. Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah sites across Lebanon while trying to limit civilian casualties. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad came under attack again, according to the Iraqi government. Israel reported continued operations in Lebanon and Iran, while the embassy was attacked.
U.S. data centers in the Middle East are vulnerable to attacks by Iran and other nations. The attacks highlight the risks of relying on the region's data centers for AI training and development. It should also inform decisions on whether to approve export license applications for large-scale AI data centers.
The Women Airforce Service Pilots were part of the U.S. Air Force during World War II. The program was created to train women to be pilots. The women flew more than 60 million miles during the war. They were often the only women on the flight line at the start of a mission.
Mojtaba Khamenei had powerful allies backing him: the Revolutionary Guard and its newly appointed commander in chief, Gen. Ahmad Vahidi. The moderate camp was pushing two potential candidates: a former president, Hassan Rouhani, and Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the founding father of the theocracy.
The IDF says it killed Basij paramilitary leader Gholamreza Soleimani, and his deputy, Seyyed Karishi, in strikes on Tuesday. Basij, a key paramilitary militia under the IRGC, has a violent history of suppressing protests, enforcing morality laws, and committing human rights abuses.
European countries seek more details about U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans for the war on Iran. They warn that NATO must not become involved in it, as they weigh whether to agree to his call to send warships to help shore up security in the Persian Gulf. Most European leaders will view the war with Iran as “a war of choice by the United States,” says German foreign minister.
Trump was warned of likely Iranian retaliation on Gulf allies, sources say. US intelligence community assessed that Israel’s plan to launch strikes aimed at killing top Iranian leaders was likely to backfire, source says. US official: Striking Iran could trigger a broader regional conflict that would include Iranian retaliation against Gulf capitals.
President Donald Trump faces decisions that could define the rest of his presidency. If Trump chooses to act, it could put US forces in greater danger due to their proximity to Iran. At the very least, the war in Iran distracts Trump and his administration from efforts to convince the public that the president is addressing their economic concerns.
The Israeli dream scenario is for the Lebanese to use this opportunity to go after Hezbollah everywhere else. The Israelis want to create a buffer zone in South Lebanon that ensures that the towns and in northern Israel are as far as possible from Hezbollah's rockets. A lot will depend on whether Israel weakens Hezbollah or not, and at this point I don't know.
"Diplomacy between heads of state plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance to China-U.S. relations," says Neil Thomas, a fellow on Chinese politics at the Asia Society. "It makes U.S.-China interactions this year more difficult because of Trump's 'war of choice' in Iran."
Iranian authorities welcomed the women’s decisions to reject asylum as a victory against Australia and U.S. President Donald Trump. The Australian government was urged to help the women by Iranian groups in Australia and by Trump. “They are actually in high spirits… they didn’t look afraid.”
Super PAC spending dwarfed the fundraising for individual candidates in most of Tuesday’s competitive races. Super PAC money, much of it from the crypto and AI industries as well as AIPAC, is swamping races and giving candidates bizarro-world branding. In a third open-seat Chicago-area race, super PAC spending started earlier, and candidates have run more vigorously against it.
TotalEnergies is developing two wind farms off the coasts of New York State and North Carolina. The Trump administration is offering the company $928 million to walk away from the projects. The company would also have to commit to investing in natural gas infrastructure in Texas to get the payout.
The 2026 MotorTrend Power List recognizes the 50 most influential personalities who shaped 2025. Lawrence Stroll is determined to keep Aston Martin relevant and make his F1 team into a world champion. Elon Musk was one of the world’s most powerful men and most influential voices in the U.S. government.
Alibaba unveils Wukong AI agent platform ahead of earnings. Wukong is an enterprise-focused AI tool designed to coordinate multiple AI agents through a unified interface. The launch demonstrates the company’s commitment to the agentic AI category despite internal challenges, including recent departures of key personnel from its Qwen AI unit.
The petroleum ministry on Saturday advised citizens not to panic-buy or store petrol and diesel in loose or unsafe containers. “Petrol and diesel are adequately available at retail outlets across the country,” the ministry said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that following a government directive on 8 March 2026, refineries and petrochemical plants have been instructed to maximize LPG.
Trump says it's a "good thing" Kent resigned over his objections to the war with Iran. The White House rejected what it called “many false claims” put forward by Kent. Kent served in a key intelligence position at the State Department. He was tasked with monitoring intelligence associated with long-existing terrorist organizations.
Larijani was Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator in the first decade of the century. He returned to prominence as head of the National Security Council and was regarded by many analysts as the most important decision-maker in the country. Larijani had been vocal and eloquent about Iran's readiness for sustained conflict.
Pakistan air strike kills at least 100 at Kabul drug rehab centre. More than 100 people have been killed in a Pakistani air strike on a drug treatment centre in Afghanistan's capital. At least 75 people were killed and 193 injured in Afghanistan as a result of continuing cross-border fighting between the countries between 26 February and 13 March.
Major weather threats bring blizzard conditions to U.S. northern tier, early heat to the West. Storm system that dropped snow by the foot in the Midwest barreled toward the East Coast. Potential for "strong and long track tornadoes" in the coming days, National Weather Service says.
Voters in Kazakhstan approved the most comprehensive overhaul of their country's constitution since its adoption in 1995. More than 87 percent of voters cast their ballot in favor of the referendum, with turnout exceeding 73 percent. The Republic of Congo’s presidential election on Sunday saw low voter turnout, with many Congolese seemingly unconvinced that Brazzaville would witness a leadership change.
Ex-Belgian diplomat ordered to stand trial over murder of Congo’s Lumumba. Prosecutors accuse Davignon of "participation in war crimes" over his role in the "unlawful detention and transfer" of the independence icon. Decision hailed as a major step towards confronting the country's colonial past.
US President Donald Trump's call for a naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz has exposed Washington's isolation. Even if willing allies were found, the task of keeping the strait open would be formidable. Its narrowest point spans just 21 nautical miles, leaving ships exposed to missiles, drones and sea mines.
President Trump says he's delaying his trip to China because of the war with Iran. The president had been scheduled to arrive in China in early April. Trump’s visit to China is seen as an opportunity to build on a fragile trade truce between the two superpowers. But it has become tangled in his effort to find an endgame to the war in Iran.
The coins are set to enter circulation next month. The governor disputed claims that the move is towards the local currency devaluation and introduction of the new highest MK10,000 banknotes. The coins offer a longer lifespan, lasting between 10 and 20 years, compared to less than a year for the current notes.
Rescue crews are digging bodies from the rubble of a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul. Officials said an overnight airstrike killed more than 400 people in a dramatic escalation of a conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan that is now in its third week. At least 250 people may have been killed and more than400 wounded when a Pakistani airstrike struck a rehabilitation hospital.
Afghanistan says Pakistan hit Kabul rehab centre killing 408, Islamabad rejects claim. Pakistani air strikes hit 22 Afghan military targets, Pakistan's military spokesperson said. At least 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 274 Taliban officials and militants were killed over 24 hours. Nine children and a woman were killed in Pakistani air strike in three eastern provinces, which Afghan Taliban vowed to respond to.
Allerium reported higher net sales in all three of its product areas compared to the prior year period. Allerium operating income was $5.5 million, compared to $3.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. delivers trusted mission-critical communications solutions.
The Catholic Church has taken a more assertive stance on technological advancement in recent years. “Thiel is above all a political theologian operating at the very heart of the Silicon Valley ecosystem,” says Paolo Benanti, a priest who has advised two papacies on matters related to technology ethics and artificial intelligence.
Ryan was expected to bring a steady hand to the agency’s on-the-ground enforcement staff. “I am confident that the foundation I helped to shape—working together with [SEC] Chairman Atkins—will continue to serve investors and the markets well,” she said.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but suspicion quickly fell on Boko Haram. Boko Haram launched an insurgency in 2009 to enforce their radical interpretation of Shariah, or Islamic law. Nigeria is also plagued by an insurgency fought by the Boko Haram extremist group and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province.
Iranian figures Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani have both been killed: Isr. Israel says it killed two top Iranian leaders in Tehran overnight. Israel Defense Forces: The commander of Iran's feared Basij paramilitary force was among the senior leaders killed in overnight strikes in Tehran.
Airlines can add or increase fuel surcharges, an extra fee common among carriers outside of the U.S. that’s added on top of the base ticket price. Not all airlines hedge, and those that do are usually only protected for a portio. Industry analysts say the impact of higher jet fuel costs can vary based on route, airline and travel demand.
Trump says his pitch to NATO and allies to help secure the strait has been broadly rejected. Trump fumed that the U.S. is not getting support “despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot’t be allowed to secure a nuclear weapon”
The world ignored Iran’s proxy strategy before. Now it is being challenged head-on, ignoring this proxy would be a serious mistake. It is going after the people and structures that help the system hold together. It also shows that unity among allies is not guaranteed, especially as the conflict becomes more complex.
U.S. allies in Europe and elsewhere are continuing to rebuff President Donald Trump’s demands they help reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. “Speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!” Trump tweeted.
Shrapnel also fell near the Western Wall and the Al Aqsa Mosque compound. Israel's Foreign Ministry accuses Tehran of targeting holy sites and trying to “escalate’ the conflict. Police: Pieces of missile shrapnel as large as three or four meters in diameter fell near holy sites.
Donald Trump has asked to delay his highly anticipated trip to China by about a month. The trip had been planned for months but began to unravel as he pressured Beijing and other world powers to use military might to protect the Strait of Hormuz. The next day, his treasury secretary said Mr Trump might need to delay the visit to coordinate the war effort.
Aden Holloway, who joined the school's men's basketball team in 2024, was arrested and charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and failure to affix a tax stamp. "We’re disappointed in his behavior," the coach continued. "With that said, we still love him"
Iran has forced the Strait of Hormuz to close, blocking one-fifth of the world's oil supply. Trump has tried to address the issue in various ways: lifting sanctions on some Russian oil to increase supply; striking Iran’s 30 mine-laying ships; and calling on U.S. allies to send warships to escort merchant vessels.
Limited flights to resume from Dubai airport after shutdown sparked by drone "incident" A fuel tank fire, sparked during a drone incursion, suspended operations early on Monday. Dubai's Civil Aviation Authority said a fuel tank nearby caught fire during a “drone-related incident" The airport has now resumed some flights.
UMBC is the first 16-seed to take down a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Retrievers beat Virginia in their first game on March 16, 2018. Mizzou is the second team in the tournament to have two players from the same school transfer to the same team. The other is former Mizzouri star Chris Mack.
Congress can reassert its authority by impeaching Trump. Congressional hearings can and should spur pardon reform, but could also expose evidence that could be used in a Trump impeachment case. Some will argue that impeachment would be a distraction or even a time waster, preventing Congress from tackling meat-and-potatoes legislation.