News
USAID noticeably absent as post-earthquake help starts arriving in Myanmar
The administration of US President Trump informed Congress on March 28 of plans to cut nearly all remaining jobs at USAID and close the agency - even as the president pledged American assistance to Myanmar following a devastating earthquake.
Death toll in Myanmar earthquake could hit 10,000 claims US agency
The death toll from the March 28 M7.7 earthquake in Myanmar has reportedly moved past the 1000 mark. It is expected to climb further with some claims hinting at several thousand people still unaccounted for.
Israel launches airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburb amid Lebanon escalation
Israel conducted an airstrike targeting a building in the Hadath area of Beirut's southern suburb and launched multiple strikes across southern Lebanon on March 28.
Panama revokes 128 ship registrations in crackdown on Russia and Iran’s shadow fleet carrying oil
Panama has intensified its crackdown on sanctioned vessels by revoking the registration of 128 ships, a move primarily targeting the "shadow fleet" facilitating oil exports from Russia and Iran.
Iranian officials divided over their approach to Trump
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran's Parliament, has warned that negotiations conducted under threat are a prelude to war.
Brazil's Bolsonaro to face trial for alleged coup plot as Lula hopes "justice is served"
Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro will stand trial for allegedly attempting to stage a coup against his successor Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the country's Supreme Court ruled unanimously on March 26.
Argentine economy minister announces details of IMF deal
Argentina is pursuing a $20bn deal with the International Monetary Fund, Economy Minister Luis Caputo has confirmed.
M7.7 earthquake leads to Bangkok building collapse – fatalities confirmed
Two construction workers have been confirmed dead at a Bangkok building collapse with more fatalities expected.
Missile sirens sound in northern Israel amid Lebanon border tensions
Missile sirens sounded in several northern Israeli communities on March 28, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirming two projectiles crossing from Lebanon.
Belarus’ president gives citizenship to Iranians, Lebanese and Syrians in surprise move
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has signed a decree accepting 311 for citizenship, including Iranians, Lebanese and Syrians among dozens of other nationaities.
Magnitude 7.7 earthquake rocks much of Southeast Asia
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar on Friday, March 28 at 2.20 pm, with the tremors felt as far away as neighbouring Thailand and China to the northeast as well as Bangladesh and India to the west.
Detained photojournalist says Turkey wants to make it impossible to send protest images to world
Day nine of demonstrations also brings detention of Ekrem Imamoglu’s lawyer.
Hungary opposes Ukraine's EU accession due to unclear borders, says cabinet chief
The head of the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office described the push for Ukraine's fast-track EU membership as "absurd," citing unresolved issues in agriculture, labour markets and cohesion, but also due to its unclear borders.
US Senate committee passes MEGOBARI Act to sanction Georgian government officials
The bill reaffirms support for pro-EU protesters in Georgia and mandates sanctions on members of the governing Georgian Dream party.
Hungary's National Bank warns full-scale trade war could knock 0.5pp from 2025 growth
Hungary's central bank has sharply downgraded its economic forecasts, warning that inflation will remain elevated for longer than expected while growth prospects continue to dim amid weak investment and a fragile external environment.
Romania offers to monitor Black Sea ceasefire alongside Bulgaria and Turkey
Interim President Ilie Bolojan says Romania has a strategic interest in continuing to support Ukraine.
US sends Kyiv an even harsher fourth version of the mineral deal
A new draft of the proposed US-Ukraine minerals deal has drawn criticism in Kyiv as the new demands are even harsher than the previous three versions.
EU Paris summit breaks up with little achieved, highlighting Europe’s increasing irrelevance in Ukraine conflict
The latest EU emergency meeting in Paris broke up again with little decided, significant backtracking on earlier commitments to sending peacekeepers to Ukraine and Europe’s increasing irrelevance to Ukraine’s fate in its conflict with Russia.
Albania and Montenegro could conclude EU accession talks by 2026-27, enlargement commissioner says
But Marta Kos warns "external forces" actively seeking to block certain countries from EU accession.
Elon Musk's Tesla turns to Saudi Arabia amid collapsing sales
US electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Inc. will enter the Saudi Arabian market in early April 2025