Trump threatens Iran with power plant strikes over Hormuz oil blockade

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to ’’obliterate’’ Iran’s power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of ​Hormuz within 48 hours, a significant escalation barely a day after he talked about ’’winding down’’ the war.

Three weeks in, Iran war escalates beyond Trump’s control

President Donald Trump ends the third week of the Iran war confronting a crisis that seems to be slipping out of his hands: Global energy prices are surging, the United States stands isolated from allies and more ​troops are preparing to deploy despite his promise the war would be only a ’’short excursion.’’

Indian gas tankers getting ready to sail through Hormuz, data shows

Two Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas tankers are preparing to sail through the Strait of Hormuz in coming days after a pause in voyages, with no crude oil tankers having transited the waterway in the past 24 hours, ​according to shipping data and sources.

Wife is not a maid’’: Indian Supreme Court to man seeking divorce over household chores

Emphasising that household chores should be shared between husband and wife, Supreme Court on Friday observed that times have changed and a husband must share the burden of work.

United Airlines to cut more flights as it eyes oil above $100 through 2027

United Airlines, is cutting more ​unprofitable flights over the next two quarters as it prepares for a prolonged period of high jet fuel prices due to the Iran war, ‌even as strong travel demand has allowed U.S. carriers to raise fares.

China accused of exploiting UN system for strategic expansion

A new investigation by the US’ Select Committee on China has alleged that China is systematically exploiting its position within the United Nations to advance its global ambitions and undermine American interests.

US lifts sanctions on some Iranian oil as gas prices soar

The US has lifted sanctions on some Iranian oil, as it scrambles to contain the impact of its war in Iran on energy markets.

Empowering the global South: Chinese agricultural machinery in motion

For countless farmers across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, the toil of manual farming is a familiar reality: hours under the scorching sun, sickle in hand, racing against the weather to save crops before ruin sets in. For generations, modern agricultural mechanization has remained a luxury, reserved exclusively for large-scale commercial farms. Today, that outdated narrative is being rewritten.

Iran conflict could flip China's deflation into 'bad inflation'

China’s long fight with deflation risks morphing into something harsher, with economists warning the war in Iran could ​spark ’’bad inflation’’ at a time when chronically weak consumption and fading external demand leave the economy with little cushion.

Trump calls NATO ’’cowards’’ over lack of support in Iran war

President Donald Trump assailed NATO allies on Friday over their lack of support for ​the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, calling the longtime U.S. ‌allies ’’cowards.’’

Chuck Norris, film star and martial artist, dies aged 86

Actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, known for his roles in Way Of The Dragon and Missing In Action, has died after a sudden hospitalisation.

Teenage daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un drives tank at military drill

The teenage daughter of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un was seen driving a tank alongside her father during a military training exercise, adding to speculation that she is being groomed as his successor.

Iran hits Kuwaiti oil refinery as Israel renews attacks on Tehran

Drones have struck Kuwait’s largest oil refinery for the second day as Iran launched a sweeping assault on energy infrastructure across the Gulf, while explosions boomed over Tehran from Israeli attacks as the country marked the Persian New Year.

India in talks with Russia, Belarus, Morocco to boost fertiliser imports, sources say

India, a leading importer ​of fertilisers, is in talks to increase purchases from Russia, Belarus and Morocco as Middle East tensions and ‌China’s export curbs risk tightening supplies ahead of the summer planting season, government and industry sources said.

IRGC spokesman killed in strike, Iran says

The spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ali Mohammad Naini, has been killed in strikes launched by the US and Israel, Iranian state media reports.

Trump 24-karat gold coin approved by hand-picked federal panel

A commemorative gold coin bearing the image of US President Donald Trump has been approved by a federal arts commission.

China steps up push for marriage and childbirth amid shifting social attitudes

The past year has been both challenging and fulfilling for music teachers Huang Zhen Hui and Liang Ren Jia.

Teenager among first to be executed over Iran’s anti-government protests

Iran has executed three men accused of killing police officers during anti-government protests in January, state media say, the first hangings to be carried out in relation to the demonstrations.

Blasts heard over Jerusalem as Israel confirms strike on Iran gas field

Explosions were heard over Jerusalem as fresh strikes were reported in Iran’s capital, Tehran, amid rapidly escalating tensions in the region. Iranian state television said at least four waves of missiles were launched in quick succession, signaling a sharp intensification of hostilities.

China, Pak developing nuclear missiles that put US within range: Intel Chief

US Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard, presenting the intelligence community’s 2026 Annual Threat Assessment, said that Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan are the most significant nuclear threats to the United States.

Iran floats Hormuz transit tolls as Persian Gulf states warn of military response

Iran is considering charging transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a lawmaker said on Thursday, as officials in Tehran stepped up rhetoric over the strategic waterway after this week’s attacks on energy sites in the Persian Gulf.

US objectives in Iran have not changed, Hegseth says

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that ​the United States’ objectives in the ‌war against Iran have not changed since strikes started on February 28.

Japan PM to hold ’difficult’ talks with Trump as Iran conflict looms large

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is on her way to what she expects will be a ’’very difficult’’ meeting with US leader Donald Trump, days after his calls for allies to help secure the war-stricken Strait of Hormuz went largely unanswered.

Tehran intensifies strikes on gulf energy facilities after Israel hits Iranian gas field

Iran intensified its attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbors’ energy infrastructure Thursday, setting Qatari liquified natural gas facilities ablaze as it hit back following an Israeli attack on its main natural gas field, a major escalation in the Mideast war that has sent global fuel prices soaring.

India approves US$3.6 billion to develop industrial parks to boost manufacturing

India’s Cabinet approved spending US$3.63 billion to develop 100 industrial parks, information minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday (Mar 18), in a move aimed at boosting the country’s domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Pentagon wants $200 billion for Iran war. It’s nearly 50% of Tehran’s GDP

The Pentagon is reportedly seeking over $200 billion from the US Congress to fund President Donald Trump’s war of choice in Iran. If approved, the war funds will boost the US military campaign that began on February 28 and ramp up the production of weapons used during the conflict, according to a report by The Washington Post.

US intelligence chief says Iran’s regime ’intact’ but ’degraded’

The top intelligence official in the US said on Wednesday that the Iranian regime was ’’intact’’ but ’’largely degraded’’.

Labubu movie in the works as viral toys attempt film crossover

The hugely popular Labubu dolls will soon star in their own feature film, Chinese toy company Pop Mart and Sony Pictures have announced.

Iranian footballers return home after dropping Australian asylum bids

Five members of Iran’s national women’s football team who dropped their bids for Australian asylum have returned to the country with the rest of the squad.

Russia says ready to mediate in Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict if both sides request

Russia said that it is ready to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan amid border tensions if both sides make such a request to Moscow.