Unexplained Moscow internet blackouts spark fears of web censorship plan

Kremlin appearing to ramp up control over internet, as it tests new ‘whitelist’ restrictions and pushes people to state-owned app

Muscovites have been turning to walkie-talkies and pagers amid unexplained disruptions to internet services in the capital, as the Kremlin appears to ramp up control over online activity in Russia.

Users in central Moscow, as well as in St Petersburg, first reported difficulties accessing mobile internet about a week ago. Many said they were unable to load websites or apps, while some lost service altogether, leaving them unable to make phone calls.

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Naples museum to allow visually impaired visitors to experience art through touch

Sansevero Chapel Museum will host day of guided tours where visitors will be able to feel marble sculptures

The Sansevero Chapel Museum in Naples will allow dozens of visually impaired visitors to take part in a rare tactile experience, letting them touch celebrated works of art including the Veiled Christ, which is widely regarded as one of the most striking masterpieces in the history of sculpture.

On 17 March, the museum will host an initiative called La meraviglia a portata di mano – Wonder within reach – organised in partnership with the Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Naples, offering about 80 blind and partially sighted visitors a chance to encounter the marble masterpieces.

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Deadly Attack on Oil Tankers Prompts Iraq to Close Oil Terminals – The New York Times

  1. Deadly Attack on Oil Tankers Prompts Iraq to Close Oil Terminals  The New York Times
  2. 16 and Counting: Oil and Cargo Ships Are Growing Targets in War With Iran  The New York Times
  3. Three more ships struck in the Persian Gulf as Iran warns of oil prices hitting $200  CNBC
  4. Six vessels attacked amid reports of Iranian drone boats, sea mines  Al Jazeera
  5. Iran steps up attacks on energy targets as tankers hit  BBC
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UK government axes flagship global health project

Programme which supports schemes in six African countries was previously hailed as vital protection for Britain against future pandemics

A flagship health project in Africa, which UK ministers said would play a vital role in protecting Britain from future pandemic threats, is being axed due to aid cuts, the Guardian can reveal.

The Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP) which supported development and training for healthcare staff in six African countries, will close at the end of the month, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said.

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Iran War Causing Largest Ever Oil Disruption, I.E.A. Says – The New York Times

  1. Iran War Causing Largest Ever Oil Disruption, I.E.A. Says  The New York Times
  2. If oil price shocks weren’t bad enough, Trump’s war could have other unintended consequences | Adam Hanieh  The Guardian
  3. War Is Raging. Tankers Are Burning. Yet the Stock Market Isn’t Panicking—for Now.  WSJ
  4. Petrol prices are rising. This map shows why  ABC News
  5. ‘I Can’t Imagine If It Goes Another Month’  New York Magazine
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Iran’s Frantic Attempt to Save Its Ships Before Torpedo Attack – The New York Times

  1. Iran’s Frantic Attempt to Save Its Ships Before Torpedo Attack  The New York Times
  2. The Final Days of an Iranian Navy Crew Before the U.S. Torpedoed Their Ship  WSJ
  3. Australian submariners have a brush with Iran war  Defense News
  4. Iranian warship sunk by the US was sailing home after taking part in an exhibition hosted by India  AP News
  5. US, Iran spar over status of Iranian warship sunk by submarine  Military Times
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Iran hits 2 oil tankers in Gulf as IDF reports striking ‘critical’ nuclear site near Tehran – The Times of Israel

  1. Iran hits 2 oil tankers in Gulf as IDF reports striking ‘critical’ nuclear site near Tehran  The Times of Israel
  2. Live updates: Oil sees historic disruptions as Iran escalates attacks on shipping  CNN
  3. Iran vows to keep Strait of Hormuz closed in new leader's first statement  Reuters
  4. Six vessels attacked amid reports of Iranian drone boats, sea mines  Al Jazeera
  5. Three more ships struck in the Persian Gulf as Iran warns of oil prices hitting $200  CNBC
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US launches unfair-trade probes to rebuild Trump’s tariff pressure – Yahoo Finance

  1. US launches unfair-trade probes to rebuild Trump's tariff pressure  Yahoo Finance
  2. White House takes first step toward permanent fix for illegal tariffs  The Washington Post
  3. Trump Targets Major Trading Partners With New Investigation  The New York Times
  4. Trump launches the next phase of his trade war with new investigations of key partners  NBC News
  5. US launches probe into trading partners including the EU, China and India  BBC
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Thailand Condemns Hormuz Ship Strike, Summons Iran Ambassador – Bloomberg.com

  1. Thailand Condemns Hormuz Ship Strike, Summons Iran Ambassador  Bloomberg.com
  2. Iranian attacks escalate across Middle East as container ship struck near Dubai  Fox News
  3. How Iran war ship attacks choked off Strait of Hormuz  BBC
  4. Hormuz: Iran is escalating the war by attacking ships along a key oil route. Here’s what we know.  CNN
  5. Six vessels attacked in Gulf, Strait of Hormuz as war puts merchant ships on front lines  Reuters
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