- Hungarian opposition Tisza party cements lead ahead of April elections, polls show euronews.com
- ‘Orban constantly vetoes’: Europe braces for Hungary election Al Jazeera
- Rival teams of vote observers spell trouble in Hungarian election politico.eu
- At village pub in Orban's heartland, Hungary's vote plays out over pints Reuters
- Lessons for the world from tiny Hungary The Economist
Families condemn UK ‘impotence’ over UAE ‘social media misuse’ detentions
Ministers accused of being too fearful of offending Emirates to help Britons detained for sharing images of war
The families of UK citizens held in the United Arab Emirates over allegations that they shared images of the conflict with Iran have voiced frustration at the British government’s failure to help.
Several British citizens are among more than 100 foreign nationals who have been detained under draconian Emirate rules that outlaw publishing or sharing material that could “disturb public security”.
Continue reading...French Prosecutors Link Foiled Attack on American Bank to a Pro-Iranian Group – The New York Times
- French Prosecutors Link Foiled Attack on American Bank to a Pro-Iranian Group The New York Times
- Paris police tighten security after foiled bomb attack Reuters
- Staff at Citi told to work remotely in Paris and Frankfurt following foiled bomb attempt MarketWatch
- France probes Iran links in thwarted attack on Bank of America Financial Times
- US Banks Get Paris Police Protection After Goldman Bomb Threat bloomberg.com
UK to host meeting of 35 countries on reopening Strait of Hormuz
Before talks with 35 countries, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says reopening strait 'will not be easy'.
What can nations do to make up for the ongoing energy shortfall?
The Middle East conflict has cut off 20 percent of the world's fuel supply. Countries are scrambling for alternatives.
Russia says will continue helping Cuba after first oil shipment arrives
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also called on the US to lift its energy blockade on the island nation.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s rumoured injury or death won’t change Iran’s trajectory
His father, Ali Khamenei, built the supreme leader's office into an institution that does not depend on a single leader.
Another cruise line cancels all sailings amid global conflict – thestreet.com
- Another cruise line cancels all sailings amid global conflict thestreet.com
- Cruise lines cancel sailings, reroute ships as Middle East conflict disrupts voyages foxnews.com
- Celestyal: Ships to Sail as Soon as It Is Safe Cruise Industry News
- Celestyal cancels all April cruises TravelMole
- Major cruise lines cancel next winter’s sailings amid Iran war The Independent
Why Iran’s hackers keep overselling their cyberattacks – NBC News
- Why Iran's hackers keep overselling their cyberattacks NBC News
- Hacked hospitals, hidden spyware: Iran conflict shows how digital fight is ingrained in warfare AP News
- Cyber warfare starts to get personal in war between U.S., Israel and Iran Axios
- Iranian-Linked Groups Hacked Into at Least 50 Security Cameras in Israel WSJ
- Iran-linked actors target Middle Eastern city governments to undermine missile-strike responses Cybersecurity Dive
Italian coastguard recovers 19 bodies from boat in sea near Lampedusa
Fifty-eight other people found alive during rescue involving inflatable craft in early hours of Wednesday
The bodies of 19 people have been recovered from an inflatable boat south of the island of Lampedusa by the Italian coastguard, a spokesperson told AFP.
Fifty-eight other people, including five children, were found alive during the rescue in the early hours of Wednesday and transported to Lampedusa by the coastguard, according to Roberto D’Arrigo.
Continue reading...Britain to host 35 countries for strait of Hormuz talks, says Starmer
US understood not to be invited directly to talks that will explore ways of reopening critical waterway
The UK will convene 35 countries – excluding the US – to explore ways to reopen the strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping route for oil and gas that has been blocked by Iran.
Keir Starmer, the prime minister, said the next phase of discussions in the joint British and French efforts to secure the waterway would be held on Thursday, with Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, alongside international leaders.
Continue reading...After Israel’s invasion, many in southern Lebanon worry they’ll never go home – npr.org
- After Israel's invasion, many in southern Lebanon worry they'll never go home npr.org
- Without evidence, IDF reiterates Hezbollah uses ambulances for military purposes Haaretz
- Beirut is bursting as over 1 million people flee Israeli strikes and evacuation orders AP News
- UN aid chief warns of new Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon Al Jazeera
- Lebanon at ‘breaking point’ as displacement soars and strikes intensify UN News
DR Congo declares national holiday after reaching World Cup for first time in 52 years
This is just the second time that DR Congo have reached the World Cup finals, sparking celebrations in Kinshasa.
Iran War: What a Marine Expeditionary Unit is – and other US military terms
The US has deployed thousands of additional Marines and airborne troops to the Middle East since the Iran war began.
Iran denies Trump’s claim Iranian president requested ceasefire
Donald Trump says US will continue 'blasting Iran into oblivion' until Strait of Hormuz is reopened.
South African army arrive in crime hotspots to help tackle gangs
The army has been deployed to five of South Africa's nine provinces for a year-long operation.
In Europe, lobbyists are using soaring fuel prices to make the case for more dirty energy
The argument for transitioning to renewables seems stronger than ever – and yet, attacks mount on the carbon price scheme that underpins the EU’s success at cutting pollution
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On the one hand, experts say, Europe is better prepared for this energy crisis than the last. On the other, it is still waging a culture war against the most obvious path out.
Fuel prices have soared to ruinous levels since the Iran war left ships of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) stranded in the Gulf. The pain is most acute in Asia, but high energy prices are already causing panic in Europe. Shortages could hit the continent this month, oil company Shell warned last week. Donald Trump’s “go get your own oil” comments on Tuesday sent prices to their highest level since the start of the US-Israel attack on Iran. They briefly dipped below $100-a-barrel on Wednesday amid hopes that the war may soon end.
Continue reading...Russia claims full control of Ukraine’s Luhansk region but Kyiv denies it ahead of US envoy talks – AP News
- Russia claims full control of Ukraine’s Luhansk region but Kyiv denies it ahead of US envoy talks AP News
- Russia claims to take full control of Ukraine’s Luhansk region Al Jazeera
- Russia says its troops have taken full control of Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine Reuters
- AFU deny Russian claims of capturing Kivsharivka in Kharkiv region Ukrinform
- Russia Says It Took Full Control of Ukraine’s Luhansk (Again) The Moscow Times
Senior Queensland judge criticises ‘glacial’ years-long delays in serious criminal trials
Exclusive: Justice Jim Henry published data from his own court revealing recent cases took more than a year to reach committal
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A Queensland supreme court judge says serious criminal cases are taking “excruciatingly longer” to finalise due to “glacial” delays in the state’s magistrates court, where some matters are spending several years in procedural limbo.
Justice Jim Henry, who is based at the supreme court in Cairns, published data from his own court revealing that of 31 recent criminal cases he finalised between November and February, on average each case took more than a year (370 days) in the lower courts before a committal.
Continue reading...Iran war rages ahead of Trump’s “important update”; Houthis launch third attack on Israel; Lebanese army withdraws from border towns – Givebutter
- Iran war rages ahead of Trump’s “important update”; Houthis launch third attack on Israel; Lebanese army withdraws from border towns Givebutter
- Attacks persist on Iran and across the Mideast as Trump threatens escalation. Follow live updates. The Boston Globe
- Iran war: What is happening on day 33 of US-Israel attacks? Al Jazeera
- US Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iran targets US aircraft in Israel; UAE's drone interception & warfare sites in crosshair timesofindia.indiatimes.com
- Strikes Continue as Houthis Join Iran War, US Troops Arrive Bloomberg.com