"world-news"

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure from within his Labour Party after a scandal involving former diplomat Peter Mandelson. The crisis has cost him his chief of staff and raised fresh doubts about his leadership just 18 months into office.

Iranian authorities have arrested senior reformist figures as part of a broader crackdown on dissent following deadly protests. The move comes amid renewed nuclear talks with the United States and growing regional tensions involving Israel and Iran.

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi is poised for a landslide victory in Sunday’s snap lower house election. Exit polls suggest her LDP-led coalition could secure a majority, allowing her to advance right-wing policies on defense, economy, and immigration.

A Russian airstrike in Kramatorsk kills one and injures two. Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says the US has set a June deadline for a peace deal, with the next round of trilateral talks likely to be held in Miami amid ongoing Donbas fighting.

Hundreds of traders protested in Baghdad against new customs tariffs of up to 30%, citing rising costs and corruption. The fees have caused port backlogs and nationwide strikes, while Iraq’s Supreme Court is set to rule on a related lawsuit.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu will make a state visit to the UK on March 18 and 19. It will be the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to Britain in nearly 40 years.

Former French culture minister Jack Lang has resigned as head of the Arab World Institute after alleged financial links to Jeffrey Epstein triggered a tax investigation. Prosecutors are also examining the role of Lang’s daughter.

Pakistan has delayed granting Starlink a licence due to data security concerns, geopolitical sensitivities and competition from Chinese firms. Officials fear satellite internet services could bypass monitoring systems, prompting caution despite growing interest in expanding connectivity.

Palestinians gathered at the Rafah crossing hoping to travel after its limited reopening under a ceasefire. Despite high medical demand, only a small number have crossed, with many reporting delays and mistreatment.

Iran’s Foreign Minister said the country’s strength comes from resisting global powers, even as talks with the US continue. While Iran insists it will enrich uranium, Washington has increased military pressure in the region.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia has received no official communication from India about ending purchases of Russian oil, despite U.S. statements about a trade deal that would link tariff cuts to India halting Russian crude imports.

Spain welcomed nearly 96.8 million international visitors in 2025, a 3.2% increase from 2024, generating €134.7 billion in revenue. Catalonia, Mediterranean, and Canary Islands led tourist arrivals, while the ministry pushes for sustainable, quality-focused tourism.

Paris prosecutors are investigating Elon Musk’s social media platform X over alleged child pornography, AI deepfakes, and Holocaust denial by its chatbot Grok. Musk, CEO Linda Yaccarino, and X employees are summoned as the probe continues through April 2026.

Canadian police have arrested three Indian nationals after shots were fired at a home in Surrey, British Columbia. The men face firearm-related charges and remain in custody as authorities investigate possible links to extortion-related violence.

Russia launched a large overnight drone and missile attack on Ukraine, targeting power infrastructure during extreme winter cold. The assault came just before US-brokered peace talks, with President Zelenskyy accusing Moscow of prioritizing terror over diplomacy.

Iran’s president says he has ordered efforts toward negotiations with the United States, signaling a shift amid high tensions. Talks would focus on nuclear issues, though major disagreements remain over uranium enrichment and regional security demands.

China has criticised the Grammy Award given to the Dalai Lama, warning against its use for what it calls anti-China activities. The Tibetan spiritual leader won the award for a spoken-word album and responded by emphasising peace, compassion and shared human responsibility.

A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Aleema Khan, sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, over her absence in a case linked to a November 2024 protest. Authorities have been ordered to arrest and present her in court.

Iran has summoned EU ambassadors to protest the bloc’s decision to label the Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organisation. The move comes amid growing tensions with the United States, military deployments in the region, and concerns over Iran’s crackdown on protests.

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 23 Palestinians across Gaza on Saturday, according to hospitals, despite an ongoing ceasefire with Hamas. The attacks came a day before the Rafah border crossing is set to reopen, highlighting continued violence as negotiations move into a second phase.