World News
Latest world news and updates
Total: 2257
France Calls Emergency UN Security Council Session as Israel-Lebanon Fighting Sparks Humanitarian Crisis
France has requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting as intensive Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed nearly 400 people and displaced about 517,000. Paris has pledged $6.9 million and 20 tonnes of aid while urging a ceasefire and pressing for the disarmament of Hezbollah amid fears of a wider regional escalation tied to Iran-Israel confrontations.
A Platoon Leader’s ‘Tomorrow’ Nearly Cost Recruits Their Future: Small Delays, Big Consequences for China’s Military Talent
A platoon leader in China recounts how his casual deferral of a soldiers’ application process nearly cost several recruits the chance to enter military academies. After being rebuked by his superior and confronted with a missed-opportunity anecdote, he apologised, surveyed his squad, and instituted new procedures to track and support candidates.
Macron Signals Possible French Naval Move into Strait of Hormuz to Protect European Shipping
In Cyprus, President Emmanuel Macron said France would sustain naval forces in the Mediterranean and Red Sea and could extend deployments to the Strait of Hormuz to protect shipping and European interests. The proposal signals Paris’s readiness to project power into a volatile chokepoint but carries risks of confrontation with Iran and logistical and diplomatic challenges for coalition-building.
Trump Signals Swift End to US-Iran Fighting, Claims Tehran's Forces Crippled
President Trump told a phone interviewer that U.S. operations against Iran may be nearly over, claiming severe damage to Iran’s military and communications. He also suggested he has a candidate in mind for Iran’s leadership, remarks that risk inflaming regional tensions and complicating verification of battlefield claims.
Beijing Summons Maersk and MSC as Maritime Tensions Disrupt Global Trade
China’s Ministry of Transport summoned executives from Maersk and MSC on March 9 to discuss their shipping operations amid disruptions in the Persian Gulf and other volatile corridors. The meeting signalled Beijing’s intent to hold major carriers accountable for decisions that affect Chinese trade flows and highlights how geopolitical risk is becoming entangled with commercial logistics.
Wealthy Fleeing the Gulf Jam Muscat Airport as Oman Limits Private Jets
Muscat International Airport has become a congested evacuation node as regional airspace closures push government, commercial and private flights into Oman. Authorities have asked private jet operators to avoid filing extra flights to preserve capacity for approved scheduled services and diplomatic repatriations, while charter prices have surged and ground transport into Muscat has spiked.
US Receives $100m of Venezuelan Gold as Caracas Reopens — Washington Frames Move as a Wedge Against China
The US has taken delivery of about $100 million in Venezuelan gold as diplomatic ties with Caracas are restored and sanctions on gold transactions are conditionally relaxed. Washington is framing access to Venezuelan minerals as part of a broader strategy to bolster domestic supply chains and compete with China in high-tech and defence sectors.
Trump Declares Iran War 'Basically Over' as Oil Markets Whipsaw and Tehran Names New Supreme Leader
President Trump declared the US‑led campaign against Iran "basically over," citing widespread destruction of Iranian military assets after strikes on over 3,000 targets, a claim that coincided with wild swings in Brent crude. Iran named Mujtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, keeping energy markets and diplomatic tensions on edge.
Stranded at Sea: Chinese Tourists Trapped on Dubai Cruise as Middle East Conflict Disrupts Travel
When fighting around the Persian Gulf flared in late February 2026, several cruise ships bound for Middle Eastern ports were forced to remain in Dubai, stranding thousands of seafarers and passengers. Chinese tourists on board experienced orderly but anxious confinement, expensive rerouting through Oman, and a mix of refunds and out-of-pocket costs, highlighting broader vulnerabilities in global tourism tied to regional conflict.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Warns US and Israel: Strikes on Infrastructure Will Be Met in Kind
Iran’s parliamentary speaker warned the United States and Israel that attacks on Iranian infrastructure will be met with proportionate responses, citing new missile tactics and claiming to have undermined enemy air-defence calculations. The remarks signal Tehran’s intent to pursue calibrated, asymmetric options that raise the risk of economic and regional escalation.
Trump Says He Must Approve Iran’s Next Leader, Threatens Military Options Over Nuclear Material
President Trump said the United States must approve Iran’s next supreme leader and threatened military options, including special forces raids to seize enriched uranium. Tehran reports a successor has been chosen, and Washington’s posture risks escalating regional tensions and undermining diplomatic norms.
Iran Announces New Wave of Missile Strikes, Claims Hits on US Regional Bases and Northern Israel
Iranian state-linked media announced the IRGC launched the 30th round of an operation it calls "Real Promise-4," claiming missile and drone strikes on US bases in the region and targets in northern Israel. The footage and assertions include mentions of newer missile types and an unexpected reference to a "new" supreme leader, but these claims remain unverified and appear to form part of a broader Iranian information and deterrence campaign.