'Trauma is written on the faces of the evacuees'

By Jayne Secker, in Los Angeles

On a normal Saturday the Westwood recreation centre in Los Angeles is packed with people sweating through spin classes and circuits.

Today however its gym is crammed with neat rows of camp beds, each with a pillow, blanket and small pile of belongings at one end.

The American Red Cross – seen in so many international disaster zones – is now helping its own.

Spokesman Nicole Maul explained how the trailers lined up outside are full of the basics – toothpaste, soap, sanitary products – for those who now have nothing.

In the reception area new arrivals are greeted with warm smiles and tables of donated food. So much is being brought to the shelter from those who live nearby and want to help.

A large TV screen carries a local rolling news channel with wall to wall coverage of the blaze. For many though it is just too much.

Outside I spoke to one man sitting quietly on a bench. He has lost his home in the Pallisades blaze. He said the images were just too upsetting.

He has tried twice to get back to his street. Twice the authorities have turned him back, telling him it is still not safe.

He has nowhere else to go.

In the car park a local acupuncture clinic has sent up a tent offering free treatments to help relieve stress. Suddenly one of the practictioners leaps up and leaves. She'd received a call. The wind had changed and her house was now at threat.

A stark reminder of how unpredictable these fires are.

By the afternoon on the astro pitch outside, young girls practise their football drills, while a man honed his golf swing.

Normal life for some, cheek by jowl with those entirely uprooted from theirs.

There is so much goodwill here, but the trauma the evacuees are continuing to go through is written on their faces.

They have no idea how long they will have to stay here.

This place is a refuge, but it is certainly not home.

Wildfires continue to burn in Los Angeles, with at least 16 people killed in the blazes and 153,000 people under evacuation orders. The public health authority has urged people to stay indoors due to the high levels of smoke and ash in the air.

LA fires latest: Fire deaths rise as weather conditions to worsen; prisoners 'deployed to fight blazes'

Numerous programs initiated regarding women empowerment: Azma Bukhari

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari says government has initiated numerous programs focused on women empowerment

In an exclusive interview with Radio Pakistan correspondent Zunera Khalid with reference to International Women's Day, she stressed women should be acknowledged every day, not merely on a singular occasion.

The Minister recognized the important contributions of women, whether they are homemakers, professionals or public servants, asserting that they are contributing toward society to make it more prosperous.

Azma Bukhari mentioned that Maryam Nawaz, as Punjab's first female Chief Minister, is devoted to empowering women and addressing their issues while prioritizing women's empowerment and overcoming their challenges.

She commended women for their greater diligence and commitment in every sector. The Minister also outlined various initiatives launched by the Punjab government, including the Pink Button initiative to combat harassment issues and the establishment of virtual police stations, which provide services to women, who may be reluctant to visit traditional police facilities.

She pointed out that women in Punjab are actively participating in various roles without facing discrimination, highlighting that many Assistant Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners working in the province are women, a significant achievement in the province history.

Azma Bukhari encouraged all women to recognize their strengths and to contribute positively to their families, communities and the nation, whether they are at home or in the workforce.

Numerous programs initiated regarding women empowerment: Azma Bukhari

ALBAWABA - Renowned Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, best known for roles such as Iceman in "Top Gun," Batman in "Batman Forever", and many more, has passed away at 65.

According to an email sent by Kilmer's daughter to AP, the actor passed away on Tuesday in his LA house, surrounded by his friends and family, after battling a case of pneumonia. Val Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer, and despite defeating it back in 2014, his diagnosis still required him to undergo a tracheotomy procedure.

The tracheotomy procedure altered his voice as witnessed during his recent performances, including his comeback as Iceman in 2022's "Top Gun: Maverick."

Top Gun star Val Kilmer dies at 65

Val Kilmer, ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Batman Forever’ actor, has died at 65. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, told ‘The New York Times’ that her father died of pneumonia on Tuesday.



He is survived by his children, Jack and Mercedes. pic.twitter.com/TiMQuL91CZ April 2, 2025

Starring as American singer Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's 1991 biography "The Doors," became one of Val Kilmer's most popular roles in Hollywood and was highly regarded by audiences and critics alike for his performance.

While the actor didn't receive many awards during his career, a critic named Roger Ebert recognized Kilmer's talent and wrote, "If there is an award for the most unsung leading man of his generation, Val Kilmer should get it."

He added, "In movies as different as Real Genius, Top Gun, Top Secret!, he has shown a range of characters so convincing that it's likely most people, even now, don't realise they were looking at the same actor."

Renowned Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, best known for roles such as Iceman in Top Gun, Batman in "Batman Forever", and many more, has passed away at 65.

Top Gun star Val Kilmer dies at 65

HQ

The latest news on South Korea . The country has entered a period of political transition after President Yoon Suk Yeol was unanimously removed from office by the Constitutional Court, following his controversial declaration of martial law late last year.

The ruling, which upheld parliament's impeachment, has plunged the country into uncertainty just as it contends with economic strain and regional tensions. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo now assumes the role of acting president.

As factions regroup and election campaigns ignite, attention turns to the polarising figures vying for the presidency—none more prominent than liberal contender Lee Jae-myung, whose own legal troubles mirror the political chaos at large.

South Korea's Yoon removed from office over martial law

Open this photo in gallery: A trader works on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange on April 3.Brendan McDermid/Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to hike tariffs to the highest level in a century has sent shock waves through the global economy, hammering financial markets, adding to inflationary concerns and raising the odds of a recession in the United States that could ripple across the border into Canada.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Trump announced a baseline tariff of 10 per cent on imports, with much higher rates for dozens of trading partners, including the European Union, China and Japan. That pushed America’s average tariff rate above 20 per cent, from around 2 per cent when Mr. Trump took office – a level last seen in the 1930s when a breakdown in global trade helped fuel the Great Depression.

Mr. Trump’s move – a wholesale repudiation of the open trading system the U.S. spent decades building – stunned governments, businesses and investors around the world. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite tumbled 4.8 per cent and 6 per cent on Thursday, the biggest stock market drop since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other equity markets wilted, including Canada’s TSX Composite, which fell 3.8 per cent. The U.S. dollar weakened more than 1.5 per cent against other currencies and the price of oil dropped around 7 per cent amid concerns of a global economic slowdown and a wrenching adjustment to international supply chains.

“It’s a structural break in the global trading system,” James Rossiter, head of global macro strategy at Toronto-Dominion Bank, said in an interview.

“We talked through the first season of Trump about globalization unwinding and sort of collapsing a little bit on itself. But I think what we’re seeing now is far more fundamental and far more durable and long lasting than what we saw previously.”

Canada, Mexico spared from worst of Trump’s latest tariff blitz

Mr. Rossiter said the tariff shock could increase U.S. inflation by 1.5 percentage points by the middle of next year, as import prices jump and supply chains fracture. It could also carve 0.75 percentage points off U.S. GDP growth, he said. That’s not quite recession territory, but it’s getting close.

World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala released a statement on Thursday warning that the U.S. moves could lead to a 1-per-cent contraction in global goods trading volumes. That would represent a nearly four-percentage-point downward revision from the WTO’s previous projection.

“I’m deeply concerned about this decline and the potential for escalation into a tariff war with a cycle of retaliatory measures that lead to further declines in trade,” Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said.

Canada and Mexico fared comparatively well in Mr. Trump’s latest barrage. Neither country will face the baseline tariff or a higher “reciprocal” rate. Crucially, an earlier one-month tariff exemption for goods that trade in compliance with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement was extended indefinitely.

Canada and Mexico are still being hit by tariffs on autos, steel and aluminum and all products that don’t comply with USMCA content rules. But by avoiding the latest round of tariffs, many Canadian goods will have a competitive advantage in the U.S. market compared with products from other countries.

The Canadian dollar strengthened on Thursday, rising by about a cent to 71 cents against the U.S. dollar, although this was also due to the U.S. dollar weakening.

“Tariff rates now that are being imposed on Canada and Mexico are significantly lower than the rates on the rest of the world,” Nathan Janzen, assistant chief economist at Royal Bank of Canada, said in an interview.

That means Canadian products could win market share in the U.S. The problem, however, is that overall demand in the U.S. could take a beating if the country falls into a recession and consumer confidence, which is already fragile, crumbles.

“Potentially we can keep our share of the pie, or even maybe it gets a little bit bigger in this environment. But that’s not a whole lot of consolation if the size of the pie itself is shrinking,” Mr. Janzen said.

Stephen Brown, deputy chief North America economist at Capital Economics, said Canada is in a slightly better position today than it had been over the past month, when Mr. Trump was directing most of his protectionist attention at his two closest neighbours. Mr. Brown had previously been forecasting a recession for Canada, but now expects a period of essentially zero growth rather than an outright contraction.

But a lot will depend on how global disruptions spill into Canada.

“These tariffs are going to cause a lot of weakness in other economies, and therefore weaker commodities demand,” Mr. Brown said in an interview. “So even if demand for Canada’s exports holds up in volume terms, we’ve seen this big drop in oil prices and other commodity prices. So that feeds through to weaker earnings in Canada and can likewise weigh on investment.”

Trade wars are a difficult type of shock to navigate, because tariffs weigh on economic activity while increasing prices – something economists call “stagflation.” This puts central banks, such as the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve, in a tough spot. They have to choose between cutting interest rates to fend off a recession and keeping them steady or raising them to stop a one-time jump in prices from becoming an inflationary spiral.

U.S. tariffs will directly increase the price of imported goods, and may push up prices for domestically produced goods as American companies take the opportunity to raise their prices. Companies may also increase prices in response to rising costs across their supply chains.

“The U.S. and other advanced economies import a lot of intermediate goods that feed into domestic supply chains, and tariffs on those intermediate products increase the costs of domestic production as well,” said Mr. Janzen of RBC.

“That’s really where you can get spillovers into Canadian inflation. Because the North American industrial sector … is very heavily integrated, so if costs rise in the U.S. industrial sector, that means that they’re also rising in the Canadian and Mexican industrial sectors as well.”

Given potential inflationary pressures in Canada, including from Ottawa’s retaliatory tariffs, financial markets expect the Bank of Canada to hold interest rates steady at its next meeting in April, before cutting two to three more times this year, according to LSEG data. Markets expect the Fed to remain on hold for now, but to resume rate cuts in the summer.

How much Mr. Trump’s actions reverberate around the world may depend on how other countries respond. On Thursday, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada’s third round of retaliatory tariffs, this time matching U.S. tariffs on automobiles.

Others have said they will hit back against Mr. Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, including the European Union, Japan, South Korea and China. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, by contrast, ruled out retaliation and said he wanted to avoid a “race to the bottom that leads to higher prices and slower growth.”

The last time the U.S. shocked the world economy in this manner was the infamous 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which sparked a tit-for-tat trade war that added to the length and depth of the Great Depression and aided the breakdown in global co-operation in the lead-up to the Second World War.

“We’re in sort of uncharted waters to some degree, or at least uncharted waters in the modern era,” said Mr. Rossiter of TD. “This is not something the world hasn’t seen before. It’s just the last time we saw it was the 1930s or the 1890s.”

The U.S. President’s trade war has pitched America’s average tariff rate from 2 per cent to above 20 per cent – a level last seen in the 1930s

Trump’s trade barrage rattles global markets, triggering recession fears

Chinese stocks’ world-beating rally faces a reality check after the US slapped a 34 per cent reciprocal tariff on imports from the mainland, casting a shadow on its fragile economic recovery.

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The levy is in addition to the existing 20 per cent tariff imposed by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office in January, bringing it close to the 60 per cent rate he threatened during the election campaign and almost falling into the worst-case scenario projected by global investment banks.

The Trump administration also plugged a gap by imposing tariffs ranging from 24 per cent to 46 per cent on Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam and Thailand, to prevent Chinese goods from being diverted to the US.

“This will have a ripple effect on macro consumption, which is still weak but saw pockets of stabilisation recently,” said Kai Wang, a market strategist at Morningstar. “This could have long-term ramifications, and it is possible China might announce more fiscal stimulus to counteract perceived macro weakness.”

03:19 Trump slaps 34% reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports as part of ‘Liberation Day’ package Trump slaps 34% reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports as part of ‘Liberation Day’ package

Even before Trump’s latest tariffs, the run-up in Chinese stocks spurred by the nation’s advances in artificial intelligence was showing signs of fatigue. Chinese tech companies’ valuation edge has weakened after they nearly closed the multiples gap with the “Magnificent Seven” US mega-cap stocks.

Best strategy is to bet on plays that would benefit from new stimulus policies China is likely to announce, analyst says.

Chinese stocks’ world-beating run risks unravelling as Trump’s reciprocal tariff kicks in

Trade tariffs imposed on tiny Australian territories that are either uninhabited or claim to have no trading relationship with the US appear to have been calculated based on erroneous trade data.

The data relates, at least in part, to shipments mislabelled as coming from remote Norfolk Island, or Heard Island and McDonald Islands, instead of their correct countries of origin, the Guardian can reveal.



Among the erroneously labelled shipments over the past five years from the island territories are shipments of aquarium systems, Timberland boots, wine and parts for a recycling plant.

According to an analysis of US import data and shipping records, multiple shipments of goods were classified as having originated from Norfolk Island or Heard and McDonald islands when neither the company address, nor the port of departure for the shipment, nor the destination port were located in those territories.

In some cases involving Norfolk Island, which is 1,600km north-east of Sydney and has a population of 2,188, the confusion appears to have resulted from the fact that the company’s address or port of departure is Norfolk, UK, or the destination is Norfolk, Virginia in the US, or a company’s registered address in New Hampshire (NH) has been listed instead as Norfolk Island (NI).

Norfolk Island was this week hit with a 29% tariff on its goods – 19 percentage points higher than the rest of Australia – despite claiming to have no export relationship with the US.

The decision has perplexed the Australian government, with Australia’s prime minister saying it was evidence “nowhere was safe” from Trump’s tariffs. The country’s trade minister, Don Farrell, said it was “clearly a mistake”.

George Plant, the administrator of Norfolk Island, told the Guardian on Thursday: “There are no known exports from Norfolk Island to the United States.”

But according to US government data, presented by the Observatory of Economic Complexity, Norfolk Island exported US$655,000 (A$1.04m) worth of goods to the US in 2023, with its main export being US$413,000 (A$658,000) worth of leather footwear.

There is one large shoe shop on Norfolk Island, Franks Shoes. Its manager said in an email to the Guardian: “We are a shoe shop selling shoes to the tourists that visit the island and do not export shoes to the US or have any business with the US.”

The Guardian has identified two bills of lading – records of cargo shipments – for shipments each containing 3,714 black Timberland men’s ankle boots that set sail from South Riding port in the Bahamas for Miami, Florida, in December 2023. The shipments were worth a combined total of US$315,000 (A$498,000).

The bills of lading list “Norfolk Island” as the country of origin and the address of the shipper as Timberland, 200 Domain Drive, Stratham 03885-2575, Norfolk Island.

Timberland’s corporate office address is listed as 200 Domain Drive, Stratham, New Hampshire on its LinkedIn page.

A spokesperson for Timberland shoes said: “We are in a quiet period and have no comment.”

Other bills of lading that appear to have erroneously listed Norfolk Island as the country of origin include several from an aquarium and fountain company, OASE, which sent shipments from Norfolk in the UK to the US, and steel equipment sent from Novum Structures in Norfolk, UK, to the US.

Novum Structure’s address is listed on one bill of lading as 14 Hopper Way, Diss Business Park, Diss, Norfolk Island, instead of Norfolk in the UK, which is its EU headquarters, according to Novum’s website.

OASE and Novum were contacted for comment. The Guardian is not alleging that any of the companies are responsible for the errors in the paperwork.

The US Census Bureau, the agency responsible for collating US trade statistics, acknowledges in its guide to trade statistics that such reporting errors can occur and can “significantly impact detailed commodity statistics”.

The shipping databases that the Guardian used to check bill of lading information appear to rely on documents released by US customs under freedom of information requests, so it is not clear when in the process errors were made – during the exporting and shipping process or during the data collection process.

The errors in the shipping records appear to have flowed through to US census and trade data used as the basis for calculating tariffs.

Farrell told the ABC on Friday that the US’s 29% tariff imposed on Norfolk Island was “clearly a mistake” as Norfolk Island was part of Australia and so should be subject to the same tariff as the rest of the country. He said the Australian government would raise the issue with the US administration.

“It’s an indication that this was a rushed process,” he said. “The trade system that America has until yesterday been working on had been built up since the second world war. In the space of four weeks, the American president has upended that process. So I think it was inevitable that mistakes would be made and particularly including Norfolk Island as [a] 29% tariff.”

Journalists and economists have figured out the method used by the Trump administration to calculate the tariffs placed on other countries and territories.

It is a simple formula which produces a tariff percentage based on the country’s trade deficit with the US in 2024. The Guardian has confirmed that this formula produces the 29% figure using US trade data for Norfolk Island.

Heard Island and McDonald Islands – an uninhabited group of islands covered in glaciers near Antarctica, which is also an “external territory” of Australia – was also named in the White House’s list of “countries” hit by tariffs, with a 10% tariff placed on it.

The territory does have a fishery but no buildings or human habitation. Despite this, according to export data from the World Bank, the US imported US$1.4m (A$2.23m) of products from Heard Island and McDonald Islands in 2022, nearly all of which was “machinery and electrical” imports.

The Guardian has identified multiple bills of lading that suggest exports originated from the remote islands but are largely steel or plastic imports from Europe to the US. The paperwork lists the shipper’s address as being in the Heard Island and McDonald Islands rather than Germany or Austria, however.

One bill of lading, from September 2024, relates to parts for a PET recycling plant, shipped from Starlinger Co in Vienna to Oakland California, which lists the address of Starlinger as being in “Vienna, Heard Island and McDonald Islands”. Starlinger Co was contacted for comment.

Jared Mondschein, director of research at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, said of the rushed development of the tariff policy: “It doesn’t surprise me that because of the lack of conventional interagency thinking on this, that there were some errors that were not caught.

“If you input the wrong data in, then you’re going to get the wrong data out.

“And I think in this instance, if there are errors in the shipping records, which, you know, they’re ultimately humans and these things happen, then there’s going to be mistakes.”

The trade data issue may also be responsible for other remote areas being targeted with tariffs. The Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the Svalbard archipelago were hit with a 10% trade tariff – again despite local reporting suggesting few people lived there and there was very little in the way of exports.

Other territories appear to be in a similar situation, with bills of lading for shipments from Indian suppliers being mislabelled as coming from “British Indian Ocean Territory”, a remote external territory of the UK with few inhabitants.

Tokelau, a territory of New Zealand in the southern Pacific Ocean, was also targeted with tariffs, and again some shipments have been mislabelled as the suppliers originating from the island, such as a shipment of pergola parts from Turkey.

The White House was contacted for comment.

<strong>Exclusive</strong>: Aquarium systems, Timberland boots and recycling plant parts were mislabelled as coming from remote Norfolk Island or Heard and McDonald islands

Not that Norfolk! Mislabelled shipments led to Trump tariffs on uninhabited islands and remote outposts with no US trade

Bulgarian politicians and business persons have been reacting to the news of the sweeping tariffs on foreign imports announced by US President Donald Trump.

On Wednesday, Trump unveiled a plan for further restrictions on imports to the US in the form of additional tariffs on all goods with the exception of steel, aluminium and cars, which are already subject to a 25% import tax. The tariff rate applicable to goods originating in the EU will be 20%.



Vice President Iliana Iotova: Bulgarian institutions need to react urgently" to the decision. Bulgarian large, small and medium-sized enterprises need to be engaged in a very serious, very objective discussion so as to decide on a response to this new policy, not only as an EU Member State but also on a bilateral basis. If necessary, urgent measures should be taken so that we do not lag behind once again, so that people are not faced with bankruptcies.

Vazrazhdane Party leader Kostadin Kostadinov: Bulgaria has almost no trade with the US, and I do not expect this to seriously affect the country. This trade war does not bother us. This is an opportunity to rethink and renegotiate the way the European Union functions.

Association of Automobile Importers in Bulgaria Executive Board Chair Lyubomir Dorosiev (in comment to BTA): The tariffs on EU-made automobiles are good news for European consumers. Now that European manufacturers will be unable to export cheaply to America, they will gradually cut new car prices in Europe and more specifically in Bulgaria. Cars imported from the US to Bulgaria account for not more than 5% of this country's total road fleet. The extra tax will needlessly push up the price of imports from the US, and this trade in Bulgaria may shrink or even cease altogether.

GERB leader Boyko Borissov said the trade war between the US and the European Union matters to dozens, not to say hundreds, of Bulgarian businesses. He expressed concern about the negative effect on the country's business. According to him, this could mean a rise in inflation, a reduction in jobs and investment. He is of the opinion that the automotive sector and engineering will be the most affected.

BTA :: Bulgarian Politicians, Business Persons React to Trump's Tariffs

BRITAIN is threatening tariffs on 8,000 US products including toilet seats — as Donald Trump’s trade war sent world economies down the pan yesterday.

A staggering $2.2trillion was wiped off stock markets with the Nasdaq suffering its biggest tanking since the start of Covid.

7 Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs have knocked a staggering $2.2trillion off global stock markets Credit: Reuters

7 A trader in New York buries his head in his hands as the markets plummet in the wake of US tariffs Credit: AFP

7 A trader in South Korea looks as grim as the market figures behind her Credit: EPA

PM Sir Keir Starmer still hopes to do a deal with the President but has lined up US goods for import taxes within weeks.

Trump's tariff blitz triggered a sharp sell-off of shares, with traders shocked by the size of levies imposed on even the US’s closest allies.

Furious governments threatened to whack tariffs on US imports.

The PM repeated his priority was to secure a trade deal with the US which would reduce or remove the ten per cent tariff imposed on all UK exports, and 25 per cent on cars and steel.

But, in a toughening of the Government’s stance, it is drawing up a list of 8,000 US products it could hit with retaliatory tariffs if no pact is agreed by May 1.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds published a 417-page list of American products that could be clobbered.

Toilet seats are included, along with Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam whiskey and Levi’s jeans.

US-made vacuum cleaners, sports shoes and chopsticks are also in our crosshairs. Sir Keir vowed: “Nothing is off the table.”

And at a Downing Street breakfast meeting, he told bosses of firms such as Bentley, Unilever and Airbus that the UK has a “range of levers at our disposal”.

Later at an event in Chesterfield, the PM said the UK was heading into a new era but that “we shouldn’t jump into a trade war”.

World leaders react to to Trump's tariffs

He added: “I need to act in the national interest. The choice before us is whether to jump into retaliatory action with both feet at the get-go, or continue with our calm approach to negotiate a trade deal to mitigate tariffs if we can.”

Yesterday the FTSE 100 slumped by 1.55 per cent to 8,474.7 points while the FTSE 250 fell by 2.33 per cent to 19,210.5 points.

Retailer JD Sports saw shares dropping by 7.89 power cent. Shell and BP also tanked.

Mr Trump announced his controversial tariffs in the White House Rose Garden on Wednesday.

Yesterday, referring to the US, he wrote on his Truth Social account: “The operation is over! The patient will be far stronger, bigger, better and more resilient than ever before.”

The tariffs imposed on the UK were at the lowest end of his sliding scale — in what was considered a Brexit dividend.

In Europe, subject to a 20 per cent tariff, France’s CAC 40 stock market closed down by 3.3 per cent while Germany’s DAX dropped three per cent.

German sportswear giant adidas tumbled by almost 12 per cent as it makes most of its shoes in Asia, hit by hefty tariffs. Rivals Nike and Puma suffered heavy falls.

7

The biggest pain was saved for Wall Street with shares crashing in the US’s most valuable companies — from banks to retail to tech. The S&P 500 fell by 4.13 per cent.

The Nasdaq slumped by 5.3 per cent — the biggest fall since the start of the pandemic.

Apple fell almost nine per cent, wiping $250billion off its value. It relies heavily on tech imports from China, India, Vietnam and Thailand, all subject to heavy tariffs.

Nvidia, the $2.5trillion chip company, saw seven per cent erased from its value.

Elsewhere, South Korea’s main share index slumped 0.7 per cent.

Sir Keir yesterday refused to rule out tax hikes later this year if reduced growth means Labour risks breaking its fiscal rules.

Business chiefs have been asked for their views over the next four weeks. Some warned that “two wrongs don’t make a right” and told the PM to hold off his own tariffs.

LEVIES FORMULA BAFFLES EXPERTS By Martina Bet PRESIDENT Donald Trump used a back-of-the-envelope maths formula to slap “reciprocal” tariffs on more than 100 countries. In reality the numbers have little to do with what countries charge the US. The White House released a flashy formula with Greek algebra symbols — but it boiled down to a simple sum. Officials took America’s goods trade deficit with each country, divided it by how much the US imports from them and then halved that number. Trump did not use the formula for countries that buy more goods from the US than they sell, including the UK. They were charged ten per cent. Deutsche Bank’s George Saravelos said: “Trump is focused on penalising countries with larger trade deficits in goods. It’s highly mechanical rather than a sophisticated assessment of tariffs.” Despite tariffs on remote places such as Heard Island — only inhabited by penguins and seals — Russia was entirely exempt. US press secretary Karoline Leavitt argued existing sanctions on the country already “preclude any meaningful trade”.

Craig Beaumont, of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Retaliatory tariffs would double the damage at a time of burgeoning costs and taxes in our country.

"We are calling on the UK and US Governments for small and medium enterprises to be at the centre of a prosperity deal.”

The knock-on effect has seen digger giant JCB double the size of a factory being built in San Antonio, Texas.

CEO Graeme Macdonald said: “In the short term the tariffs will have a significant impact on our business. However, in the medium term our San Antonio factory will help to mitigate the impact.”

Whitehall sources expressed some relief that the UK was only hit with the ten per cent rate.

Ministers believe the actual rate should be four per cent which is the average tariff on US goods.

But the 25 per cent hit to UK car makers has put 25,000 jobs at risk. Trump adviser Sebastian Gorka said: “After Brexit, you’ve reaffirmed your independence, and I think that is being proven today by the special rate that has been afforded to the UK.”

Experts warned UK growth could take a 0.5 per cent hit in the coming years.

Thomas Pugh, economist at RSM UK, said the levies will be “not far off” wiping out Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ £10billion financial cushion.

He said: “The direct impact on the UK is likely to be in the 0.2 to 0.5 per cent of GDP range over the next few years.

"The impact will be bigger once the hit to the US and European economies becomes clearer and is taken into account.”

Two thirds of Brits think the ­tariffs will have a negative effect on the economy, a poll found.

A trade deal, ready to be signed by the US, could include lower digital services tax for tech firms in exchange for less severe tariffs.

Britain could review enforcement of its online harms rules as part of any agreement, it was claimed.

7 PM Sir Keir Starmer, with business leaders today, said his priority was to secure a trade deal with Trump which would reduce or remove the ten per cent tariff imposed on all UK exports and 25 per cent on cars Credit: PA

7 Trump's tariff blitz triggered a sharp sell-off of shares, with traders shocked by the size of levies imposed on even the US’s closest allies Credit: The Mega Agency

7 Britain is even threatening to add tariffs to toilet seats Credit: Getty

But The Molly Rose Foundation wrote to Mr Reynolds saying it was “dismayed and appalled” by any willingness to bring children’s safety into tariff mitigation.

Germany’s economy minister Robert Habeck insisted that Trump will “buckle”. He said: “This pressure now needs to be unfolded, from Germany, from Europe in the alliance with other countries, and then we will see who is the stronger one in this arm wrestle.”

Canada’s new PM Mark Carney said the tariffs were “unjustified, unwarranted, and misguided”.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she was finalising counter-measures, adding: “We are in this together: if you take on one of us, you take on all of us. Our unity is our strength.”

Trump also slapped ten per cent tariffs on some of the most remote places on Earth including Heard Island and the McDonald Islands, an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean, which is only inhabited by penguins and seals.

Additional reporting by Jack Elsom and Noa Hoffman

BRITAIN is threatening tariffs on 8,000 US products including toilet seats — as Donald Trump’s trade war sent world economies down the pan yesterd

UK threatens 8,000 US products including toilet seats with tariffs as Trump’s trade war plunges markets into meltdown

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, right, talk after a welcoming ceremony with a guard of honour at Buda Castle in Budapest, Hungary (Denes Erdos/AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Hungary’s capital to red carpet treatment despite a warrant for his arrest issued by the world’s top war crimes court.

It was only the second foreign trip Mr Netanyahu has made since the International Criminal Court issued the warrant against him in November.

As Mr Netanyahu arrived in Budapest on Thursday, Hungary said it will begin the procedure of withdrawing from the ICC.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives at a welcoming ceremony for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Buda Castle in Budapest (Denes Erdos/AP) (Denes Erdos/AP)

“Hungary will withdraw from the International Criminal Court,” Gergely Gulyas, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff, wrote in a brief statement.

“The government will initiate the withdrawal procedure on Thursday, in accordance with the constitutional and international legal framework.”

Mr Netanyahu was greeted with full military honours in the Castle District of the capital Budapest, where he stood alongside Mr Orban as a military band played and processions of soldiers on horseback and carrying swords and bayoneted rifles passed by.

The two leaders were set to hold talks later on Thursday.

Mr Netanyahu will spend several days in Hungary before departing on Sunday.

The ICC, based in The Hague, Netherlands, said there was reason to believe Mr Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas — charges that Israeli officials deny.

The ICC also issued arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders who were later killed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, left, participate in a welcoming ceremony at Buda Castle (AP) (Denes Erdos/AP)

Member countries of the ICC, such as Hungary, are required to arrest suspects facing a warrant if they set foot on their soil, but the court has no way to enforce that and relies on states to comply.

After the ICC issued the warrant in November, Mr Orban accused the world’s only permanent global tribunal for war crimes and genocide of “interfering in an ongoing conflict for political purposes”, saying the move undermined international law and escalated tensions.

His invitation to Mr Netanyahu was in open defiance of the court’s ruling.

Hungary joined the court in 2001 during Mr Orban’s first term as prime minister.

Mr Netanyahu in February met US President Donald Trump in Washington DC, where Mr Trump suggested that displaced Palestinians in Gaza be permanently resettled outside the war-torn territory and proposed the US take “ownership” in redeveloping the area into “the Riviera of the Middle East”.

Neither the US or Israel are signatories to the ICC.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands after a press statement in the Buda Castle (Denes Erdos/AP) (Denes Erdos/AP)

Mr Trump in February issued sanctions against the court for its investigations into Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, many of them children.

– Orban says ICC is ‘no longer an impartial court’

At a news conference following their meeting, Mr Orban said that he believes the ICC is “no longer an impartial court, not a court of law, but a political court. And this was most clearly shown by the decisions regarding Israel”.

“I am convinced that this otherwise important international judicial forum has been degraded into a political tool, with which we cannot and do not want to engage,” Mr Orban said.

The Hungarian leader, regarded by critics as the EU’s most intransigent spoiler in the bloc’s decision-making, is seen as using some of the tactics that Mr Netanyahu has been accused of employing in Israel: subjugation of the judiciary, antagonism toward the EU and cracking down on civil society and human rights groups.

During the news conference, where journalists were not permitted to ask questions, Mr Netanyahu praised Hungary’s decision to withdraw from the ICC, thanking Mr Orban for taking a “bold and principled decision”.

“The ICC directs its actions against us fighting a just war with just means,” Mr Netanyahu said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press statement in Budapest, Hungary (Denes Erdos/AP) (Denes Erdos/AP)

“You are the first… state that walks out of this corruption and this rottenness, and I think it’ll be deeply appreciated, not only in Israel but in many, many countries around the world.”

– Israeli leader faces growing problems at home

Mr Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary was his second opportunity to travel abroad following the issuance of the warrant — the first was when he met with US President Donald Trump in Washington DC in February.

It was also a chance to project an image of statesmanship while he faces mounting discontent at home.

Mr Netanyahu has faced mass protests by Israelis who fear his decision to resume the war in Gaza endangers the lives of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

He has also sparked anger by trying to fire or side-line top officials in what critics view as a power grab and an attack on state institutions.

Along with resuming its offensive in Gaza last month, Israel halted all imports of food, fuel and humanitarian aid to the territory’s two million Palestinians to pressure Hamas to release more hostages and accept proposed changes to the truce agreement.

The ICC has criticised Hungary’s decision to defy its warrant for Mr Netanyahu.

The court’s spokesperson, Fadi El Abdallah, earlier said that it’s not for parties to the ICC “to unilaterally determine the soundness of the Court’s legal decisions”.

On Thursday, he said that the court “recalls that Hungary remains under a duty to cooperate with the ICC”.

It was only the second foreign trip Mr Netanyahu has made since the International Criminal Court issued the warrant against him in November.

Netanyahu in Budapest despite arrest warrant as Hungary says it will quit ICC

If you're just catching up - here's the story in 200 words

Donald Trump has announced sweeping global tariffs that threaten to ignite an unprecedented trade war.

The US president held up a chart in the White House Rose Garden outlining what he said were the "reciprocal" tariffs each country would face.

A tariff is effectively a tax on imported goods - the US has been on the wrong end of these for decades and Trump's hope is that his policy will encourage companies to manufacture inside the US and will "make America wealthy again".

But the scale of Trump's actions threatens to drive up prices in the US and cause chaos in the global economy.

His list included 10% tariffs on goods entering the US from the UK in response to the UK's 20% VAT. As 10% is Trump's baseline tariffs rate, the UK is seen to have come out of this better than most.

Trump confirmed the European Union will face a 20% reciprocal tariff on all other imports. China's rate is set at 34%.

His first tariff announcement was a 25% duty on all car imports from midnight - 5am today.

"This is Liberation Day," he told a cheering audience of supporters.

Here's data and economics editor Ed Conway explaining the story in a minute...

Donald Trump has revealed his package of tariffs - including a 10% levy on the UK. The British government is relieved it's not worse but the FTSE 100 has dropped on opening. Follow below for the latest, and listen to Trump 100 analysis as you scroll.

Trump tariffs latest: World reacts to Trump 'madness' - as island home only to seals and penguins targeted

MUMBAI -- Ongoing bilateral trade talks between India and the U.S. have become crucial to the South Asian nation after it was slapped with a 26% reciprocal tariff on Wednesday.

While India has escaped the kinds of eye-watering rates set to be applied to regional competitors such as Vietnam and Bangladesh, the tariffs, effective in full from next Wednesday, make a bilateral agreement crucial for New Delhi as it looks to cushion the impact on exports to the U.S. worth about $80 billion, economists said.

MUMBAI -- Ongoing bilateral trade talks between India and the U.S. have become crucial to the South Asian nation after it was slapped with a 26% recip

India digests 'unpalatable' U.S. tariffs as it eyes key trade deal

A woman sits along the bank of the Yarra River in view of the Central Business District (CBD), in Melbourne, Australia, March 24, 2025. [Photo/Agencies]

Australia reacted swiftly to tariff moves by US President Donald Trump on Thursday, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying the measures "have no basis in logic" and "not the act of a friend," according to local media reports.

Australia's central bank also warned that US trade policies posed significant economic risks, hitting markets and raising costs for businesses.

Australia faced a baseline 10 percent tariff on imports imposed by the Trump administration as part of sweeping US trade moves that included higher duties on some of its largest trading partners.

With the country ruling out reciprocal moves against the United States, Albanese reinforced calls for Australians to buy domestic products following the tariffs, the Australian Associated Press cited him as saying.

"We will promote buying Australian is one way that we can respond. We can be proud of our products," he told reporters in Melbourne.

"We can't control what the US administration determines, but we can engage with them. This is a decision that they have made. It's one which we think importantly, is not in the interests of the United States," he said.

"We will respond, and I want Australians to respond this way as well, in a careful, calibrated and mature way".

Australia's trade with the US makes up about 5 percent of its exports. A free trade agreement signed between the two countries means Australian goods can currently enter the US duty-free and US products can enjoy the same treatment.

Albanese pointed out that Australia would not compromise on its biosecurity arrangements or pharmaceutical deals in exchange for reduced tariffs.

"We are using every asset at our disposal: ministers, people in departments, our embassy in Washington DC, our business community links and our other links as well to advance Australia's national interests," he said.

The Reserve Bank of Australia, in its semi-annual financial stability review, also cautioned that the uncertainties with US trade policies and the reprisals they may trigger could impact businesses and household spending.

"Vulnerabilities in key international financial markets could be crystalized and lead to disorderly price adjustments," the central bank said.

"A sharp repricing of risk, from the current low levels, could abruptly increase borrowing costs for corporations and exacerbate financial challenges," it added, noting that the non-bank lending sector could be more at risk.

Agencies contributed to the story.

Australia criticizes Trump tariff move, looks to domestic priorities

An aerial drone photo shows vehicles to be exported at Yantai Port in East China's Shandong province, Jan 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Washington's latest tariff policy is "destructive for the United States and disruptive for the world," said Jeffrey Sachs, a world-renowned professor of economics and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University.

He made the remarks as US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on Wednesday, imposing a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" and higher rates on certain trading partners, including China.

The order stipulates that all imports would be subject to additional 10 percent tariffs, except as otherwise provided, effective on April 5.

In an interview with China Daily, Sachs said "Protectionism will fail and increasingly isolate the US in the world economy and politics. There are few countries that will accept Trump's approach, even in Europe."

According to him, as the US embraces protectionism, the world needs to be very open with each other. For instance, if Europe is exporting less to the US, it can export more to China and China can export more to Europe. There is an opportunity for trade to expand between countries, ultimately making the US the loser of protectionism.

Sachs added that the additional tariffs will surely lower the US' standard of living, partly through higher prices and stagnant incomes.

"Many American politicians view China as a threat. But China is no threat. It's just a very successful country. We don't have to be afraid. We should be celebrating China's success because China's success is good for the US too," he said.

Washington's latest tariff policy is "destructive for the United States and disruptive for the world," said Jeffrey Sachs, a world-renowned professor of economics and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University.

US tariff policy 'destructive' for itself and the world, says US scholar

Canada, China and the EU are expected to hit back. Meanwhile, other Asian nations and the UK seek deals.

US President Donald Trump has unveiled his long-awaited “reciprocal” tariff plan, in a move that sent financial markets reeling amid growing fears of a global trade war.

On Wednesday, Trump announced a 10 percent “minimum baseline tariff” on nearly all imports into the United States. Higher duties on targeted countries will be phased in shortly afterwards.

He claimed the new import taxes were designed to reduce trade deficits and bring foreign manufacturing back to US shores. He also said they would pave the way for tax future cuts.

As Trump took aim at a global trading system he said “ripped off” the US, his tariffs prompted an immediate backlash, with some of America’s largest trading partners promising countermeasures.

What was announced?

Invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, Trump announced a 10 percent tariff on all countries, scheduled to take effect on April 5.

Then, he revealed there would be “individualised” tariffs for countries that have large trade surpluses with the US or that impose higher duties on American imports. Those tariffs would come into effect four days later, on April 9.

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Trump explained that his team calculated the “individualised” tariffs by taking half of what he claimed those countries charged the US for its exports.

As such, the European Union is headed for 20 percent tariffs, while the United Kingdom has been slapped with a 10 percent levy.

China, meanwhile, had been assigned 34 percent – on top of the 20 percent tariffs that Trump had already imposed on Chinese imports since coming into office on January 20. Vietnam will be tariffed at 46 percent, and Thailand 36 percent.

Mexico and Canada, the US’s two largest trading partners and its immediate neighbours, were missing from the list but they both already face 25 percent tariffs for all exports to the US that are not covered by the US-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade pact.

Reciprocal tariffs will not apply to some goods such as copper, semiconductors, energy, and “certain minerals that are not available in the United States”, according to a White House fact sheet.

Reciprocal tariffs may also be subject to change. According to the White House document, tariffs may be negotiated with trading partners who “take significant steps to remedy non-reciprocal trade arrangements”.

What did Trump say?

“For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike,” Trump told an audience of manufacturing workers, cabinet members and journalists.

“Foreign leaders have stolen our jobs. Foreign cheaters have ransacked our factories. And foreign scavengers have torn apart our once-beautiful American dream.”

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But he proclaimed that Wednesday would mark a turning point in US history, marking an end to the “vicious attacks” he said the country had weathered.

“April 2, 2025, will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed,” Trump said.

“We will charge them approximately half of what they are – and have – been charging us. So, the tariffs will be not a full reciprocal,” Trump said.

“I could have done that, I guess, but it would’ve been tough for a lot of countries. We didn’t want to do that,” he added.

What have target countries said in response?

Within minutes of Trump’s announcement, world leaders began denouncing the tariffs as harmful.

China’s Ministry of Commerce promised “countermeasures to safeguard its own rights and interests” in response to US “bullying,” it said in a statement. US tariffs on China are now effectively at 54 percent.

While Beijing stopped short of saying it would impose retaliatory countermeasures, the statement read “the United States has drawn the so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’ based on subjective and unilateral assessments, which is inconsistent with international trade rules”.

It urged the Trump administration to cancel the tariffs and “properly resolve differences with its trading partners through equal dialogue”.

For once, Beijing and Taipei appeared to be on the same page.

Taiwan labelled the tariffs “highly unreasonable”. Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee said Taipei “deeply regretted” Trump’s announcement of a 32 percent tariff on its exports.

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the tariffs were “not the act of a friend” and “totally unwarranted”.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, responding to a new 20 percent tariff on the EU, called the measure a “major blow to the world economy”.

“The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe,” she said, adding groceries, transport and medicine will cost more.

Even Canada, which was exempt from the latest tariffs, chimed in.

“During this crisis, we must act with purpose”, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on social media. “My government will fight US tariffs,” he said.

Which countries will hit back with their own measures?

As reciprocal tariffs won’t kick in until April 9, countries have six days to try to cut a deal with the Trump team. But some may respond with retaliatory tariffs.

Canada is one of several US trading partners which has pledged to respond to tariffs with retaliatory measures.

Meanwhile, the European Union is “ready for a trade war” with the US and could “attack online services”, French government spokesperson Sophie Primas said.

She said the EU was preparing a two-stage rebuttal, with “an initial response”, to be put in place around mid-April, concerning aluminium and steel.

Then the EU also will target “all products and services”, with the measures probably ready at the end of April, Primas said, adding this was still being discussed.

“China is likely going to release some type of retaliation …,” Nick Marro, a principal economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit told Al Jazeera.

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Which countries will likely prefer diplomacy?

Mexico, meanwhile, has demurred. On Wednesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would avoid pursuing “tit-for-tat” tariffs.

Similarly, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ruled out immediate retaliation, promising on Thursday to keep a “cool head … in the coming days”.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told the House of Commons on Thursday that Westminster is in talks with Washington to secure a deal aimed at avoiding or reducing UK tariffs.

In Asia too, few countries would be willing to take on Trump and risk further retaliation, Marro said.

Aside from China, “a lot of other Asian markets aren’t really in a position to retaliate,” owing to the “importance of the US as a source of final demand,” he said.

Dario Perkins, a managing director at TS Lombard – a London-based financial research firm – broadly agreed and said most countries will favour “other policy levers” over retaliatory tariffs.

“I think that central banks will ease monetary policy [by lowering interest rates to try and boost growth],” Perkins told Al Jazeera.

Still, he said that “global trade will be a lot weaker and international supply chains will be shortened. The multilateral era is dying.”

How have markets responded?

From the US to Asia, markets tumbled as investors braced for sharpest turn towards protectionism by the world’s largest economy since the 1930s.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.6 percent on Wednesday, auguring near-term losses for US companies.

Germany’s DAX index fell by 1.7 percent on Thursday, while the CAC 40 in Paris shed 1.8 percent. Britain’s FTSE 100 lost 1.2 percent.

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In Asian trading, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index dipped by 4 percent briefly on Thursday, with automakers and banks taking big hits.

As global stocks fell, investors rushed to buy gold – a traditional safe-haven asset during periods of market volatility.

The precious metal hit a record high of $3,167.84 per ounce (28.3g) on Thursday, before paring gains somewhat.

Market players are worried about the dismantling of international supply chains, and the knock-on effects of inflation and even recession, not least in the US.

Goldman Sachs recently raised its estimate for the probability of a US recession during the next 12 months to 35 percent, up from 20 percent previously.

UBS bank circulated a note on Thursday, saying “it’s plausible US real GDP [in 2025] could be compromised by 1.5-2 percent and inflation could rise to close to 5 percent if these tariffs are not reversed soon”.

Canada, China and the EU are expected to hit back, as other Asian nations and the UK seek deals.

Trump’s tariffs: Which countries will hit back – and which likely won’t?

Musk to step back as partner of Trump's administration

Technology Technology Musk to step back as partner of Trump's administration

He intends to wrap up his work in May

Follow on Published On: Thu, 03 Apr 2025 01:03:47 PKT

(Web Desk) - Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s time working in the federal government may come to an end soon.

Musk, who has been involved in the efforts of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), said in a Fox News interview he intends to wrap up his work in May.

Musk was brought in as a “special government employee” to help oversee the work of DOGE — a commission created by President Donald Trump to slash federal spending and cut government jobs.

The operations of DOGE were given a 130-day timeframe, according to Axios. In his interview with Fox, Musk said that his work would at DOGE could be completed within the time frame and that the commission would be able to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion by then.

“I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion within that time frame,” he said.

As of April 1, the DOGE website claims it has saved $140 billion, though the website has posted information that was misleading and incorrect in the past, according to PBS.

President Donald Trump, an ally of Musk’s also suggested that Musk’s time in the federal government may be coming to a close.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump suggested that Musk would leave the White House at some point.

“He’s got a big company to run..... At some point he’s going to be going back,” Trump said. “He wants to. I’d keep him as long as I could keep him.”

Trump is reportedly also telling his inner circle, along with members of his cabinet, that Musk will be stepping back from his current role as a partner of his administration, according to a report from Politico.

During his time in Washington, Musk has been involved in reshaping the government, from crippling the United States Agency for International Development to terminating hundreds of commercial leases and contracts.

the DOGE website claims it has saved $140 billion

Musk to step back as partner of Trump's administration

Returning to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s call with 2GB’s Ben Fordham, the Liberal leader said that “the president of the Chinese Communist Party is praising Anthony Albanese, as their preferred candidate for the next election.”

He said Albanese himself had pointed out we were living in the most precarious period since 1945 and the “weakness that the prime minister inherently has and displays each day” wouldn’t be in Australia’s best interests this decade and in the decades to come.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has said that Anthony Albanese is the “preferred candidate” for the Chinese Communist Party. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

Asked to comment about Albanese saying he’d have more to reveal soon on Australia’s stance regarding the Chinese lease on the Port of Darwin, Dutton said:

“We should … advance our national interest and our national cause, and we should do it respectfully to our partners, and China is an incredibly important trading partner, but our national security comes first, and our ability to protect and defend our country comes through a position strength, not weakness, when we’re not going to see peace prevail in a very uncertain time and we’re not going to see the trading relationship grow and our position on the world stage enhance.”

Fordham reminded Dutton that the Coalition had made the port lease deal when in government.

“We’ve got decisions to make that are in our country’s best interests, and the port of Darwin was a decision that was made at the time,” Dutton said. We have to make sure that we’ve got the best policies going forward. And in relation to defence, the prime minister has worked $80 billion out of defence and has cannibalised Army and Navy at the moment, as well as Air Force, to be honest, and I don’t think the prime minister has a leg to stand on when it comes to defence policy or how to make the decisions to protect our country.”

Read all the headlines from day seven of the 2025 federal election campaign on Thursday, April 3.

Federal election 2025 LIVE updates: Trump confirms 10 per cent tariffs on all Australian goods in ‘Liberation Day’ speech as PM labels them ‘unwarranted’

Sen. Cory Booker, his voice still booming after more than a day spent on the Senate floor railing against the Trump administration, surpassed Strom Thurmond for the longest Senate speech on record Tuesday night, in an act of astonishing stamina that he framed as a call to action.

Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey and a one-time presidential candidate, began his speech at 7 p.m. Monday, vowing to speak as long as he was "physically able.” In a show of physical and oratorical endurance, he lasted past sunset Tuesday, assailing President Donald Trump’s cuts to government agencies and crackdown on immigration.

He ended his speech at 8:05 p.m., 46 minutes after eclipsing Thurmond’s 24-hour, 18-minute filibuster of a civil rights bill in 1957. He finished by quoting former Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights hero. Booker said of Lewis: "He said for us to go out and cause some good trouble, necessary trouble, to redeem the soul of our nation. I want you to redeem the dream. Let’s be bold in America.”

Cheers broke out in the chamber when the senator passed Strom Thurmond's record for longest speech.

Cory Booker condemns Trump’s policies in longest senate speech on record

Nintendo announces Switch 2 release date - and a new Mario Kart game

2 hours ago Share Save Tom Gerken & Tom Richardson Technology reporter & BBC Newsbeat Share Save

Nintendo

Nintendo has revealed the Switch 2, the long awaited successor to one of the best-selling consoles in history, will be released on June 5. Fans have been impatiently waiting to find out more since January, when the Japanese gaming giant ended months of speculation by confirming basic information about the new device. In a Nintendo Direct online presentation, watched by more than a million people, it gave further details of the hardware, as well as confirming it would be accompanied by Mario Kart World, a new edition of Nintendo's most famous game. It also announced a series of other new titles for the console, including Elden Ring and Street Fighter 6. The company said the new device would have better graphics and audio than its predecessor, and a chat button allowing players to speak to each other while playing. The price will vary in different markets but in the UK it will retail at £395, or £429 with Mario Kart.

Mario Kart, Donkey Kong and Kirby return

As well as huge interest in the device itself, fans have been keen to find out what games they will be able to play on it. Most eye-catching was Mario Kart World - in which the franchise appears to have been given a significant refresh. Water graphics, character tweaks, big sprawling race tracks seen from a distance with varying weather and climates - Nintendo is firmly showing fans this console has more under the hood than its predecessor. The firm also showcased the platforming adventure Donkey Kong: Bananza and Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to a fan favourite game released back in 2005 - both coming later this year. Nintendo also confirmed that "compatible" Switch games will work on the Switch 2. Others will get Switch 2 editions, meaning they will have updated graphics and gameplay. The company did not say how much the upgrades will cost.

The Duskbloods and other games announced

The games made by third party developers - such as Elden Ring - are notable too because some are the kind of high-profile games that typically have not come to Nintendo consoles in recent years. They include: Cyberpunk 2077

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade

Hitman World of Assassination

Hades 2

Hollow Knight: Silksong Elden Ring developer FromSoftware also revealed a new multiplayer game - The Duskbloods - as a Switch 2 exclusive coming in 2026.

Mouse, camera and chat function

The console itself has a bigger screen than its predecessor at 7.9 inches, with a better display - 1080p compared to the Switch's 720p, with HDR support and showing up to 120fps. Marginal changes - such as larger buttons and control sticks - will get attention. But more interesting is that both controls can be used as a mouse, as with a PC, in supported games. Nintendo argues its 3D audio tech will create a surround sound experience, but this is unlikely to be the feature that sways people to picking up the device. 256GB of internal storage is a big upgrade, as Nintendo has historically been stingy on this front. The C button on the switch controller is the new bit of hardware for the Switch 2. It appears to help control a voice chat feature which is built into the system. Players pop up at the bottom of the screen, appearing almost like Zoom or Teams - complete with a quite low frame rate screen share - and Nintendo claims its tech will isolate your voice regardless of background noise.

A tough act to follow

More than a million people watched online as details of the long awaited successor to the hit console were announced.

Nintendo Switch 2: Release date, price and new games announced

In this image provided by Senate Television, Sen, Cory Booker, D-N.J. speaks on the Senate floor, Tuesday morning, April 1, 2025. Photo: Senate Television via AP

In this image provided by Senate Television, Sen, Cory Booker, D-N.J. speaks on the Senate floor, Tuesday morning, April 1, 2025. Photo: Senate Television via AP

It wasn't until 25 hours and 5 minutes later that the 55-year-old senator, a former football tight end, finished speaking and limped off the floor. It set the record for the longest continuous Senate floor speech in the chamber's history.

US Senator Booker Sets Record For 25-Hour Speech, Criticises Trump & His Administration

The Democrats have been under intense pressure to find an effective way to challenge US President Donald Trump without control of either chamber of Congress or a de facto opposition leader .

They may have just found one. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker took the Senate floor on Monday evening in Washington to give a speech lambasting Trump's actions. He didn't stop talking - aside for the occasional question from a fellow Democrat - until Tuesday night, 25 hours later.

So, how common are these types of speeches in the US Congress, and what's the point?

Filibusters throughout history

Booker's speech set a new record for the longest continuous speech in the Senate, surpassing Senator Strom Thurmond's 24-hour speech in 1957 to try to prevent the passage of the Civil Rights Act.

This was during the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme commander of the Allied forces in Europe during the second world war. The army was the great desegregation force in the 1940s, and Eisenhower, as president in the 1950s, was strongly in favour of civil rights.

In 1957, Congress was going to pass a civil rights bill that would make it harder for officials in southern states, in particular, to prevent Black people from voting. So Thurmond, the South Carolina senator and fierce proponent of segregation, launched what was (until today) the longest speech in Senate history to oppose it.

Thurmond's speech was a filibuster, an extended speech in the Senate to attempt to delay or block a vote on a bill or confirmation. Thurmond, however, was unable to stop enactment of the bill.

Senators engage in filibusters when they know they're going to lose, especially when it's a piece of legislation they really dislike or disagree with. Because they can't stop the passage of the bill, they use the filibuster to call attention to their opposition to it. The intention is to rally the troops and say, "I'm standing with you, even if this vote goes the other way".

In 2016, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who represents the state of Connecticut where the deadly shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School took place, launched a nearly 15-hour filibuster to force the Republican Senate leadership to allow votes on two gun control measures.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz also spoke all night - 21 hours in total - against Obamacare in 2013. It wasn't all focused on health policy; he filled the time by reading the children's book, Green Eggs and Ham by Dr Seuss .

What Booker was trying to achieve

Booker's speech was not technically a filibuster - he wasn't holding the floor to talk against a specific bill, as Thurmond was. He was giving time to his Democratic colleagues to just control the shape of the general debate about Trump.

Senators use speeches like this when they're losing on a issue, and Booker feels the Democrats are currently losing to Trump. They have been unable to stop any of his executive actions, so they feel they need to cut through in some way to reach the American people.

Trump has been "flooding the zone" from the moment he took office in January with hundreds of policies and executive actions - and he has been extremely successful at it. These actions cut across so many areas, it's been very hard for the Democrats, on any given day, to pick out the top things to fight against.

Because they don't have control of the House or Senate, and there is no opposition leader, there is no single, principal Democrat who can stand up day by day and say, "This is what happened, this was what the threat to the country is, this why we're opposing it and this is the way we're going to attack it".

Trump is controlling the narrative and the media environment. And the Democratic leadership has been unable to counter it, even though, at the grassroots level, Democrats and many others who voted for Trump are really angry.

As Booker put it during his speech:

Moments like this require us to be more creative or more imaginative, or just more persistent and dogged and determined.

There comes a certain point in a human drama that transcends partisanship when you're looking at someone speaking from the heart, speaking their convictions and you can come to respect them.

Booker ran for the presidency in 2020 and ultimately yielded to Joe Biden, and I expect we'll hear much more from him in 2028 when the next presidential election occurs. He is most likely going to run again.

/Courtesy of The Conversation. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).

The Democrats have been under intense pressure to find an effective way to challenge US President Donald Trump without control of either chamber of

Senator Booker Speaks 25 Hours in Congress: His Goal?

A Democratic US lawmaker shattered a record for the longest speech in Senate history Tuesday, staying on his feet for more than 25 hours to deliver a fiery protest against President Donald Trump's "unconstitutional" actions.

Senator Cory Booker's display of endurance — to hold the floor he had to remain standing and could not even go to the bathroom — recalled the famous scene in Frank Capra's 1939 film classic "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."

The longest Senate speech on record before Tuesday was delivered by South Carolina's Strom Thurmond, who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

Booker, only the fourth Black senator to be popularly elected to the body, blew past that deadline, his voice still strong but emotional as he topped out at 25 hours and five minutes.

"Strom Thurman's record always... really irked me," he later told broadcaster MSNBC.

"That the longest speech on our great Senate floor was someone who was trying to stop people like me from being in the Senate."

The public galleries of the Senate chamber gradually filled as the moment he broke the record approached, with more Democratic lawmakers joining the session — although Republicans largely stayed away.

"This is a moral moment. It's not left or right. It's right or wrong," Booker said as he wrapped up.

He also quoted his mentor John Lewis, a 1960s civil rights movement leader, who urged campaigners to get into "good trouble," before finally pronouncing "Madam President, I yield the floor."

The 55-year-old New Jersey native had found a moment for some humor as he passed the record, joking: "I want to go a little bit past this and then I'm going to deal with some of the biological urgencies I'm feeling."

US senator smashes record with 25-hour anti-Trump speech

American actor Val Kilmer died from pneumonia on Tuesday night at the age of 65, surrounded by his family and friends, his daughter Mercedes announced.

Kilmer was born in 1959 and grew up in Los Angeles. At 17 years old, he became the youngest actor at the time ever accepted to Juilliard, a prestigious performance arts school in New York.

Kilmer first rose to fame in the 1980s, with roles in comedy films like the 1984 spy parody “Top Secret!” and the 1985 “Real Genius.”

He earned his big break by playing Iceman, Tom Cruise’s rival in the 1986 classic “Top Gun”, a role he reprised 36 years later in the sequel “Top Gun Maverick.”

His other iconic roles included Batman in the film “Batman Forever” alongside Nicole Kidman, and Jim Morrison in a biopic based on the rock band The Doors.

Kilmer’s career reached its peak in the 1990s, a period during which he emerged as a charismatic leading man starring alongside Kurt Russell and Bill Paxton in 1993’s “Tombstone,” as Elvis’ ghost in “True Romance” and as a bank-robbing demolition expert in Michael Mann’s 1995 film “Heat” with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

“While working with Val on ‘Heat’ I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character. After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news”, Mann reacted in a statement.

After this successful era, Kilmer experienced dramatic highs and lows throughout his life and career. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and underwent two tracheotomies, but he later recovered.

Kilmer also had a reputation for being difficult to work with and has admitted to his sometimes-poor behaviour, but said he regretted nothing.

“I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed,” he says toward the end of “Val,” the 2021 documentary on his career. “And I am blessed.”

In addition to his career in cinema, Kilmer has released two poetry collections and was also a visual artist, combining photography, collage and painting among other forms.

He is survived by his two children, Mercedes and Jack.

The actor, known for playing Iceman in "Top Gun", died from pneumonia, surrounded by his family and friends.

"Top Gun" and "Batman Forever" actor Val Kilmer dies at 65

Three big unknowns ahead of Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs

34 minutes ago Share Save Natalie Sherman BBC News Share Save

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Donald Trump says tariffs are coming. That message from the US president has been consistent. But what tariffs and when? Import taxes have come so thick and fast since he took office that it can be hard to keep track. Trump has already raised duties on Chinese imports, steel, aluminium and some goods from Canada and Mexico. Higher levies on cars are due to go into effect this week. We're now waiting for Trump to unveil the details of his plan for a wider set of tariffs, which his team has spent the last few weeks developing. The White House is calling it "Liberation Day". So what might we learn on Wednesday?

How big are the tariffs?

The White House has not said how high the tariffs could go, although various possible rates have been floated by analysts. On the campaign trail last year, Trump backed a 10% across-the-board tariff on all imports coming into the US, sometimes suggesting that could be 20% - even 60% on imports from China. Once in office, he introduced the idea of "reciprocal" tariffs, suggesting the rates could vary country by country. "Very simply, it's if they charge us, we charge them," he said in February, shortly before he ordered officials to develop such a plan. The White House almost immediately complicated the picture, noting that their recommendations would reflect not just tariffs but also other policies they believe are unfair to American businesses, like Value Added Tax (VAT). It has a led to a scramble, as businesses and political leaders try to get a sense of how big a new tax their products might be facing; and how whatever is announced on Wednesday will interact with other duties, such as those on steel and aluminium, already put into effect by Trump. Officials in Europe, for example, are preparing for a double-digit tariff on their exports. Trump earlier this year said he planned to hit goods from the bloc with a 25% import tax.

Watch: What is a tariff? The BBC's Adam Fleming explains

Which countries could be affected?

The Trump administration has not confirmed which countries will be hit, although it has trailed Wednesday's announcement as a sweeping one. On Sunday, the president said the new tariffs could apply to "all countries", suggesting a possible return to the across-the-board tariff he backed in the campaign. It dashed hopes in some countries, such as the UK, that thought they might float under the radar, though many are still hoping eventually to work out some sort of deal. But it is still unclear to what extent the tariffs will be universally applied or more targeted. Last month, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said efforts were focused on the "Dirty 15" - the 15% of countries that account for the bulk of trade with the US and impose tariffs or other rules that put American firms at a disadvantage. The Office of the US Trade Representative, as it prepared to craft recommendations, identified the countries in which it was "particularly interested". They were Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the UK and Vietnam. Trump himself has reserved some of his harshest criticism for historic allies and major trade partners, such as Canada and the EU. "Friend has been, oftentimes, much worse than foe," he declared last week.

What impact will the tariffs have?

The president is expected to unveil details of his plans for a wider set of import taxes. But what tariffs and when?

Trump tariffs: Three big unknowns ahead of president's 'Liberation Day' announcement

The Yomiuri Shimbun

An aerial view of Saijo, Ehime Prefecture, is seen from a Yomiuri Shimbun helicopter on Sunday. The possible areas of flooding in the city increased in the latest damage forecast in the event of a Nankai Trough mega quake.

The government’s latest forecast of damage caused by a possible Nankai Trough mega earthquake indicates that quicker evacuations will be the key to minimizing casualties, as the predicted death toll decreased only slightly compared with the figure in the previous forecast made about 10 years ago.

Released Monday, the forecast predicts that the death toll will rise in some municipalities because areas with the risk of flooding due to tsunami increased from the previous forecast, even though some progress has been made on implementing prevention measures.

With the country’s population increasingly graying, an important task is building systems and fostering awareness among the public to evacuate as quickly as possible in the event of tsunami.

Decrease of only 8%

At a press conference on Monday, Nobuo Fukuwa, a professor emeritus of Nagoya University who is a member of the group working on the forecast, emphatically said, “Unless damages are reduced, there are concerns about the nation’s future. We want [the government] to take countermeasures more seriously.”

The forecast reflected levels of progress in countermeasures for earthquakes and tsunami, data of which was looked at after the previous forecast was compiled for the first time from 2012 to 2013.

The latest forecast includes new factors such as the rates of quake-proof capabilities of houses across the nation, the construction of coastal dikes, and buildings and towers to which people evacuate in the event of tsunami. In 2021, there were a total of 12,471 structures to escape from tsunami. The number was not taken into consideration in the previous forecast.

Despite the changes for better, the predicted death toll in the latest forecast is up to 298,000, only an 8% decrease from 323,000 in the previous forecast.

When looking at the cause of death, the predicted death toll from collapsed buildings decreased 11% to 73,000 and the death toll from tsunami fell 7% to 215,000 in the latest forecast.

The decrease in the death toll due to tsunami was small because the total acreage of possible flooded areas, in which water depths will be at least 30 centimeters, expanded about 30% from the previous forecast.

“As a result of greater precision of geographical data, places that were newly found to have the risk of being flooded by tsunami increased,” a Cabinet Office official said.

The total acreage of possible flooded areas in Ehime Prefecture is predicted to be 8,310 hectares, which expanded 2.3-fold from the previous forecast, and the predicted death toll increased by 12,000 to 24,000.

A chief of the Ehime prefectural government’s disaster and crisis management division openly expressed a sense of urgency saying, “In the past 10 years, we have made efforts with concerned municipal governments such as designating buildings that are usable for evacuation, but I’m surprised to learn about the large-scale expansion [of the possible damage areas]. The prefectural government will likely have to review its own prediction.”

Fostering awareness

The latest forecast indicates death tolls from tsunami in two scenarios with different rates of people who will evacuate immediately. In one, it is assumed that 20% of people will evacuate quickly, and in the other, 70% are assumed to do so.

The predictions are based on actual records of the early evacuation rates in tsunami disasters in the past. The predicted death toll becomes the highest if the rate is 20%, halves if the rate is 70% and falls by 70% if the rate is 100%.

When the central government compiled a basic disaster prevention promotion plan in 2014 based on the previous forecast, it set a goal to reduce the potential death toll by 80% in the coming 10 years.

However, a government official in charge of the issue said, “Raising the percentage of people who will quickly evacuate is essential to achieve the goal.”

In fiscal 2023, the Cabinet Office conducted an internet survey on 2,000 people in 139 municipalities in Tokyo and 13 prefectures that are designated as areas needing special attention regarding measures for evacuation in the event of tsunami caused by a Nankai Trough mega earthquake.

The result showed only 53% of the respondents replied that they would quickly evacuate.

In summer last year, the first-ever information for alerts about a possible mega quake was issued and people’s sense of crisis rose at the time. However, it is still an important task to devise ways to improve and maintain the level of awareness regarding quick evacuation.

Takayoshi Iwata, a specially appointed professor at Shizuoka University who is an expert on studies of disaster prevention, said, “While the aging of the population and population decline are progressing, the number of people who have difficulty evacuating quickly and thus are vulnerable to disasters will surely increase. All people in local communities need to be united to consider measures to be taken.”

Hard-to-see effects

Meanwhile, some officials pointed out that, in the latest forecast, it is difficult to know the effects of countermeasures that have already been taken because predictions were made based on the maximum levels of damage deemed to be scientifically possible to occur.

In areas with a risk of being hit by tsunami caused by a Nankai Trough mega quake, coastal dikes along seashores have been built or reinforced based on the lessons learned from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

Predictions in the latest forecast are based on a precondition that the coastal dikes will be destroyed if tsunami pass over them. Such predictions were made because the same phenomenon occurred in the 2011 disaster.

In Hamamatsu, which is predicted to be hit by tsunami up to 17 meters high, the municipal government in 2020 built a huge coastal tide wall that is 17.5 kilometers long and 13 to 15 meters high.

But the latest forecast predicts that up to 3,560 hectares of the city, mainly in the city center, could be flooded.

“The tide wall is designed not to be destroyed even if tsunami waves pass over it. Therefore, it should have the effect of reducing the level of damage,” said a city government official in charge of the issue. “We want to closely watch a damage forecast that the [Shizuoka] prefectural government will assess from now.”

Prof. Takeshi Sagiya of Nagoya University, an expert on studies of crustal movements, said, “The assumption of the maximum damages may become a message that local governments’ efforts are useless. The central government should also present improvements in disaster prevention effects of such countermeasures.”

Government’s Latest Damage Forecast for Nankai Trough Mega Quake Shows Quicker Evacuation Is Key To Minimize Casualties

Aid is pouring into Myanmar following the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that devastated the country on Friday, resulting in at least 1,700 deaths and thousands more injured.

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However, it is widely believed the final toll will be much higher because of poor communications networks and the fragmentation of the country that has resulted from years of civil war. Many roads and bridges have also collapsed, making it hard for equipment and rescuers to arrive. Many people have reportedly had to dig through the rubble with their hands.

A projection by the United States Geological Survey said there was a 24 per cent chance that total fatalities would be between 1,000 and 10,000, a 35 per cent possibility of 10,000 to 100,000 fatalities, and a 32 per cent chance that the death toll would exceed 100,000.

Images sent by China’s Gaofen satellites show that half of the buildings in Mandalay – Myanmar’s second-largest city and home to about 1.5 million people – have either completely collapsed or been severely damaged. Another 30 per cent had damage that was not as severe. Only 18 per cent of the buildings appeared to be intact.

The country was ill-prepared for a quake of such magnitude, and the head of the junta government made a rare plea to the international community for help.

Members of the Chinese Red Cross international emergency response team carry out rescue efforts in Mandalay, Myanmar on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

Many countries have offered help, especially Myanmar’s neighbours.

China can play critical role in persuading junta and rebel groups to stop fighting to allow for relief work following devastating earthquake.

China leads relief for quake-hit Myanmar. But will civil war stymie aid efforts?

“Iran does not want to do this, but … (it) will have no choice," he added.

“If at some point you (the US) move towards bombing by yourself or through Israel, you will force Iran to make a different decision."

Trump said on Saturday “there will be bombing" if Iran did not agree to a nuclear deal, according to NBC News, which said he also threatened to punish Tehran with what he called “secondary tariffs".

Despite the sharpening of Trump’s comments, it was not clear if he was threatening a US bombing or an operation coordinated with another country, possibly Iran’s nemesis, Israel.

“They threaten to do mischief," Khamenei said of the remarks during a speech for the holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

“If it is carried out, they will receive a strong counterattack."

The message was sent to the UN Security Council in a letter by Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, which condemned what he called “warmongering provocations".

Iran “will respond swiftly and decisively to any act of aggression or attack by the United States or its proxy, the Israeli regime," the envoy added.

The message was sent to the UN Security Council in a letter by Iran's UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, which condemned what he called "warmongering provocations".

‘If You Do Something Wrong’: Iran Warns It'll Acquire Nukes If Attacked By US Or Allies

Tehran: Hours after US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened Iran with bombing and secondary tariffs, the armed forces in Iran have reportedly readied missiles for a potential response.

According to a report with the Tehran Times, a significant number of launch-ready missiles have been located in underground facilities scattered across the country, designed to withstand airstrikes.

Trump had threatened Iran with bombings and secondary tariffs if Tehran did not come to an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program.

In his first remarks since Iran rejected direct negotiations with Washington last week, he told NBC News that the US and Iranian officials were talking, but did not elaborate.

“If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing," Trump said in a telephone interview. “It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before."

“There’s a chance that if they don’t make a deal, that I will do secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago," he added.

In response, Iran sent a letter to Trump through Oman, urging Tehran to reach a new nuclear deal, saying its policy was to not engage in direct negotiations with the United States while under its maximum pressure campaign and military threats, Tehran’s foreign minister was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Tehran: Hours after US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened Iran with bombing and secondary tariffs, the armed forces in Iran have reportedly readied missiles for a potential response.According...

After Trump's 'Bombing' Threat Over N-Deal…Iran readies missiles for potential response

Texas : US President Donald Trump has set off a firestorm by suggesting he may seek a third term in office, despite the constitutional barriers, CBS News reported.

In a phone interview with NBC News on Sunday, Trump claimed, "There are methods which you could do it," prompting concerns about his willingness to challenge the amendment, which limits pres idents to two terms. "I'm not joking," Trump emphasised, although he added, "It is far too early to think about it." "I'm not joking," Trump said, but reiterated, "It is far too early to think about it." According to CBS News, the 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, explicitly states that "no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice."

US President Donald Trump has set off a firestorm by suggesting he may seek a third term in office, despite the constitutional barriers, CBS News reported.

Trump to defy Constitution for third term bid

US President Donald Trump attends the 2024 Senior Club Championship award ceremony at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, US March 24, 2024. — Reuters

President Donald Trump has sparked debate over a potential third term, but legal barriers and historical precedent suggest it would be an uphill battle, AFP reported.

Trump, 78, told NBC News on Sunday that he was "not joking" about another term and alluded to “methods” that could make it feasible. However, constitutional scholars overwhelmingly disagree. Amending the law to allow a third term would require a level of political agreement that has rarely been seen in US history.

Presidential limits through history

George Washington voluntarily stepped down after two terms, setting a precedent followed by most presidents. The only exception is Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was elected four times but passed away early in his fourth term in 1945.

While other leaders like Ulysses S. Grant and Theodore Roosevelt attempted third-term bids, they did not succeed. Trump joins Grover Cleveland as the only president to serve nonconsecutive terms, having won in 2016, lost in 2020, and reclaimed the White House in 2024.

The 22nd amendment: A roadblock

Following Roosevelt’s unprecedented four terms, the 22nd Amendment was introduced in 1947 and ratified in 1951, stating that "no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice." It also prevents anyone who has served more than two years of another president’s term from being elected more than once.

Furthermore, the 12th Amendment suggests Trump could not serve as vice president and later ascend to the presidency.

A legal loophole?

While Trump has often joked about serving beyond two terms, his latest comments were more specific. When asked about a potential scenario where JD Vance could run in 2028 and later step aside, Trump acknowledged it as a possibility but hinted at other options.

A resolution introduced by Republican Representative Andy Ogles aims to permit a third term for presidents who served nonconsecutively, but its success is highly doubtful.

Despite these roadblocks, Trump’s 2028 election odds have improved. According to offshore bookmaker BetOnline.ag, his chances have risen from 10-to-1 to 6-to-1, making him the second most likely contender after JD Vance.

President Donald Trump has sparked debate over a potential third term, but legal barriers and historical precedent suggest it would be an uphill battle, AFP reported.Trump, 78, told NBC News on...

Could Trump run for third term? Legal and political obstacles stand in way

Of course, the Beatles are still considered one of the most influential bands in all of music history. They became one of the leading figures in the 1960s counterculture movement and pushed in the "British Invasion" of the US pop market. They racked up 25 Grammy nominations and won eight, including Best New Artist in 1964. From songs like "Here Comes the Sun" to "Come Together" to "Let It Be," the words "music" and "the Beatles" are practically synonymous.

The upcoming biopic about the Beatles will actually consist of four movies, with each focusing on a different member of the iconic band.

The Cast Of The Upcoming Beatles Movies Was Announced, So Here They Are Vs. The Real Band

Luigi Mangione became a hero on the political left after being accused of murdering a United Healthcare executive in cold blood. That's a statement you can't repeat enough; an alleged murderer of an innocent person became a hero to the political left. Welcome to 2025.

READ: Luigi Mangione Is Not A Hero, He's A Murderer | Tomi Lahren

The Department of Justice is prosecuting Mangione, and Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that she's directed prosecutors working on the case to seek the death penalty.

"Luigi Mangione’s murder of Brian Thompson — an innocent man and father of two young children — was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America," Bondi said. "I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again."

Again, Mangione is accused of exactly what Bondi describes: a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination. That should not be acceptable, regardless of whether you agree with the victim's career or not. But Mangione's lawyer issued a statement in response that highlights the absurd intellectual dishonesty from the political left in this case.

"By seeking to murder Luigi Mangione, the Justice Department has moved from the dysfunctional to the barbaric," said Karen Friedman Agnifilo, of Agnifilo Intrater LLP, in a statement to Newsweek. "Their decision to execute Luigi is political and goes against the recommendation of the local federal prosecutors, the law, and historical precedent. While claiming to protect against murder, the federal government moves to commit the pre-meditated, state-sponsored murder of Luigi. By doing this, they are defending the broken, immoral, and murderous healthcare industry that continues to terrorize the American people. We are prepared to fight these federal charges, brought by a lawless Justice Department, as well as the New York State charges, and the Pennsylvania charges, and anything else they want to pile on Luigi. This is a corrupt web of government dysfunction and one-upmanship. Luigi is caught in a high-stakes game of tug-of-war between state and federal prosecutors, except the trophy is a young man’s life."

…Luigi himself allegedly committed pre-meditated murder. And the perceived flaws of the American healthcare system have zero bearing on whether cold-blooded assassination is acceptable as a recourse. Unreal.

Reaction To Luigi Mangione Announcement Predictably Unhinged

Mangione's defense attorney in her statement makes a completely unsupported comparison, saying the government is engaging in "pre-meditated, state-sponsored murder." Except, of course, that's not how murder works.

Murder is what Mangione is accused of doing; unjustifiably taking someone else's life without due process. The federal government bringing charges against someone who is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and requesting a sentence, is precisely how the rule of law is supposed to work. Mangione will be given his day in court, tried, acquitted or convicted, then sentenced.

Precisely the opposite of what he allegedly did with UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Unsurprisingly, reactions from the political left have ranged from purposefully misleading to proudly deranged. Politico framed it as "HOW TRUMP LOSES GEN Z."

If Gen Z thinks cold-blooded murder is justifiable, they might be worth losing.

Several popular posts on X also expressed support, with one user saying that if they were a "juror in the Luigi Mangione trial…he's getting off…"

.Nearly 2k likes on X. Others were even more obvious:

"You kill Luigi mangione and you make him a martyr.

"Also I don't give a f*** that Brian Thompson was a father of two children. He wasn't ‘innocent’ and he only got what was comign to him tbh."

Unreal. This is what the political left is doing and saying these days. An innocent father of two is worthy of public execution because of his profession, but the alleged murderer is a "martyr."

Another made an insane comparison to the Kyle Rittenhouse case.

Except, of course, Rittenhouse was acquitted because of self-defense. Brian Thompson was an unarmed man walking alone on the street. Then he was shot in the back by someone who waited purposefully for Thompson to walk by, and signaled how pre-meditated it was with personalized bullet cartridges. These are not remotely comparable situations. Welcome to the modern left.

It's not unjustified to request the death penalty in a case of premeditated murder. That doesn't mean it will happen, even if Mangione is convicted. But the hyperbolic, nonsensical reaction from the left shows why these types of cases must be treated seriously. Because the political left in 2025 believes political violence and assassination is an acceptable response. It isn't. And it's insane anyone has to say so.

The Department of Justice is prosecuting Mangione, and Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that she's directed prosecutors working on the case to seek the death penalty.

Attorney General Wants Death Penalty For Luigi Mangione

HQ

The latest news on Iran and the United States . Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared on Monday that any attempt by the United States to follow through on President Trump's threat of bombing would provoke a response from Tehran.

You can read about Trump's threat here. With tensions escalating over nuclear negotiations, Khamenei emphasised that Iran would not yield to external pressure, asserting that the United States would face severe consequences if it pursued such a course of action.

Despite Trump's ultimatum, which included a two-month window for Iran to agree to renewed talks, Khamenei made it clear that Iran would only engage in indirect negotiations, a stance that reflects ongoing resistance to direct dialogue with Washington.

"But if they commit any mischief they will surely receive a strong reciprocal blow."

Iran on Trump's threat: "They threaten to attack us, which we don't think is very probable"

DONALD Trump has vowed to bomb Iran "like never before" if the regime does not fall in line and strike up a new nuclear deal with the US.

The president slapped Tehran with a chilling deadline to either sign a new agreement or potentially face military action.

6 The US amassed at least five B-2 strategic bombers on the British island of Diego Garcia

6 Iran has set up long-range missiles to target US locations amid the ongoing threats (file image of Iranian missiles in Tehran) Credit: Reuters

6 Donald Trump has vowed to bomb Iran 'like never before' Credit: Rex

In a chilling letter delivered to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on March 7, Trump suggested direct negotiations of a fresh nuclear agreement between the two counties.

But he also warned of the consequences if Iran were to reject the offer and continue to advance its nuke programme.

However, over the weekend, Iran rejected the US proposal to engage in direct negotiations over the future of Tehran's nuclear plans.

The snub saw a furious Trump rip into the regime and threaten to strike Iran.

He said he would slap Tehran with further sanctions under his administration's maximum pressure policy to cripple its economy.

Trump told NBC: "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing.

"It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded to Trump's threat, saying the US would receive a strong blow if they decide to act.

Khamenei said: "The enmity from the US and Israel has always been there.

"They threaten to attack us, which we don't think is very probable, but if they commit any mischief, they will surely receive a strong reciprocal blow.

"And if they are thinking of causing sedition inside the country, as in past years, the Iranian people themselves will deal with them."

Iran’s terrifying nuke scheme REVEALED- Satellite pics show secret warhead sites hidden by tyrannical regime…until now

The war of words comes as the US amassed at least five B-2 strategic bombers on the British island of Diego Garcia - all aimed at Iran.

Iran is over 2,300 miles from where the bombers are stationed - but the B-2s have a massive 6,900-mile range.

The heavy bombers can obliterate targets with their huge 25-tonne bomb payload per jet.

It had been thought the five B-2 Spirit bombers were aimed at Yemen and the Houthi terror group after Trump launched strikes against them two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, reports also emerge revealing Tehran's preparation for a potential US strike.

The IRGC is said to be readying itself by setting up missiles with the capability to strike US-related positions, The Tehran Times revealed.

A significant number of these launch-ready missiles are located in underground facilities scattered across the country, designed to withstand airstrikes.

Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday rejected direct negotiations with the US.

The president said: "We don’t avoid talks; it’s the breach of promises that has caused issues for us so far.

"[The US] must prove that they can build trust."

Pezeshkian suggested that indirect negotiations with the Trump administration were still possible.

6 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaking during a meeting in Tehran Credit: EPA

6 Satellite images reportedly show a secret missile site in Shahrud, Iran Credit: Google Earth

6 Qaem 100 is an Iranian expendable, small-lift, space launch vehicle developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that it won't negotiate with America directly as long as Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign is in place.

Iran also unveiled what seemed to be a “missile city” in their latest propaganda video.

The clip, released by Tansim News, shows an underground IRGC complex purported to house thousands of ballistic missiles.

It also showed Iranian Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces, in a military truck driving past the missiles.

Khamenei is said to have initially brushed off Trump's letter as "a deception" to attempt to make Iran seem unwilling to negotiate.

But the country's UN mission later said that it didn't look to dismiss discussions on "potential militarisation" of its nuke plans, but also rejected talks that looked to dismantle its "peaceful nuclear programme".

President Trump has given his team strict instructions to completely obliterate Iran if they ever assassinate him.

In February, Trump responded to a question over what protocols would instantly be triggered should he be killed by an Iranian plot by saying there is already a plan set.

He said: "I've left instructions if they do it, they get obliterated, there won't be anything left."

Federal authorities have been tracking Iranian threats against Trump and other US administration officials for years.

It was revealed in November that an Iranian agent had been charged with plotting to kill Trump in an assassination that would have shaken the world.

US prosecutors say the rogue state told ex-con Farhad Shakeri — said to be hiding in Tehran — to devise a seven-day plan to spy on and murder him.

DONALD Trump has vowed to bomb Iran "like never before" if the regime does not fall in line and strike up a new nuclear deal with the US.The president

Trump vows ‘there will be bombing’ if Iran doesn’t fall in line as US masses bombers & Tehran puts missiles on alert

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been urged to stand up to United States President Donald Trump if he imposes heavy tariffs on British goods as the latest development in his series of international trade disputes.

Trump has called April 2 "liberation day" as he plans to impose tariffs on goods from overseas in an effort to encourage greater domestic productivity and consumption, after the Wall Street Journal reported that the US recorded a record $1.2 trillion trade deficit in 2024.

He has already announced that aluminum, steel and cars will be subject to 25 percent levies, and there have also been threats to impose blanket tariffs of 25 percent on all countries that put VAT on imports from the US, which includes both the United Kingdom and the whole of the European Union.

The Politico website reports that even those in Trump's inner circle are unclear as to precisely what he has planned, with the president seemingly happy to maintain an air of mystery.

In an interview with Newsmax last week, he said he would "probably be more lenient than reciprocal, because if I was reciprocal, that would be very tough for people," adding there will be "some exceptions", and the

following day he said people would be "pleasantly surprised" by the "somewhat conservative" tariffs.

Relations between the EU and Trump have been poor since his return to the White House, culminating in Trump saying that the 27-member bloc had been "formed in order to screw the US… and they've done a good job of it, but now I'm president".

Throughout the process of Britain leaving the EU and ever since, a transatlantic trade deal has been touted as a potential benefit, but nine years after the Brexit referendum, nothing has materialized.

So far Starmer has avoided criticism of or confrontation with Trump and maintained a more positive outlook about relations with Washington than his European counterparts, but Britain's Office for Budget Responsibility has warned that the consequence of a 20-percent increase in tariffs between the US and the rest of the world would be to cut UK economic growth by 1 percent.

Last week, Trump relented when Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney returned his tough talking over tariffs, and speaking to the Observer newspaper, former British ambassador to the US Kim Darroch advised Starmer to be prepared to stand firm in a similar way.

"It's understandable that, faced with deeply damaging US tariffs on British cars, steel and aluminum, the government should think about concessions like reducing digital tax," he said. "But they need to be wary of giving Trump wins; tariffs are his all-purpose forcing mechanism and he'll use them again and again if he sees them working.

"And they should note the dramatic turnaround in Canadian politics, where on the back of a robust and defiant response to US tariff threats, Mark Carney's Liberals have gone from 14 points behind the Canadian Conservative party at the end of January to eight points ahead last week."

Starmer urged to stand up to Trump over tariffs

Myanmar rescuers race against time after earthquake that killed at least 1,600

Serious questions have emerged over the tragedy still playing out on a construction site in Thailand's capital four days after an earthquake in neighboring Myanmar rattled the metropolis. A 30-story skyscraper that had been under construction was the only tower in Bangkok that completely failed to withstand Friday's 7.7 magnitude earthquake and the ongoing aftershocks.

It was reduced to a mountain of rubble within seconds on Friday, killing at least 19 people and leaving 77 still missing as of Monday, after the volunteer rescue organization Fire and Rescue Thailand said another body was pulled from the debris.

Thai authorities have ordered an investigation into the isolated collapse to determine whether it could have been due to inadequate building materials, design flaws or a failure in the inspections and approvals process.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited the site Monday as heavy machinery pulled at the rubble in hopes of finding more survivors. He said all efforts were focused on finding anyone who might still be saved.

Thai rescue teams work at the scene of a collapsed building that had been under construction, March 31, 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, four days after a powerful earthquake toppled the structure, trapping dozens of workers. Lauren DeCicca/Getty

"Even one life saved is worth all the effort, so I think we have to move on, carry on," he said.

But he made it clear that authorities were already thinking about how it could have happened and how to prevent it happening again.

"What's important in the long-term and medium-term — I think we need to find the root cause so at least we can learn some lessons and improve building regulations," Chadchart told journalists at the scene. "In the end, we will have some results that will improve safety in Bangkok."

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was among those voicing concern over the weekend about why the skyscraper was the only one to suffer major damage.

"I have questions in my mind," she said. "What happened from the beginning since it was designed? How was this design approved," she said. "We have to investigate where the mistake happened."

The leader confirmed an investigation into the incident, involving a group of experts tasked with providing initial findings within just days.

Some critics have speculated that the steel reinforcement bars used to connect concrete components within the structure may have been too thin, or of insufficient quality. Experts removed several steel rods from the rubble for testing on Monday.

International and domestic rescue teams use a thermal imaging camera to search for missing people in the wreckage of a collapsed building where dozens were still trapped after earthquakes that struck neighboring Myanmar, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 31, 2025. Daniel Ceng/Anadolu/Getty

On Sunday, AFP quoted Thai Industry Minister Akanat Promphan as saying six different types of steel, all from a single manufacturer, had been discovered at the scene.

"The collapse of a building can come from several factors, from design, construction (and) material specification," Akanat said. "Most important is the standard of the materials."

Akanat told reporters he'd "found something suspicious" already, but that he'd wait for test results to provide more information.

The project to build the new State Audit Building was a joint venture between a Bangkok-based property developer, the Italian-Thai Development company, and a Chinese state-owned firm, the China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group, which was carrying out much of the actual construction work.

On Sunday, Bangkok Metropolitan Police Major General Noppasin Poonsawat, the deputy commissioner of the force, was quoted by the Bangkok Post as saying officers had questioned four Chinese men who were found removing 32 files from containers behind the collapsed building. The men reportedly had work permits for the site and were employed by a company under the auspices of the Italian-Thai Development firm, Noppasin said.

Noppasin was quoted by the Post as saying the files contained documents with information about contractors and sub-contractors on the project, and that the police had seized the files and then released the Chinese men after questioning.

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visits the site of a collapsed, under-construction building, March 29, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand, after a powerful earthquake toppled the structure. Lauren DeCicca/Getty

Thai Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters Sunday that he had ordered the establishment of an investigation committee and that he wanted results reported back to him within seven days.

"We will definitely find the true reasons as to why this building has collapsed, because it's all scientific," Anutin said.

Hope was fading fast Monday that any more construction workers could be pulled from the rubble alive, but crews using search dogs continued to retrieve the bodies of victims as families keep vigil near the site, refusing to lose hope.

Officers questioned four Chinese men who were found removing 32 files from containers behind the collapsed building, a police official said.

Thailand probes earthquake toppling of Bangkok high-rise as official sees "something suspicious"

Photo: AFP/SAUL LOEB

US President Donald Trump did not dismiss the idea of pursuing a third term in the White House, despite the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution prohibiting it, claiming in an interview that "there are methods" for achieving this and emphasising he was "not joking."

"A lot of people would like me to do that. But, I mean, I basically tell them, we have a long way to go," Trump said in a phone interview with NBC News that published Sunday (US time).

"I'm focused on the current," he added, referring to his current administration.

"There are methods which you could do it," the president responded, when asked if there are strategies on the table to allow him to seek another presidency.

The term-limited president has teased a third presidency time and time again.

"I'm not joking," Trump told NBC News, but reiterated, "It is far too early to think about it."

Trump said at a rally in Nevada in late January, "It will be the greatest honor of my life to serve, not once but twice or three times or four times."

He later added: "No, it will be to serve twice. For the next four years, I will not rest."

Weeks later, Trump asked supporters, "Should I run again?" at a Black History Month event at the White House, to chants of "Four more years!"

- CNN

"I'm not joking," the US President told reporters.

Trump says 'there are methods' for seeking a third term, he's not joking

The smell of decaying bodies permeated the streets of Myanmar’s second-largest city on Sunday as people worked frantically by hand to clear rubble in the hope of finding someone still alive, two days after a massive earthquake struck that killed more than 1,600 people and left countless others buried.

The 7.7-magnitude quake hit midday Friday with an epicentre near Mandalay, bringing down scores of buildings and damaging other infrastructure like the city’s airport.

Relief efforts have been hampered by buckled roads, downed bridges, spotty communications and the challenges of operating in a country in the midst of a civil war.

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The search for survivors has been primarily conducted by the local residents without the aid of heavy equipment, moving rubble by hand and with shovels in 41-degree Celsius (106 Fahrenheit) heat, with only the occasional tracked excavator to be seen.

A 5.1-magnitude aftershock Sunday afternoon prompted screams from those in the streets, and then the work continued.

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Many of Mandalay’s 1.5 million people spent the night sleeping on the streets, either left homeless by the quake, which also shook neighbouring Thailand and killed at least 18 people there, or worried that the continuing aftershocks might cause structures left unstable to collapse.

Many areas still have not been reached

So far 1,644 people have been reported killed in Myanmar and 3,408 injured, but many areas have not yet been reached, and many rescue efforts so far have been undertaken by people working by hand to try and clear rubble, said Cara Bragg, the Yangon-based manager of Catholic Relief Services in Myanmar.

“It’s mainly been local volunteers, local people who are just trying to find their loved ones,” Bragg said after being briefed by her colleague in Mandalay.

“I’ve also seen reports that now some countries are sending search and rescue teams up to Mandalay to support the efforts, but hospitals are really struggling to cope with the influx of injured people, there’s a shortage of medical supplies, and people are struggling to find food and clean water,” Bragg added.

The organisation was sending a team by road on Sunday to assess peoples’ most pressing needs so that it could target its own response.

With the Mandalay airport damaged and the control tower toppled in the capital Naypitaw’s airport, all commercial flights into the cities have been shut down.

Official relief efforts in Naypitaw were prioritising government offices and staff housing, leaving locals and aid groups to dig through the rubble by hand in residential areas, the hot sun beating down and the smell of death in the air.

A team sent from neighbouring China rescued an older man who had been trapped for nearly 40 hours beneath the rubble of a Naypitaw hospital, and many others are believed to still be buried under, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Myanmar sits on the Sagaing Fault, a major north-south fault that separates the India plate and the Sunda plate.

The earthquake occurred when a 200-kilometre section of the fault ruptured, causing widespread damage along a wide swath of territory down the middle of the country, including Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway and Bago regions and Shan State.

With widespread telecommunication outages, few details have come out so far from areas other than the main urban areas of Mandalay and Naypitaw.

Foreign aid starts to arrive in Myanmar Still, two Indian C-17 military transport aircraft were able to land late Saturday at Naypitaw with a field hospital unit and some 120 personnel who were then to travel north to Mandalay to establish a 60-bed emergency treatment centre, according to the country’s Foreign Ministry.

Other Indian supplies were flown into Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city, which has been the hub of other foreign relief efforts.

On Sunday, a convoy of 17 Chinese cargo trucks carrying critical shelter and medical supplies was expected to reach Mandalay, after making the arduous journey by road from Yangon.

The 650-kilometre journey has been taking 14 hours or longer, with clogged roads and traffic diverted from the main highway to skirt damage from the earthquake.

At the same time, the window of opportunity to find anyone alive is rapidly closing. Most rescues occur within the first 24 hours after a disaster, and then survival chances drop as each day passes.

An initial report on earthquake relief efforts issued Saturday by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs noted the severe damage or destruction of many health facilities, and warned that a “severe shortage of medical supplies is hampering response efforts, including trauma kits, blood bags, anesthetics, assistive devices, essential medicines, and tents for health workers.”

China said it has sent more than 135 rescue personnel and experts along with supplies like medical kits and generators and pledged around USD 13.8 million in emergency aid. Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said it had flown in 120 rescuers and supplies to Yangon, and the country’s Health Ministry said Moscow had sent a medical team to Myanmar.

Teams from Singapore have been working already in Naypitaw. Malaysia dispatched a team of 50 personnel on Sunday with trucks, search and rescue equipment and medical supplies. Thailand said 55 of its soldiers arrived in Yangon on Sunday to help with search and rescue operations, while Britain announced a USD 13 million aid package to help its locally-funded partners already in Myanmar respond to the crisis.

18 people reported dead in Thailand

In neighbouring Thailand, the quake rocked much of the country, bringing down a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok, some 1,300 kilometres away from the epicentre.

So far, 11 people have been found dead at the construction site near the popular Chatuchak market. A total of 18 people have been reported killed by the quake in Thailand so far.

Rescue efforts in Myanmar complicated by civil war

In Myanmar, which is also known as Burma, rescue efforts so far are focused on Mandalay and Naypyitaw, which are thought to have been the hardest hit, but many other areas were also impacted and little is known so far about the damage there.

“We’re hearing reports of hundreds of people trapped in different areas,” said Bragg. “Right now we’re at 1,600 (known fatalities) and we don’t have a lot of data coming out but you’ve got to assume it will be increasing in the thousands based on what the impacts are. This is just anecdotal information at this point.”

Beyond the earthquake damage, rescue efforts are complicated by the bloody civil war roiling much of the country, including in quake-affected areas. In 2001, the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking what has since turned into significant armed resistance.

Government forces have lost control of much of Myanmar, and many places are dangerous or impossible for aid groups to reach. More than 3 million people have been displaced by the fighting and nearly 20 million are in need, according to the United Nations.

The government military has been fighting long-established militias and newly formed pro-democracy People’s Defense Forces, and has heavily restricted much-needed aid efforts to the large population already displaced by war even before the earthquake.

Military attacks continued with airstrikes on Friday and reports of mortar and drone attacks on Saturday.

Tom Andrews, a monitor on rights in Myanmar commissioned by the UN-backed Human Rights Council, called for the military to immediately call a ceasefire.

“Aid workers should not have to fear arrest and there should be no obstructions to aid getting to where it is most needed,” he said on X. “Every minute counts.”

Myanmar sits on the Sagaing Fault, a major north-south fault that separates the India plate and the Sunda plate.

Smell of death permeates Myanmar cities after quake kills over 1,600, leaves countless buried

Richard Chamberlain, the beloved actor known for his roles in Dr. Kildare, Shōgun, and The Thorn Birds, has died at the age of 90. As per PEOPLE, Chamberlain passed away on Saturday, March 29, at 11:15 p.m. local time in Waimanalo, Hawaii, due to complications from a stroke.

“Our beloved Richard is with the angels now,” said Martin Rabbett, Chamberlain’s longtime partner, in a statement. “He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us. How blessed were we to have known such an amazing and loving soul.”

Born George Richard Chamberlain in Los Angeles in 1934, he pursued acting after serving in the U.S. Army. He rose to fame in the early 1960s as the star of NBC’s medical drama Dr. Kildare, which made him a household name and teen heartthrob. He later earned the title “king of the miniseries” for his work in historical dramas, including Centennial, Shōgun, and The Thorn Birds.

Chamberlain, who spent time in England honing his craft, was one of the few American actors to play Hamlet on the British stage. His career also included films such as The Three Musketeers (1973) and The Towering Inferno (1974), along with Broadway performances in My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music.

In 2003, he came out as gay in his memoir Shattered Love, reflecting on the challenges of being a closeted actor in Hollywood. He remained a respected presence in the industry for decades.

In lieu of flowers, Rabbett has requested donations be made to NPR or the Hawaii Humane Society in Chamberlain’s name. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Richard Chamberlain, remembered for Dr. Kildare and The Thorn Birds, dies at 90 in Hawaii following a stroke.

Richard Chamberlain, iconic star of Dr. Kildare, The Thorn Birds, and Shōgun, dies at 90

La LIga: Kylian Mbappe Fires Real Madrid Level With Barcelona As Atletico Madrid Bid Crumbles

Published By :

AFP

Last Updated: March 30, 2025, 08:52 IST

Kylian Mbappe helped Real Madrid beat Leganes 3-2 to go level with Barcelona as Atletico Madrid drew with Espanyol in La Liga.

La Liga: Kylian Mbappe helped Real Madrid beat Leganes (AP)

Kylian Mbappe struck twice as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Leganes 3-2 on Saturday, pulling level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side won an entertaining game at the Santiago Bernabeu to put pressure on their bitter rivals, who host Girona in a Catalan derby on Sunday.

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Mbappe put Los Blancos ahead from the penalty spot but goals from Diego Garcia and Dani Raba sent the relegation-battling minnows ahead before the break.

Jude Bellingham levelled for Madrid early in the second half before Mbappe whipped home a free-kick to claim three points for the champions.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are six clear of third-placed Atletico Madrid, who drew at Espanyol earlier Saturday.

“(Mbappe) is making the difference and that’s what we want from him," said Madrid coach Ancelotti.

The superstar’s brace took him to 33 goals for the season across all competitions in 44 games, equalling the tally Real Madrid’s all-time top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo notched in the 2009-10 season, his first year at the club.

“It’s very special… to have the same number of goals as Cristiano is always good," Mbappe told Real Madrid TV.

“We know what he means for Real Madrid and me, we speak, he gives me a lot of advice, he scored many goals — but we have to win trophies here."

Ancelotti named Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes on the bench after they were in action for Brazil on Tuesday, starting Mbappe with Brahim Diaz in attack.

Madrid took the lead after they were awarded a dubious penalty, when Oscar Rodriguez tangled legs with midfielder Arda Guler.

Mbappe executed a perfect Panenka to send Los Blancos ahead, although their lead only lasted a few seconds with Diego Garcia netting from close range.

Diaz came close at the other end but then gave the ball away in the build-up to Leganes’ second.

The visitors worked the ball out to Rodriguez on the left, who cut it back for Raba to finish.

Madrid came out strongly at the start of the second half and Bellingham soon struck his eighth league goal. The England international followed up to score after Diaz’s shot was blocked on the line.

Diaz struck the post and Ancelotti sent on Vinicius and Rodrygo as Madrid pushed.

Eventually Mbappe netted his 22nd league goal of the season with a free-kick to put Real Madrid ahead after 76 minutes.

“He practised that yesterday, it went very well and he wanted to try it today," said Ancelotti.

The French striker trails La Liga’s top scorer, Barcelona hitman Robert Lewandowski, by one.

“It was a difficult game, after the international break it’s always difficult, and we know that what we have to do always is win," added Mbappe.

No ‘Consistency’

Atletico Madrid’s slim Spanish title hopes faded further with a disappointing draw at Espanyol.

Javi Puado earned the Catalan side a point with a penalty after Cesar Azpilicueta put the visitors ahead in spectacular fashion.

“Two points escaped, two important ones," Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak told Movistar.

“If we don’t have consistency we can’t fight for the title.

“We don’t have it, we’re losing points and I think the teams behind us are catching up."

Simeone admitted his team did not deserve the three points.

“It was a flat game in which the draw was fair," the coach told reporters.

After a slow start Azpilicueta blasted the visitors ahead from distance.

It was his first goal for three years and also his first for Atletico Madrid, but it was worth the wait as he hit a sumptuous volley into the top corner after Antoine Griezmann’s cross was cleared to the edge of the box.

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Espanyol found a way back level when Clement Lenglet blatantly pulled Leandro Cabrera’s shirt in the box.

Puado rammed the resulting penalty into the top corner past Oblak’s outstretched arm after 71 minutes.

Location : Madrid, Spain

First Published: March 30, 2025, 08:52 IST

Kylian Mbappe helped Real Madrid beat Leganes 3-2 to go level with Barcelona as Atletico Madrid drew with Espanyol in La Liga.

La LIga: Kylian Mbappe Fires Real Madrid Level With Barcelona As Atletico Madrid Bid Crumbles

Mandalay (Myanmar) (AFP) – Residents scrambled desperately through collapsed buildings Sunday searching for survivors as aftershocks rattled the devastated city of Mandalay, two days after a massive earthquake killed more than 1,600 people in Myanmar and at least 17 in neighbouring Thailand.

Residents scrambled desperately through collapsed buildings Sunday searching for survivors as aftershocks rattled the devastated city of Mandalay

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The initial 7.7-magnitude quake struck near the central Myanmar city of Mandalay early Friday afternoon, followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock.

The tremors collapsed buildings, downed bridges and buckled roads, with mass destruction seen in the city of more than 1.7 million people.

As dawn broke Sunday, tea shop owner Win Lwin picked his way through the remains of a collapsed restaurant on a main road in his neighbourhood, tossing bricks aside one by one.

"About seven people died here" when the quake struck Friday, he told AFP. "I'm looking for more bodies but I know there cannot be any survivors.

Rescuers pulled a woman alive from the wreckage of a collapsed apartment building in Mandalay © Sai Aung MAIN / AFP

"We don't know how many bodies there could be but we are looking."

About an hour later, a small aftershock struck, sending people scurrying out of a hotel for safety, following a similar tremor felt late Saturday evening.

Truckloads of firemen gathered at one of Mandalay's main fire stations to be dispatched to sites around the city.

The night before, rescuers had pulled a woman out alive from the wreckage of a collapsed apartment building, with applause ringing out as she was carried by stretcher to an ambulance.

Myanmar's ruling junta said in a statement Saturday that at least 1,644 people were killed and more than 3,400 injured in the country, with at least 139 more missing.

But with unreliable communications, the true scale of the disaster remains unclear in the isolated military-ruled state, and the toll is expected to rise significantly.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing issued an exceptionally rare appeal for international aid on Friday, indicating the severity of the calamity.

Previous military governments have shunned foreign assistance, even after major natural disasters.

Myanmar's ruling junta said in a statement Saturday that at least 1,644 people were killed and more than 3,400 injured in the country, with at least 139 more missing © Sai Aung MAIN / AFP

Myanmar has already been ravaged by four years of civil war sparked by a military coup in 2021.

Anti-junta fighters in the country have declared a two-week partial ceasefire in quake-affected regions starting Sunday, the shadow "National Unity Government" said in a statement.

The UN said overnight that a severe lack of medical equipment is hindering Myanmar's response to the quake, while aid agencies have warned that Myanmar is unprepared to deal with a disaster of this magnitude.

Some 3.5 million people were displaced by the raging civil war, many at risk of hunger, even before the quake struck.

Rescue teams and aid have been arriving from donor countries around the world, with Thailand on Sunday dispatching 55 military personnel and six rescue dogs, along with equipment including cranes and diggers.

Bangkok building collapse

Rescuers in Bangkok worked Sunday to pluck out survivors trapped when a 30-storey skyscraper under construction collapsed after the Friday earthquake © Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

Across the border in Thailand, rescuers in Bangkok worked Sunday to pluck out survivors trapped when a 30-storey skyscraper under construction collapsed after the Friday earthquake.

At least 17 people have been killed in the Thai capital, city authorities said on Sunday, with 32 injured and 83 still missing.

Most of the deaths were workers killed in the tower collapse, while most of the missing are believed to be trapped under the immense pile of debris where the skyscraper once stood.

Workers at the site used large mechanical diggers in an attempt to find victims still trapped on Sunday morning.

Authorities said they would be deploying engineers to assess and repair 165 damaged buildings in the city on Sunday.

burs-pdw/dhc

© 2025 AFP

Residents scrambled desperately through collapsed buildings Sunday searching for survivors as aftershocks rattled the devastated city of Mandalay, two days after a massive earthquake killed more than…

Aftershocks rattle Mandalay as rescuers search for survivors in Myanmar quake

MANDALAY: Residents scrambled desperately through collapsed buildings on Sunday (Mar 30) searching for survivors as aftershocks rattled the devastated city of Mandalay, two days after a massive earthquake killed more than 1,600 people in Myanmar and at least 11 in neighbouring Thailand.

The initial 7.7-magnitude quake struck near the central Myanmar city of Mandalay early Friday afternoon, followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock.

The tremors collapsed buildings, downed bridges and buckled roads, with mass destruction seen in the city of more than 1.7 million people.

As dawn broke on Sunday, tea shop owner Win Lwin picked his way through the remains of a collapsed restaurant on a main road in his neighbourhood, tossing bricks aside one by one.

"About seven people died here (when the quake struck Friday)," he told AFP. "I'm looking for more bodies but I know there cannot be any survivors.

"We don't know how many bodies there could be but we are looking."

About an hour later, a small aftershock struck, sending people scurrying out of a hotel for safety, following a similar tremor felt late on Saturday evening.

Truckloads of firemen gathered at one of Mandalay's main fire stations to be dispatched to sites around the city.

The night before, rescuers had pulled a woman out alive from the wreckage of a collapsed apartment building, with applause ringing out as she was carried by stretcher to an ambulance.

Myanmar's ruling junta said in a statement Saturday that at least 1,644 people were killed and more than 3,400 injured in the country, with at least 139 more missing.

But with unreliable communications, the true scale of the disaster remains unclear in the isolated military-ruled state, and the toll is expected to rise significantly.

The massive earthquake has killed more than 1,600 people in Myanmar and at least 11 in neighbouring Thailand.

President Donald Trump has seriously floated the possibility of him running for a third term, despite the US Constitution stipulating that presidents are limited to two four-year terms.

'I'm not joking,' Trump said in a Sunday morning phone call with NBC News, a notable shift in rhetoric after he spent months quite literally joking about the prospect of mounting an unprecedented third campaign for the White House.

When he was asked how he would do so, Trump said, 'There are methods which you could do it.'

When asked to elaborate, he declined to answer. However, he did say one possibility would be if Vice President JD Vance won the presidency and then handed him back the commander-in-chief role.

Trump further explained that many of his allies 'want me to do it,' though didn't elaborate on who among his inner circle might be endorsing this plan.

'But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it’s very early in the administration,' he said.

'I’m focused on the current,' he added. 'It is far too early to think about it.'

Ever since the 22nd Amendment was ratified on February 27, 1951, presidents have only been able to run twice. And prior to that, presidents were limited to terms of four years.

President Donald Trump has stated in the clearest terms to date that he intends to run for a third term. He did not offer much in the way of specifics of how he would accomplish this

Almost a year ago, Trump said he wasn't in favor of amending the Constitution to allow himself to run for a third term

The only known legal way for Trump to overcome the 22nd Amendment is for him to start a campaign arguably much more difficult than winning the presidency in the first place.

That, of course, would be amending the Constitution, a process made incredibly arduous on purpose by the founding fathers.

Amending the Constitution to allow a third presidential term would require a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, which the Republicans do not have.

If Trump does not approach Congress for the constitutional amendment, he would need to get support from two-thirds of the states to call a constitutional convention.

Whether he goes through Congress or the states, he would then need his amendment to be ratified by three-quarters of all states.

Trump's comments Sunday represent a monumental change from what he was saying almost a year ago.

In April 2024, he told Time Magazine that he wouldn't be in favor of changing the 22nd Amendment.

'I wouldn't be in favor of it at all. I intend to serve four years and do a great job. And I want to bring our country back. I want to put it back on the right track,' he said.

The only way Trump mentioned that he could become president for a third time is if JD Vance runs, wins the presidency and then hands him back the job

Liberals have already capitalized on Trump's willingness to run again, suggesting he is showing authoritarian tendencies

Liberals have already capitalized on Trump's heel turn, suggesting he is showing authoritarian tendencies.

'I have said since Trump starting laying the groundwork for the Big Lie in the first part of 2020 that he would not leave office willingly. I have been correct so far. And I'm telling you again he will not leave office willingly,' wrote Aaron Rupar, a left-wing independent journalist.

'I think we’re at the point where take him ‘seriously but not literally’ is null and void?' said Jessica Tarlov, a Democratic strategist who co-hosts The Five on Fox News.

George Washington, the first president of the United States, started the convention of only serving two four-year terms.

Instead of continuing to lead the nation, something many of his contemporaries wanted, he retired to his home at Mount Vernon.

In 1797, Washington's abdication was seen as a major distinguishing feature of the American political system at a time when most of Europe was still under the rule of monarchs.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first and last president to run for more than twice. He died roughly three months into his fourth term.

President Donald Trump has seriously floated the possibility of him running for a third term, despite the US Constitution stipulating that presidents are limited to two four-year terms.

Trump reveals he's serious about finding a way to serve a third term

Pro-democracy protesters return to Istanbul's streets for huge rally

Saturday's crowds were so large that they spilled from the site of the protest into a neighbouring park. The chairman of Imamoglu's Republican People's Party (CHP) addressed demonstrators, reading out a letter from the jailed politician who is being held in solitary confinement.

He denies the charges and claims his arrest is politically motivated.

Ekrem Imamoglu, who is seen as the main rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was arrested on corruption charges last week, sparking mass protests.

Hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators have returned to the streets of Istanbul, Turkey, in support of the city's jailed mayor.

"I have no fear, you are behind me and by my side. I have no fear because the nation is united. The nation is united against the oppressor," the letter said according to Reuters.

Imamoglu's wife, Dilek, was also at the protest and told the crowd: "We will keep fighting and fighting."

Protesters waved Turkey's red-and-white flags and chanted: "Rights, law, justice!"

Imamoglu has served as Istanbul's mayor since 2019 and won a resounding victory in mayoral elections last year.

He has been named as the CHP's candidate for the presidential election due in 2028 and is widely viewed as the only politician capable of challenging Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party at the ballot box.

Erdogan has been in power for more than two decades, first as prime minister then as president from 2014. He cannot run again for the presidency after 2028 - unless he changes Turkey's constitution.

A series of mass pro-democracy protests have wracked the country since Imamoglu's arrest more than week ago.

While Saturday's demonstration was peaceful, some earlier protests faced heavy-handed police tactics who fired teargas and rubber bullets.

Nearly 2,000 people have been arrested including some journalists who had been covering the protests.

That includes BBC correspondent Mark Lowen who was deported after the state claimed he lacked the correct press accreditation.

Erdogan has claimed the protests amount to "street terrorism", and accused demonstrators of attacking the police and damaging public property.

There are concerns that Imamoglu will not face a free and fair trial when his case is heard in court.

The government has denied Imamoglu's arrest was politically motivated and insists the Turkish courts are fully independent.

Demonstrators gathered in support of opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu, who says his arrest was politically motivated.

Turkey protests: Pro-democracy demonstrators return to Istanbul's streets for huge rally

Myanmar Quake Toll Soars Past 1,600, Several Still Missing; India Ramps Up Aid With Field Hospital

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 29, 2025, 21:09 IST

Myanmar Earthquake: MEA on Saturday said that India is sending a field hospital with 118 personnel from Agra to Myanmar.

Myanmar Earthquake: A 118-member Indian Army Field Hospital unit is en route to Mandalay from Agra | Image/X

Myanmar Earthquake: The death toll from the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has risen to 1,644, with over 3,400 people injured and many still missing, the country’s ruling junta said on Saturday, according to AFP.

Six deaths have also been confirmed in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, where an under-construction high-rise building collapsed, trapping dozens of workers. As many as 47 are still missing, reports claimed.

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Rescuers in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city and the epicentre of the earthquake, are conducting rescue operations at full scale. However, many quake-hit areas remain inaccessible due to damaged roads and bridges.

They pulled a woman alive from the rubble of a collapsed apartment building 30 hours after a devastating earthquake struck Myanmar.

“At first, I didn’t think she would survive," her husband, Ye Aung, told AFP. “I am overjoyed to receive such good news," added the man.

The couple has two sons: William, 8, and Ethan, 5.

#MyanmarEarthquake2025 “With bare hands, we have saved one"Civilians in #Mandalay are rescuing earthquake victims under the rubbles without any equipments, and are in dire need of dead body bags, water, phone charging stations and assistance.Video: Su San pic.twitter.com/TkmPv0Fxa5— Hnin Zaw (@hninyadanazaw) March 29, 2025

Fresh Quake Jolts Myanmar

Meanwhile, there was no relief for the quake-hit country as it experienced another aftershock measuring 5.1 magnitude on Saturday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The seismic event was recorded around 2:50 pm near Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s capital, at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to the USGS.

The extent of the damage it has caused or where there were any casualties from the latest earthquake, which hit the same region affected by Friday’s tremors, remains unknown.

India Rushes To Myanmar’s Aid

Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Saturday said that India is sending a field hospital with 118 personnel to Mandalay from Agra. The field hospital personnel will land in Nay Pi Taw later today. Additionally, Indian Navy ships INS Satpura and INS Savitri, carrying 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid, are en route to the port of Yangon, he added. Sources told CNN-News18 that two other ships also left for the quake-hit country with relief materials. #OperationBrahma @indiannavy ships INS Satpura & INS Savitri are carrying 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid and headed for the port of Yangon.🇮🇳 🇲🇲 pic.twitter.com/MJcG9Dbgnj — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 29, 2025 India has deployed an 80-member team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to support rescue operations in a show of solidarity with Myanmar amid the devastation caused by a massive earthquake. Earlier, India launched ‘Operation Brahma’ and sent nearly 15 tonnes of relief material to Myanmar. The Indian Air Force plane carrying the relief items landed in Yangon, the MEA spokesperson informed. Sources told CNN-News18 that the total relief materials delivered to Myanmar via air sorties and naval ships have exceeded 130 tonnes. They added that more aid will be sent as needed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military-led government in Myanmar, and said India stands in solidarity with the country in dealing with the devastation. “Spoke with Senior General HE. Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar. Conveyed our deep condolences for the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake. As a close friend and neighbour, India stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in this difficult hour," he tweeted. Meanwhile, the USGS has projected that the death toll in Myanmar could exceed 10,000. The agency warned that the earthquake may have caused “high casualties and extensive damage." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Location : Myanmar (Burma)

First Published: March 29, 2025, 21:04 IST

Myanmar Earthquake: MEA on Saturday said that India is sending a field hospital with 118 personnel from Agra to Myanmar.

Myanmar Quake Toll Soars Past 1,600, Several Still Missing; India Ramps Up Aid With Field Hospital

Yangon: A total of 1,644 people died and 3,408 were injured, and 139 remained missing due to the powerful earthquake in Myanmar, said the Information Team of the State Administration Council on Saturday.

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock minutes later, struck Myanmar's Mandalay region on Friday, causing massive casualties and damage in multiple countries.

The epicentre was only about 20 km from Mandalay, the country's second-largest city with a population of 1.5 million. In response, the National Disaster Management Committee declared a state of emergency across the Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Magway Region, the northeastern part of Shan State, the capital of Nay Pyi Taw and Bago Region.

Rescue operations are underway, while international relief efforts are being swiftly mobilised to address the dire needs of the affected population.

Public hospitals in Sagaing, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw urgently called for blood donations as they treated a surge of injured patients, while rescue operations continued amid reports of more people trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Official reports said the earthquake caused a power supply system failure and disrupted mobile networks, leaving parts of Yangon, the country's largest city, without signal.

Several key roads linking Mandalay and Yangon in the south were damaged or blocked, while airports in Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw were temporarily shut down, with all flights canceled.

Photos and videos posted on social media showed significant structural damage to buildings, temples and several historical sites in the Mandalay region, including the Mandalay Palace and the Mahamuni Pagoda.

The earthquake is the strongest by magnitude so far this year, according to the United States Geological Survey. Tremors were felt in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and southwest China, Xinhua news agency reported.

In Thailand, 10 people were killed and 42 others injured, with 78 others remaining missing in the capital of Bangkok, authorities said Saturday.

Following the quake, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced a state of emergency in Bangkok. Noticeable tremors were felt in Thailand's northern provinces, such as Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. Some tourist attractions in the Pai District of Mae Hong Son have collapsed.

Hours after a high-intensity earthquake jolted Myanmar, causing widespread devastation, India also came to the quick rescue of the neighbouring country by sending rescue teams and providing humanitarian aid to assist in evacuation efforts as well as comforting the displaced populace.

A total of 1,644 people died and 3,408 were injured, and 139 remained missing due to the powerful earthquake in Myanmar, said the Information Team of the State Administration Council on Saturday.

Death toll rises to 1,644 following powerful earthquake in Myanmar

The number of people killed in Myanmar following a powerful earthquake has risen to 694, and 1,670 others injured, according to the country's military government.

The head of the military government has confirmed a further 68 are missing and has ordered a prompt rescue effort following the 7.7 magnitude quake.

It struck at around 12.50pm local time (6.20am UK time) on Friday at a shallow depth of six miles.

The quake's epicentre was about 10 miles from the second city of Mandalay.

There were also aftershocks, with one measuring a strong 6.4 magnitude 12 minutes later.

China's president Xi Jinping has sent a message of condolence to Myanmar's leader after the earthquake.

Neighbouring Thailand was also affected, with eight people dead, eight injured and 79 missing.

Buildings in five of Myanmar's cities and towns collapsed, along with a railway bridge and a road bridge on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway, state media reported.

Recalling the moment they left their home in Mandalay, one resident said they "ran out of the house as everything started shaking".

They added that they "witnessed a five-storey building collapse in front of [their] eyes".

"Everyone in my town is out on the road and no one dares to go back inside buildings."

The natural disaster - the largest earthquake in this region in nearly 80 years - comes as the country is in the grip of a civil war.

Getting aid into war-ravaged Myanmar will be difficult Cordelia Lynch Asia correspondent @CordeliaSkyNews I was in the office in Bangkok at around 1.30pm when I felt the tremors. Lights start to swing, the windowpanes shook and people rushed downstairs to evacuate the building. The prime minister has established a "war room"- a very rare move, to help respond to the impact of the tremors. The damage in Myanmar appears far worse though. And this in a country ravaged by civil war. Getting information from there is very challenging. Getting aid into affected areas will be too.

Read more:

Bangkok felt like a city caught off guard

Eyewitnesses describe earthquake hitting Myanmar and Bangkok

Image: The earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand, and tremors also affected Laos, Vietnam, and Bangladesh

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The ruling military junta said a state of emergency has been declared in Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Magway Region and northeastern Shan State, Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, and Bago Region.

"The government has ordered a rapid investigation of the damage in these areas," the junta added in a statement.

"We will carry out relief and relief operations promptly. We will also work to provide necessary disaster relief and humanitarian assistance."

The Red Cross has said their teams' attempts to reach Mandalay and Sagaing regions and the southern Shan state are made more challenging by downed power lines.

The 7.7 magnitude quake struck at around 12.50pm local time on Friday, with its epicentre about 10 miles from the second city of Mandalay.

Myanmar earthquake: At least 694 killed and 1,670 injured

March 29, 2025 09:35

‘Blink of an eye’: survivor tells of Bangkok skyscraper collapse horror

A construction worker told Saturday how he cheated death when a Bangkok skyscraper collapsed “in the blink of an eye” after a massive earthquake hit Myanmar and Thailand.

Tearful family members gathered at the remains of the 30-storey building, which crumbled to rubble in just seconds on Friday, clinging to shreds of hope that their loved ones who were working when it fell might be found alive.

The tower was being built to house government offices when the quake struck, and construction worker Khin Aung told AFP how the building collapsed just after his brother had entered to start his shift.

“When my shift ended around 1:00 pm I went outside to get water and I saw my younger brother before I went out,” he told AFP.

“When I went outside, I saw dust everywhere and I just ran to escape from the collapsing building,” Khin Aung said.

“I video-called my brother and friends but only one picked up the phone. But I can’t see his face and I heard he was running. At that point the whole building was shaking but while I was on a call with him, I lost the call and the building collapsed.”

Authorities say up to 100 workers may be trapped in the mass of rubble and twisted metal that is all that remains of the tower. At least five are confirmed dead but the toll is almost certain to rise.

“I can’t describe how I feel -- it happened in the blink of an eye,” said Khin Aung.

“All my friends and my brother were in the building when it collapsed. I don’t have any words to say.”

- AFP

Myanmar, Thailand earthquake LIVE: Follow The Hindu for latest news updates on the aftermath of the severe earthquake that rocked the countries of Myanmar and Thailand.

Myanmar earthquake LIVE: Death toll in Myanmar jumps to 694, 1,670 injured

Expressing concern over the consequences of the natural disaster, PM Modi on Friday said, “Concerned by the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby. Also asked the MEA to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand."

According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), several factors, including soil liquefaction, matched frequency of vibrations, and the Sagaing fault line, led to the large-scale destruction in Myanmar and Thailand.

Myanmar Earthquake: Nearly 700 Dead, Over 1,700 Injured; Soil Liquefaction, Sagaing Fault Behind Severe Damage, Says NCS

Elon Musk's xAI Buys Social Media Platform 'X' For $33 Billion

Published By :

Reuters

Last Updated: March 29, 2025, 07:46 IST

The all-stock deal announced on Friday combines two of Musk's multiple portfolio companies, which also include automaker Tesla and SpaceX, and potentially eases Musk's ability to train his AI model known as Grok.

Elon Musk's xAI buys X (Reuters Image)

Elon Musk’s xAI artificial intelligence firm has acquired Musk’s X, the social media outfit formerly known as Twitter for $33 billion, marking the latest twist in the billionaire’s rapid consolidation of power.

The all-stock deal announced on Friday combines two of Musk’s multiple portfolio companies, which also include automaker Tesla and SpaceX, and potentially eases Musk’s ability to train his AI model known as Grok.

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Musk announced the transaction in a post on X, saying: “The combination values xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion ($45B less $12B debt)."

“xAI and X’s futures are intertwined," he wrote. “Today, we officially take the step to combine the data, models, compute, distribution and talent."

Neither X nor xAI spokespersons immediately responded to requests for comment. Much of the deal’s specifics remained unclear, such as how investors may be compensated, how X’s leaders would be integrated in the new firm or the prospect of regulatory scrutiny.

“This development feels surprising and somewhat unexpected," PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore said. “To a certain extent, it closes a chapter in the turbulent saga of X."

“The choice of $45 billion is not a coincidence," said D.A. Davidson & Co. analyst Gil Luria. “It is $1 billion higher than the take-private transaction for Twitter in 2022" and he can share the value of the xAI business with Twitter co-investors.

Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, has also consolidated his power in Washington, D.C. by overseeing the Trump administration’s cost-cutting efforts as head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. That has also put him in the position to potentially influence agencies that oversee his business dealings.

An investor in xAI, and now in the combined entity, told Reuters they were not surprised by the deal, viewing it as Musk consolidating his leadership and management at his own companies. The investor declined to be named.

Musk did not ask investors for approval but told them that the two companies had been collaborating closely and the integration will drive deeper integration with Grok.

OPENAI RIVALRY

Musk’s xAI startup was launched less than two years ago and recently raised $10 billion in a funding round that valued the company at $75 billion, according to a media report.

In February, Musk, 53, made a $97.4 billion bid with a consortium for the ChatGPT maker OpenAI, which was rejected, with OpenAI saying that the startup was not for sale. Musk co-founded OpenAI with CEO Sam Altman in 2015.

Musk competes directly with the popular OpenAI platform and has sued in federal court in California to prevent his rival from converting from a non-profit to a for-profit business. A judge earlier this month denied Musk’s request for a preliminary injunction that would prevent the changeover.

The wide release of AI software has set off a flurry of investment and competition in Silicon Valley. In an effort to be more efficient, companies are seeking ways to integrate the software into nearly every part of their operations.

As competition in AI intensifies, xAI has been ramping up its data center capacity to train more advanced models, and its supercomputer cluster in Memphis, Tennessee, called “Colossus," is touted as the largest in the world.

xAI introduced Grok-3, the latest iteration of its chatbot, in February, as it tries to compete with Chinese AI firm DeepSeek and Microsoft-backed OpenAI. The X platform can serve to further distribute xAI products, while also providing a real-time feed of users’ musings, screenshots and other data.

TWITTER FREED

Musk clinched a deal in 2022 to buy X, then Twitter, for $44 billion, ending its run as a public company since its 2013 initial public offering, declaring that “the bird is freed" once the acquisition closed.

He gutted the company’s workforce after the acquisition, prompting advertisers to flee the platform and a rapid decline in revenue. Recently, brands have been returning to X as Musk’s influence grows in the Trump administration.

The seven banks that extended $13 billion in loans to Musk to buy X kept the debt on their books for two years until they could sell it all at once last month, according to a source familiar with the transactions.

This was made possible after a surge in investor interest for exposure to AI companies along with X’s improved operating performance over the previous two quarters, among other factors, according to two people familiar with the matter.

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After the merger, investors who bought the debt from the banks will profit, said Espen Robak, founder of Pluris Valuation Advisors, which specializes in illiquid assets. “For sure the debt is worth more now, if not fully paid off."

Separately, a U.S. judge on Friday rejected a bid by Musk to dismiss a lawsuit claiming he had defrauded former Twitter shareholders by waiting too long to disclose his initial investment in the company.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 29, 2025, 07:44 IST

The all-stock deal announced on Friday combines two of Musk's multiple portfolio companies, which also include automaker Tesla and SpaceX, and potentially eases Musk's ability to train his AI model known as Grok.

Elon Musk's xAI Buys Social Media Platform 'X' For $33 Billion

What is an earthquake?



What happens during an earthquake?



Safety measures:



During an Earthquake:

Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

If Indoors:

If Outdoors:

If in a Vehicle:

If in a High-Rise Building:

If in a Bed:

If Trapped Under Debris:

Safety tips after an earthquake:



Be Prepared for Aftershocks:

Assess the Damage:

Check for Injuries:

Turn Off Utilities:

Evacuate if Necessary:

Stay Informed:

Contact Emergency Services:

Clean Up and Make Temporary Repairs:

Safety precautions before an earthquake:



Prepare an Emergency Kit:

Secure Your Home:

Identify Earthquake Hazards:

Practice Earthquake Drills:

Talk to Your Children:

Keep Contact Information Current:

Make Connections Flexible:

Listen to Children:

Prepare your property:

Assess Your Risk:

'Mini Tsunami' To Crumbling Skyscraper: Myanmar Quake Shakes Thailand, China | 15 Shocking Videos

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake and an aftershock measuring 6.4 rocked Myanmar and neighboring Thailand on Friday, destroying buildings, a bridge, and a dam.As per the head of the military government’s televised speech, at least 144 people were killed in Myanmar. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said, “The death toll and injuries are expected to rise,” adding that more than 700 people had been injured.At least six died in the Thai capital, Bangkok, where a high-rise under construction collapsed. Damage was also reported in China.Striking in the early afternoon, the earthquake sent people streaming out of buildings and seeking shelter anywhere they could find it from the blazing sun.Myanmar’s military-run government has declared a state of emergency in six regions.While the earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand have already occurred and necessary measures have been taken to deal with the post-quake situation, it is important to keep some safety precautions in place in case one is faced with something similar in the future.Read on to know more.An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the Earth's surface caused by the movement of tectonic plates along fault lines, releasing stored energy in the form of seismic waves.During an earthquake, the ground shakes violently due to the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, generating seismic waves that propagate outwards. This can cause a variety of effects, including ground shaking, potential for damage to buildings, and other hazards like landslides, tsunamis, and fires.During an earthquake, practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On. " Seek shelter under a sturdy table or desk and stay away from windows, outer walls, and hanging objects. After the shaking stops, be prepared for aftershocks and assess the damage before taking further action.Here's a more detailed breakdown:Drop to your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) underneath a sturdy table or desk. Hold on to the shelter you've crawled under as it can shift with the earthquake.Drop, cover, and hold on. If no sturdy object is available, crouch down next to an interior wall. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it's safe to exit.Stay away from outer walls, windows, fireplaces, hanging objects, buildings, utility wires, sinkholes, and fuel and gas lines.Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines. Drop to your hands and knees and stay there until the shaking stops.Pull over and stop in a safe location, set your parking brake, and stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.Stay put and do not use elevators.Stay in bed, covering your head with a pillow.Cover your mouth using a handkerchief or clothing to prevent inhaling dust. Tap on a pipe or wall to signal rescuers. Use a whistle (if available) to signal rescuers. Shout only as a last resort, as it can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust. Do not light a match or move about.Smaller earthquakes known as aftershocks happen following a bigger earthquake.Once the shaking stops, assess the damage to your home and surrounding area.Check yourself and others for injuries and provide first aid if needed.If possible, safely turn off gas and electricity at the main shutoffs.If your home is damaged or unsafe, evacuate to a safe location.Listen to local news and emergency broadcasts for updates.If you have an emergency, call the emergency services.Once it is safe to do so, clean up the area and make any necessary temporary repairs.Keep a kit with essentials like water, food, first-aid supplies, a flashlight, and a radio.Secure tall, free-standing furniture and appliances.Identify potential hazards inside your home, such as items that could fall and injure someone.Practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" with family and coworkers.Talk to your children about earthquakes so they are less afraid and anxious when one happens.Keep your contact information, including phone numbers and addresses, up to date.Use flexible connections for all utilities to prevent fires, floods, or gas leaks.Encourage your child to express their feelings of fear, anxiety, or anger.Secure your home and belongings to prevent damage and injuries.Research your area and find out if you live near an active fault line.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake and a 6.4 aftershock struck Myanmar and Thailand, killing at least 144 in Myanmar and six in Thailand. Significant damage o

Myanmar and Thailand earthquakes: Tips and tricks to stay safe during the disaster

Myanmar earthquake: A rescuer searches through the rubble of a destroyed building looking for survivors. Photograph: Sai Aung Main/AFP/Getty Images

Foreign rescue teams began flying into Myanmar on Saturday to aid the search for survivors from an earthquake that killed more than 1,000 people in the impoverished Southeast Asian nation crippling critical infrastructure amid a grinding civil war.

The death toll in Myanmar was 1,002, the military government said on Saturday, up sharply from initial state media reports of 144 dead on Friday.

At least nine people were killed in neighbouring Thailand, where the 7.7 magnitude quake rattled buildings and brought down a skyscraper under construction in the capital Bangkok, trapping 30 people under debris, with 49 missing.

The US geological service’s predictive modelling estimated the death toll could exceed 10,000 in Myanmar and that losses could exceed the country’s annual economic output.

READ MORE

The quake damaged roads, bridges and buildings in Myanmar, according to the junta, whose top general made a rare call for international assistance on Friday.

“Search and rescue operations are currently being carried out in the affected areas,” the junta said in a statement on state media on Saturday.

[ Shockwaves from Myanmar earthquake reach IrelandOpens in new window ]

A Chinese rescue team arrived in Myanmar's commercial capital of Yangon, hundreds of kilometres from the hard-hit cities on Mandalay and Naypyitaw, the country's purpose-built capital, where parts of a 1,000-bed hospital were damaged.

Russia, India, Malaysia and Singapore were sending planeloads of relief supplies and personnel to Myanmar, which has been ravaged by a civil war after a 2021 military coup ousted an elected civilian government.

“We will continue to monitor the developments and more aid will follow,” said Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

South Korea said it would provide an initial $2 million in humanitarian aid to Myanmar through international organisations.

The United States, which has a testy relationship with the Myanmar military and has sanctioned its officials, including junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, has said it would provide some assistance.

[ In pictures: Myanmar and Thailand rocked by powerful earthquakeOpens in new window ]

The quake, which hit around lunchtime on Friday, impacted wide swathes of the country, from the central plains around Mandalay to the hills of Shan, parts of which are not completely under the junta's control.

In Mandalay, Myanmar's second-biggest city, residents and rescue workers scrambled to pull people out from under collapsed buildings, struggling with limited heavy machinery available to remove debris.

After he was dragged out from under a wall by other residents, Htet Min Oo, 25, said he tried to clear the rubble of a crumpled building himself to rescue his grandmother and two uncles – but eventually gave up.

“I don't know if they are still alive under the debris,” he told Reuters, breaking into tears. “After so long, I don’t think there's any hope.”

Susan Hough, a scientist in the USGS's Earthquake Hazards Program, told Reuters it was difficult to predict an earthquake's death toll, for various reasons including timing.

When a quake strikes during the daytime, as it did in Myanmar, “people are awake, they have their wits about them, they are better able to respond,” she said.

In Bangkok, 1,000km (620 miles) from the epicentre, a rescue mission stepped up its efforts on Saturday to find construction workers trapped under the rubble of the collapsed 33-storey tower.

Authorities used excavators, drones and search-and-rescue dogs to try to extricate the 30 people stuck, including at least 15 still showing signs of life.

“We will do everything, we will not give up on saving lives, we will use all resources,” Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said at the site.

After the city ground to a halt on Friday, hundreds spent the night in parks, but the situation was improving on Saturday, he said.

Waanpetch Panta sat at the site of the collapsed building with her husband, watching the rescue operations and waiting for news of their 18-year-old daughter, who is among the missing.

“I prayed that my daughter was among those taken to the hospital already,” she said, “All I can do is sit and wait like this.” – Reuters

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025

Quake damaged roads, bridges and buildings in Myanmar crippling critical infrastructure amid grinding civil war

Myanmar earthquake death toll hits 1,000 as international aid starts to arrive

The homes of 847 households in Ruili City, southwest China's Yunnan Province that borders Myanmar, were damaged in a massive earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday.

As of Saturday noon, a total of 2,840 people in the city, which is about 300 km from the epicenter, have been affected, according to sources from the Ruili municipal government.

Following the quake, local governments have deployed task forces for disaster relief, monitoring geological hazards, inspecting water conservancy projects, repairing electrical facilities, and carrying out emergency road maintenance.

Two people sustained minor injuries in the quake and have received medical treatment. The city government is currently assessing the extent of the losses suffered by local residents.

Water, electricity, transportation and communication in Ruili have returned to normal.

So far the devastating quake has killed 1,002 people, injured 2,376 and left 30 missing in Myanmar.

More than 800 houses in southwest China damaged in Myanmar earthquake

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7 centred in the Sagaing region near the Myanmar city of Mandalay caused extensive damage in that country and also shook neighbouring Thailand on Friday.

In Thailand, Indian CEO Ajay Mahajan initially thought it was something to do with the air pressure in the tyres of his car. Moments later, he realised that the entire bridge over which he was travelling was swaying.

Mahajan, who heads Aditya Birla Chemicals Thailand, had just left a lunch meeting Friday in Bangkok when the earthquake struck neighbouring Myanmar.

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Myanmar lies on the boundary between two tectonic plates and is one of the world’s most seismically active countries, although large and destructive earthquakes have been relatively rare in the Sagaing region.

“The plate boundary between the India Plate and Eurasia Plate runs approximately north-south, cutting through the middle of the country,” said Joanna Faure Walker, an earthquake expert at University College London.

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Sagaing has been hit by several quakes in recent years, with a 6.8 magnitude event causing at least 26 deaths and dozens of injuries in late 2012.

Roger Musson, honorary research fellow at the British Geological Survey, told the media that the shallow depth of the quake meant the damage would be more severe. The quake’s epicentre was at a depth of just 10 km (6.2 miles), according to the United States Geological Survey.

The USGS Earthquake Hazards Programme said fatalities could be between 10,000 and 1,00,000 people, and the economic impact could be as high as 70% of Myanmar's GDP.

‘Fatalities could be between 10,000 and 1L’.

Shallow epicentre to blame for SE Asia quake damage

NAYPYIDAW: A huge earthquake hit Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, killing nearly 150 people and injuring hundreds, with dozens trapped in collapsed buildings and the death toll expected to rise.

The shallow 7.7-magnitude early afternoon tremor hit northwest of the city of Sagaing in central Myanmar, and was followed minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock.

The quake flattened buildings, downed bridges, and cracked roads across swathes of Myanmar, and even demolished a 30-storey skyscraper under construction hundreds of kilometres (miles) away in Bangkok.

While the full extent of the catastrophe is yet to emerge, the leader of isolated Myanmar, in the grip of a civil war, issued a rare plea for international aid.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said 144 people had been killed, with 732 confirmed injured, but warned the toll was "likely to rise". Three deaths have been confirmed so far in Thailand.

"In some places, some buildings collapsed," he said in a televised speech, after visiting a hospital in the capital Naypyidaw.

"I would like to invite any country, any organisation, or anyone in Myanmar to come and help. Thank you."

He urged massive relief efforts in the wake of the disaster and said he had "opened all ways for foreign aid".





'Mass casualty area'

Four years of civil war sparked by the military seizing power have ravaged Myanmar's infrastructure and healthcare system, leaving it ill-equipped to respond to such a disaster.

Myanmar declared a state of emergency across the six worst-affected regions after the quake, which the World Health Organization described as a "very, very big threat to life and health".

Hundreds of casualties arrived at a major hospital in Naypyidaw where the emergency department entrance had collapsed on a car.

A hospital official described it as a "mass casualty area" with medics treating the wounded outside.

"I haven't seen (something) like this before. We are trying to handle the situation. I'm so exhausted now," a doctor told AFP.

As night fell, AFP journalists saw rescuers trying to extract a mother and son from the ruins of a collapsed building in Naypyidaw.

Both were seriously injured but rescuers were unable to reach them, a Red Cross worker told AFP.





Skyscraper collapse

Across the border in Thailand, a 30-storey skyscraper under construction collapsed to a tangled heap of rubble and dust in a matter of seconds.

Officials have said three workers are confirmed dead with dozens more still unaccounted for, many believed trapped in the rubble.

"I heard people calling for help, saying 'help me'," Worapat Sukthai, deputy police chief of Bang Sue district, told AFP.

"We estimate that hundreds of people are injured," he said.

As night fell, around 100 rescue workers assembled at the scene to search for survivors, illuminated by specially erected floodlights.

Visiting the site, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said "every building" in Bangkok would need to be inspected for safety, though it was not immediately clear how that would be carried out.

An emergency zone was declared in Bangkok, where some metro and light rail services were suspended.

The streets of the capital were full of commuters attempting to walk home, or simply taking refuge in the entrances of malls and office buildings.

City authorities said parks would stay open overnight for those unable to sleep at home.

Strong quakes are extremely rare in Thailand, and across Bangkok and the northern tourist destination of Chiang Mai, where the power briefly went out, stunned residents hurried outside, unsure of how to respond.

Sai, 76, rushed out of a minimart in Chiang Mai when the shop started to shake.

"This is the strongest tremor I've experienced in my life."

The quake was felt across the region, with China, Cambodia, Bangladesh and India all reporting tremors.

India, France and the European Union all offered to provide assistance, while the WHO said it was mobilising its logistics hub in Dubai to prepare trauma injury supplies.

Pope Francis said he was "deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread devastation" in a telegram published by the Vatican.

Earthquakes are relatively common in Myanmar, where six strong quakes of 7.0 magnitude or more struck between 1930 and 1956 near the Sagaing Fault, which runs north to south through the centre of the country, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake in the ancient capital Bagan in central Myanmar killed three people in 2016, also toppling spires and crumbling temple walls at the tourist destination.

Dozens are trapped in collapsed buildings and the death toll is expected to rise

Massive quake kills nearly 150 in Myanmar, Thailand

People who evacuated from buildings following earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Chutima Lalit)

BANGKOK—A high-rise building under construction in Bangkok collapsed after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Thailand and neighboring Myanmar midday on Friday, police said, and possible casualties are not yet known.

A dramatic video circulated on social media showed the multi-story building with a crane on top collapsing into a cloud of dust, while onlookers screamed and ran.

Police told The Associated Press they were responding to the scene near Bangkok’s popular Chatuchak Market, and had no immediate information on how many workers were on the site at the time of the collapse.

The midday temblor was followed by a strong 6.4 magnitude aftershock, and people in Bangkok evacuated from their buildings were cautioned to stay outside in case there were more.

The U.S. Geological Survey and Germany’s GFZ center for geosciences said the earthquake was a shallow 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), with an epicenter in Myanmar, according to preliminary reports.

Water from high-rise rooftop pools in Bangkok sloshed over the side as they shook, and debris fell from many buildings.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra called an emergency meeting to assess the impact of the quake.

The greater Bangkok area is home to more than 17 million people, many of whom live in high-rise apartments.

Alarms went off in buildings as the earthquake hit around 1:30 p.m., and startled residents were evacuated down staircases of high-rise condominiums and hotels in densely populated central Bangkok.

They remained in the streets, seeking shade from the midday sun in the minutes after the quake.

Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention said the quake was felt in almost all regions of the country.

The epicenter of the earthquake was in central Myanmar, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) east of the city of Monywa.

In the capital Naypyitaw, the quake damaged religious shrines, sending parts toppling to the ground, and some homes.

Further reports of damage were not immediately available from Myanmar, which is embroiled in a civil war.

BANGKOK—A high-rise building under construction in Bangkok collapsed after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Thailand and neighboring Myanmar midday on Friday, police said, and possible casualties are not yet known.

Building collapses in Bangkok after powerful earthquakes rock Thailand and Myanmar

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday said he would speak with US President Donald Trump in the coming days after the latter announced 25 per cent tariffs on auto imports.

Carney, who hasn’t spoken with Trump since becoming Canada’s new leader nearly two weeks ago, said the US president reached out on Wednesday night to schedule a call.

“We will be speaking soon, certainly in the course of the next day or two,” Carney said, adding that Trump has to respect Canada’s sovereignty.

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“That’s not much to ask, but apparently it’s a lot for him,” he said.

Trump has declared a trade war on Canada and continues to call for the United States’ northern neighbour to become the 51st US state, a position that has infuriated Canadians.

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“It is clear that the United States is no longer a reliable partner. It is possible that, with comprehensive negotiations, we will be able to restore some trust, but there will be no turning back. We will need to dramatically reduce our reliance on the United States. We will need to pivot our trade relationships elsewhere,” Carney said.

The former central banker was sworn in as Canada’s new prime minister on March 14. It’s unusual for a US president and Canadian prime minister to go so long without talking after a new leader takes office.

Carney, who replaced Justin Trudeau as Canada’s leader and the head of the Liberal Party, is at the start of a five-week campaign after calling an early election for April 28.

The governing Liberals had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Trump declared a trade war and challenged Canada’s sovereignty.

The crisis has created a surge in patriotism among Canadians, with many in the country feeling that Carney is the best person to lead the country at the moment.

Trump has acknowledged himself that he has upended Canadian politics.

Carney called the tariffs unjustified and left the election campaign to chair his special Cabinet committee on US relations in Ottawa.

“We will fight the US tariffs with retaliatory trade actions of our own that will have maximum impact in the United States and minimum impacts here in Canada,” Carney said.

He said many Canadians are feeling worried and anxious about the future.

He also said that over the coming years, Canadians must fundamentally reimagine the economy in a drastically different world.

More than 75 per cent of Canada’s exports go to the US.

“The old relationship we had with the United States based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation is over,” he said.

Carney is asking Canadians for a clear and strong mandate given “the biggest crisis in our lifetimes”.

Automobiles are Canada’s second-largest export and the sector employs 125,000 Canadians directly and almost another 500,000 in related industries.

Carney announced this week a USD 1.4 billion ‘strategic response fund” that will protect Canadian auto jobs affected by Trump’s tariffs.

Trump previously granted a one-month exemption on his stiff new tariffs on auto imports from Mexico and Canada for US automakers.

In the auto sector, parts can go back and forth across the Canada-US border several times before being fully assembled in Ontario or Michigan.

Trump previously placed 25 per cent tariffs on Canada’s steel and aluminum and is threatening sweeping tariffs on all Canadian products—as well as on all of America’s trading partners—on April 2.

The president has plunged the US into a global trade war—all while on-again, off-again new levies continue to escalate uncertainty.

The tax hike on auto imports starting April means automakers could face higher costs and lower sales.

“This is not an industry that is Donald Trump’s to steal or take,” said Lana Payne, the national president of Unifor, the union that represents auto workers in Canada.

Payne said Carney should tell Trump that if US automakers are going to sell cars and trucks in Canada, they are going to have to build in Canada.

Opposition Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said Trump needs to “knock it off” when asked by journalists about the president’s repeated attacks.

“We will never be the 51st state but we can be friends again with the United States if he (Trump) reverses course,” Poilievre said.

Vows to fight Trump's tariffs with retaliatory trade actions.

US no longer a reliable partner, old relationship is over: Canadian PM Carney

SEOUL, March 28 (Korea Bizwire) — Kia introduced its new mid-size pickup truck, the Tasman, at a Tech Day event held Thursday on Seoul’s Floating Island in Seocho District. Highlighting the company’s foray into authentic pickup territory, Kia emphasized the Tasman’s rugged durability, off-road prowess, and substantial payload capabilities.

Described by the automaker as the most off-road-capable vehicle in Kia’s history, the Tasman is equipped with a robust four-wheel-drive system and a range of drive modes enabled by its two-speed Active Transfer Case (ATC). The vehicle offers selectable modes tailored to terrain and driving needs:

2H for fuel-efficient rear-wheel driving,

4H for balanced traction on rough terrain,

4L for enhanced torque on extreme off-road surfaces, and

4A, an automatic mode that adjusts power distribution based on real-time road conditions.

Kia has also outfitted the Tasman with an electronic locking rear differential, a “Lock” mode optimized for mountainous terrain, and the “X-Trek” mode for enhanced off-road stability.

With a minimum ground clearance of 252mm and a raised air intake design, the Tasman can ford water up to 800mm deep at speeds of 7 km/h—an indication of its all-terrain readiness.

Built on a ladder-frame chassis using high-strength steel, the Tasman employs a body-on-frame construction to endure heavy loads. It boasts a payload capacity of up to 700 kilograms and a towing capability of 3,500 kilograms. The bed itself measures 1,512mm in length, 1,572mm in width, and 540mm in height, offering a cargo volume of approximately 1,173 liters (based on German VDA standards).

A Kia representative noted, “Our engineers have worked tirelessly to develop Kia’s first true pickup truck with exceptional product value. Through this event, we wanted to share their dedication to crafting a vehicle that meets the highest standards of performance and customer satisfaction.”

The Tasman represents Kia’s bold step into the competitive global pickup market, with its full debut and market rollout expected ahead of 2026.

Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)

Kia Unveils Tasman Pickup, Its Most Capable Off-Road Vehicle to Date

透過<Google新聞> 追蹤風傳媒

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A tragic incident occurred on Thursday when a tourist submarine carrying Russian tourists sank off Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Hurghada, killing six people, according to local authorities. The submarine, named "Sindbad," was carrying 45 Russian tourists and crew members at the time of the accident.

The Russian consulate in Hurghada confirmed that four people were killed, although it was unclear if they were Russian nationals. The remaining passengers were rescued and taken to local hospitals and hotels in Hurghada, but the status of several individuals is still being clarified.

Rescue teams managed to save 29 of the 45 passengers onboard. The Red Sea, a popular destination known for its coral reefs and marine life, plays a vital role in Egypt’s tourism industry, which is a key part of the country’s economy. Russian tourists are an important demographic for the industry.

This tragic event follows similar incidents in recent months. In November, a tourist diving boat sank after being struck by high waves, resulting in four fatalities. Egypt's tourism sector remains crucial to its economy, with the country ranking first in Africa for tourism revenues in 2024 at $14.1 billion.

This incident is under investigation as authorities work to determine the cause of the sinking.

Six people were killed when a tourist submarine sank off Egypt's Hurghada, carrying Russian tourists. 29 passengers were rescued, with several still unaccounted for.

Six Dead as Tourist Submarine Sinks Off Egypt’s Red Sea Coast

Ramadan Special: 5 Must-Have Chef-Approved Recipes

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 27, 2025, 14:13 IST

As the sun sets, Iftar becomes a feast of flavors, blending tradition with innovation

Muslims around the world mark Ramadan as the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Ramadan is a time of reflection, togetherness, and nourishing meals that bring families together. As the sun sets, Iftar becomes a feast of flavors, blending tradition with innovation. Here are five exclusive, chef-approved recipes to elevate your Ramadan dining experience.

Betel Leaf Infused Manju Muhallebi

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By Chef Ashu Chugh, Jaypee Greens Golf Course, Greater NoidaServes: 4

Ingredients:

Full cream milk – 4 cups

Sugar – 1 cup

Refined flour – 2 tsp

Corn starch – 1 tsp

Egg yolk – 1

Mango pulp – ½ cup

Heavy whipping cream – 1 cup

Vanilla extract – ½ tsp

Betel leaves puree – 1 tbsp

Mango cubes – 1 cup

Pistachios (chopped) – 4 tsp

Betel leaves – 2

Red currants – 4 sprigs

Method:

In a deep pan, whisk together milk, sugar, flour, corn starch, egg yolk, and mango pulp.

Heat on medium, add whipped cream, vanilla, and betel leaf puree, stirring until smooth.

Remove from heat, cool, and refrigerate.

Serve with mango cubes, garnished with pistachios, betel leaves, and red currants.

Sevaiyan Muzaffar

By Chef Ankit Vig, Sous Chef – Varq, Taj Mahal, New Delhi

Ingredients:

Vermicelli – 125g

Full-fat milk – 500g

Sugar – 100g

Cardamom (ground) – 1.25g

Saffron – 0.5g

Almonds & pistachios (chopped) – 10g

Raisins – 10g

Ghee – 30g

Method:

Roast vermicelli in ghee until golden.

Boil milk with sugar, cardamom, and saffron; reduce slightly.

Combine vermicelli with milk, add nuts and raisins.

Serve warm or chilled.

Stuffed Dates with Spiced Pistachio & Saffron Drizzle

By Chef Arjyo Banerjee, Compass Group India

Ingredients:

Medjool dates – 12-15

Pistachios (ground) – 80g

Almonds (chopped) – 30g

Honey – 30g

Cardamom powder – 2g

Cinnamon powder – 1g

Rose water – 5ml

Heavy cream – 100ml

Saffron strands – 1 pinch

Powdered sugar – 10g

Rose petals – as required

Method:

Slice open dates and remove pits.

Mix pistachios, almonds, honey, cardamom, cinnamon, and rose water; stuff into dates.

Warm heavy cream with saffron and sugar; drizzle over dates.

Garnish with rose petals and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nalli Nihari Gosht

By Chef Abhijeet Thakre, Executive Chef, Vivanta New Delhi, Dwarka

Ingredients:

Lamb shanks – 2 kg

Flour (plain & wholemeal) – 1 tbsp each

Water – 8-10 cups

Ghee – 2 tbsp

Oil – 4 tbsp

Ginger (grated) – 1 inch

Garlic (crushed) – ½ tbsp

Kashmiri red chili powder – 1 ½ tbsp

Red chili powder – 1 tsp

Salt – 2 tsp

Garam masala mix (fennel, black cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, coriander seeds, cumin, mace, nutmeg, cloves, black peppercorn)

Garnishes: Coriander, julienned ginger, green chilies, fried onions, lemon wedges

Method:

Heat ghee and oil, sauté ginger and garlic, then brown the lamb shanks.

Add spices, fry until aromatic, then add water and cook for 45 minutes.

Mix flour with some broth, add back to pot, and simmer for 2 hours.

Serve hot with garnishes and naan.

Sheer Khurma

By Chef Vishal Kumar Yadav, Executive Chef, Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa

Ingredients:

Full-fat milk – 1L

Vermicelli – 100g

Ghee – 50g

Condensed milk – 125ml

Dates (chopped) – 100g

Cardamom powder – 10g

Saffron – few strands

Pistachios, cashews, almonds – 25g each

Fresh cream – 200ml

Rose water, Keora water – few drops

Method:

Fry vermicelli in ghee until golden; set aside.

Fry nuts separately; set aside.

Simmer milk with dates until reduced by 30%.

Add vermicelli and cook until soft.

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Stir in condensed milk, fried nuts, and cardamom.

Finish with rose and keora water; serve warm or chilled.

First Published: March 27, 2025, 14:13 IST

As the sun sets, Iftar becomes a feast of flavors, blending tradition with innovation

Ramadan Special: 5 Must-Have Chef-Approved Recipes

How Tata Motors, Other Auto Parts Makers Will Suffer From Trump’s 25% Tariffs, What Next? Explained

Curated By :

News18.com

Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: March 27, 2025, 13:19 IST

The Indian auto components industry, which is dependent on the global supply chain, will be affected the most. The new tariffs could cause major disruptions, increasing input costs for US-based automakers and reducing demand for Indian auto parts

While India’s direct exposure to US tariffs is limited, cumulative effects through supply chains and shifting market dynamics are likely. (Reuters Image)

Donald Trump’s announcing 25% tariff on automobile imports on Wednesday could boost US production but would affect the global supply chain of automakers, impacting India. “This will continue to spur growth. We’ll effectively be charging a 25% tariff," Trump told reporters.

Trump insisted that the measure will encourage more factories in the US and end a “ridiculous" supply chain stretching across the US, Canada and Mexico.

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The tariffs encompass not just fully assembled vehicles but also critical components such as engines, transmissions, powertrain systems and electrical assemblies.

The measure is expected to yield around $100 billion annually, reflecting a notable shift in the US trade policy, according to the White House.

What Does It Mean For Indian Automakers?

India auto exports to the US remain relatively low compared to Mexico, Canada and Japan. However, the secondary effects of the US tariffs may have significant implications for India’s automobile sector.

Most hit would be the Indian auto components industry, which is highly dependent on the global supply chain, and has emerged as a key supplier to the US car manufacturers.

In the financial year 2024, India exported auto components worth $21.2 billion, contributing to the global auto component market, which stands at $1.2 trillion. In 2023, the figure was nearly $1.5 billion.

The new tariffs could cause major disruptions, increasing input costs for US-based automakers and reducing demand for Indian auto parts.

JATO Dynamics India President and Director, Ravi G Bhatia said India has not been singled out with Trump’s tariff, which also applies to the country’s competitors. “This step will hit for sure but it is not a ‘Tsunami’. It is not too much of a big hit and Indian suppliers will work out how to retain their market share in the US," he said, adding as the situation is developing it is too early to jump into a conclusion.

Tata Motors does not have direct exports to the US, but its subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has a strong foothold in the US market. According to JLR’s FY24 annual report, the US accounted for 22% of its overall sales. In FY24, JLR sold nearly 400,000 vehicles worldwide, with the US being one of its top markets, the report added. The company’s vehicles sold in the US are primarily manufactured in the UK and other international plants, which will now be subject to a 25% tariff.

Eicher Motors, the maker of Royal Enfield motorcycles, could also feel the impact, as the US is an important market for its 650cc models.

Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd, which is a leading auto component supplier to Tesla and Ford, has a strong presence in both the US and Europe. However, its manufacturing facilities in these regions provide some protection from tariff-related disruptions.

Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar), which supplies differential gears and starter motors, generates 66% of its revenue from the US and Europe. Due to trade uncertainties, the company has been expanding into China, Japan, and South Korea, aiming that these markets could contribute over 50% of its revenue within five years.

Other key component makers with significant export exposure include Bharat Forge, Sansera Engineering Ltd, Suprajit Engineering, and Balkrishna Industries.

Tariff Impact On Global Supply Chain

The global automobile landscape would take a hit after the 25% tariff announcement. Countries, which are heavily dependent on the US automotive supply chains – Canada, Mexico, Germany, Japan and South Korea – could see their trade and production disrupted.

While India’s direct exposure to US tariffs is limited, knock-on effects through supply chains and shifting market dynamics are likely. Indian suppliers dependent on the US must adapt quickly and pivot to other markets and expand their domestic footprints.

How The World Is Reacting?

Canada: Newly-elected Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a strong rebuke, describing Trump’s auto tariffs as a “direct attack" on Canada and warning of economic fallout for American consumers. He also said Canada would assess the details of Trump’s executive order before considering retaliatory actions.

Japan: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba did not rule out countermeasures against the tariff, stressing Japan’s significant economic contributions to the US. Highlighting Japan’s investments in the US auto sector, Ishiba stressed that Japanese companies provide employment and pay high wages, making it unjustifiable to impose blanket tariffs. He said “it not right to treat all countries in the same way".

United Kingdom: The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has slammed Trump’s tariffs, warning they will harm businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes called the move “disappointing" but “not surprising", describing it as a setback for the long-standing UK-US trade relationship.

European Commission: It is expected to discuss countermeasures in the coming days, as the bloc has historically taken a firm stance against the protectionist policies of the US.

What Next?

A US delegation led by assistant trade representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch is in India for a round of discussion from March 25 to March 29. The talks are part of a broader trade agreement.

According to government sources, India “understands the American domestic compulsion. They need to get back those manufacturers who had left America for other countries like China…America has sent its delegation here which shows US wants to actively engage with us. America cannot openly show that they are going soft on us. So, India expect things to be more positive after a few weeks."

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The timing of the visit is critical as the reciprocal tariffs announced by Trump will be effective from April 2. The current negotiations aim to improve market access, lower trade barriers, and increase supply chain collaboration between the two nations.

India and US are targeting completion of the first phase of Bilateral Trade Agreement by autumn 2025, with a shared goal of expanding the trade between the two countries to $500 billion by 2030.

First Published: March 27, 2025, 11:51 IST

The Indian auto components industry, which is dependent on the global supply chain, will be affected the most. The new tariffs could cause major disruptions, increasing input costs for US-based automakers and reducing demand for Indian auto parts

How Tata Motors, Other Auto Parts Makers Will Suffer From Trump’s 25% Tariffs, What Next? Explained

Trump announces 25 per cent tariff on imported cars

The new tariff will go into effect on April 2, a day Trump likes to call the “Liberation Day”, when the reciprocal tariff system kicks in.

By IANS Published Date - 27 March 2025, 07:05 AM

Washington: US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on imported automobiles and parts to 25 per cent and indicated that the reciprocal tariff system that goes into effect on April 2 will be “lenient”.

The new tariff will go into effect on April 2, a day Trump likes to call the “Liberation Day”, when the reciprocal tariff system kicks in.

“We’re going to charge countries for doing business in our country and taking our jobs, taking our wealth, taking a lot of things that they’ve been taking over the years,” Trump said in remarks from the Oval Office on Wednesday.

“What we’re going to be doing is (levy) a 25 per cent tariff on all cars that are not made in the United States. If they’re made in the United States, there is absolutely no tariff.”

The new tariff will apply to all cars and trucks assembled outside and shipped to the US, which accounts for half of all automobiles sold in the US.

“The 25 per cent tariff will be applied to imported passenger vehicles (sedans, SUVs, crossovers, minivans, cargo vans) and light trucks, as well as key automobile parts (engines, transmissions, powertrain parts, and electrical components), with processes to expand tariffs on additional parts if necessary,” the White House said in a fact-sheet.

A White House aide said the new tariffs are expected to bring in $100 billion in revenues.

The US president also said he plans to announce tariffs on other goods as well, such as pharmaceuticals, saying most drugs available in America were made abroad in either China or Ireland.

Regarding the reciprocal tariffs, Trump indicated that the US will not be reciprocal in the true sense and may not be at the same levels as those levied by trading partner companies on American goods; although no country will be spared.

“We’re going to make it to all countries, and we’re going to make it very lenient,” he said. “I think people are going to be very surprised. It’ll be, in many cases, less than the tariff that they’ve been charging us for decades. So I think people are going to be very, very surprised.”

He added: “We’re going to be — we’re going to be very fair, going to be very nice, actually,” he said, adding, “We have not been treated nicely by other countries, but we’re going to be nice.”

The new tariff will go into effect on April 2, a day Trump likes to call the “Liberation Day”, when the reciprocal tariff system kicks in.

Trump announces 25 per cent tariff on imported cars

Cars from the Chinese electric car brand BYD are displayed in a store, in Mexico City, Mexico, March 3, 2025. [Photo/Agencies]

MEXICO CITY -- A proposed 25 percent US tariff on auto imports could raise production costs for Mexico and Canada, adding pressure to an already strained global auto industry, Mexico's Monex Financial Group warned Wednesday.

In a sectoral analysis, Monex said recent US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, imposed on March 12, are already disrupting trade flows and supply chains.

Mexico and Canada together accounted for nearly 40 percent of US steel imports in 2023, and also supply about 29 percent of America's imported vehicles, Monex noted.

An additional 25 percent auto tariff would significantly impact pricing and availability.

For Mexico, the tariffs could hit exports worth 4.7 percent of its total trade and over 1.5 percent of its GDP, according to the report.

Industry estimates suggest the move could add up to 3,000 US dollars to the average cost of a car in the United States, potentially reducing 2025 sales.

Only vehicles meeting the 75 percent regional content rule under the USMCA trade agreement would be exempt.

US President Donald Trump, now in his second term, has threatened broader tariffs on Mexican goods, citing concerns over drug trafficking and migration.

US tariffs could drive up auto costs in Mexico, Canada: Monex Financial Group

Automobiles at the shipping terminal are shown from the view of a drone in San Diego, California, US, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced plans to impose 25-percent auto tariffs, with the measures set to take effect on April 2.

"What we're going to be doing is a 25-percent tariff for all cars that are not made in the United States," Trump said in the White House Oval Office. "We start off with a 2.5-percent base, which is what we're at, and go to 25 percent."

"We're signing (executive order) today. It goes into effect April 2. We start collecting on April 3," Trump said.

The US president argued that the tariffs would encourage more production to relocate to the United States, generate new revenue for the government, and help reduce the national debt.

Economists, however, have warned that tariffs would push up car prices, and hurt consumers, who already face elevated prices.

Trump signs executive order to impose 25 pct auto tariffs

French prosecutors on Thursday requested a seven-year prison sentence and a 300,000-euro (around $325,000) fine for former President Nicolas Sarkozy, in connection with allegations that his 2007 presidential campaign was illegally financed by former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s government.

The National Financial Prosecutor’s Office, known by its French acronym PNF, also called for a five-year ban on Sarkozy’s civic, civil and family rights — a measure that would bar him from holding elected office or serving in any public judicial role.

The case, which opened in January and is expected to conclude on April 10, is considered the most serious of the multiple legal scandals that have clouded Sarkozy’s post-presidency.

The 70-year-old Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, faces charges of passive corruption, illegal campaign financing, concealment of embezzlement of public funds and criminal association. He has denied any wrongdoing.

The accusations trace back to 2011, when a Libyan news agency and Gadhafi himself said that the Libyan state had secretly funneled millions of euros into Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign.

In 2012, the French investigative outlet Mediapart published what it said was a Libyan intelligence memo referencing a 50 million-euro funding agreement. Sarkozy denounced the document as a forgery and sued for defamation.

French magistrates later said that the memo appeared to be authentic, though no conclusive evidence of a completed transaction has been presented.

Investigators also looked into a series of trips by Sarkozy’s associates to Libya between 2005 and 2007.

In 2016, Franco-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine told Mediapart that he had delivered suitcases filled with cash from Tripoli to the French Interior Ministry under Sarkozy. He later retracted his statement. That reversal is now the focus of a separate investigation into possible witness tampering.

Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, have both been placed under preliminary investigation in that case.

Sarkozy’s former ministers Claude Guéant, Brice Hortefeux, and Éric Woerth are also on trial, along with eight other defendants. But prosecutors have made clear the central figure is the former president himself — accused of knowingly benefiting from a “corruption pact” with a foreign dictatorship while campaigning to lead the French republic.

While Sarkozy has already been convicted in two other criminal cases, the Libya affair is widely seen as the most politically explosive — and the one most likely to shape his legacy.

In December 2024, France’s highest court upheld his conviction for corruption and influence peddling, sentencing him to one year of house arrest with an electronic bracelet. That case stemmed from tapped phone calls uncovered during the Libya investigation. In a separate ruling in February 2024, a Paris appeals court found him guilty of illegal campaign financing in his failed 2012 reelection bid.

Sarkozy has dismissed the Libya allegations as politically motivated and rooted in forged evidence. But if convicted, he would become the first former French president found guilty of accepting illegal foreign funds to win office.

A verdict is expected later this year.

French prosecutors requested a seven-year prison sentence and a fine of appoximately $325,000 usd  for former President Nicolas Sarkozy on thursday, stemming from allegations that his 2007 presidential campaign was unlawfully funded by the government of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

France: seven-year sentence and fine suggested for Sarkozy over Libya financing deal

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron speak on the sidelines of the Paris summit on Thursday. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/Getty

European leaders unanimously opposed any suggestion on Thursday that economic sanctions on Russia would be lifted as part of a temporary ceasefire in the war in Ukraine.

Russia is pushing for an easing of the extensive sanctions levelled on the country – following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago – as a condition for Moscow signing up to a temporary US-brokered ceasefire in the fighting.

A meeting of European leaders at the Élysée Palace in Paris debated what role Europe could play if Russia and Ukraine agreed to a permanent truce.

French president Emmanuel Macron organised the gathering of the “coalition of the willing”, which included the UK, most EU states, Norway, Canada, Turkey and Australia.

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The coalition came together in response to concerns that US president Donald Trump is pushing Ukraine towards a rushed peace settlement on terms favourable to Russia. The group has taken shape in recent weeks during discussions on how to shore up a sustainable peace in Ukraine.

France, the UK and several other countries were prepared to pull together a military “reassurance force”, aimed at securing Ukraine from a future Russian attack, in the event of a peace deal to end the war, Mr Macron said.

Such a force would encompass military power deployed in the air, the sea and troops on the ground, he said after the meeting. There was no unanimity in the room about the idea, but not everyone needed to agree or contribute, he said.

On the eve of the meeting, Mr Macron had announced France would provide an extra €2 billion in military aid to Ukraine to bolster its position on the battlefield in the short-term.

UK prime minister Keir Starmer, who has spearheaded the new “coalition” with Mr Macron, said it was clear that Russian leader Vladimir Putin was “playing games and playing for time” in preliminary ceasefire talks.

European states were prepared to back up a peace deal “whatever its precise shape turns out to be”, he said. The aim would be to deter Russia from considering any future attack on Ukraine, he said.

Mr Starmer described the efforts as Europe “mobilising together behind the peace process on a scale we haven’t seen for decades”. The UK Labour leader said further pressure should be put on Russia, such as even “tougher” economic sanctions.

The Kremlin has pushed for western sanctions on Russian banks to be relaxed as one condition for it to stick to a temporary halt to the fighting in the Black Sea.

The United States, EU and UK together introduced wide ranging sanctions on Russia following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 to limit Moscow’s ability to wage war and to hobble its economy.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin attended the meeting and afterwards said there was “very clear unanimity that sanctions should not be lifted and cannot be lifted, until there’s a just peace and a comprehensive peace”.

The group of leaders had spoken about how to monitor a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, he said. Ireland would be willing to consider contributing troops to a peacekeeping force. The scope of a further deterrence force was still being worked out by European allies, he said.

Ursula von der Leyen, who also attended, said the so-called coalition of the willing had “gotten bigger, stronger and very determined”. The European Commission president said it was clear from the meeting that sanctions on Russia would “stay in place”.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said lifting the measures at this point would be a “disaster”.

Europe’s ‘reassurance force’ could guarantee Ukrainian security following peace, says French president

European leaders united in opposition to lifting sanctions on Russia as condition of ceasefire in Ukraine

The Skukuza court is situated in Kruger National Park.

The regional court president of Mpumalanga, Naomi Annette Engelbrecht, is facing renewed criticism for her latest attempt to transfer criminal cases from the Skukuza regional court — the country’s flagship court for rhino poaching cases — to Hazyview.

The Lowvelder reported this month that Engelbrecht’s move in February to transfer the cases had sparked widespread confusion. It has since emerged that on 6 March, Mpumalanga’s judge president, Segopotje Sheila Mphahlele, issued a directive in terms of the Superior Court Act that no cases can be transferred from Skukuza to Hazyview.

“All criminal matters that have been transferred from the regional court sitting in Skukuza to Hazyview regional court, shall be transferred back to Skukuza to be dealt with and finalised at the Skukuza regional court,” read the directive, which was addressed to Engelbrecht, the province’s chief magistrate and Mpumalanga’s director of public prosecutions.

“No matters shall be transferred from Skukuza to Hazyview or any other court seat without authorisation by this office,” Mphahlele said, adding that the directive would remain in force until revoked or amended in writing by her office. According to the Lowvelder, all cases have been transferred back to Skukuza.

The Skukuza court is situated in Kruger National Park. South African National Parks (SANParks) said it was “taken by surprise” by the latest move from Engelbrecht.

This was “especially since it was not consulted on the intended move by the regional court president or even formally informed as the main victim of crime in the Kruger National Park”, said Isaac Phaala, the spokesperson for the Kruger National Park.

Phaahla said SANParks was grateful to the judge-president for reversing the intended move because “there is the constitutional court ruling in the previous attempt to close the court”.

“We can only thank the intervention of a higher authority in the matter and hope the directive she [Mphahlele] issued will be honoured by all officials who will occupy the office of the regional court president.”

In October 2019, Engelbrecht decided to close the Skukuza regional court because she wanted to move all cases scheduled for Skukuza to the Mhala circuit court, 100km away. She faced opposition from the now-retired Mpumalanga high court president, Judge Francis Legodi, and the national director of public prosecutions.

At the time, the planned closure sparked a huge public outcry, and a petition to open the court launched by the nonprofit StopRhinoPoaching.com was supported by NGOs including the International Rhino Foundation and Save the Rhino. It ultimately garnered more than 163 000 signatures.

Legodi enrolled a special review application to be adjudicated by the full bench of the Mpumalanga high court on 24 February 2020 to determine whether Engelbrecht was entitled to close the court.

The special review judgment issued on 22 April 2020 by the high court in Nelspruit ordered that the Skukuza court be reopened. The judgment was notably critical of Engelbrecht’s conduct, noting that it “resulted in actual, and potential harm, to the administration of justice”.

But Engelbrecht did not re-open the court as instructed. Instead, she took the matter to the supreme court of appeal, where her leave to appeal was turned down. On 1 February 2021, the constitutional court dismissed Engelbrecht’s application for leave to appeal the high court decision, and allowed the court to continue operating inside the park. The revamped court was reopened in April that year.

The Skukuza regional court is world-renowned for its fundamental role in bringing justice to rhino poaching crimes, said Elise Serfontein, the founding director of StopRhinoPoaching.com.

“Why then, would the regional court president, whose responsibility it is to ensure its effective operation, be so persistent in her attempts to close it down?,” Serfontein said.

“Engelbrecht’s deliberate circumvention of procedure and blatant disregard for the constitutional court’s ruling, which upheld the operation of the Skukuza regional court within Kruger National Park, raises serious concerns. Again, her actions invite pressing questions about her true motives.”

The Skukuza court is important to the Kruger National Park in the campaign against poaching of any kind and criminality in the park, Phaala said.

“It has capable court officials [and] a diligent prosecutor who compiles and provides compelling evidence during trials. The court has a 100% conviction rate and metes out harsh sentences to convicted criminals ranging from 55 years to at least 15 years direct imprisonment,” he said.

“It is the safest court in the country and as an organisation we have planned for witnesses, suspects, and their legal teams not to have access problems at the gate. The trial witnesses are mostly rangers who travel long distances and feel safe to testify in Skukuza.”

The Skukuza court has been extremely effective at holding rhino poaching gangs accountable for their crimes, noted Nina Fascione, the executive director of the International Rhino Foundation.

“Black and white rhinos are still very threatened in South Africa, and we’re deeply alarmed that these criminal syndicates may not be appropriately prosecuted if their cases are moved to Hazyview,” she added.

Serfontein cited the high court in Nelspruit’s special review judgment as being particularly critical of Engelbrecht’s conduct, saying that it had actual and potential harmful consequences to the administration of justice.

“Despite the declaratory order including that a copy of the judgement be sent to the Magistrates Commission, it is not known if any disciplinary actions were taken against her,” Serfontein said.

Neither Engelbrecht nor the commission responded to questions from the Mail & Guardian.

Mpumalanga regional court president Naomi Engelbrecht faces mounting backlash after trying to transfer cases from the flagship court for rhino cases to Hazyview

Latest bid to shift criminal cases from Skukuza court in Kruger Park attracts renewed criticism

A man walks near a burnt-out house in a damaged village in Yeongyang, South Korea, on March 26. (Yonhap via AP)

SEOUL--Wind-driven wildfires that were among South Korea’s worst ever were ravaging the country’s southern regions, killing 24 people, destroying more than 200 structures and forcing 27,000 people to evacuate, officials said Wednesday.

The death toll included a pilot who died after a helicopter crashed during efforts to contain wildfires in the southeastern town of Uiseong, one of the areas hardest-hit. The aircraft had no other crew members. The National Fire Agency said at least 26 other people sustained varying degrees of injuries.

An ancient Buddhist temple, houses, factories and vehicles were among the structures destroyed in the wildfires that have burned 43,330 acres, the government’s emergency response center said.

In a televised address, South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo said the wildfires that began last Friday were causing worse damage than many other past wildfires.

“Damages are snowballing,” Han said. “There are concerns that we’ll have wildfire damages that we’ve never experienced, so we have to concentrate all our capabilities to put out the wildfires in the rest of this week.”

Han said crews were struggling to extinguish the wildfires because strong winds swept the areas overnight. Han said about 4,650 firefighters, soldiers and other personnel were working Wednesday to extinguish the wildfires with the help of about 130 helicopters. He said that “a small amount” of 5-10 millimeters of rain was expected Thursday.

Observers say the ongoing wildfires are the third biggest in South Korea in terms of land burned.

Officials in several southeastern cities and towns had ordered residents to evacuate Tuesday as firefighters struggled to contain multiple blazes fueled by dry winds. The largest fires were in Andong, the neighboring counties of Uiseong and Sancheong, and the city of Ulsan, according to South Korea's Interior Ministry.

Earlier on Tuesday, officials had said firefighters had extinguished most of the flames from the largest wildfires in those areas, but wind and dry conditions allowed the blazes to spread again. But efforts to fight the fires were partially suspended overnight as the winds strengthened.

The blaze in Uiseong destroyed nearly half of more than 30 structures at Gounsa, a temple which was said to be originally built in the 7th century. Among the destroyed structures were two state-designated “treasures" — a pavilion-shaped structure built on a stream built in 1668 and a Joseon Dynasty structure built in 1904 to mark the longevity of a king.

The temple’s another state-designated “treasure,” a stone Buddha statue reportedly manufactured in the 8th century, was evacuated to a safe place, according to government and Buddhist officials.

The Justice Ministry said it protectively removed 500 inmates from a detention center in Cheongsong, another southern town, but no damages were reported to the facility.

The Korea Forest Service said it had raised its wildfire warning to the highest “serious” level nationwide Tuesday, requiring local governments to assign more workers to emergency response, tighten entry restrictions for forests and parks, and recommend that military units withhold live-fire exercises.

The 18 dead include four firefighters and government workers who were killed in Sancheong on Saturday after being trapped by fast-moving flames driven by strong winds, according to officials.

Government officials suspect human error caused several of the fires, possibly due to the use of fire while clearing overgrown grass in family tombs or sparks from welding work.

SEOUL--Wind-driven wildfires that were among South Korea’s worst ever were ravaging the country’s southern regions, killing 24 people, destroying more than 200 structures and forcing 27,000 people to evacuate, officials said Wednesday.

Wildfires ravage southern S. Korea, killing 24 people, forcing 27,000 to evacuate

Palestinians Join Largest Anti-Hamas Protests In Gaza Since Israel War Began: ‘We’re Not Silent’

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News18.com

Last Updated: March 26, 2025, 08:04 IST

Anti-Hamas Protests In Gaza: A message shared on social media appeared to call for nine anti-Hamas demonstrations across Gaza.

Anti-Hamas Protests In Gaza: Videos shared widely on social media showed large crowds marching in northern Gaza. (Image Credit: AFP)

Palestinians protested against Hamas in northern Gaza – the largest against the militant group since its attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Videos shared widely on social media showed large crowds marching in northern Gaza, chanting “For god’s sake, Hamas out," “Hamas terrorists" and “We want an end to the war."

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A message shared on social media appeared to call for nine anti-Hamas demonstrations across Gaza, it was reported. The message read, “Let them hear your voice, let them know that Gaza is not silent, and that there are people who will not accept to be eradicated."

🚨 Breaking: Large-scale Protests Against Hamas in Gaza“Down with Hamas, we’ve had enough, Hamas!" “The people are demanding Hamas to release the hostages, to step down from ruling Gaza, and to end this war" pic.twitter.com/c9XzbeE4Hw — Eitan Fischberger (@EFischberger) March 25, 2025

Protests in Gaza come as the death toll from the Israel war surpassed 50,000, as per the health ministry in the enclave.

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Northern Gaza has been hit hard after Israel launched its response to the October 7 attacks. The war reduced much of Gaza to rubble with aid agencies finding it increasingly hard to even reach the northern part of the enclave.

The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said that no food, water, medicines, or fuel had entered Gaza in three weeks. It said in a social media post, “Every day without food inches Gaza closer to an acute hunger crisis."

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 26, 2025, 08:04 IST

Anti-Hamas Protests In Gaza: A message shared on social media appeared to call for nine anti-Hamas demonstrations across Gaza.

Palestinians Join Largest Anti-Hamas Protests In Gaza Since Israel War Began: ‘We’re Not Silent’

Brazil were humiliated 4-1 by bitter rivals Argentina in South American World Cup qualifiers as the pressure mounted on manager Dorival Júnior after his side were comprehensively outplayed and fortunate not to lose by more.

After edging Colombia 2-1 at home on Thursday, Brazil came crashing back to earth against the world champions, who started the rout with a close-range strike by Julián Alvarez four minutes after kick-off.

Even without the injured Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez, Argentina were streets ahead of their rivals and they did not have to wait long to extend their lead.

Enzo Fernández made it 2-0 with a strike from inside the box in the 12th minute but Brazil pulled one back when a mistake by Argentina defender Cristian Romero gifted Matheus Cunha a goal in the 26th minute.

Argentina restored their two-goal lead through Alexis Mac Allister in the 37th minute, firing home from a Fernández cross.

Argentina squandered several chances to extend their lead further before substitute Giuliano Simeone wrapped up the scoring with a close-range strike in the 71st minute.

View image in fullscreen Vinícius Júnior argues with Colombian referee Andres Rojas. Photograph: Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images

A 0-0 draw between Uruguay and Bolivia earlier on Tuesday had sealed Argentina’s spot at the 2026 World Cup as they became the first South American team to qualify for the tournament in North America.

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They top the standings with 31 points from 14 matches, 17 points clear of seventh-placed Bolivia, who currently hold the spot for the international playoffs. Brazil are fourth on 21 points.

A 4-1 defeat mounted pressure on Brazil manager Dorival Júnior after his side were comprehensively outplayed and fortunate not to lose by more