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The U.S. military has confirmed its naval blockade of Iranian ports is fully in effect, halting all seaborne trade, while President Trump signals potential resumption of talks in Pakistan. Tehran conditions negotiations on lifting the blockade, and regional powers urge restraint as the Strait of Hormuz remains contested.
Sudan marks four years of conflict with millions displaced, famine looming, and international attention waning. The war between the military and RSF has killed tens of thousands and split the country, while aid funding falls far short of needs.
As the conflict between Sudan's army and the RSF enters its fourth year, Khartoum has denounced a Berlin donor conference as 'surprising and unacceptable' interference. The meeting, aimed at securing over €1 billion in aid, highlights both the scale of the humanitarian crisis and the diplomatic paralysis surrounding the war.
According to the Iran War Cost Tracker, the US has spent over $51.2 billion in 46 days of military operations against Iran. The conflict has also caused economic losses in Saudi Arabia and raised concerns about oil prices, while officials and experts question the effectiveness of the campaign.
The South Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar as investors weighed signs of progress in talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz against ongoing Middle East tensions. Markets reacted to diplomatic moves and the expiry of a ceasefire looms, while the KOSPI saw gains. Analysts note persistent pressure from higher oil prices on South Korea's energy-dependent economy.
Iran is demanding compensation for damages from the US, Israel, and regional countries that supported them, citing an estimated $270bn in losses. The demand comes as Tehran prepares for further negotiations with Washington, following a two-week ceasefire and talks in Pakistan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Beijing, urging stronger strategic coordination and deeper cooperation. Lavrov offered to help offset China's energy shortages amid the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as regional leaders flock to Beijing for talks.
South Korea's presidential chief of staff announced that the country has secured 273 million barrels of crude oil and 2.1 million tons of naphtha from Middle Eastern nations, enough to sustain the economy for over three months. The supplies will be shipped via alternative routes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, amid ongoing Middle East tensions. Additional measures include covering extra shipping costs for alternative crude imports.
As Sudan's devastating conflict marks its third anniversary, UN officials warn that nearly 34 million people need humanitarian aid, with poverty doubling and displacement at record levels. The international community prepares to meet in Berlin amid growing calls for action.
A retrial has begun in Argentina over the 2020 death of Diego Maradona, with seven medical professionals accused of homicide with possible intent. The first trial collapsed last year amid allegations of unauthorized filming by a judge. The defendants deny the charges, and the trial is expected to run until July.
Saudi Arabia has pledged an additional $3 billion in deposits to Pakistan and extended an existing $5 billion facility for three more years, providing a critical buffer as Islamabad prepares to repay a $3.5 billion loan to the UAE. The funds, announced during the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, are expected to shore up Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves, though analysts warn of persistent external financing risks.
More than 20 commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz in a single day, according to US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal, while Iranian authorities denied reports that US Navy ships had passed through without approval. The developments come amid ongoing US-Iran conflict and a selective blockade of the strategic waterway.
US President Donald Trump has indicated that a second round of US-Iran talks could take place in Islamabad within the next two days, praising Pakistan's army chief for his mediation efforts. The comments come after the first round of talks ended without an agreement and as a two-week ceasefire approaches its expiration.
Carlos Queiroz has been appointed head coach of Ghana's national football team, the Ghana Football Association announced. The 73-year-old Portuguese takes over from Otto Addo with less than two months before the 2026 World Cup, where Ghana will face Panama, England, and Croatia in Group L.
OPEC's March report shows a significant drop in Middle East oil production, with Iraq and Saudi Arabia leading the decline, while traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been nearly halted. The organization has also trimmed its second-quarter demand forecast, though it maintains its 2026 outlook.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped sharply since the US-Iran conflict began, with only a handful of vessels transiting daily compared to a pre-war average of 140. The US military has redirected dozens of ships since imposing a blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran has announced the strait is open but under its own conditions. Shipping companies remain cautious, citing mine risks and the need for clarifications.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has cleared Axel Springer's £575m takeover of the Telegraph, citing no grounds for intervention. The German publisher expects to complete the deal by the end of June, ending nearly three years of ownership uncertainty.
Amid a US blockade on vessels visiting Iranian ports, several sanctioned tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, while shipping in Pakistan remains normal. The blockade follows failed US-Iran peace talks, and transits through the crucial waterway have dropped sharply.
The US Navy has blockaded Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz to pressure Tehran, drawing condemnation from Iran's UN ambassador and impacting global oil markets. Reports detail interdictions, covert oil transfers, and the blockade's economic toll.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has secured a parliamentary majority after winning three by-elections, giving his Liberal Party 174 of 343 seats and the ability to pass legislation without opposition support. The victory solidifies his hold on power until at least 2029, according to multiple reports.