Japan begins release of oil reserves as Iran war sparks energy crisis
Tokyo’s move comes as oil prices remain elevated amid the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Madagascar names anticorruption chief as PM days after cabinet dissolved
President announces Mamitiana Rajaonarison as prime minister after Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo was dismissed.
Rafah crossing closure leaves Gaza patients trapped without treatment
Thousands face worsening illness after closure of key crossing halts medical evacuations.
One Battle After Another’s big night: Key takeaways from the 2026 Oscars
Paul Thomas Anderson’s political chase film earned six Oscars, beating the vampire thriller Sinners, which scored four.
Oscars 2026: Full list of winners
One Battle After Another wins six Oscars, while Sinners takes four awards.
Medvedev ends Alcaraz’s winning run, sets up Sinner final at Indian Wells
Medvedev, who arrived in the US after leaving the UAE via Oman amid Iranian attacks. ends the world no 1’s 16-match run.
Vietnam holds general election, 93% candidates from ruling Communist Party
Vietnamese elect members of parliament from a list of candidates almost exclusively fielded by the governing party.
Cars were burned and overturned by shrapnel in Tel Aviv district
Cars were seen burned and one overturned in in Tel Aviv district caused by shrapnel after a wave of Iranian missiles.
Matt: Song Creation
I’m in New Orleans for the first time in 7 years for a beautiful wedding. My Mom’s side of the family emigrated here in the 1860s, and there’s a deep comfort in the art, traditions, and weirdness of Creole culture. Good music and food are ubiquitous. I met up with WordPresser Blake Bertuccelli-Booth to catch … Read more
As Syria marks 15 years since anti-Assad uprising, security issues remain
Syrians celebrate the start of the 2011 uprising that, in 2024, put an end to Bashar al-Assad’s rule.