Africa particularly vulnerable as Iran conflict disrupts supply chains, say experts

• President Trump is threatening to delay his summit with China's President Xi Jinping unless Beijing helps secure the Strait of Hormuz, with US and Chinese trade negotiators meeting in Paris to discuss the issue. • The conflict has entered its third week with Operation Epic Fury killing more than 1,300 people in Iran and 13 US service members dead, while Gulf states report new missile and drone attacks on Sunday after Iran threatened to expand its military campaign. • Trump called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and other nations to send warships to keep the Strait open and safe, warning the US will "remember" countries that don't help. • China has shown preliminary goodwill by signaling openness to purchase additional US agricultural products including poultry, beef, and non-soybean crops beyond previously pledged soybean purchases.

• President Trump demanded on March 15 that NATO and allied nations help secure the Strait of Hormuz with military vessels, warning that NATO could face a "very bad future" if allies refuse to assist in keeping the critical waterway open. • Trump warned that the US "will remember" countries that do not contribute to securing the strait, applying diplomatic pressure to allies amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East and warnings of potential sanctions waivers if the conflict prolongs. • The demand reflects Trump's strategy of leveraging the energy crisis and geopolitical instability created by the Iran conflict to mobilize international support for US-led efforts to maintain global shipping routes.

• Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan immigrant who aided US forces, died on March 14 in ICE custody less than 24 hours after arrest outside his Dallas-area home while taking his six children to school. • Paktyawal's asylum case was pending; his death marks the 12th in ICE detention this year under Trump's mass deportation policy, following 31 deaths in 2025, the highest in two decades. • AfghanEvac president Shawn VanDiver highlighted the tragedy, criticizing ICE's role in Trump's immigration crackdown amid rising detention fatalities.

• A rocket attack struck Baghdad International Airport on Sunday, which houses a US diplomatic facility, wounding five people according to Iraqi authorities. • The attack represents continued escalation in regional tensions amid the broader US-Israeli conflict with Iran. • The incident underscores the expanding scope of the Middle East crisis beyond direct US-Iran military engagement into broader attacks on US diplomatic and military infrastructure in Iraq.

• President Trump issued a stark warning to NATO allies on March 16, stating they face a "very bad future" if they do not assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. • The warning came as the US and Israel work to secure the strategic waterway, which has been disrupted by the ongoing conflict with Iran. • Trump's ultimatum reflects growing pressure on international allies to support US-led efforts to restore normal shipping operations and stabilize global energy markets.

US president hinted that his trip could be put on hold if Beijing failed to help secure the strait of HormuzMiddle East crisis – live updatesChina has said it is in communication with the US about Donald Trump’s planned visit to Beijing, despite hints from the US president that he might delay the trip if his prospective hosts do not help to unblock the strait of Hormuz.China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China-US relations. The two sides are maintaining communication regarding President Trump’s visit to China.” Continue reading...

A letter from 15 critics to the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh condemns ‘divisive move’ that saw non-Scottish publications excluded from reviewing the musical’s press nightTheatre critics in Scotland have written to the Royal Lyceum theatre in Edinburgh condemning a “divisive” and “London-centric” decision to not invite reviews from UK national publications for its new musical version of One Day.The show, based on the 2009 novel by David Nicholls, held a press night on Wednesday but only critics writing for Scottish publications were invited to review it. A separate press night for other critics is planned for a later date, when the show opens in London. Continue reading...

US president on social media said he was ‘thrilled’ that Brendan Carr was looking into broadcasters’ licenses Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Donald Trump reinforced comments made by Brendan Carr, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), threatening the broadcast licenses of news organizations that report unfavorably on the war in Iran.In a Truth Social post Sunday night, Trump said he was “thrilled” that Carr was “looking at the licenses of some of these Corrupt and Highly Unpatriotic ‘News’ Organizations. They get Billions of Dollars of FREE American Airwaves, and use it to perpetuate LIES …”. Continue reading...

Trams, buses and hire bikes will be integrated under molten orange and asphalt black brand highlighting industrial heritage, says Oliver CoppardSouth Yorkshire’s transport system will be known as the “People’s Network”, with trams, buses and hire bikes all coming under public control.The plan was unveiled on Monday by the region’s mayor, Oliver Coppard, who said it would create an affordable, joined-up network in molten orange and asphalt black colours. A large fleet of electric buses and 25 new trams will be introduced over the next five years. Continue reading...

Reform UK’s deputy leader comments came as he was responding to questions raised about his own tax affairsAll Britons should do their best to pay the minimum tax possible, Reform UK’s deputy leader has argued as he dismissed a newspaper investigation over his own tax affairs as a smear.Richard Tice, who was presenting a press conference on Monday about Reform’s claims to have saved large sums of money in the English councils it runs, faced questions about a Sunday Times story which detailed a scheme the paper said had helped him avoid nearly £600,000 in corporation tax. Continue reading...

Judge describes Nathan Bennett as ‘incorrigible and dangerous’ over string of offences including rapeA “dangerous paedophile” who sexually abused five children in his care at a nursery in Bristol has been jailed for 24 years.Judge William Hart described Nathan Bennett as “evil” and said that he had thought seriously about imposing a life sentence because it was difficult to assess whether he would ever not be a risk to children. Continue reading...

Recording of humpback whale from 1949 could also provide new understanding of how the huge animals communicateA haunting whale song discovered on decades-old audio equipment could open up a new understanding of how the huge animals communicate, according to researchers who say it’s the oldest such recording known.The song is that of a humpback whale, a marine giant beloved by whale watchers for its docile nature and spectacular leaps from the water, and was recorded by scientists in March 1949 in Bermuda, said researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Continue reading...