Donald Trump has warned NATO that it faces a ‘very bad future’ unless its member states help to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to global oil shipments. The waterway is a critical route for around 20% of the world’s oil, and disruption there has already heightened fears of economic instability. European nations now face a difficult choice between maintaining alliances and avoiding deeper involvement in the widening conflict, which Trump started without consulting his allies. Closing the strait was always seen as one of Iran’s main weapons, and Trump’s expectations that destroying the Iranian navy would prevent that from happening have proved unjustified: just by threatening drone strikes on tankers, Iran has effectively closed the strait and driven up oil prices. Trump wants NATO to send warships to escort convoys through the strait, which they are reluctant to do; he has now appealed to China, South Korea, Japan, and Australia to help. Other military options could further escalate the conflict, particularly if key infrastructure becomes a target.

After a nationwide blackout which left the entire population without electricity for 29 hours, Cuba has managed to restore power. The outage, one of several in recent months, reflects a deepening energy crisis caused by fuel shortages and an ageing power grid. Although the national system is now back online, officials warn that electricity supply remains unstable and unable to meet demand. The crisis has been intensified by Donald Trump’s decision to cut off the island’s oil supply from Venezuela and threats to slap tariffs on countries which ship fuel to the nation. He has also upped his rhetoric against Cuba, saying that he could do ‘anything he wanted’ to the country. Many households were already experiencing long daily outages before the collapse, disrupting food, water and essential services. Tensions between Cuba and the USA continue to escalate, although they are engaged in talks aimed at easing the situation. For ordinary citizens, the hardship continues despite partial recovery, as they face ongoing uncertainty and limited resources in daily life.

A federal judge has ruled that the shutdown of Voice of America (VOA) was unlawful, ordering that the broadcaster be restored within a week and that hundreds of journalists be reinstated. The decision follows mass layoffs in January, after Donald Trump appointed Kari Lake to carry out an executive order to close VOA and associated outlets, which his officials accused of left-wing bias. The court found the actions lacked proper legal authority and failed to consider the broadcaster’s mandated role. Before it was wound down, VOA, originally established to counter Nazi propaganda, was broadcasting TV, radio and digital content in almost fifty languages. Its closure raised concerns about the future of independent international broadcasting and access to reliable information. The ruling offers hope for the restoration of its services, though uncertainty remains over potential appeals and future leadership decisions. The case highlights ongoing debates about media independence, government authority, and the role of public broadcasting in a complex global information landscape.

A series of videos shared by the White House has sparked debate after mixing footage of the war with Iran with scenes from films, video games, and professional sports. The posts combine real explosions with clips from entertainment franchises and popular culture, including action movies and gaming titles. Critics say the approach risks turning a deadly conflict into spectacle. Actor Ben Stiller and voice actor Steve Downes both objected to the use of their work without permission, calling for the clips to be removed. Church leaders also voiced concern, including Blase J Cupich, the Catholic archbishop of Chicago, who warned that portraying war like a video game diminishes the suffering experienced by those affected. Supporters of the videos argue they highlight the actions of American forces and communicate messages in a digital age shaped by media and entertainment. Meanwhile, Trump has said his ‘excursion’ will soon be over, but ‘not yet’: see

Iran’s clerical leaders have moved quickly to appoint a new Supreme Leader after Ali Khamenei was killed in Israeli and American strikes on the opening day of the conflict. His successor is his 56-year-old son, Mojtaba Khamenei. For years he has been influential behind the scenes, often described as a gatekeeper to his father and closely connected to key centres of power. His wife Zahra was reportedly killed in the same Israeli air strike that killed his father. Although he lacks broad public recognition and has never held elected office, reports indicate he has the backing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the powerful security force which underpins the state. His appointment is likely to reinforce the existing direction of Iran’s leadership during a period of intense regional conflict and internal pressure. Observers note that many Iranians who have called for reform will see little sign of change in this appointment, which might give Donald Trump a strategic advantage in his war of words with Tehran. Breaking news: on 12 March, a message was read out on state television, said to come from the new Supreme Leader, vowing that Iran would fight on. See

Only two days after Donald Trump, announcing Japanese-backed investments tied to a major trade pact, posted ‘America is WINNING again’, the Supreme Court ruled much of his tariff regime unlawful, angering Trump and creating huge uncertainty across global markets. Almost immediately, he announced new tariffs, which means that most countries - including those that had negotiated preferential agreements - now face a 15% tariff on exports to the USA. Some nations which made concessions, such as the UK and Japan, may gain little advantage, while others, including China and India, have seen tariff reductions without comparable compromises. The new tariffs will be valid for only 150 days, with confusion about what might happen thereafter. Data suggests much of the economic burden of tariffs has fallen on US businesses and consumers. Meanwhile, Trump has drawn widespread incredulity and criticism for using his position to advertise expensive watches bearing his name: see

Russia’s deputy prime minister Alexander Novak has said Moscow is discussing the possibility of supplying fuel to Cuba as the USA tightens restrictions on oil shipments to the island. The move follows new US measures aimed at cutting off Venezuelan oil supplies and threatening sanctions on countries that export fuel to Cuba. Russia, previously a major supplier alongside Venezuela and Mexico, has criticised the restrictions, warning of humanitarian consequences. Cuba relies heavily on imported fuel to power its electricity grid and already faces economic strain under longstanding US sanctions. The UN has cautioned that further shortages could deepen hardship. In response, Canada and Mexico have pledged humanitarian aid, including food and essential supplies. Washington has also announced $6m in humanitarian aid, provided that it is not distributed by the Cuban government. More than two million people have left the island since the Covid pandemic, due to the collapse of the tourism sector. Breaking news: four men in a Florida-registered speedboat have been killed by a Cuban border patrol. See

Donald Trump has cast fresh doubt on the UK’s planned Chagos Islands agreement with Mauritius, urging Keir Starmer not to 'give away Diego Garcia'. The deal would see Britain transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while leasing back Diego Garcia, home to a vital joint UK-US military base, for 99 years. Although the US State Department recently backed the agreement, Trump criticised the plan on social media, arguing that long-term leases are inadequate for strategically important territory. He described Diego Garcia as crucial in the Indian Ocean, suggesting it could be needed for a future attack on with Iran. His remarks come ahead of US-Mauritius talks and follow previous shifts in his stance. The Government insists the agreement is essential to secure the base’s long-term future and maintain allied security. Opposition politicians have condemned the proposal, while some Chagossians are protesting against the handover, arguing that Mauritius never rightfully owned the islands and calling for restoration of their homeland. See

Rising tensions in the Middle East frame a significant meeting between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington. Israel is seeking a comprehensive agreement restricting Iran’s nuclear programme, missile development, and support for regional proxy groups, while Iran has signalled willingness to limit nuclear activity in exchange for sanctions relief but rejects broader demands. The USA has increased military presence in the region, warning of possible strikes if negotiations fail, yet leaders on all sides are continuing the dialogue. Iran’s position has been weakened by the huge recent protests, while Israel fears a deal that leaves long-term threats unresolved. At the same time, the Trump administration is pressing Israel and Hamas to implement the next phase of their ceasefire agreement in Gaza, with accusations of violations and little progress towards reconstruction.

A social media video shared by Donald Trump and later deleted drew widespread condemnation across political lines. The clip promoted false election claims and, near its conclusion, depicted Barack and Michelle Obama with their faces superimposed onto dancing apes. Posted during Black History Month, the video revived racist imagery historically used to justify slavery and segregation. The White House initially defended the post as a meme but later said a staff member had shared it in error. Politicians (including some Republicans), diplomats, and commentators criticised the content as dehumanising and harmful. Analysts noted that such inflammatory behaviour might not significantly affect Trump’s political support because public opinion around him is already polarised. One commentator said, ‘That Trump chose to post this video is yet another indicator of how reactionary racism has become mainstream and normalised within his Republican party, as the GOP continues to lurch dangerously rightwards.’