Daily SumUp

Türkiye on the brink as economic collapse looks imminent, will Recep Tayyip Erdoğan survive the political Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Plans for the future of U.S. security cooperation with Iraq, including the role of U.S. service members on the ground there, are still being discussed by the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission, or HMC, said the Pentagon press secretary. "The nature of these conversations are focused on transitioning from the global coalition for the enduring defeat of ISIS, the current structure, to what does a longer-term U.S-Iraqi bilateral security relationship look like," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder during a meeting today with members of the civilian news media. "We highly value Iraq as a partner," Ryder said. "They play a very important role in the region when it comes to security and stability, particularly on the counterterrorism front, and, so, we need to allow the HMC the time and space to have those conversations." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Myanmar's military has announced a temporary ceasefire to speed up relief and reconstruction efforts following last week's devastating earthquake. In a statement, the ruling junta's State Administration Council said the deal would be in effect from 2 April to 22 April. Earlier this week, rebel groups fighting the military unilaterally declared a ceasefire to support relief efforts - the military had refused to do the same until Wednesday's announcement. At least 2,886 people are now known to have been killed after the magnitude- 7.7 earthquake struck last Friday. Hundreds of people are still missing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Instant view: Hefty Trump tariffs surprise markets, stocks slide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tesla sales plunge: Biggest decline in history Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Friday, March 28, a student at the University of Oregon had their visa canceled by Homeland Security due to unspecified criminal charges, according to the school. A UO spokesperson said the university was not notified by federal agents about the unidentified student’s visa termination or given further details about the criminal charges. UO said they are required to inform students when their F-1 visa status is terminated and they are given 15 days to leave the country unless they have another legal pathway for remaining. “We are working to understand more about this situation and are committed to handling this matter with care and respect for the student’s privacy,” a UO spokesperson wrote to FOX 12. “When a student’s visa is revoked, the university offers any assistance we can provide.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Qatar joins Israel for 'side by side training' in aerial drills in Greece Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kazakhstan discovered its largest deposit of rare earth metals, containing around one million tonnes of the elements that are seen as vital for the future economy, the Central Asian country said Wednesday. Rare earths comprise 17 raw materials that are essential for the green energy transition and highly sought by the likes of China, Russia, the United States and Europe. "As of today, this is the largest rare earths deposit" in Kazakhstan, a spokesperson for the industry ministry told AFP. The deposit -- in central Kazakhstan's Karaganda region -- contains cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and yttrium, they said. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A great-grandparent or even a great-great grandparent from Italy used to be all it took to guarantee Italian citizenship. A surprise decree has now changed all that, making it much harder for those with Italian ancestry to use blood line as a pathway to become Italian. On March 28, the Italian government tightened regulations for claiming citizenship by jus sanguinis, or descendent blood line, effective immediately. The law will go to parliament to be ratified in 60 days, and some changes could be introduced, but for the moment new applications for citizenship must meet new requirements. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A federal judge has permanently dismissed the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, weeks after the Trump administration directed prosecutors to drop the corruption charges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Donald Trump has reportedly informed his Cabinet and inner circle that Elon Musk will be stepping back from his high-profile government role in the coming weeks. The Tesla and SpaceX boss will soon be returning to the business world, Politico reported. Revelations about the shock move rattled the stock market and stunned Washington Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years ago, as Cyclone Mocha whipped towards the western coast of Myanmar, packing wind speeds of some 280 kilometres per hour (175mph) and threatening disaster, the country’s military ruler Min Aung Hlaing appeared unconcerned. Despite predictions of widespread destruction as the cyclone made landfall, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and most of his cabinet were in the east of the country consecrating a Buddhist temple. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Muslims in Nigeria and around the world marked the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and ushered in the holiday of Eid al-Fitr on Sunday with prayers. Eid prayers are an important part of the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Fitr. These prayers are typically performed in congregation in a mosque or an open area. 19-year-old Aisha Sanni says she has mixed feelings following the end of the Holy month. “Ramadan is very, very good and I feel so much happy but at the same time, I feel so much sad because there are so many goodness in Ramadan,” said Aisha Sanni. The Islamic calendar is lunar and depends on the sighting of the moon — something Muslim religious authorities tend to disagree on. Muslims believe that fasting during Ramadan teaches self-discipline, self-control, and empathy for those who are less fortunate. In addition to fasting, Muslims engage in increased prayer, and acts of charity during Ramadan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China has approved the country's first-ever autonomous passenger drones, or "flying taxis", for commercial use. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has approved air operator certificates for the first-ever autonomous flying taxis, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chinese military said Tuesday it had launched joint exercises involving its army, navy, air force and rocket force around Taiwan as a “stern warning,” days after US defense chief Pete Hegseth vowed to counter “China’s aggression” on his first visit to Asia. China’s armed forces will “close in” on the self-governing island from “multiple directions” in the drills and practice maneuvers including “assault on maritime and ground targets” and “blockade on key areas and sea lanes” to test joint operations capabilities of the troops, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)’s Eastern Theater Command said in a statement on social media. “It is a stern warning and forceful deterrence against ‘Taiwan Independence’ separatist forces, and it is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity,” the statement added. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo have agreed to cooperate more closely on free trade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liberal MP from the Toronto area, Paul Chiang, is stepping down from the federal race just hours after Canadian police announced an investigation into his remarks about Conservative opponent Joe Tay. In January, Chiang stated that people should take Tay to the local Chinese consulate 'to collect a bounty.' Despite this, Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney had ruled out dropping Chiang from the race. Conservative leader and PM candidate Pierre Poilievre said the comments had left Tay 'afraid for his life.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The breakdown of the ceasefire and resumption of intense bombardments and ground operations in the Gaza Strip has reportedly left at least 322 children dead and 609 injured – constituting a daily average of around 100 children killed or maimed over the past 10 days. Most of these children were displaced, sheltering in makeshift tents or damaged homes. These figures include children who were reportedly killed or injured when the surgical department of Al Nasser Hospital, in southern Gaza, was struck in an attack on 23 March. The resurgence of relentless and indiscriminate bombardments, combined with the complete block on supplies entering the Gaza Strip for more than three weeks, has put the humanitarian response under severe strain and Gaza’s civilians – especially its one million children – at grave risk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finland will withdraw from the international agreement banning antipersonnel mines, also known as the Ottawa Convention, and spend 3 percent of GDP on defense, the country's President Alexander Stubb said Tuesday. "Finland will prepare for the withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention," he posted on X. "The decision is based on a thorough assessment by the relevant ministries and the Defence Forces. Finland is committed to its international obligations on the responsible use of mines," he added. The 1997 Ottawa Convention — also known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty — has come under increasing pressure because of the Kremlin's war on Ukraine, especially in countries neighboring Russia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

German and Italian authorities have arrested dozens of suspects, including a policeman, in raids against the 'Ndrangheta criminal organisation over fraud involving the sale of expensive food and pizza-making equipment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.