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A devastating 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan on Friday, resulting in the tragic loss of eight lives from a single family in the Gosfand Dara area of Kabul province. The quake, which occurred at 8:42 pm local time (16:12 GMT), had its epicentre in the northeastern province of Badakhshan, approximately 290km (180 miles) northeast of Kabul.According to Health Ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman, a two-year-old child was the sole survivor, sustaining injuries. The disaster management agency reported that the boy was hurt during the incident.The earthquake's impact was felt across multiple regions, including Kabul and the Indian capital, New Delhi. Tremors were also reported in Pakistan, including Islamabad, Peshawar, Chitral, Swat, and Shangla, with no immediate reports of damage or injuries.Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes due to its location along the Hindu Kush mountain range, near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. On average, 560 people are killed by quakes in the country every year. The deadliest recent tremor occurred last August, when a shallow magnitude 6 earthquake in eastern Afghanistan killed at least 2,200 people.The country's impoverished infrastructure often hampers disaster response efforts, particularly in remote areas where homes are typically built with bricks, wood, and mud, making them vulnerable to seismic activity.

A tragic incident occurred at the Habshan gas facility in the United Arab Emirates, the country's largest natural gas processing site, after debris from an intercepted attack caused two fires. Local authorities reported that at least one person was killed and others were wounded.The Abu Dhabi Media Office stated that the debris, resulting from a successful interception by air defense systems, led to significant damage and four minor injuries – two Pakistani nationals and two Egyptian nationals. The incident occurred during a period of heightened tensions, with Iran continuing to fire missiles and drones across the Middle East since the US and Israel launched a war against the country on February 28.The UAE has been severely impacted, with several energy sites and civilian facilities targeted. In the past 24 hours alone, Emirati officials reported that at least 18 ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles, and 47 drones were fired from Iran. This surge in attacks prompted the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to urge the United Nations Security Council to take measures to halt Iranian attacks and protect maritime corridors.The situation remains critical, with Iran effectively halting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, causing prices to soar.

Cambodia has taken a significant step in its fight against cybercrime by approving a new law targeting scam centers accused of defrauding foreigners of billions of dollars. The law, which aims to enhance the country's 'cleaning operation' against these illicit operations, imposes punishments of two to five years in prison and fines of up to $125,000 for those convicted of online scams.The legislation, which will now go to Cambodia's king for a final signature, also outlines penalties for money laundering, gathering victims' data, or recruiting scammers. Ringleaders of scam centers that engage in human trafficking, detentions, and torture will face prison sentences of up to 20 years and fines of up to $500,000.The passage of the law comes amid widespread condemnation from rights groups and sanctions by governments around the world, with Cambodia accused of being a hotbed of cyberscams. The US Department of State has previously stated that 'official complicity, including at senior levels, inhibited effective law enforcement action against trafficking crimes' in Cambodia, which has denied these allegations.The new law is seen as a significant effort by Cambodia to combat the rise of online fraud, romance, and cryptocurrency scams. Several countries have enacted anti-cyberscam laws to address this issue, with con artists in Singapore facing 24 strokes of the cane in serious cases.Justice Minister Keut Rith emphasized that the law is 'strict like the fishing net' and aims to ensure that online scams do not return to Cambodia. The law is expected to send a strong message to cyberscammers that Cambodia is not a place to conduct scams, and it will serve the interests of the Cambodian nation and people.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a stern warning against the ongoing US-Israeli attacks on Iranian healthcare facilities, amid the escalating conflict. The organisation's chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reported that over 20 attacks on healthcare facilities in Iran have been verified since March 1, resulting in at least nine deaths, including an infectious diseases health worker and a member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society.The Pasteur Institute in Tehran, one of the oldest research and health facilities in the country, has sustained significant damage and was rendered unable to continue delivering health services. Iranian Ministry of Health spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour shared images of the heavily damaged building on social media, with parts of the facility reduced to rubble.Despite the attacks, Iran's ISNA news agency reported that the services of the Pasteur Institute have not been interrupted, and vaccine and serum production would continue. The WHO chief emphasised that the Institute plays a crucial role in protecting and promoting population health, particularly in emergencies.The attacks have not been limited to the Pasteur Institute. The WHO has reported damage to other healthcare facilities, including the Delaram Sina Psychiatric Hospital and the Tofigh Daru pharmaceutical facility, with no casualties reported. An explosion near the Imam Ali Hospital in Khuzestan province led to the facility's evacuation and cessation of services.Tedros stressed that humanitarian workers, ambulances, relief supplies, and humanitarian facilities must be respected and protected under international law. The Geneva Conventions, agreed upon after World War II, designate healthcare facilities as protected locations.The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported that a warehouse belonging to the organisation was targeted, destroying two-wheeled relief containers and two buses and relief vehicles. According to the organisation, 307 health, medical, and emergency care facilities have been damaged in the war.

Iranian officials have asserted that they successfully downed two United States warplanes in separate incidents. The first aircraft was reported to have been shot down over Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, while the second went down in the Gulf region. According to Tehran’s statements, two U.S. crew members have been rescued, but at least one airman is still unaccounted for. The incident, confirmed by Iranian sources, is being presented as evidence of the country’s advancing air defense capabilities and its resolve to protect sovereign airspace. The downing of the aircraft arrives amid already strained U.S.-Iran relations, raising concerns about potential escalation. Analysts note that such incidents could prompt diplomatic protests, affect regional security calculations, and influence the operational posture of U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East. While the exact models of the downed warplanes have not been disclosed, the events underscore a broader narrative of increasing military assertiveness in the region. The loss of a U.S. crew member, if confirmed, would add a human dimension to the geopolitical fallout, potentially prompting calls for heightened caution on both sides. International observers are monitoring the situation closely, as the incident may impact ongoing negotiations, trade routes through the Gulf, and the strategic balance between regional powers.

As Easter celebrations unfold in the UK, religious and political leaders are highlighting the urgent need for peace in the Middle East, a region plagued by conflict and violence. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, in her first Easter sermon, called for an end to the violence and destruction in the region, emphasizing the importance of “peace, justice, and freedom.”The conflict in the Middle East, which began at the end of February, has entered its sixth week, resulting in thousands of deaths and significant disruptions to global shipping routes, including an effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This has led to soaring fuel prices and concerns about the impact on the global economy.In her Easter message, Mullally prayed that all people in the region receive the peace, justice, and freedom they long for, stating, “This week, our gaze and our prayers have been turned towards the land where Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead. Today, as we shout with joy that Christ is risen, let us pray and call with renewed urgency for an end to the violence and destruction in the Middle East and the Gulf.”Prime Minister Keir Starmer also addressed the conflict in his Easter message, noting that it is causing “real anxiety” for people. He described Easter as a celebration of hope, new life, and renewal, and highlighted the important role of churches and Christian communities in supporting families and neighbors.Starmer emphasized the need for unity and community in the face of challenges, stating, “Our country is at its best when we choose community over division, kindness over indifference, and service over self-interest.”

When the sanctioned Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin docked at Matanzas and off‑loaded roughly 700,000 barrels of crude, observers were left questioning why Washington had temporarily lifted its oil embargo on the island.Just weeks earlier, President Donald Trump had taken to social media to declare an end to any oil or cash flowing to Cuba. Yet, in a stark reversal, he later told reporters he had no objection to oil shipments reaching the country, allowing the Russian vessel to pass.Adding to the intrigue, Cuban authorities announced the release of 2,010 prisoners as a “humanitarian gesture” for Holy Week. Analysts quickly linked the pardons to the tanker’s arrival, interpreting both moves as evidence of ongoing, albeit secret, talks between Washington and Havana.The U.S. oil blockade has already pushed Cuba’s fragile economy to the brink: tourism has all but vanished after airlines from Canada, Russia, China and France withdrew, with Iberia set to exit by the end of May. Most petrol stations are shuttered and blackouts have become a daily reality.Population estimates now sit at 9.5 million, down from a pre‑crisis peak after a two‑million‑person exodus over the past five years. Citizens describe a systemic collapse of health, education and transport services.With official channels silent, Cubans are piecing together fragmented leaks—largely from the U.S. side—to gauge the direction of the negotiations.The dialogue pits Trump’s hard‑line rhetoric, which vows to “take” the island, against Cuba’s insistence that its political system is non‑negotiable.One diplomat suggested the tanker’s arrival could be a tactical humanitarian showcase, but also noted it might serve as a confidence‑building measure. The simultaneous prisoner release leans toward the latter interpretation.Professor William LeoGrande of American University observed that such reciprocal gestures often precede substantive diplomatic progress.Meanwhile, another Russian‑flagged tanker, the Sea Horse, carrying about 200,000 barrels, was sighted moving toward Venezuela, hinting at a coordinated “carrot” strategy aimed at both Havana and Caracas.Although oil alone is unlikely to compel the Cuban regime to relinquish power, the recent events suggest a more transactional pathway may be emerging.Since 2021, Cuba has nurtured a private sector of over 10,000 small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises (Mipymes), spawning a new class of affluent Cubans often tied to the regime and the army’s economic arm, Gaesa.Negotiations appear to be led by Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, a grandson of former President Raúl Castro and son of the late Gaesa chief Luis Rodríguez López‑Calleja.In a recent CNN interview, Fidel Castro’s grandson Sandro Castro, a 33‑year‑old influencer and businessman, argued that the majority of Cubans now favor a capitalist model over communism.His open criticism of President Miguel Díaz‑Canel—calling his performance “unsatisfactory”—would normally trigger state security action, yet appears tolerated, suggesting the U.S. may be leveraging Díaz‑Canel’s vulnerability in the talks.Analysts speculate a possible outcome where Cuba’s economy opens to foreign investment while senior Castros retain political influence, aligning with Trump’s expressed desire for a “friendly” transition reminiscent of recent moves in Venezuela.One senior diplomat in Havana noted that the United States might permit existing private businesses to continue operating, provided they also open markets to U.S. interests.The prospect of any Castro family member retaining authority is likely to provoke fierce opposition from hard‑line Cuban‑American groups, epitomized by figures like Marco Rubio, who have long advocated for the Castros’ removal.Perhaps the greatest concern remains the roughly 40 % of Cubans who are not part of the private sector and rely on state support; many are elderly and now face the very real threat of starvation.

President Donald Trump has unveiled a bold budget request, seeking $1.5 trillion for military spending, a nearly 40% increase from the previous year. This ambitious proposal underscores the White House's priorities, emphasizing military strength and law enforcement.The budget request, while not legally binding, sets the stage for intense congressional negotiations. It includes a proposed $455 billion increase over fiscal year 2026, separate from an emergency request of $200 billion for the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.The plan involves significant shifts in funding, with $73 billion in cuts to domestic programs, including initiatives to counter climate change, boost renewable energy, and support equality and access in housing, education, and healthcare. Instead, funding would be redirected to projects such as Trump's Golden Dome missile defense system, critical minerals investment, US shipbuilding, and troop salary increases.Trump's proposal also emphasizes immigration enforcement, calling for continued funding for the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to support his mass deportation campaign. The request includes a 13% increase for the Department of Justice, focusing on violent crime.The budget plan faces challenges, including a potential deadlock in Congress over funding for ICE and Customs and Border Patrol. The administration suggests passing the budget through a mechanism known as reconciliation, which could be achieved with a simple majority in Congress.The US military expenditure has steadily increased, reaching $997 billion in 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The country consistently spends more on its military than the next nine countries combined, raising questions about priorities in defense and domestic spending.

Burkina Faso's military leader, Ibrahim Traore, has made a striking statement, urging citizens to 'forget about democracy'. This declaration comes just three months after his government dissolved all political parties in the West African nation.In a lengthy interview on state television, Traore referenced Libya as an example where outsiders attempted to impose democracy but failed. He claimed that democracy 'kills' and equates it with slavery.Traore's government has been distancing itself from initial promises to restore democratic governance. He seized power in September 2022, following a military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of President Roch Marc Kabore.The military government had promised to combat al-Qaeda and ISIL-linked armed groups but the country continues to face repeated attacks, with hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced.Traore initially promised elections in 2024 but later reneged, stating they would only be held when all parts of Burkina Faso are safe for voting.In January, Traore's government scrapped over 100 political parties and seized their assets. Parliament and political activity were previously suspended, and the Independent National Electoral Commission was dissolved in July 2025.Analysts have raised concerns about the government's targeting of institutions, including the media and judiciary. Journalists, political opposition leaders, and prosecutors critical of the military government have been forcibly conscripted and sent to the front lines.Burkina Faso, along with neighboring military governments in Niger and Mali, exited the regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc to form their own Alliance of Sahel States (AES) last January.The country has turned to Russian paramilitary fighters after evicting former colonial power, France, which had deployed some 5,000 soldiers to help fight armed groups in the Sahel region.Violence in Burkina Faso has continued to escalate, with fatalities tripling in the three years since Traore took power, reaching 17,775 by last May. Most of those killed were civilians, many by government forces and allied militias.