Stocks pare losses on reports of Iran - Oman plan for Strait of Hormuz

Stocks are whipsawing in trade after President Donald Trump said the US would bomb Iran back into the stone age, setting the stage for an escalation in the conflict. After a sharp selloff in early trading, the major indices are mostly flat after news that Iran and Oman are reportedly working on a plan for the vital Strait of Hormuz.   Toni Waterman has more

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Countries Gather For Virtual Hormuz Meeting

Foreign ministers and senior politicians from more than 40 countries are meeting virtually to discuss how to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The vital waterway off the south coast of Iran has almost completely closed for a month, leading to huge spikes in oil and gas prices globally.

The meeting is being hosted by the UK who have condemned 'Iranian recklessness'... from the Foreign Office in London, Stuart Smith reports.

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Four Children Stabbed to Death by Assailant in Uganda School

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An attack by an unknown assailant has left four children dead at a daycare center in Kampala, Uganda.

The motive for the attack is unknown, but the suspect is in police custody.

Isabel Nakirya reports

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China steps in to mediate a ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan

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Pakistan and Afghanistan have resumed talks in China, with Beijing mediating to calm tensions between the two sides.

This comes as Middle East turmoil fuels wider regional instability.

Analysts warn that easing pressure along the Afghan border is essential, as Pakistan's military faces the risk of being stretched across both its western and Iranian frontiers.

Hira Mustafa reports from Islamabad. 

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Oil rallies, stocks tumble as Trump says US to hammer Iran further

INTRO: Oil prices spiked and stocks sank in Asia on Thursday after Donald Trump said that US forces would hit Iran hard over the next two to three weeks.

However, he did not offer a solution to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz that has crippled global markets, and affected daily life in many parts of Asia. Laura Westbrook reports from Hong Kong.

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Iran warns of "crushing, broader and destructive" attacks after Trump speech

A spokesperson for the Iranian military warned of incoming "crushing, broader and destructive" attacks after the US president said the war would continue for another "two to three weeks".

In a speech to the nation, Donald Trump said the US is on track to soon complete all of its military objectives against Iran

Ross Cullen reports.

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Artemis II Blasts Off

NASA's first crewed mission to the moon in more than 50 years has blasted off in Florida.

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Artemis II is due to take the crew further into space than anyone has gone before.

The mission won't land on the moon but will pass its far side - hopefully paving the way for a lunar landing in two years time.

Crowds packed roads and beaches near Cape Canaveral to watch the launch:

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India waives customs duty on key petrochemical imports amid war

India has waived customs duties on critical petrochemicals amid the Middle East conflict.

The temporary move – in place until the end of June - aims to ease input costs for manufacturers.

Rebecca Bundhun has more from Mumbai.

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India says thousands register for first digital census

The Indian government says so far 50,000 citizens have registered themselves on its census portal, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The census is a year-long exercise and the world's largest.

For the first time, this is being done digitally, as Neha Poonia reports.

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Trump claims Iran victory but gives no clear timeline on conflict end

US President Donald Trump has used a primetime speech to claim victory
over Iran, but he gave no clear timeline on exactly when the US
military campaign would end.

He said talks are "ongoing" in the hope of achieving a ceasefire and
reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

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NASA set to launch humans towards the moon for first time in 50 years

NASA's Artemis II astronauts are set for blastoff from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It's the first US- crewed mission towards the moon in more than 50 years - marking a critical step in a new era of space exploration. Three Americans and a Canadian are on board. Toni Waterman has more.

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Supreme Court seems skeptical of Trump’s bid to end birthright citizenship

US Supreme Court Justices have cast doubt on President Donald Trump's attempts to restrict birthright citizenship -one of his most ambitious policy endeavors. The president took the unprecedented step of attending the high court for oral arguments, as conservative and liberal justices questioned the legality of his attempt to block the children of illegal immigrants born on US soil from automatically becoming citizens.

Kate Fisher reports from the Supreme Court

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President Trump says Iran asked for ceasefire deal ahead of primetime address

US President Donald Trump says the US will only consider a ceasefire with Iran when the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.

His comments on social media come ahead of a primetime address to update the nation on the war.

Jagruti Dave has more from Washington.

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Russia and Armenia mend ties as Prime Minister Pashinyan visits Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held talks in Moscow on trade, bilateral ties, economic cooperation and transport infrastructure. The visit comes amid Yerevan's reluctance to make Moscow part of the US-Armenia "Trump Route" infrastructure project and the Kremlin's irritation over Armenia's strengthening ties with the EU. Daria Bondarchuk reports from Moscow.

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Trump Threatens NATO Withdrawal

US President Donald Trump has again threatened to withdraw from NATO, calling it a 'paper tiger'.

In an interview with the UKs Daily Telegraph newspaper, he said he was strongly considering withdrawing the US from the military alliance.

In response to the comments, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed NATOs effectiveness, but also told a pre-arranged press conference that the UK should be building closer ties with Europe.

Despite the US criticisms, the Prime Minister refused to be drawn on if he was picking Europe over the United States.

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French energy giant extends petrol price cap as Iran war continues

The French energy giant Total Energies is extending its cap on the price of petrol and diesel till at least 7th April to help consumers as the Iran war continues.

A quarter of French service stations are reporting fuel shortages.

Ross Cullen reports.

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UK Defence Secretary Announces More Troops To Be Sent To Middle East

The UK Defence Secretary has announced more British troops will be sent to the Middle East, as the Iran War continues with strikes carried out across the region overnight.

John Healey said extra forces and air defence systems will be deployed for defensive action against attacks from Iran, bringing the total number of UK personnel in Cyprus and the Gulf up to 1,000.  

On a trip to the region, Healey had this message for the UK's allies in the Gulf. 

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Asia markets rally on optimism Iran war could end soon

INTRO:  Markets rallied in Asia on Wednesday on hopes of a de-escalation in the Iran conflict, with South Korea's Kospi and Japan's Nikkei 225 leading the gains.

The rise came after President Donald Trump said that the US would leave Iran within two to three weeks. Laura Westbrook reports from Hong Kong.

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India kicks off world's largest population counting exercise

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India begins its census exercise on April 1 to record the country's true population size, demographics and income levels. 

The mammoth year long procedure will involve over 3 million officials and will eventually capture granular data on an estimated 1.4 billion people in the country. 

Correspondent Ishan Garg tells us more about the census's implications.

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Judge orders halt on Trump White House ballroom construction

A federal judge has ordered that construction be halted on President Trump's proposed White House ballroom, saying work must come to a stop until the project receives a go-ahead from Congress.

It's the first meaningful setback to the president's efforts to redesign the white house and the US capital city, from where Kate fisher reports

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