Will US Forces Invade Iran?
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Iran war fuels terror risks
Syria's forgotten tragedy
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Bucha: When the Russian killers came...
Iran, a Terrorist State with No Right to Exist
African players in Europe: Semenyo scores as City rout Liverpool
Politics
Israeli strikes kill Iran Guards intel chief as Trump deadline looms
Israeli strikes killed the intelligence chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, as the Islamic republic on Monday defied threats from US President Donald Trump to devastate civilian infrastructure if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Technology
Saving energy in everyday life or a complete rip-off?
Global energy supply has been tightened by the Middle East conflict. Before the latest war, about 20 % of the world’s oil moved through the Strait of Hormuz. Fighting has throttled this shipping corridor and sent Brent crude prices soaring by 59 % to $115.66 per barrel in March 2026. The International Energy Agency (IEA) responded by releasing 400 million barrels from strategic reserves, the largest draw in its history. Liquefied natural gas deliveries to Europe have also fallen sharply, increasing the risk of shortages.Countries have adopted emergency measures. South Korea has said it could extend driving restrictions beyond public institutions if crude rises to $120–130 per barrel. Nigeria’s petrol prices have jumped 65 %, prompting tax breaks and fuel rationing. Ethiopia’s state-owned engineering group told staff to switch to virtual meetings to save fuel. Sri Lanka has cut its work week to four days, and the Philippines declared a national energy emergency.IEA recommendations and policy responses - the IEA proposes ten measures aimed at reducing demand in the short term. Key recommendations include:- Work from home – remote work where possible to reduce commuting.- Lower speed limits – cutting highway speeds by at least 10 km/h to save fuel.- Avoid air travel – opt for trains or buses for shorter trips.- Accelerate energy-efficiency upgrades – insulate buildings better and modernize heating systems.- Invest in renewable energy – expand solar and wind power, deploy heat pumps and electrify transport.Governments are combining these measures with rationing. Indonesia plans to impose driving restrictions and price controls. Fuel tax cuts and subsidies are being used to cushion households in many countries. Meanwhile, workers and businesses are demanding structural reforms to ensure long-term energy security.Situation in GermanyGermany has past experience with saving energy. During the 2022 gas crisis, households cut gas consumption by 20 % and electricity use by 6–7 %. Nevertheless, gas storage levels were only 22.27 % full in April 2026 and need to reach 80 % before winter. Oil reserves cover about three months of imports. Experts like Martin Pehnt urge investment in insulation, heat pumps, solar power and industrial decarbonization to reduce fossil-fuel dependence.Surveys show a mixed public response. An ista poll found that 69 % of participants save energy to reduce costs, yet nearly half plan to maintain their current consumption. A survey by Hansgrohe/YouGov reported that 69 % of respondents are willing to shorten their showers or lower the water temperature, but only 32 % actually reduce temperature. Some 72 % oppose government mandates to save water. Willingness to save energy varies widely across age groups and regions. The question that citizens in Germany keep asking media representatives is: "Why are the prices of petrol, diesel and energy so high? Is it a brazen, pure rip-off by the state, perpetrated by completely incompetent politicians, or what are the reasons?"
Last news
Prince Harry says tabloid coverage felt like 'full blown stalking'
Prince Harry on Wednesday blasted the publisher of two UK tabloid newspapers for "terrifying" coverage of his relationship with ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy that felt like "full blown stalking", as he gave evidence at London's High Court.
Sports
Galthie drops experienced trio for France's Six Nations opener
France coach Fabian Galthie has left out experienced trio Gael Fickou, Damian Penaud and vice-captain Gregory Alldritt from his 42-man squad revealed on Wednesday for the start of the Six Nations.
Boulevard
Over 1,400 Indonesians leave Cambodian scam groups in five days: embassy
More than 1,400 Indonesians have left cyberscam networks in Cambodia in the last five days, Jakarta said on Wednesday, after Phnom Penh pledged a fresh crackdown on the illicit trade.
Sports
ICC rejects Bangladesh's plea to play T20 World Cup matches outside India
Cricket's governing body said Wednesday it had rejected Bangladesh's request to shift their T20 World Cup matches out of India, casting doubt on their participation in next month's tournament.
Politics
Prince Harry says UK tabloid court battle in 'public's interest'
Prince Harry insisted on Wednesday that his latest legal battle with a UK tabloid publisher was "not just about me" and was in the public interest, as he took the stand in a London court.
Politics
Trump lands in Davos to push Greenland claims
US President Donald Trump touched down in a tense Davos on Wednesday to give an "America First" speech that will push his world-shaking bid to seize control of Greenland.
Nature
Balkan wild rivers in steady decline: study
Thousands of kilometres of Balkan rivers have been damaged in recent years, a study published Wednesday found, as hydropower development, dams and sediment extraction drive a "steady erosion" of some of Europe's last pristine waterways.
Sports
Injured Capuozzo misses out on Italy Six Nations squad
Dazzling winger Ange Capuozzo has been ommitted from Italy's Six Nations squad due to injury, the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) announced on Wednesday.
Culture
Mourners pay last respects to Italian icon Valentino
Mourners paid their respects Wednesday to legendary Italian designer Valentino Garavani, as his coffin went on public display following his death this week aged 93.
Boulevard
EU parliament refers Mercosur trade deal to bloc's top court
The European Union's parliament voted on Wednesday to refer a freshly signed trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur to the EU's top court, casting a veil of legal uncertainty over the accord.
Sports
Odermatt seeks first Kitzbuehel victory with eye on Olympics
Switzerland's runaway World Cup leader Marco Odermatt will fine-tune preparations for the Winter Olympics with a bid for a first victory on the hallowed snow of Kitzbuehel this weekend.
Sports
Italy's Brignone to be rested for Spindleruv Mlyn giant slalom
Giant slalom world champion Federica Brignone will be rested for the upcoming races in Spindleruv Mlyn, after making her injury return this week, the Italian winter sports federation (FISI) said on Wednesday.
Sports
Alcaraz spearheads big names into Australian Open third round
Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz fended off a series of "bombs" before surging into the Australian Open third round on Wednesday, where he was joined by Aryna Sabalenka and a near-flawless Coco Gauff.
European stocks dip ahead of Trump's Davos speech
European stocks slipped and precious metals hit fresh highs Wednesday as investors awaited US President Donald Trump's speech at Davos amid his push to seize Greenland.
Politics
Trump flies into Davos maelstrom over Greenland
US President Donald Trump descended on Davos on Wednesday for a tense showdown with world leaders, as allies push back on his global order-shaking bid to seize control of Greenland.
Politics
EU won't ask Big Tech to pay for telecoms overhaul
The EU will not force the world's biggest tech companies to pay for the overhaul of Europe's telecoms infrastructure despite pleas from the industry, Brussels announced on Wednesday.
Politics
Railway safety questioned as Spain reels from twin train disasters
Spain's railway system was under scrutiny on Wednesday after a commuter train crashed near Barcelona, just days after at least 42 people died in a collision between two high-speed trains.
Sports
Marcell Jacobs back with coach who led him to Olympic gold
Italian sprinter Marcell Jacobs has announced he is returning to work with the coach who guided him to a shock Olympic 100 metres title in 2021.
Japan restarts world's biggest nuclear plant
The world's biggest nuclear power plant was restarted Wednesday for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, its Japanese operator said, despite persistent safety concerns among residents.
Politics
Syria army enters Al-Hol camp holding relatives of jihadists: AFP
Syria's army on Wednesday entered the vast Al-Hol camp that houses relatives of suspected Islamic State jihadists after Kurdish forces withdrew from the site, said an AFP journalist at the scene.
Sports
Brook apologises, admits nightclub fracas 'not the right thing to do'
England white-ball captain Harry Brook on Wednesday admitted it was "not the right thing to do" to get into an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand, but insisted "I've learnt from my mistakes".
Politics
NATO chief says 'thoughtful diplomacy' only way to deal with Greenland crisis
NATO chief Mark Rutte said Wednesday "thoughtful diplomacy" was needed to deal with tensions over Greenland, as President Donald Trump headed to Davos pushing US claims on the territory.
Things to know
Widow of Iran's last shah says 'no turning back' after protests
The widow of Iran's last shah has told AFP there is "no turning back" after a wave of protests against the country's clerical authorities, saying she is convinced the Iranian people will emerge victorious.
Sports
Waugh targets cricket's 'last great frontier' with European T20 venture
Former Australia captain Steve Waugh is seeking to conquer cricket's "last great frontier" as one of the investors in a new European T20 franchise competition set to feature Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh.
Economy
Burberry sales rise as China demand improves
Burberry posted a slight rise in sales on Wednesday, as the British luxury fashion label's turnaround plan showed signs of progress, helped by improving demand in its crucial China market.
Economy
Botswana warns diamond oversupply to hit growth
Botswana is sitting on nearly double its permitted diamond stockpile as weak prices and rising competition from lab‑grown stones curb demand, the government said, warning the glut will weigh on economic growth.
Sports
Alcaraz says no pressure to be 'good ambassador' for tennis
Six-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz said Wednesday he feels no responsibility to be a good ambassador for tennis in the way that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were before him.
Sports
Spaniard condemns 'ignorant drunks' after Melbourne confrontation
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina hit out at "ignorant drunks" after confronting the crowd during his gruelling five-set win over Reilly Opelka at the Australian Open on Wednesday.
Technology
Philippines to end short-lived ban on Musk's Grok chatbot
The Philippines said Wednesday it will end its ban on Elon Musk's Grok, less than a week after blocking the AI chatbot over its ability to generate sexualised deepfakes.
Boulevard
Police smash European synthetic drug ring in 'largest-ever' op
European police said Wednesday they had busted a major synthetic drug ring working across several countries in the "largest-ever operation" of its kind, striking a "massive blow" to organised crime.
Sports
Medvedev says no plan to renounce Russian nationality amid war
Grand Slam champion Daniil Medvedev said Wednesday he had no plans to follow a host of fellow Russian players and switch his nationality amid the war in Ukraine.
Politics
Stocks mixed after tariff-fuelled selloff as uncertainty boosts gold
Asian equities were mixed Wednesday following a rough start to the week fuelled by Donald Trump's Greenland-linked tariff threats, while the uncertainty rattling through trading floors saw safe-haven precious metals hit fresh record highs.
Economy
Japan to restart world's biggest nuclear plant Wednesday
The world's biggest nuclear power plant is set to restart on Wednesday for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, its Japanese operator said, despite persistent safety concerns among residents.
Politics
South Korean ex-PM Han gets 23 years jail for martial law role
Former South Korean prime minister Han Duck‑soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison on Wednesday for aiding and abetting a declaration of martial law that briefly suspended civilian rule and plunged the country into chaos.
Sports
Alcaraz, Sabalenka, Gauff surge into Australian Open third round
Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz fended off a series of "bombs" before surging into the Australian Open third round on Wednesday, where he was joined by Aryna Sabalenka and a near-flawless Coco Gauff.
Boulevard
Over 1,400 Indonesians left Cambodian scam groups in five days: embassy
More than 1,400 Indonesians have left cyberscam networks in Cambodia in the last five days, Jakarta said on Wednesday, after Phnom Penh pledged a fresh crackdown on the illicit trade.
Sports
Raducanu to 're-evaluate' after flat Australian Open exit
Emma Raducanu said she will sit down to "re-evaluate" her game following a flat second-round exit at the Australian Open on Wednesday.
Sports
Doncic triple-double leads Lakers comeback over Nuggets, Rockets down Spurs
Luka Doncic bagged a 38-point triple-double as the Los Angeles Lakers staged a second-half rally to claim a 115-107 road victory over the Denver Nuggets in Colorado on Tuesday.
Sports
Bangladesh will not back down to 'coercion' in India T20 World Cup row
Bangladesh said they would not back down to "coercion" and play their T20 World Cup matches in India, casting doubt on their participation with cricket's governing body yet to rule on the impasse.