JERUSALEM, March 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Israeli army said on Monday morning that it was striking Iranian military infrastructure across the Islamic republic's capital. The Israeli forces are "currently striking Iranian terror regime military infrastructure across Tehran," it said on Telegram.

WASHINGTON, United States, March 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump said in an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday that he could take Iran's Kharg Island "very easily." Kharg Island, located off the west coast of Iran, is a vital oil terminal for the Middle Eastern country and is being eyed by the Pentagon for ground operations, though the United States insisted it would stop short of a full-scale invasion. When asked about the state of Iranian defense on the island Trump said "I don't think they have any defense. We could take it very easily."

MELBOURNE, March 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A gritty century from Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey helped South Australia clinch back-to-back Sheffield Shield titles Monday with a stunning 56-run comeback win over Victoria. Facing defeat at 79-5 in the second innings, Carey stepped up to crunch 103 in a crucial late stand with number nine Nathan McAndrew (60). "Very nervous, thinking maybe the game had just slipped through our hands," South Australia captain Nathan McSweeney told reporters. When South Australia were reduced to 79-5 in their second innings, they looked doomed. Last year South Australia beat Queensland in the final, with a superb Carey century again leading the way.

WASHINGTON, United States, March 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump said Sunday the US military was planning to construct a large complex beneath the new ballroom he is building at the White House. "The military is building a massive complex under the ballroom, and that's under construction, and we're doing very well, so we're ahead of schedule," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. Last October, the former real estate developer had an entire wing of the White House bulldozed, in order to build a vast ballroom to host receptions and state dinners. "We are using onyx and stones that are incredible," he recently told a press conference dedicated in part to the war in the Middle East. The ballroom project -- one of the most ambitious undertakings at the White House in over a century -- has continued to grow in scope, with its privately-funded budget doubling from $200 to $400 million.

VIENNA, March 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Sunday that Iran's heavy water production plant in Khondab was no longer operational after an Israeli military strike. The Israeli military said Friday it carried out a strike against a heavy water plant in Arak, central Iran, describing the site as a "key plutonium production site for nuclear weapons". On Sunday, IAEA said based on an independent analysis of satellite imagery the heavy water production plant at Khondab, which Iran reported had been attacked on 27 March, had "sustained severe damaged (sic) and is no longer operational". It added the "installation contains no declared nuclear material".

Australia to halve fuel tax in response to Middle East warSYDNEY, March 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Australia will halve a tax on fuel to reduce costs for motorists experiencing soaring petrol prices due to war in the Middle East, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday. "We are making fuel cheaper today because we understand that Australians are under serious pressure," Albanese said. Australia charges a sales tax of 52 cents on each litre on petrol sold at the pump, which will be halved for three months.

HONG KONG, March 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Oil prices rallied and stocks tumbled again Monday as the Middle East crisis escalated with the entry of Houthi rebels into the Iran war and investors grew increasingly concerned the United States would send in ground troops. The news sent the price of oil to its highest level since earlier in the month after the United States and Israel began their campaign against Iran. The losses followed a bad day on Wall Street, where all three main indexes tumbled after the United States and Israel struck Iranian nuclear sites. "The market is now reacting to higher crude pricing and towards the fallout in the economic consequences," wrote Pepperstone's Chris Weston. "Any meaningful disruption, married with a sharp rise in insurance costs, could drive another leg higher in crude and further pressure risk assets."

PARIS, France, March 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Four-time World Cup winners Italy hope to end a 12-year absence from football's biggest stage on Tuesday, while Kosovo are dreaming of a first ever appearance at a major tournament. Graham Potter's Sweden, whose win over Ukraine was their first of the qualifying campaign, will be at home in Stockholm against a Poland side seeking to go to a third successive World Cup. They edged Slovakia 4-3 in Bratislava to set up a clash with Turkey, who have not played at the World Cup since a surprise third-place finish in 2002. Turkey beat Romania 1-0 with a goal from Brighton's Ferdi Kadioglu. The Czech Republic last went to the World Cup in 2006, while Denmark have played at three of the last four finals.

YAOUND, March 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Crunch WTO talks in Yaounde failed to agree an extension of a years-long moratorium exempting e-commerce from customs duties, dealing a setback to developed countries and to Washington in particular. The moratorium, which has been renewed every two years since it was introduced in 1998, is now set to lapse on Monday. Its expiration does not automatically trigger duties on digital trade, since WTO members can continue to individually choose not to impose customs duties on online goods and services ranging from e-books and music to telemedicine.

HAVANA, March 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Moscow could send oil to Cuba despite Washington's de facto fuel blockade, as a Russian tanker was expected to deliver some much-needed crude to the crisis-hit island. "If a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem with that, whether it's Russia or not," Trump told reporters as he flew back to Washington from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Cuba lost its main regional ally and oil supplier in January when US forces captured Venezuela's socialist leader Nicolas Maduro. Trump subsequently threatened to impose tariffs on any country sending oil to Cuba and has mused about "taking" the island. Another ship that was reportedly carrying Russian diesel to Cuba, the Hong Kong-flagged Sea Horse, rerouted to Venezuela this week.

BERLIN, March 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa is visiting Germany on Monday for talks on the Middle East war, rebuilding his country and Berlin's efforts to send back Syrian refugees. As a result, many international sanctions on Syria have been lifted to help the country rebuild after its bloody 14-year civil war. Ahead of the visit, the German interior ministry announced a new initiative to provide support to Syria's disaster management ministry and help train emergency services. Merz said last year that, with Syria's civil war over, people from that country now have "no grounds for asylum in Germany". - Protest against visit -Sharaa was initially planning to visit Germany in January, but the trip was postponed as he sought to end fighting between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the country's north.

MOSCOW, March 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - An overnight drone strike on the Russian port city Taganrog killed a man and wounded eight others, the mayor said early Monday. Air defences intercepted the attack on Rostov region, but falling drone debris cratered into buildings and sent emergency crews scrambling across the city, according to Mayor Svetlana Kambulova. "The main tragedy of this night is the death of a civilian," she posted on Telegram just after midnight. Farther south, the mayor of Krasnodar said three people, including two children, were wounded, while in Belgorod, two women sustained shrapnel wounds after their cars were struck in a Ukrainian drone attack, the governor said. Across the border, the Ukrainian air force issued a countrywide missile alert after confirming the takeoff of Russian bombers.

MIAMI, March 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - World number two Jannik Sinner powered past Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 to win the ATP Miami Masters 1000 for a second time on Sunday, adding the title to his Indian Wells crown. Sinner had just pocketed the first set when the showers hit again, halting the match for 90 minutes. His return game was also spot on as he handed 22nd-ranked Czech Lehecka his first service break of the tournament for a 2-1 lead in the opening frame. Sinner trailed 0-40 in the following game but fired three service winners and a pair of aces to hold. Lehecka fought off five more break points before Sinner pounced for the lone break of the second set and a 5-4 lead, the Czech gifting Sinner a break chance with a loose forehand.

The newest is Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, following the young cadets at the titular school and led by Holly Hunter as the chancellor. Read on for everything we know so far about a Starfleet Academy Season 3. Will there be a Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 3? We look forward to sharing the upcoming second and final season with everyone, and continuing to celebrate the cast, crew, and all that was accomplished with this series.”When will Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 2 premiere? What could we have seen in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 3?

Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bakul has accused previous governments of “plundering” the health sector, claiming Upazila health complexes lack even basic funds to purchase gauze, bandages, and syringes. Speaking in parliament on Sunday, in response to a question from Gaibandha-4 MP Mohammad Shamim Kaiser, the minister said decades of mismanagement have left no funds for developmental work. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman attended. The minister highlighted that Upazila health complexes currently have no operational funds. Previous interim governments’ limited resources have also been exhausted.”He added that he had discussed the crisis with the premiere two to three times.