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As a sharp rise in oil prices rattles global transport markets, airlines face an additional threat: the price of jet fuel has risen far faster than crude prices.Even airlines that use hedging contracts to protect
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Iran’s latest internet blackout has lasted more than 14 days, connectivity monitor Netblocks said earlier this week. The nature of the limits on internet activity shows “this is a government-imposed measure” and not the result of damage from US and Israeli airstrikes, Netblocks research chief Isik Mater told AFP. “It is a deliberate shutdown imposed by the authorities to suppress the flow of information and prevent further dissent,” said Raha Bahreini, Iran researcher at Amnesty International. Here are some of the ways information is still flowing in and out of Iran. Amsterdam-based nonprofit Radio Zamaneh began shortwave broadcasts during the January protests, sending a nightly Farsi news programme from 11pm Tehran time. “It’s really difficult for the regime to jam shortwave because it’s a long-distance broadcast,” executive director Rieneke van Santen told AFP. “People can just listen on a super cheap, small, simple radio... It’s one of those typical emergency fall-back solutions.” Declining to specify where the transmitter is located, she said it is “closer to the Netherlands than to Iran” — although Tehran “can figure it out” if they choose. Many with ties to Iran are still receiving landline phone calls from inside — “quite surprising” given the internet blackout, said Mahsa Alimardani of global rights organisation Witness. Fearing the authorities listening in, people often avoid speaking directly about political topics, such as the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, she added. “It’s not possible to communicate about sensitive issues through these brief phone calls,” Amnesty’s Bahreini said. The required prepaid international calling cards are expensive and often fail to provide their face value in minutes. “You buy a phone card for 60 minutes, but in eight minutes, it’s out,” van Santen said. “It’s really just phone calls from family members saying, after the bombing, we’re still alive.” Virtual private networks (VPNs) — widely-used services that encrypt internet traffic — can’t create an internet connection where none is available. But even at around one percent of typical levels, Iran’s connectivity is “still a large figure in absolute terms”, Netblocks’ Mater said. Iranians suspected of using VPNs since the war began have received warning text messages claiming to be from the authorities. Before the war, millions turned to Toronto-based company Psiphon, which creates specialist tools more capable than typical “off-the-shelf” VPNs. Offering techniques including disguising users’ data as different types of internet traffic, Psiphon “is able to evade detection more successfully”, data and insights director Keith McManamen told AFP. With up to 6mn unique daily users in Iran before the latest internet shutdown, connections have now tumbled to fewer than 100,000. Few but the most tech-savvy users can reach Psiphon’s network for now. Nevertheless, “the situation is extremely dynamic. We’re seeing changes not just day to day, but hour by hour,” McManamen said. A similar service, US-based Lantern, is also widely used in Iran. Created by US-based nonprofit NetFreedom Pioneers, Toosheh is a “filecasting” technology using home satellite TV equipment to broadcast encrypted data to people in Iran. Users record from the Toosheh satellite TV channel onto a USB stick plugged into their set-top box, which they can then decrypt using a special app installed on their phone or computer. From that initial download, the data can be copied and shared across multiple households. The group estimated around 3mn active users in Iran across 2025, with “thousands to hundreds of thousands... since the (internet) shutdown in January,” the group’s director of projects Emilia James told AFP. From its usual educational repertoire ranging from English lessons to news, content these days includes more on “personal safety and digital security... helping people to stay safe,” she added. Since people are tuning in to a broadcast signal, there is no way for the government to track them, she added. Elon Musk-owned satellite internet service Starlink was used during this year’s protests to get information out, while the government attempted to jam its signals. At around $2,000 on Iran’s black market, the terminals are expensive and very rare in poorer regions like Balochistan or Kurdistan that have suffered the most government repression, Alimardani said.
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Nato allies and other Western nations pushed back Monday on US President Donald Trump's demand that military alliance members help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical conduit for crude oil Iran has effectively closed.UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London was working with allies to craft a 'viable' plan to reopen the strategic waterway but ruled out a Nato mission, while Berlin insisted it 'has been clear at all times that this war is not a matter for NATO'.'There was never a joint decision on whether to intervene. That is why the question of how Germany might contribute militarily does not arise. We will not do so,' German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.Poland, Spain, Greece and Sweden were among the other European nations to distance themselves from any military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz in the wake of Trump's call.Japan and Australia voiced similar sentiments earlier Monday, with Canberra saying it would not be sending a navy ship to the Strait of Hormuz.Trump over the weekend called on countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea and Britain to send warships to escort tankers through the strait, warning refusing would be 'very bad for the future of Nato'.And he stepped up pressure again Monday saying he expected Britain and France to help secure shipping in the key waterway, and criticising US allies for their lukewarm response.'We strongly encourage the other nations to get involved with us and get involved quickly and with great enthusiasm,' he said, adding he believed Britain would get involved in a Hormuz mission.Oil prices jumped after the strait was closed and remained Monday above $100 per barrel as the Iran war moved into a third week.The volatility further underlined the importance of ensuring safe passage for tankers through the vital transport route.Starmer, who had faced stinging criticism from Trump over Britain's refusal to join the US and Israel in offensive attacks on Iran, told reporters he had discussed the waterway with the US leader Sunday.'We're working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impacts,' he said in Downing Street.'Let me be clear: that won't be, and it's never been envisioned to be, a Nato mission,' Starmer said, while also stressing Britain 'will not be drawn into the wider war.'That'll have to be an alliance of partners,' he added of any Strait of Hormuz mission.A Nato official noted that members 'have already stepped up to provide additional security in the Mediterranean'.'We are aware that individual allies are talking with the US and others on what more they might do, including in the context of security in the Strait of Hormuz,' the official said.Following Trump's demand for military support, some European countries sought to appear open-minded while remaining non-committal.'We did not want this war. From day one, we have called for de-escalation,' Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told Danish media in Brussels before an EU foreign ministers' meeting.'That said, I believe we need to keep an open mind and look at how we can contribute,' he said, describing the situation as 'very, very serious'.Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten told the country's ANP press agency that it would be 'very difficult to launch a successful mission there in the short-term'.
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Winner Mercedes' Italian driver Kimi Antonelli celebrates on the podium after the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai on March 15, 2026. (AFP) Kimi Antonelli said Monday that he is eyeing further Formula One success after the teenage Italian announced himself on the world stage with victory in the Chinese Grand Prix.The 19-year-old won his maiden GP from pole position on Sunday and was greeted by media and enthusiastic fans as he touched down in his native Bologna."I'm so happy for the win and to have brought the Italian flag back onto the highest step of the podium," Antonelli told reporters."It's a starting point and I hope I can keep going because we're on the right track. It won't be easy."Antonelli, who took over Lewis Hamilton's old seat at Mercedes at the start of the 2025 season, is the first Italian to win an F1 GP since Giancarlo Fisichella 20 years ago.He finished in front of Mercedes teammate George Russell and Ferrari's Hamilton after becoming the youngest pole sitter in F1 history.And Antonelli even hinted that he was aiming to be become the first Italian to win the drivers' championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953."I've removed a bit of weight from my shoulders, I'm more relaxed. It's the kind of result which gives you strength and more awareness of what you can do," he said."There's another, bigger step, which is the most difficult. I'm sure that if I do everything well we can get there."Antonelli's win was huge news in Italy and led to tennis superstar Jannik Sinner dedicating his Indian Wells triumph to F1's rising star."I was really surprised by Sinner's homage, I sent him a message because I really appreciated it, it was really nice of him," he said.Antonelli sits four points behind Russell in the world championship standings with the Japanese GP coming up on March 29. Related Story
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Formula One champions McLaren hope to turn past pain into future gain following the double blow of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri failing to start Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix.Sunday was the first no-start of reigning champion Norris's F1 career while Australian teammate Piastri has yet to complete a lap in two races this season after crashing out on his way to the grid at the opening round in Australia.Piastri had qualified fifth and Norris sixth but both suffered problems with the electrical side of the Mercedes power unit that could not be fixed in the limited time available.The last time McLaren had failed to start a race with either car was the infamous 2005 U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis that featured only six drivers due to Michelin tyre concerns. DIFFICULT FOR PIASTRI TO PROCESS"If we consider that Oscar has not been able to start a race in the start of the 2026 campaign, that's pretty difficult for Oscar to process," team principal Andrea Stella told reporters. "But at the same time... both remain quite positive."I think what we have gone through at McLaren in terms of the journey from 2023 has been such a good journey of developing a culture, a mindset, what we call internally a winner's mindset."Last year, where we won the double championship... we said internally that the victory was not in Abu Dhabi, the victory was in Qatar and in Vegas for the way we withstood the difficulties. That's where you really become a champion."In Qatar last November Piastri was denied a win by a strategy blunder while in Las Vegas both McLarens were disqualified for a skid plank breach after finishing second and fourth."You have to withstand the difficulty, you have to process it, and you have to use it to become even more of a worthwhile champion in the future and gain the qualities to be a champion," said Stella."That's our mindset, and I've seen it completely at play today with Oscar, with Lando and with the team."Stella said the problems in China were of a different nature on the two cars, apparently coincidental albeit involving the same component, and it was a 'tough moment' to lose out on potential points so early in the championship for something out of the team's control."It's quite exceptional and uncharacteristic that you have two terminal problems pretty much at the same time on the same component," said the Italian. "We will review together with HPP (Mercedes High Performance Powertrains) the reason for these faults."Once we go a little bit deeper we will be able to have a more comprehensive assessment and see if there's anything that was actually on the McLaren side." (Reporting by Alan Baldwin Editing by Christian Radnedge) Related Story
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Standing in a desolate, snow-covered field 200 miles above the Arctic Circle, Mark Carney looked at ease. He chatted with Germany’s chancellor and Norway’s prime minister as they observed a Nato exercise — troops on
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Lawyer Paul Schmidt, representing Meta, arrives at court as the jury deliberates in a key test case accusing Meta and Google’s YouTube of harming children’s mental health through addictive social media platforms, in Los Angeles,
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The Local Organising Committee, in conjunction with UEFA and CONMEBOL, has taken the decision to cancel the Qatar Football Festival 2026. As a result, the planned programme of events in Qatar, including the Finalissima Qatar 2026 match between Argentina and Spain at Lusail Stadium, will no longer take place in Doha as originally scheduled. With airspace disruption and travel restrictions still affecting the ability of many fans, players and officials to travel, it has been jointly agreed that relocating the match at this time is the most appropriate course of action. The LOC welcomes the opportunity to host UEFA and CONMEBOL events in the future. All fans who purchased tickets for the Qatar Football Festival will automatically receive full refunds within 30 days to the original payment method. If a refund has not been received after this period, fans are encouraged to contact [email protected] for assistance. International fans who purchased travel packages through a tour operator will be contacted directly regarding refunds. The LOC thanks fans for their understanding and continued support.
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Leaders Al Sadd face a challenging test against Al Arabi in the Qatar Stars League at Khalifa International Stadium today as the title race enters a crucial phase.Defending champions Al Sadd saw their impressive 10-match winning streak come to an abrupt halt in the previous round after suffering a shock 2-5 defeat to Umm Salal. Despite the setback, the Wolves remain firmly at the top of the standings with a four-point lead.Sadd currently lead the table ahead of second-placed Al Shamal, who have 34 points from 17 matches, while Al Gharafa SC are third with the same number of points from 18 games.However, with only four matches remaining for the defending champions before the league concludes, any further slip-up could complicate their title ambitions. The race for the championship remains tight, with several teams still capable of applying pressure at the top of the standings.Al Arabi, currently sixth in the table with 25 points, will be eager to claim a strong result as they aim to climb higher in the standings. The Dream Team played out a 1-1 draw against Al Ahli in their previous match, but they will take confidence from the reverse fixture earlier this season when they defeated Al Sadd 3-1.Speaking to the media on the eve of the match, Al Arabi’s Romanian coach Cosmin Contra stressed the need for focus and discipline against the league leaders. "Derby matches are always unpredictable, requiring special mental preparation. We respect Al Sadd as a great team and they are the league leaders, but our goal is to return to winning ways and make up for our recent results," he said."Al Sadd's recent loss doesn't mean they have declined; on the contrary, it will motivate them to come into the match with a strong desire to make amends. This necessitates extreme caution and high defensive discipline from us. During training, we've worked on addressing our attacking weaknesses to ensure we capitalize on even half-chances in front of the opponent's goal," Cosmin elaborated."The players understand the importance of this match, and we will enter the game with only one goal in mind: victory. The three points at this stage represent a tremendous morale and technical boost to strengthen our position in the standings," he added.Al Arabi defender Alexis Pérez also highlighted the importance of teamwork and tactical discipline in order to overcome the defending champions. "We have worked with the coach to analyse our opponent's strengths, and we know that Al Sadd will be looking to redeem themselves after their recent loss, which makes the match even more challenging. The key to victory for us is complete tactical discipline and playing as a cohesive unit from the first minute until the final whistle."Al Sadd coach Roberto Mancini, meanwhile, expects a strong response from his side following the heavy defeat in the previous round. “The match will be very difficult and intense, and we must be fully prepared. We are not happy with the result of our last match, but this feeling must be reversed and we must give our best to secure the three points," he said.Al Sadd striker Rafa Mujica echoed his coach’s sentiments and said the team is determined to return to winning ways. “It is a special match, we know how difficult it will be, but we will give 100 per cent of our effort. We know our mission is to win and that is what we want to achieve.”Shamal seek win against DuhailIn another key fixture today, Al Shamal SC will look to continue their impressive campaign when they face Al Duhail at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Al Shamal have been one of the surprise packages of the season and currently sit second in the table. Coach David Prats expects a tough contest but remains confident about his team’s chances.“We are expecting a tough match against a strong team with top-level players and tremendous potential, led by competent coaching staff. They are also coming off a resounding 4-0 victory against Al Sailiya in the last round. We are aware of Al Duhail’s strength, the experience of their players and their capabilities, but we are ready for the match. Our goal is to win and secure the three points to continue our impressive run this season and maintain our position at the top of league table,” said Prats.Al Shamal midfielder Pau Prim, who scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Al Wakrah in the previous round, said the team is determined to maintain their momentum. “We will look to continue our winning streak, maintain our position in the standings and continue the team’s outstanding run this season,” he said.Al Duhail coach Djamel Belmadi also acknowledged the challenge posed by Al Shamal. “Al Shamal have been performing exceptionally well this season, currently sitting in second place with only a few matches remaining. The match will be tough. We will strive to win and secure the three points to continue our climb up the league table,” he said.Rayyan meet WakrahElsewhere, Al Rayyan SC will host Al Wakrah SC at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in another important encounter. Both sides will be eager to bounce back after defeats in their previous matches. Al Wakrah suffered a narrow 0-1 loss to Al Shamal, while Al Rayyan were edged 1-2 by Al Shahania.The Lions currently occupy fourth place in the standings with 28 points and will be keen to consolidate their position amid growing pressure from Qatar SC and Al Arabi, who are also pushing to move up the table. Al Wakrah, known as the Blue Wave, sit eighth with 23 points and will be aiming to return to winning ways as the season approaches its decisive stages.Fixtures (All games 9.30pm kick-offs)Tuesday: Al Arabi vs Al Sadd at Khalifa International Stadium; Al Shamal vs Al Duhail at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium; Al Rayyan vs Al Wakrah at Ahmad Bin Ali StadiumWednesday: Al Gharafa vs Al Ahli at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium; Umm Salal vs Qatar SC at Khalifa International Stadium; Al Sailiya vs Al Shahania at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium Related Story
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'Married at First Sight' Madison & David Get Engaged!!! After Dramatic Cheating Scandal Published March 15, 2026 1:14 PM PDT Play video content Instagram/@madisonmyers93 "Married at First Sight" stars Madison and David are engaged ...
