Author: Web Desk

Copenhagen: Denmark election results have placed the Social Democrats as the largest party, but without enough seats to secure a majority, leaving the country heading into complex coalition negotiations. The party, led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, has secured 21.9 percent of the vote, marking its weakest performance in more than a century. With 38 parliamentary seats, the Social Democrats have remained the biggest party in Denmark’s 179-seat parliament, but far short of the 90 seats required to form a government independently. Despite the setback, Frederiksen has indicated readiness to continue leading, expressing disappointment at the outcome while acknowledging continued…

Tehran: The Strait of Hormuz has remained at the centre of global attention as Iran has announced that non-hostile ships may safely pass through the key waterway under certain conditions. The move has come amid a sharp decline in maritime traffic and growing concerns over disruptions to global energy supplies. Iran’s mission to the United Nations has stated that vessels can transit the Strait of Hormuz provided they do not engage in or support actions against Iran and fully comply with safety and security regulations. Ships are also required to coordinate with Iranian authorities before passing through the route, although…

Islamabad: Pakistan has been ranked the most polluted country in the world in 2025, with hazardous air quality levels significantly exceeding global safety standards. The latest data has placed Pakistan at the top of the global list, followed by Bangladesh and Tajikistan, highlighting growing environmental and health concerns across the region. According to the report, Pakistan recorded an average PM2.5 concentration of 67.3 micrograms per cubic metre, reaching up to 13 times higher than the World Health Organisation guideline. Bangladesh followed with 66.1 micrograms per cubic metre, while Tajikistan reported 57.3. Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo also…

Wellington: Fuel relief has been introduced by the New Zealand government as households face rising petrol costs driven by the ongoing global energy crisis. The initiative aims to support families struggling to manage daily expenses as fuel prices continue to climb. Under the policy, nearly 150,000 families are set to receive weekly cash payments beginning 1 April. Around 143,000 families with children will receive NZ$50 per week through an increase in the in-work tax credit, while an additional 14,000 families on slightly higher incomes will also qualify for support, though at a lower amount. The payments will remain in place…

Tokyo: Asia stocks have come under pressure as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran have triggered widespread market declines across the region. Investors have responded cautiously as the conflict enters its fourth week, raising concerns over energy supply disruptions and broader economic instability. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index has dropped nearly 3.6 percent, while South Korea’s Kospi has fallen close to 6 percent. Other markets in the Asia-Pacific region have also recorded losses, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index declining by around 3.5 percent and the Shanghai Composite index falling by approximately 2.5 percent. The downturn in Asia…

Washington: The climate crisis has come into focus as the United States experiences a striking combination of weather extremes, ranging from flooding rains in Hawaii to rare snowfall in Alabama and a severe heatwave along the west coast. These events have occurred simultaneously across different regions, highlighting how varied and intense weather patterns have become. While March has traditionally been known for unpredictable weather, experts have indicated that the scale and intensity of recent events go beyond typical seasonal changes. Meteorologists have pointed to the role of the jet stream, a fast-moving air current in the atmosphere, which has become…

Hawaii: Flash flooding has struck Hawaii’s island of Oahu, prompting evacuation orders for nearly 5,500 residents as heavy rainfall has caused widespread disruption. Authorities have issued urgent warnings, particularly for communities in Waialua on the island’s north shore. Emergency alerts have urged residents to leave immediately, with officials warning that the main access road out of Waialua could fail if rainfall continues. The situation has escalated rapidly, with floodwaters submerging streets and residential areas. Rescue operations have intensified as at least 200 people have been saved from rising waters. Emergency responders have reported that ten individuals have been hospitalised with…

Havana: Power blackout has once again affected Cuba after the national electric grid collapsed for the second time within a week, intensifying concerns over the country’s fragile energy system. Officials have confirmed that a total disconnection of the national power system occurred on Saturday evening, leaving large parts of the island without electricity. The outage has marked the third major failure this month, following earlier disruptions on March 4 and earlier in the same week. The latest collapse has come as Cuba continues to face severe fuel shortages linked to a tightening oil supply situation. The United States has imposed…

Washington: Trump has been preparing to meet Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House, with discussions likely to include requests for support in the ongoing Iran war. The meeting has taken place against the backdrop of rising tensions in the Gulf region, where the Strait of Hormuz has been largely disrupted. The waterway remains critical for global oil shipments, and Washington has been urging allies to assist in ensuring safe passage for vessels. Trump has expressed frustration with what has been described as limited support from several allies for the U.S.-Israeli military campaign. While stating that the United…

London: Instagram has been identified as one of the social media platforms associated with lower mental wellbeing, according to findings from the latest World Happiness Report. The global study has examined how different types of social media platforms affect users, particularly young people. It has found that platforms driven by algorithms and passive scrolling, such as Instagram and TikTok, tend to have a more negative impact on mental health compared to apps focused on direct communication. Researchers have highlighted that excessive use of social media is contributing to reduced happiness levels among young users worldwide. The impact has been more…