Gaza media office: 490 children killed by Israeli forces in 20 days Israeli forces have killed 490 Palestinian children in Gaza over the past 20 days, according to the media office in Gaza. Describing the attacks as “one of the most horrific crimes against humanity in modern times,” the office said Israel continues to carry out brutal massacres, with children being a primary target. The total number of Palestinians killed during this period has reached 1,350, highlighting the heavy toll of continued air strikes on Gaza’s civilian population. Palestinian journalist burned alive as result of Israeli strikes in Khan Younis Israeli forces struck areas near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, causing casualties and drawing outrage after a journalist was burned alive in the attack. The strike targeted a tent set up for journalists near the hospital. Disturbing footage shows the journalist engulfed in flames as bystanders and rescue workers frantically tried to save him. The journalist has been identified as Ahmed Mansour, a father and reporter for Palestine Today. Mass protests erupt across US against Trump policies Mass protests erupted across major US cities as demonstrators rallied against President Donald Trump's divisive policies, marking the largest wave of opposition since his return to the White House. In Washington, D.C., thousands gathered on the National Mall, with many traveling from across the country to join the demonstrations. Dozens of speakers took the stage to denounce Trump’s agenda and call for unified resistance. Russia claims capture of Basivka in Ukraine’s Sumy region Russia announced that its forces have captured the village of Basivka in Ukraine’s Sumy region, intensifying its offensive near the northeastern border. According to the Russian defence ministry, troops also struck Ukrainian positions at 12 other locations across the Sumy region, signaling a broader push in the area. Moscow further claimed to have defeated Ukrainian units in the Russian settlements of Gornal, Guevo, and Oleshnya, as fighting continues to escalate along the border. US stocks headed for another plunge amid Trump’s global trade war Wall Street opened the week facing significant losses following the implementation of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on exports to the United States. The move has rattled markets and sparked concerns of a deeper global trade rift.

* Israel has killed 17,000 children in Gaza * Israel launches new attacks in southern Gaza * Myanmar earthquake toll tops 3,000 * DRC govt met M23 rebels in Qatar * UK slams Israel for denying entry to British lawmakers

* Israel expands ground invasion in Gaza Israel has announced the launch of a new ground invasion in Gaza, with rescuers saying military attacks had killed many people across the Palestinian territory. Simultaneously, Israel has escalated attacks on Lebanon and Syria, with a strike in south Lebanon, killing a Hamas commander. Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Israel would bolster its military presence inside Gaza to, what he claimed, "destroy and clear the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure". * Tens of thousands to attend anti-Trump protests across US Around 200 groups are planning to hold over 1,300 protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on Saturday, marking the largest single-day demonstration of the new Trump administration. The "Hands Off!" anti-Trump protest, organised by progressive groups like Third Act and MoveOn, opposes Trump's alleged "hostile takeover" of the government, economy, and rights, with Musk as a key ally. Key grievances include Trump's tariffs causing a stock market crash, cuts to USAID, government layoffs by Musk's DOGE, and policies seen as anti-immigrant and harmful to the environment and democracy. * China strikes back at Trump with own tariffs China has said it would slap 34 percent tariffs on all imports of US goods from April 10 after Washington imposed steep new levies on Chinese products, vowing "countermeasures" to protect its rights and interests. Beijing's Commerce Ministry also imposed export controls on seven rare earth elements, including gadolinium and yttrium, which is used in consumer electronics. China will also file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization over tariffs, the ministry said. * Russian strike kills 14 in Ukraine leader’s home city A Russian ballistic missile strike on Volodymyr Zelenskyy's home city of Kryvyi Rig has killed 14 people, including six children, the Ukrainian leader said. The missile struck a residential area near a children's playground and wounded more than 50 people, according to the head of the city's military administration. Regional governor said the number of reported casualties was "constantly increasing". * Judge denies government's bid to move Rumeysa Ozturk case to Louisiana A federal judge has denied the Trump administration's attempt to dismiss or transfer Turkish student Rumeysa Ozturk’s case to the state of Louisiana, instead ruling that the proceeding will be transferred to Vermont. US District Judge Denise Casper also granted a request to block the government from removing Ozturk from the US while her petition challenging her detention is considered.

Qatar refutes claims of paying to disrupt Israel-Hamas negotiations Qatar condemned and rejected allegations that it made "financial payments" to undermine efforts by Egypt and mediators in talks between Hamas and Israel for a ceasefire in Gaza. It affirmed that "these allegations are baseless and serve only the agendas of those who seek to sabotage the mediation efforts and undermine relations between nations," it added. Doha "remains committed to its humanitarian and diplomatic role as a mediator between the relevant parties to end this devastating war and is working closely with Egypt in our efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire and protect civilian lives," it stressed. Brown University hit with $500M funding freeze amid Gaza protest The Trump administration plans to halt over $500M in contracts and grants to Brown University over its response to alleged anti-Semitism, a White House official said. It comes two days after the Trump administration halted research grants at Princeton University and began reviewing $9 billion in federal contracts and grants awarded to Harvard University. Dozens of other universities are facing federal investigations following a wave of pro-Palestine and anti-genocide protests last year, but the administration has focused special attention on elite colleges. Palestine urges UN to act against Israel's land grab in Gaza Palestine's ongoing envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, urged the UN Security Council to act against what he described as Israel's ongoing annexation of Palestinian land under the guise of security operations. Mansour warned that failure to act would deepen Palestine's despair and reinforce perceptions that the world is abandoning them. Mansour stressed that Israel is prioritising territorial expansion over the release of hostages, saying ""Israel's true objective is not the release of the hostages but stealing Palestinian land." South Korea's Constitutional Court ousts impeached President Yoon South Korea's Constitutional Court decided to oust President Yoon Suk-yeol, upholding parliament's impeachment motion over his short-lived imposition of martial law last year. With Yoon's ouster on Friday, a presidential election is required to take place within 60 days, according to the country's constitution. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will continue to serve as acting president until the new president is inaugurated. Turkish finance minister vows to enhance economic ties with EU Türkiye and the EU developed a consensus on enhancing economic relations and increasing cooperation in all areas, Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said. The EU and Türkiye held the first High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) meeting in six years in Brussels on Thursday. Issues such as the modernisation of the Customs Union and visa facilitation were also discussed between the two sides. "In the government-to-government session, the parties reviewed the latest economic policy developments and prospects in Türkiye and the EU, amid a challenging and highly uncertain global outlook," it added.

Trump escalates global trade war with new 'Liberation Day' tariffs "US President Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping new ""Liberation Day"" tariffs in a decision that is billed to escalate a devastating global trade war. He announced plans for sweeping tariffs on Wednesday, saying ""our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, plundered"" by other nations. Trump promised so-called reciprocal tariffs on friends and foes alike if they target the world's largest economy, saying the levies will stop the United States being ""ripped off." UN chief 'deeply alarmed' by human toll in Gaza "UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep alarm about the human cost of intensified Israeli attacks in besieged Gaza. His spokesperson's office state that Guterres condemns the reported killing of over a thousand people, including women and children, since the collapse of the ceasefire."" The Israeli army killed at least 86 Palestinians in a series of air strikes across besieged Gaza." PKK/YPG to withdraw from Aleppo under deal with Syrian government "The PKK/YPG terror group will withdraw from two neighbourhoods in Aleppo under an agreement with the Syrian government, a Syrian official told. The group's so-called ""internal security forces"" in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighbourhoods will be unified under a single structure and placed under the Interior Ministry. The official noted the deal includes provisions for removing barricades in the neighbourhood and forming committees to establish security checkpoints." Columbia students chain themselves to protest Mahmoud Khalil's detention "Students at Columbia University in New York, US, have chained themselves to the entrance gate of the school campus to demand the release of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained for leading demonstrations in support of Palestine last Spring. A group of students, mostly of Jewish origin, organised a demonstration to protest the detention of Khalil on Wednesday, chanting slogans such as "Freedom for Palestine" and "Mahmoud Khalil, release him immediately." Amazon makes a last-minute bid to buy TikTok in US: report "Amazon has made a last-minute bid to buy TikTok, which faces a US ban if not sold by its Chinese owner, the New York Times reported on Wednesday. President Donald Trump has downplayed risks that TikTok is in danger of being banned in the United States, saying he remains confident of finding a buyer for the app's US business by a Saturday deadline. According to reports, the most likely solution would see existing US investors in ByteDance roll over their stakes into a new independent global TikTok company.

Bombardment intensifies in Gaza as Israel strikes shelter and home Israel’s latest raids in Gaza have left three more Palestinians dead and several others wounded, bringing the death toll during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr to 13. Air strikes hit a shelter in Deir al-Balah and an evacuated home in Khan Younis, while artillery and naval fire added to the casualties. Witnesses report intense Israeli bombardment across northern and southern Gaza, signaling escalating violence. Israel's genocidal war on Gaza has killed over 50,400 Palestinians and has wounded over 114,500 since October 2023, according to figures released by the Palestinian Health Ministry in the enclave. Taiwan scrambles defenses as China conducts large-scale drills Tensions skyrocket as China encircles Taiwan with extensive military drills, simulating precision strikes and a blockade. Taiwan responded by scrambling aircraft and ships, deploying missile systems in the region. The Chinese drills follow US pledges to bolster deterrence in the region, with Washington calling Beijing’s actions "aggressive." The European Union has urged restraint, while tensions between China and Taiwan, fueled by history and geopolitics, remain a potential flashpoint. Myanmar earthquake death toll surpasses 2,700 as crisis deepens Tragedy unfolds in Myanmar as the death toll from Friday’s catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake surpasses 2,700—and is still climbing. Thousands remain injured and missing, while rescue teams struggle against time. Miraculously, a 63-year-old woman was pulled alive from the rubble after 91 hours. Aid is trickling in, but with civil war complicating relief efforts, millions are at risk. The looming monsoon season and fears of disease outbreaks add to the crisis. US lawmaker delivers longest Senate speech to protest Trump US Senator Cory Booker made history with the longest speech in Senate history, delivering a fiery 25-hour, five-minute protest against President Donald Trump’s “unconstitutional” actions. Standing firm without breaks, Booker criticised Trump’s cost-cutting policies and executive overreach, warning of the damage to American democracy. The New Jersey senator, recalling the iconic scene from Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, energised his fellow Democrats while urging resistance to Trump's agenda. “The power of the people is greater than the people in power,” he concluded, igniting the opposition. SpaceX launches Fram2 mission on historic polar orbit journey SpaceX has launched the Fram2 mission, marking the first-ever crewed flight to orbit Earth’s poles! Aboard the Crew Dragon, billionaire Chun Wang, filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, robotics expert Rabea Rogge, and explorer Eric Philips are set for a thrilling three-to-five-day journey. Unlike traditional launches, this southward trajectory required extra power, pushing limits in space travel. The crew will conduct 22 experiments while braving the ultimate extreme environment. "We’re not your typical NASA astronauts," Mikkelsen said. While requiring immense power, the mission promises groundbreaking polar observations and human adaptation research.

Gaza suffers as children and aid workers killed in Israeli bombardment "Tragedy deepens in Gaza as at least 322 children have been killed and 609 wounded in the past 10 days, UNICEF reports, after Israel resumed attacks. ""Children have again been plunged into deadly violence,"" warns UNICEF’s Catherine Russell. Separately, Gaza's media office confirms 1,513 humanitarian workers killed in Israel's relentless bombardment. Meanwhile, The Palestinian presidency condemns forced evacuations in Rafah, calling them a violation of international law. Israel and Hamas remain at odds over key conditions, including prisoner releases and military withdrawal." French court bans Marine Le Pen from office over EU funds scandal "French political circles are in turmoil. Marine Le Pen's electoral ambitions face a stunning blow as a court imposes a five-year ban after she was found guilty of embezzling European Union funds. International figures, including US President Donald Trump and his billionaire supporter Elon Musk, decry the ruling as politically motivated. Le Pen vows to appeal, insisting she's ""eliminated,"" not defeated. Her National Rally party now weighs its options, with 29-year-old protege and the party leader Jordan Bardella potentially stepping into the spotlight." Myanmar declares national mourning as earthquake deaths surpass 2,000 "Myanmar declared a week of national mourning on Monday following a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that claimed over 2,000 lives. The ruling junta announced flags would fly at half-mast until April 6 in honour of the victims. Rescue efforts have slowed in Mandalay, the worst-hit city, as fears of aftershocks persist. Thousands are still living on the streets, and with communication networks disrupted, the true scale of the disaster remains uncertain. At least 3,900 people are injured, and hundreds are still missing." Khamenei warns Trump that Iran will retaliate firmly against aggression "Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, responded sharply to US President Donald Trump's threat of ""bombing,"" warning that any external aggression would prompt a ""firm retaliatory blow."" Addressing a congregation in Tehran, Khamenei emphasised Iran’s readiness for any confrontation. Meanwhile, Iran rejected direct talks with the US but remains open to indirect negotiations. Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned Trump's remarks as a “shocking affront to international peace.”" France fines Apple over its app tracking transparency practices "French antitrust authorities have slapped Apple with a $162 million fine over its App Tracking Transparency or ATT feature. The watchdog argued that the implementation of ATT was excessive and harmed third-party publishers. The system, which debuted in 2021, requires users to opt-in before tracking across apps, with critics accusing Apple of using it to promote its own advertising. Despite the fine, Apple maintained the feature gives users greater control over privacy and has strong support globally. Investigations are ongoing in several European countries."

Gaza mourns as Israeli strikes target Palestinians on Muslim holiday "Tragedy strikes Palestinians during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr in Gaza. At least 33 Palestinians, including 13 children, were killed in Israeli air strikes, with many more wounded. In a holiday message, the Palestinian resistance group Hamas condemned the attacks as ""brutal Zionist aggression"" and decried the ""siege, starvation, and destruction"" across besieged Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The group accused the international community of remaining silent and blamed the US for supporting Israel amid the ongoing conflict." Netanyahu vows to enforce Trump-backed Palestinian displacement plan "Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to intensify the war on Gaza and advance a contentious, US President Donald Trump-backed plan for Palestinian displacement. Netanyahu's statement comes as an Arab summit proposes a $53 billion Gaza reconstruction plan without displacement—an initiative rejected by Israel and the US. As Israel renews its air strikes on Gaza, the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 50,200 since October 2023. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister for war crimes, while Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice." Greenland makes it clear: US won't get the island "Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen made it crystal clear: The US will not get Greenland. His statement on Facebook is a response to the US President Donald Trump's desire to take control of the Arctic territory. “We determine our own future,” Nielsen stated. Trump told NBC that he ""100 percent"" will annex Greenland, while Vice President JD Vance, visiting a US base in the island, suggested that Denmark isn’t securing the island properly, suggesting that the US would do a better job." Trump expresses 'anger' at Putin over stalled Ukraine talks "Donald Trump, in a sharp shift in tone, expressed ""very angry, pissed off"" sentiments towards Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump's fiery reaction to his Russian counterpart comes amidst stalled peace talks regarding Ukraine. He threatened Putin with ""secondary tariffs on all oil exports from Russia"" if a deal isn't reached and blamed Moscow for the continued bloodshed. Putin's remarks questioning Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's leadership prompted Trump's response. Weeks ago, Trump himself had questioned Zelenskyy's leadership." China’s banks plan to raise $71.6 billion to boost capital "China's banking behemoths are poised for a substantial capital infusion. Four major state-owned banks have announced plans to raise a staggering 520 billion yuan or $71.60 billion through private placements, with the finance ministry playing a pivotal role. It has been seen as a strategic step by Beijing to bolster its capacity to invigorate the nation's economy amidst headwinds. Analysts say the recapitalisation step is crucial for navigating economic deceleration and challenges in the property sector."

Hamas accepts ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar "The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has accepted a ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar, urging Israel not to obstruct the plan. The leader of Hamas in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, announced the decision on Eid al-Fitr, a holiday following the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, emphasising their commitment to mediation efforts. Al-Hayya said that the weapons of the resistance are a red line. Meanwhile, Israel has countered with its own proposal, reportedly seeking the release of more captives. The push for a deal comes amid renewed Israeli air strikes on Gaza, which have killed over 920 people since March 18. In its war on Gaza, Israel has killed more than 50,200 Palestinians since October 2023, following the Hamas-led attack on Israel." Academy apologizes after backlash over Palestinian filmmaker’s arrest "The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has issued an apology after its initial response to the arrest of Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal sparked outrage. Ballal, co-director of the Oscar-winning No Other Land, was assaulted by Israeli settlers and detained by Israeli forces before his release. Critics slammed the Academy’s vague statement, prompting a stronger follow-up. While it now explicitly mentions Ballal and reiterates its condemnation of violence and suppression of free speech, it does not directly name Israel. No Other Land won Best Documentary for exposing Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes. " Syria's al Sharaa unveils new government "A new chapter for Syria has begun as President Ahmad al Sharaa unveiled the newly formed government, emphasizing a commitment to rebuilding state institutions grounded in transparency and accountability. Speaking at a ceremony in Damascus, al Sharaa declared the government’s mission to advance education, healthcare and tackle corruption. The cabinet, comprising 22 ministers—including the first woman—covers key sectors, from defence to culture. The groundbreaking change in Syria comes after al Sharaa’s leadership, following the ousting of Bashar Assad’s regime." Sudanese army secures key area from paramilitary RSF "Sudan's army has announced it has seized control of the crucial Souq Libya market in Omdurman, a key area previously utilised by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces for attacks during the two-year conflict. The new development follows the army's declaration of victory in the capital Khartoum. Souq Libya, a major commercial hub, was left abandoned by the Rapid Support Forces, who fled, leaving behind weapons and equipment. While the army already held much of Omdurman, it aims to secure the entire capital area. The Rapid Support Forces has yet to comment. The UN has described the war, triggered by a power struggle, as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, causing widespread displacement, hunger and ethnic violence. Estimates suggest tens of thousands have died. The conflict has further destabilised the region.   " Myanmar quake death toll exceeds 1,600 "The death toll from a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand has surpassed 1,600. Myanmar's military junta reports at least 1,644 dead and over 3,400 injured, with the toll expected to rise. The quake, followed by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock, devastated Mandalay and surrounding regions. Rescue efforts continue as the isolated areas struggle with severe damage, including collapsed buildings and infrastructure. Amid the destruction, survivors are calling for urgent aid, with some fearing more casualties are trapped in the rubble."

Israel strikes Beirut for first time since Lebanon ceasefire "An unprecedented Israeli air strike hit south Beirut, marking the first such attack since the ceasefire reached in November with Hezbollah. Lebanese officials confirmed the strike. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to ""strike everywhere"" in Lebanon against perceived threats, signaling a shift in strategy. Meanwhile, Hamas spokesperson Basem Naim reported growing momentum in Gaza ceasefire negotiations with mediators, despite Israel's ongoing attacks in the Palestinian enclave." US judge blocks Ozturk’s deportation after visa revocation "Massachusetts federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of Turkish-born Tufts University doctoral student, Rumeysa Ozturk, pending a ruling on her petition challenging the removal. The decision, made by US District Judge Denise Casper, halts her removal until at least April 1, while the court reviews jurisdiction concerns. Ozturk was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement near her Somerville home for criticising Israel in her academic work. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed her visa revocation, citing her activism but providing no evidence of violence." Myanmar earthquake death toll tops 1,000 "A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has claimed 1,002 lives, with more than 2,000 wounded, according to the country's military government. The quake, which struck near Sagaing, caused widespread destruction, particularly in Mandalay. A state of emergency is in effect across six regions. As international aid begins to arrive, China has deployed a rescue team, with both Russia and the US offering assistance. The disaster also affected neighbouring Thailand, heightening concerns across the region." VP Vance calls for stronger US leadership in Arctic "US Vice President JD Vance stressed the importance of American leadership in the Arctic during a visit to Greenland, warning that inaction could leave the region vulnerable to rivals like Russia and China. Speaking at a US Space Force base in Greenland's Pituffik, Vance emphasised the need to strengthen Arctic security, criticising European allies, particularly Denmark, saying they haven't done a good job. He also stressed the significance of the US's presence in Greenland, highlighting its crucial role in national security and urging Greenlanders to consider a partnership with the US for enhanced security and economic benefits." Elon Musk's xAI buys his X platform "Elon Musk has announced that his AI startup, xAI, has officially acquired X—formerly known as Twitter—for $33 billion in an all-stock deal, valuing the combined entity at $80 billion. Musk touts the merger as a leap toward ""accelerating human progress,"" intertwining xAI's AI prowess with X's vast user base. The acquisition follows Musk's controversial 2022 purchase of Twitter, which was marked by workforce cuts and advertiser exodus. Notably, banks recently offloaded $12 billion in X's debt amid renewed investor interest in AI and the platform's improved performance."

Hamas makes peace efforts despite Israel 's Gaza bloodbath Israel has killed at least 29 Palestinians in fresh air strikes on besieged Gaza amid its carnage on the blockaded enclave. Meanwhile, Palestinian sources close to Hamas have said that talks were underway between the resistance group and mediators from Egypt and Qatar to revive a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal for Gaza. Rubio defends visa cancellation of Turkish scholar " US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed the revocation of Turkish PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk's visa and defended her arrest following an article she co-authored criticising Israel. Ozturk's friends and family say she was arrested following a campaign by Canary Mission, a pro-Israel website that blacklists pro-Palestinian students and activists. Without providing any evidence linking the Turkish student to violence, Rubio defended the decision, saying those who are “vandalizing universities, harassing students and taking over buildings” will not be granted a US visa. " South Sudan peace deal collapses after Machar's arrest " South Sudan’s main opposition party has said that a peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war has collapsed, following the arrest of its leader, Riek Machar. The United Nations has warned on that the country was teetering on the edge of a renewed civil war following fighting in the north between an armed group allied to Machar and government forces. " Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan holds key talks during US visit " Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has held a series of high-level meetings during his two-day visit to Washington, engaging with US officials on critical bilateral and regional matters. Fidan met US Congressman Joe Wilson at the Turkish Embassy in the US capital. Fidan also received representatives of the American Coalition for Syria at the Turkish mission." Carney labels Trump's auto tariffs 'direct attack' on Canada Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said that US President Donald Trump's auto tariffs are a "direct attack" on his country and that the trade war is hurting Americans, noting that American consumer confidence is at a multi-year low. Carney also said he needs to see the details of Trump's executive order before taking retaliatory measures.