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Economy
Bosnian truckers blocked EU freight terminals for a day over visa rules
Bosnian truck drivers blockaded two freight terminals on the border with EU member Croatia on Monday in a one-day protest over visa rules limiting their time in the bloc.
Politics
Colombia military aircraft crashes with 125 aboard, many feared dead
A Colombian military plane carrying 125 troops and crew crashed on take off Monday, with as many as 80 people aboard feared dead.
Automotive
Rip-offs at the petrol pump?
Fuel prices in Germany have become a political flashpoint. Since war broke out in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz was temporarily closed, global oil prices have surged. Crude oil quotations rose by around 20 percent to 84 dollars a barrel, and the wholesale price of diesel in Rotterdam climbed by 26 cents per litre – almost 50 percent. As a result, German motorists were paying an average of Euro 2.156 per litre for diesel and Euro 2.037 for Super E10 in mid‑March 2026.Petrol‑station leaseholders emphasise that they do not set their own pump prices. The industry’s lobbying group accuses the oil majors of selling fuel they bought cheaply at a huge mark‑up – behaviour described as “predatory capitalism”. Leaseholders receive none of the extra margin yet face the anger of customers. Convenience‑store sales are also collapsing because angry motorists buy nothing after filling up.Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government has responded with a package of measures. Filling stations may raise prices only once a day at noon; price cuts are allowed at any time. Part of the national oil reserve will be released, and the competition authority will get more powers. Critics say this does not go far enough. The social welfare organisation SoVD warns that without a price cap consumers remain at the mercy of suppliers and calls for targeted relief for low‑ and middle‑income households. SPD politicians demand a price cap to ensure that consumers are not “fleeced”, while economy minister Katherina Reiche rejects the idea of a state‑financed fuel subsidy.
Things to know
Shakira to wrap up world tour with Madrid residency
Pop superstar Shakira will wrap up her record-breaking world tour with a concert residency in Madrid at a custom-built venue, promoter Live Nation said Monday.
Boulevard
World gave Israel 'licence to torture Palestinians': UN expert
The world has given Israel "a licence to torture Palestinians", a UN expert said Monday, with life in the occupied territories "a continuum of physical and mental suffering".
Politics
Colombia says 80 troops on crashed aircraft, many feared dead
A military transport plane crashed Monday when taking off in Colombia, officials said, with at least 80 people aboard though there were conflicting reports about how many troops were dead and injured.
Politics
France turns to 2027 race to succeed Macron
With local elections done and dusted, France is pivoting towards electing a president to replace Emmanuel Macron next year, with the far right scenting its best chance yet to seize power.
Trump announces 'very good' Iran talks, shelving power plant strikes
President Donald Trump announced "very good" talks on Monday with an unidentified Iranian official after abruptly shelving plans to attack the Islamic republic's power plants.
Automotive
New Mercedes GLC electric
The new fully electric Mercedes‑GLC is scheduled to appear in 2026 as a dedicated EV platform rather than an electrified version of the existing GLC. The initial GLC 400 4MATIC model uses two motors and a 94‑kWh battery, promising up to 406 miles of WLTP range. British order books opened in late‑2025 with deliveries due in mid‑2026. The recommended retail price ranges from £60 350 to £73 350 (about €70 000–86 000).Technical highlights:- Dual‑motor all‑wheel drive with 482–489 hp.94‑kWh battery; WLTP range up to 406 miles; some reports mention 443 miles.- Fast‑charging at 330 kW, taking 22 minutes from 10–80 %; AC charging at 11 kW (22 kW optional).4.3 s 0–100 km/h and top speed 210 km/h.- Interior features include the MBUX Hyperscreen (up to 39 inches), one‑box braking with high recuperation, air suspension with rear‑axle steering and Car‑to‑X connectivity, vegan materials and a spacious boot with 570 litres plus a 138‑litre frunk.
Economy
Namibia rejects Starlink licence request
Namibia said Monday it had rejected a request for billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink to operate its satellite internet services in the country, dealing the company a second setback in southern Africa.
Boulevard
Ex-model questioned in France over scout with Epstein links
A former Swedish model has been questioned in France by investigators analysing evidence that could implicate French nationals in the crimes of the convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, sources said on Monday.
Politics
UK sending air defence systems to Gulf: PM
Britain is sending short-range air defence systems to the Gulf to help counter Iranian missile attacks, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday.
Politics
Trump administration seeks to ease oil fears but industry wary
A top US official in President Donald Trump's government sought to reassure fears about the oil market Monday as war raged on in the Middle East, although industry leaders remain wary.
Boulevard
Blow to Italy's Meloni as she suffers referendum defeat
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni conceded defeat on Monday in a referendum on justice reform, but despite the major blow to her far-right leadership, she insisted she was going nowhere.
Politics
US deploys immigration agents to airports amid shutdown chaos
The US immigration agency at the center of a firestorm over heavy-handed enforcement tactics began deploying to major airports on Monday, as officials scrambled to ease mounting travel disruption during a prolonged, partial government shutdown.
Economy
US, TotalEnergies reach 'nearly $1 bn' deal to end offshore wind projects
The United States and TotalEnergies on Monday signed an agreement to end the French company's offshore US wind farm projects and redirect those funds towards fossil fuel production, with the US interior secretary saying the deal was worth "nearly $1 billion."
Sports
Spurs offer condolences to interim boss Tudor after father's death
Tottenham on Monday offered their "thoughts and condolences" to interim boss Igor Tudor following the death of his father.
Politics
Iran's true casualty figures unknown as internet blackout hampers monitors
Iran has not updated its official death toll figures for weeks, while human rights groups outside the country are struggling with chronic communication problems, meaning the number of people killed during the war remains largely unknown.
Politics
Trump's ever-shifting positions on the war with Iran
How long will the Iran war last and what are the US goals? President Donald Trump has issued a dizzying number of conflicting answers to these questions since launching the conflict three weeks ago.
Economy
Countries act to limit fuel price rise, cut consumption
The surge in fuel prices triggered by the war in the Middle East has prompted countries to take measures to limit the financial impact on consumers and businesses.
Economy
'Stop, truck one, stop!': transcript of NY plane collision
Moments before an Air Canada Express plane collided with a firetruck on the runway of New York's LaGuardia Airport, a traffic controller cleared the truck to cross the runway and then urgently ordered it to halt, a recording showed.
Sports
Swiatek splits with coach Fissette after early Miami exit
Iga Swiatek announced on Monday that she had parted ways with her coach Wim Fissette following her second-round exit at the Miami Open.
Health
WHO chief urges countries to complete pandemic agreement
The World Health Organization chief on Monday urged countries to complete the missing piece of a pandemic agreement designed to avoid the panic and chaos of Covid-19 this week.
Politics
Trump sees 'regime change' in surprise Iran talks
President Donald Trump said Monday that "regime change" was underway in Iran as the United States holds peace talks with an unidentified alternative leader.
Economy
Trump calls off Iran strikes and announces 'very good' talks
President Donald Trump shelved plans on Monday to attack Iran's power plants in a stunning about-turn sparked by what he said were "very good" talks with unidentified Iranian officials to bring an end to the war.
Economy
Russia, Vietnam advance plans for first nuclear power plant
Russia and Vietnam on Monday signed a cooperation agreement on the construction of Vietnam's first nuclear power plant, Russia's Rosatom nuclear agency said on Monday.
Boulevard
New Trump envoy visits Honduras for organized crime-fighting partnership
Kristi Noem visited Honduras in her new role as US President Donald Trump's special envoy for his "Shield of the Americas" regional crime-fighting initiative, after being fired from her position as homeland security chief.
Economy
No 'silver bullet' for video game age restrictions: PEGI chief
The head of Europe's video game rating system, PEGI, has warned against supposed "silver bullet" child protection solutions such as age verification, in an interview with AFP.
Sports
England coach McCullum survives review into Ashes drubbing
England coach Brendon McCullum will keep his job despite the team's Ashes debacle, with cricket chief Richard Gould insisting he can "adapt and evolve".
Health
Mixed results for Lyme disease vaccine hit Valneva shares
An experimental vaccine for Lyme disease is broadly effective, pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Valneva announced Monday, however the latter firm's shares fell because the clinical trial did not reach its main goal.
Politics
Far-right French president no certainty despite rise of extremes
France's local elections show the appeal of political extremes is growing in France, but Marine Le Pen's far-right party is not necessarily poised to win the presidency next year when Emmanuel Macron must step down, analysts said Monday.
Politics
Trump tells AFP 'things are going very well' on Iran
US President Donald Trump told AFP on Monday that "things are going very well" regarding Iran, shortly after announcing talks with Tehran and a five-day pause on targeting the Islamic republic's power plants.