OpenWire

Donald Trump discussed how to mitigate the impact of a possible months-long US blockade of Iran's ports with oil companies, a White House official said on Wednesday, as the US president urged Tehran to "get smart soon" and sign a deal.

Tuesday's talks with oil executives followed a deadlock in efforts to resolve the conflict, which has led the United States to try to squeeze Iran's oil exports with a naval blockade aimed at forcing it to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping.

After months of scrutiny, lean scores, and mounting questions, Babar Azam appears to have turned a corner; emphatically so. The former Pakistan captain, once the benchmark of consistency across formats, is now scripting a compelling comeback story in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Leading Peshawar Zalmi from the front, Babar has amassed 588 runs in just 10 innings, boasting a striking balance of aggression and control with a strike rate of 146.26 and a staggering average of 84. His latest statement came on Tuesday, when he struck a fluent 103 off 59 balls; his second century in four matches, guiding Zalmi into the final with authority.

Al-Nassr took a significant step towards the Saudi Pro League title as Cristiano Ronaldo inspired a 2-0 win over Al-Ahli with a second-half strike on Wednesday.

The 41-year-old broke the deadlock with a 76th-minute header at Al-Awwal Park, helping Al-Nassr move eight points clear of second-placed Al-Hilal and 13 ahead of third-placed Al-Ahli, although both chasing sides have a game in hand.

Julian Alvarez's penalty secured Atletico Madrid a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in a nervy Champions League semi-final first leg clash on Wednesday.

Viktor Gyokeres sent the Premier League leaders ahead from the spot just before the interval after he was fouled, but Alvarez followed suit 10 minutes into the second half after Ben White's handball.

The Libyan Red Crescent said yesterday that a patrol boat recovered 17 bodies and rescued seven people during an operation to assist a stranded vessel off the North African country.
With Italy around 300 kilometres (186 miles) away, Libya has become a key launchpad for tens of thousands of migrants who risk their lives at sea trying to reach Europe each year.

Myanmar's coup-chief turned president cut all prisoners' sentences by one-sixth on Thursday, a blanket measure a source close to deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi said would further shorten her detention.

Suu Kyi has been sequestered since a 2021 military coup, but the senior member of her dissolved National League for Democracy (NLD) party said while her term had been reduced, her remaining sentence is still unclear.

Oil prices held around four-year highs Thursday while stocks fell after Donald Trump warned the US blockade of Iranian ports could last months as peace talks remained stalled. While Tehran submitted a fresh proposal this week to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the US president reportedly did not believe it was not negotiating in good faith.

A situation report has raised concerns over widespread exposure to harmful chemicals phthalates and bisphenols, putting public health at significant risk as their use remains largely unregulated in the country.

Phthalates and bisphenols are widely used to make plastics flexible and durable, but they are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can interfere with hormonal balance and are linked to reproductive disorders, developmental abnormalities and cancer, the report said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has apologised to the residents of Chattogram for the hardship caused by severe waterlogging, assuring them that efforts are underway to resolve the crisis. Today, Chattogram-10 MP Sayeed Al Noman raised the issue of waterlogging on a point of order in parliament.

The second T20I between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Bir Shreshtha Flight Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain today.

Heavy to moderate showers continued throughout the day in the port city, leaving conditions overcast and the outfield too damp for play. The toss, originally scheduled for 1:30 pm, was delayed as ground staff struggled to make the field match-ready.