Turkish prosecutors have sought to jail Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and four aides on terrorism and corruption charges, sparking nationwide protests. Imamoglu, a key opposition figure, denies the charges, calling them slanderous. Thousands protested in Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara, clashing with police. Authorities detained 323 people. Imamoglu’s Republican People’s Party condemns the detention as politically motivated. The government claims judicial independence. Imamoglu, a potential challenger to President Erdogan, was set to be named the CHP’s presidential candidate. Noah Prescott 24/03/2025 12:30 am
Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital after battling pneumonia, coinciding with the debut of a new gelato flavor, “Hallelujah,” in Rome. The flavor, featuring gianduia, was created by Vincenzo Squatrito and celebrates the Catholic Church’s Holy Jubilee Year. It will be available across Europe. The release attracted many visitors and coincided with International Handmade Gelato Day. Pope Francis, a known gelato enthusiast, has a history of enjoying gelato, with dulce de leche being his favorite flavor. Penelope Kingsley 24/03/2025 12:30 am
An Israeli airstrike targeted Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza, causing casualties and igniting part of the hospital. The Israeli military claimed the strike aimed at a key Hamas figure, Ismail Barhoum, who was killed along with his nephew. Hamas condemned the attack, citing international law protections for hospitals. The strike occurred amid intensified Israeli operations in Gaza, following a breakdown in ceasefire negotiations. Nasser Medical Complex, Gaza’s largest hospital, has faced previous accusations of harboring Hamas operatives. The conflict’s toll since October 7 exceeds 50,000, according to Gaza health officials. Ava Sinclair 24/03/2025 12:30 am
X, the social media company, opposes Turkish court orders to block over 700 accounts, including those of journalists and political figures, citing it as unlawful and a hindrance to free speech. X plans to challenge these orders in court. Human Rights Watch warns that non-compliance with such demands could lead to fines or bandwidth restrictions in Turkey. President Erdogan, in power for over 20 years, has been criticized for undermining democratic principles. Meanwhile, opposition figure Imamoglu, from prison, celebrates high turnout in opposition primaries against Erdogan for the 2028 election. Noah Prescott 23/03/2025 9:00 pm
Second lady Usha Vance is visiting Greenland with a U.S. delegation to explore historical sites, Greenlandic heritage, and attend the national dogsled race, Avannaata Qimussersu. The trip includes her child and Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz. This visit follows Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland for strategic reasons, despite Denmark’s refusal to sell. Vance’s office highlights the cultural significance of the race, featuring 37 mushers and 444 dogs, as a display of speed, skill, and teamwork. Noah Prescott 23/03/2025 9:00 pm
Over 50,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since Israel’s conflict with Hamas began, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Most casualties are reportedly women and children, though Israel disputes these figures, citing inconsistencies. The death toll rose sharply as Israel resumed military operations after a ceasefire, with over 400 killed in recent airstrikes. Israel’s war on Hamas started after a surprise attack by the group in October 2023. Tensions remain high, with Israel planning to maintain a presence in Gaza unless hostages are released. Penelope Kingsley 23/03/2025 5:30 pm
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested on corruption charges, coinciding with his expected presidential nomination. Accused of leading a criminal organization and corruption, İmamoğlu and others also face separate terrorism-related charges. His detention sparked mass protests across Turkey, with thousands clashing with police. The government denies political motives, but demonstrations continue, criticized by President Erdoğan as “street terrorism.” İmamoğlu denies the charges, claiming they harm Turkey’s reputation and public trust. His arrest allows the opposition party to select a new candidate for Istanbul’s municipality. Penelope Kingsley 23/03/2025 5:30 pm
Rachel Reeves is under pressure ahead of her Spring Statement due to global uncertainty and scrutiny over her decisions impacting many lives. Despite her tough persona, Reeves admits personal criticism is challenging, especially given her role involves significant financial decisions and past scrutiny over her job history. This admission, made during a BBC documentary filming, highlights her anxiety amid Labour’s recent welfare cuts announcement, including stricter personal independence payment tests. The context suggests Reeves is feeling the heat from both public and political spheres. Ava Sinclair 23/03/2025 2:00 pm
March 21 marks the inaugural World Day for Glaciers, highlighting the urgent issue of glacier melt and its associated risks. Supported by the UN, this observance precedes the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation in 2025. Melting glaciers, from the Himalayas to Alaska, are forming unstable glacial lakes, increasing the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Recent floods in the Indian Himalayas and Alaska exemplify these dangers. Thawing permafrost also causes landslides and rockfalls, further threatening communities and infrastructure, with significant economic and human costs. Ava Sinclair 23/03/2025 2:00 pm
Heathrow Airport was shut down due to a fire at the North Hyde substation, disrupting power in west London. The incident stranded thousands of passengers and affected over 1,300 flights. Barry Hayes from University College Cork noted that the substation fire cut off power to 67,000 homes and businesses. Despite Heathrow’s multiple power supply points, the outage had a significant impact, though some areas like Terminal 5 reportedly retained power. Penelope Kingsley 23/03/2025 2:00 pm
