News from March 31, 2025 at 2 AM

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, killing at least 1,700 people. Four survivors were rescued nearly 60 hours later from a collapsed school in the northern Sagaing region, along with a body, according to Myanmar's fire service. Hundreds remain missing, with search and rescue operations ongoing in both Myanmar and neighboring Thailand. In Bangkok, the death toll has risen to 18, with 76 workers still missing after a high-rise building under construction collapsed. The earthquake's epicenter was near Mandalay, with aftershocks continuing. International aid is arriving in Myanmar, but delays in reaching the worst-hit areas have left locals to dig out survivors by hand. An elderly woman was rescued in Nay Pyi Taw after being trapped for 36 hours under hospital rubble.

On March 30 local time, US President Donald Trump, in an interview with NBC, expressed anger over Russian President Vladimir Putin's criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and threatened to impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil. Trump also plans to speak with Putin again. Putin proposed setting up a temporary administration in Ukraine under UN supervision to organize democratic elections. Additionally, Trump threatened to bomb Iran and impose secondary tariffs if it does not reach a nuclear agreement. Trump has written to Iranian leaders urging negotiations, to which Iran has responded, putting indirect talks on the agenda.

On March 30, Greenland's new Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded to US President Donald Trump's comments about acquiring Greenland, stating clearly on Facebook that Greenland does not belong to anyone else and will decide its own future. Previously, Trump said in an NBC News interview, 'We'll get Greenland. Yeah, 100 per cent.' This exchange heightened tensions between the US, Denmark, and Greenland, following Vice-President J.D. Vance's visit to a US military base in Greenland, which drew criticism from Danish diplomacy. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will visit Greenland from April 2 to April 4 to 'strengthen unity' between the kingdom and its Arctic territory. On March 28, four of the five parties in the Greenlandic Parliament agreed to form a coalition government, with all major parties seeking independence but differing on the roadmap. American pressure prompted them to form a coalition quickly, with only the Naleraq party, which advocates rapid independence, declining to join.

On March 30, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to increase pressure on Hamas in Gaza while continuing negotiations to secure the release of hostages and implementing US President Donald Trump’s 'voluntary emigration' plan. Netanyahu stated that his cabinet had agreed to intensify pressure on Hamas, which has reportedly agreed to a ceasefire proposal from mediators Egypt and Qatar. On March 29, Hamas agreed to a proposal that included the weekly release of five Israeli hostages but ruled out disarmament as demanded by Israel. On March 30, Gaza health authorities reported that Israeli strikes killed at least 20 people, including several children. Since Israel resumed its attacks in Gaza on March 18, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed and tens of thousands forced to evacuate. Netanyahu insisted that Israel demands Hamas lay down its arms and allow its leaders to leave Gaza, but did not specify how long Israeli troops would remain in the enclave.

On March 30, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that 15 rescuers were killed a week earlier when Israeli forces targeted ambulances in the Gaza Strip. The deceased included eight Red Crescent medics, six members of Gaza's civil defense agency, and one UN agency employee. One medic remains missing. The incident occurred on March 23 in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah city, near the Egyptian border. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies expressed outrage, stating it was the deadliest attack on Red Cross and Red Crescent workers since 2017. The Israeli military acknowledged firing but claimed the targets were Hamas vehicles.

Syria's new transitional government was formed, with key ministers such as foreign and defense ministers retaining their posts. Former opposition politician Hind Kabawat became the only female minister, heading the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor. The new government introduced two new ministries: the Ministry of Emergencies and Disasters and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Foreign Minister Asaad Shaibani pledged to open Syria to the world and restore its status. Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa stated that the new government would focus on change and construction. In late November, Syrian opposition forces launched a large-scale offensive, entering Damascus on December 8, leading to Bashar Assad's resignation and departure. Al-Sharaa was declared interim president on January 29.

US President Donald Trump is planning to visit Saudi Arabia in mid-May, marking his first foreign trip of his second term, Axios reported. Saudi Arabia has been playing a more prominent role in US foreign policy, hosting talks between the US, Russia, and Ukraine as Trump seeks a ceasefire to the war. In early March, Trump indicated the visit aims to secure an agreement for Saudi Arabia to invest over US$1 trillion in the US economy, including military equipment purchases. His first overseas trip in 2017 to Riyadh announced Saudi investments then estimated at US$350 billion. Recent discussions between senior US and Saudi officials, including those on the sidelines of Ukraine war talks, initially considered April 28 for the visit but postponed it to mid-May. Last week, Trump vowed to add more countries to the Abraham Accords.

Richard Chamberlain has died at the age of 90. He gained fame in the 1960s as TV heartthrob Dr Kildare, attracting a large female fan base. In middle age, he resurgence with 1980s TV mini-series like Shogun and The Thorn Birds. Chamberlain publicly acknowledged his homosexuality at the age of 70. Born on March 31, 1934, in Beverly Hills, California, his childhood was affected by his father's alcoholism. He discovered acting at Pomona College, but his career was interrupted by military service. After discharge, he made guest appearances in TV shows and won a Golden Globe for Dr Kildare. Despite attempts to become a serious stage actor, he excelled on television, captivating audiences.

Acting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated at the opening of the Hanover industrial trade fair that Europe seeks cooperation with the United States, but the European Union is prepared to respond collectively to US tariffs. Scholz noted that trade wars harm all parties involved. He emphasized that Europe is neither naive nor weak, and if the US leaves no choice, such as with tariffs on steel and aluminum, the EU will react as a unified entity.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen faces a crucial ruling on Monday as a judge decides whether she should be banned from the next presidential election. Leading all rivals in the 2027 race, Le Pen will be in court at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST) for the verdict of a party-funding trial targeting her National Rally (RN) party. The prosecutor demanded guilty verdicts for Le Pen and 24 others accused of using EU parliamentary funds for party salaries, recommending a €300,000 fine, prison term, and a five-year ban from public office. If the judges follow this, the 56-year-old Le Pen would be barred from the presidential race. French commentators warn of democratic consequences if the judiciary is seen as interfering in leadership choice. Le Pen remains calm but acknowledges the judges' power over her political fate. Possible verdicts include acquittal, conviction with suspended ban, immediate ban, or a short-term ban. If banned, her likely successor is party president Jordan Bardella.

American citizen Faye Hall, who was held by the Taliban in Afghanistan for two months, has been released and is set to return home soon, according to former US envoy to Kabul, Zalmay Khalilzad, who announced the news on X. Hall, currently in the care of Qatari officials, was detained along with a British couple in their seventies and their interpreter. The couple ran training programs for women and girls and remained in Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control in 2021. The Afghan authorities have not publicly stated the reason for their arrest. Khalilzad thanked Qatar for its role as a mediator between the US and Afghanistan. Hall is the fourth US citizen released by the Taliban since January following a Qatari-brokered agreement. Days earlier, they freed another American, George Glezmann, who had been held for two years, citing 'humanitarian grounds' and a 'goodwill gesture'. These releases followed high-level direct talks between US officials and the Taliban in Kabul, the first since President Trump's inauguration. Trump's agreement to end the US war in Afghanistan by withdrawing troops within a 14-month deadline was criticized for excluding the Western-backed Afghan government, leading to the Taliban's swift takeover during the chaotic US withdrawal in 2021. The British couple remains in detention, with their daughter appealing for their release due to her father's severe medical issues.

Over 300,000 Canadians in Ontario faced power outages on Sunday due to an ice storm that hit the region over the weekend, according to electricity provider Hydro One. Environment Canada issued winter storm warnings for freezing rain in Ottawa, parts of Quebec, and Ontario, with the risk of ice pellets continuing until Monday morning. More than 350,000 customers were affected as of Sunday afternoon, with power expected to be restored on April 1. Utilities provider Alectra reported about 35,000 customers without power in Barrie, noting slow progress due to ice on the lines. The city of Orillia declared a state of emergency due to widespread outages, hazardous road conditions, and infrastructure damage caused by prolonged freezing rain.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancee, journalist Lauren Sanchez, are set to wed in Venice at the end of June. On March 29, Venice authorities issued a statement dispelling rumors of large-scale disruptions, emphasizing that only 200 guests will be invited, ensuring no disturbance to the city. The authorities noted that wedding planners have not booked an excessive number of gondolas or water taxis, aiming to maintain normal city operations. Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro welcomed the couple's decision, highlighting the expected million-dollar economic impact, while also stressing the need to respect the city's fragility and uniqueness.

Russia's special envoy on international economic and investment cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev, told the Izvestia media outlet on Monday that Moscow and Washington have initiated talks on rare earth metals and other projects in Russia. Dmitriev, who also serves as the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, emphasized the importance of rare earth metals for cooperation. Following negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine over a draft minerals deal, Putin offered the U.S. a joint exploration of Russia's rare earth metal deposits under a future economic agreement. Dmitriev, who was part of Russia's negotiating team in talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia in February, mentioned that some companies have shown interest in the projects but did not provide further details. Izvestia reported that the cooperation could be discussed further at the next round of Russia-U.S. talks, potentially in mid-April in Saudi Arabia. Rare earths and other critical metals, vital for high-tech industries, have recently gained global attention as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to counter China's dominance in the sector.

The Houthis claim to have struck the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman three times within a 24-hour period near the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily. The attacks, which also targeted other ships in the Red Sea, employed missiles, naval forces, cruise missiles, and drones, according to Yemen's Ansar Allah movement. The American strikes in Yemen have been ongoing since the evening of March 15, when US President Donald Trump ordered the US military to take decisive action against the Houthis. This followed the Houthis' announcement of resuming attacks on Israeli ships in the Red and Arabian Seas in response to the ban on humanitarian aid supplies to the Gaza Strip.