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A devastating explosion at a military base in Burundi's economic capital, Bujumbura, has resulted in at least 13 civilian fatalities and 57 injuries. The blast, caused by an electrical short circuit, occurred at the main ammunition depot of the Burundi National Defence Force (FDNB) in Musaga, a densely populated area.The army reported that houses and private vehicles were damaged in various neighborhoods, while military equipment and facilities were destroyed or burned. Three soldiers were among those wounded, but the army did not specify if any soldiers had been killed.The explosion occurred in a densely populated area adjoining the Higher Institute for Military Cadres (ISCAM), where aspiring army officers are trained and housed. Firefighting efforts were initially slowed by a water shortage, exacerbating the damage.Burundi, ranked by the World Bank as the world's poorest country by GDP per capita in 2023, has faced years of deep economic crises, including a severe fuel shortage. President Evariste Ndayishimiye expressed his sympathy to the victims, while authorities urged citizens to report unexploded munitions.

The countdown at Kennedy Space Center is in its final stages for the Artemis II launch, the first crewed lunar mission since 1972. NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya confirmed after a Monday management meeting that the mission is cleared for a Wednesday liftoff. Launch window: A two‑hour window opens at 6:24 pm (22:24 GMT) on Wednesday, with daily two‑hour windows remaining available until April 6. The launch can proceed only when the moon’s position, orbital trajectories, weather, and Earth’s rotation align safely. Weather outlook: Forecasts show an 80 % chance of favorable conditions, though cloud cover and high winds remain the primary concerns. The mission has already endured two major setbacks. In early February a liquid‑hydrogen leak forced a scrub, and in early March a helium‑flow issue in the upper stage halted a second attempt. NASA will stream the launch live on YouTube, where viewers can follow the vehicle from rollout to liftoff. Artemis programme overview: Artemis is NASA’s multidecade effort to return humans to the Moon, establish a sustainable presence near the lunar south pole, and eventually enable crewed missions to Mars. The program comprises five missions (Artemis I‑V). Artemis I, an uncrewed test in 2022, validated the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, providing critical data for the current flight. Mission profile: Artemis II will not land; instead, its four‑person crew will perform a lunar flyby, looping around the far side before returning to Earth. The flight will test Orion’s life‑support, navigation, communications, and overall performance in deep space—conditions that cannot be fully replicated on the ground. Crew members: Reid Wiseman (Commander, 50) – veteran NASA astronaut and former ISS commander. Victor Glover (Pilot, 49) – U.S. Navy aviator, first Black astronaut assigned to a lunar mission, previously flew on SpaceX Crew‑1. Christina Koch (Mission Specialist, 47) – holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman (328 days) and has extensive EVA experience. Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist, 50) – Canada’s first astronaut slated for a lunar mission, highlighting international collaboration. During the ten‑day journey the crew will evaluate spacecraft systems, conduct radiation and fire‑response drills, perform a suit‑pressurisation test, and carry out medical and scientific experiments while observing the lunar surface. Strategic importance: Artemis II is a stepping stone toward Artemis III (planned for 2027), which will test integrated operations with commercial landers, followed by Artemis IV (early 2028) – the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 – and Artemis V (late 2028) aimed at establishing a lunar base. The program also reinforces U.S. leadership in space amid rising competition, notably from China.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera that he has exchanged messages with Steve Witkoff, the senior envoy appointed by President Donald Trump, but stressed that these contacts do not constitute formal negotiations. "I receive messages from Witkoff directly, as before, and this does not mean that we are in negotiations," Araghchi said, adding that all communications are routed through the Foreign Ministry and security agencies. The minister highlighted Iran’s historic mistrust of US diplomatic overtures, recalling Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement and two recent attacks on Iranian territory during ongoing talks. Araghchi noted that Pakistan has been facilitating the recent exchanges and has also hosted regional discussions involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey to build momentum for direct Iran‑US dialogue. Additionally, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited Beijing to seek Chinese backing for these efforts. Regarding the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi asserted that the waterway falls under the joint jurisdiction of Iran and Oman. He said that once hostilities cease, the two nations will decide its future, emphasizing that the strait should remain a "peaceful waterway." While acknowledging that Gulf states such as Qatar want a seat at the table, Araghchi maintained that the strait is open to commercial vessels from all nations except those actively at war with Iran, which is a standard wartime measure. He also mentioned that ships from India, Pakistan, Turkey and China have already negotiated transit through the strait, underscoring its continued commercial relevance. On the prospect of a US ground invasion, Araghchi warned that Iran is fully prepared to confront any such move. "We are waiting for them," he said, adding that Iranian forces possess the strength to repel a land assault and that the United States would be making a grave mistake by attempting one. These statements come as the Trump administration reportedly increases troop deployments in the Gulf and explores contingency plans for a possible invasion of Iran.

Cuba's tourism industry, once a pillar of the country's economy, is reeling from the effects of the US oil blockade imposed in January. The blockade has led to a significant decline in visitors, with only 1.6 million tourists visiting the island from January to November last year, a drop from its 2018 peak of 4.8 million.The decline in tourism has had a devastating impact on the livelihoods of Cubans who rely on the industry for their income. Taxi driver Rainier Hernandez, 38, used to work upwards of six hours a day ferrying tourists around Havana, but now he is lucky to get one or two hours of paid work in a day.The economic momentum has sputtered in recent years, a trend accelerated by a recent spike in tensions between the US and Cuba. The blockade has pushed petrol prices up to $12 per litre ($45.36 per gallon) and led the government to cancel nearly all public transport options.Tour guides like Carlos Fariñas, 29, are struggling to make ends meet, with some considering leaving the island in search of better opportunities. 'If there is no tourism, there is no economy,' Fariñas said.The situation has become so dire that some Cubans are worried about losing their homes, as the collapse of the tourism industry could cost them the very roof over their heads. 'I would die of hunger' if I had to wait for tourists to return, said Alejandro Ricardo, 26, who manages an Airbnb in Havana.The US oil blockade has had far-reaching consequences for Cuba's economy, with the country's tourism industry accounting for nearly 12 percent of its GDP at its height in the late 2010s. The blockade has left many Cubans uncertain about their future on the island, as they struggle to afford necessities.

Glamorgan's cricket team is gearing up for their biggest season in years, back in Division One of the County Championship for the first time since 2005. A key player to watch is Asa Tribe, who had a standout performance last season, scoring a thousand runs and earning a spot on the Lions tour in the winter.Tribe's impressive form has not gone unnoticed, with England managing director Rob Key taking note of his unbeaten 129 against Australia A in the unofficial Test. His captain, Kiran Carlson, praises Tribe's work ethic and talent, comparing him to another Glamorgan star, Marnus Labuschagne.Tribe's journey to the top has been swift, moving from the Glamorgan second team to the first team, the Lions, and then a franchise gig with Paarl Royals in the South Africa T20 within a year. He remains focused on his goals, saying, 'There's a bit of talk around it and it's quite easy to get sucked up into that thinking, but if I don't put in performances like I did last season, it becomes irrelevant whether there's hype or not.'With his sights set on Test cricket for England, Tribe is determined to continue improving and making a name for himself in the cricket world. His teammate, Carlson, has no doubt that he'll achieve his goal, saying, 'I have no doubt that he'll play a lot of Test cricket for England. His ceiling's incredibly high.'

The resurgence of existentialist cinema is marked by François Ozon's adaptation of Albert Camus's 'The Stranger'. This 2026 film breathes new life into the classic novel, exploring themes of absurdity and individual morality. Camus's 'The Stranger' has been adapted before, notably by Luchino Visconti in 1967. However, Ozon's version stands out with its political focus on colonial power relations and a fresh perspective on the protagonist, Meursault. Existentialism, a philosophy that questions life's purpose without divine guidance, influenced 20th-century thought through figures like Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Camus. The movement briefly influenced cinema, particularly through the French New Wave. The connection between existentialism and film noir is also explored, with the genre reflecting nihilistic undercurrents of the interwar period. Existentialist themes continue to permeate modern cinema, influencing films like 'Taxi Driver', 'Blade Runner', and 'The Truman Show'. Ozon's adaptation shifts the focus to colonialism, making it a more politically charged interpretation. This shift raises questions about whether the film remains strictly existentialist or if it incorporates moralizing overtones. The article concludes by suggesting that existentialism's core ideas remain relevant, especially in today's chaotic world. Films like Olivier Laxe's 'Sirāt' capture the existentialist spirit by portraying characters navigating absurd and precarious situations.

The England Over-70s cricket team has achieved a remarkable feat by winning both the Ashes and the World Cup in their respective tournaments. The team's manager, Chris Lowe, attributes their success to their preparation and experience, highlighting that they played 15 matches in a five-week tour, including warm-up games against local opposition.Under the leadership of captain John Evans, the team has demonstrated their skill and dedication to the sport. Evans, who is set to turn 75 this summer, has captained his country to Ashes and World Cup glory twice apiece. The team's success is all the more impressive given that they receive no funding from the England and Wales Cricket Board, with players paying around £8,000 each to participate in the tour.The England Over-70s team represents a growing trend of late-age cricketers, with 135 teams from 36 counties playing over-60s and over-70s cricket on a regular basis. The team's achievements serve as a testament to the fact that age is no barrier to success in cricket, with players like Jim Phillips and Chris Evans demonstrating their skills in the sport.The team's captain, John Evans, believes that playing cricket has helped him stay young, saying: 'It keeps you young as well. I have a few aches and pains, but I'm still getting out there and I'd recommend anybody in any sport to keep going as long as you can, because it's so good for you.'

Israel has unleashed a significant military operation against Iran, launching two waves of attacks on Tehran and killing a senior Hezbollah commander. The attacks have escalated tensions in the region, with Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, denying claims of a ceasefire request.US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran's leadership is seeking a ceasefire, but Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson has denied this, calling Trump's account 'false and baseless'.The conflict has resulted in at least 1,900 people killed and 20,000 injured in Iran, according to estimates from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. The Israeli military has also reported that 10 of its soldiers have been killed since fighting broke out on the Lebanese front.The attacks have had significant economic implications, with the strait of Hormuz effectively closed to oil and gas tankers and other merchant shipping since the beginning of the conflict, hiking oil prices and causing critical shortages around the world.Iran's president has written to Americans, asking which of their interests are being served by this war, and stating that Iranians 'harbor no enmity towards other nations, including the people of America'. The conflict continues to escalate, with further waves of attacks reported across the densely populated centre of Israel.

Police in Wuhan reported a sudden "system malfunction" that immobilised several autonomous robotaxis operated by Baidu’s Apollo Go service, leaving passengers stuck on an elevated highway for up to an hour and a half.Local authorities said they received a flood of calls on Tuesday night from riders whose vehicles froze in the middle of the road. A police statement confirmed that “multiple Apollo Go cars stopped in the middle of the road, unable to move,” and preliminary investigations point to a technical failure.Baidu maintains a fleet of more than 500 driverless cars in Wuhan, though the exact number affected was not disclosed. One commuter shared a 90‑minute ordeal on the Chinese platform RedNote, describing how the vehicle stalled at 9 p.m. on an overpass, surrounded by dump trucks, while customer‑service lines remained unanswered.The rider eventually was rescued after the order was cancelled at 10:30 p.m., but criticized Apollo Go’s support team for offering “useless platitudes” instead of concrete solutions. Social‑media users also posted videos captioned “Apollo Go, are you paralysed?” showing futile attempts to contact the company via the in‑car tablet.This is not Baidu’s first controversy. In December, authorities in Zhuzhou halted robotaxi operations after a Baidu‑manufactured autonomous vehicle struck two pedestrians, sending them to intensive care.Despite these setbacks, Baidu’s autonomous‑mobility arm continues to grow. Company filings reveal that Apollo Go delivered 3.4 million driverless rides in the fourth quarter of 2025, a jump of over 200 % compared with the same period in 2024. The firm is also pursuing international expansion, having announced partnership deals with rideshare giants Lyft and Uber to deploy its vehicles on their platforms.When approached for comment, Baidu did not respond, according to Reuters.Additional reporting by Yu‑chen Li