Year: 2026

Dubai, once bustling with tourists, has become a ‘ghost town’ amid escalating conflict in the Middle East. The city has seen hotel closures and empty beaches as fears rise. With many flights cancelled, visitors are urged to reconsider travel plans.

EUROPE MORNING BRIEFING

The leaders of Canada, Germany and Norway are urging Trump this morning to reconsider his suspension of Russian oil sanctions.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius expressed concerns regarding the potential impact on Ukraine.

A rare 2008 Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar note is available for auction, starting at £750. This specimen from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe was issued during Robert Mugabe’s hyperinflation era. Bids will open during Heritage Auctions’ World Paper Money Signature sale on March 26.

Jurors will soon decide the fate of tech giants at the conclusion of the landmark social media addiction trial.

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This morning, Ugochi Daniels of the IOM expressed serious concern regarding humanitarian needs in Lebanon. The situation has prompted increased scrutiny from European Union officials.

Sperm Racing has announced its inaugural World Cup competition with a $100,000 prize. Athletes will compete by representing their countries, advancing through various rounds in this science-based sport. Visit the tournament’s website for more details.

The piano used by John Lennon to write Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds sold for nearly $3.3m, setting a Beatles auction record.

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This morning, tensions escalated as Iran’s new Supreme Leader vowed retaliation against the US and Israel for airstrikes. The European Union is closely monitoring developments amid ongoing military actions that have significant regional implications.

What’s going on?
A US KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq, leading to the deaths of four servicemen. The incident was confirmed by US Central Command, which provided details on the rescue attempts following the crash.

The outlet with the lowest intensity score, centcom.mil, reported, “Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq > U.S. Central Command > Press Release View,” focusing on the official confirmation. In contrast, abcnews.com highlighted, “4 dead after US KC-135 refueling aircraft goes down in western Iraq,” emphasising the tragic outcome and human toll. This contrast reflects a shift from a procedural announcement to a more impactful focus on casualties.

Coverage analysed: centcom.mil | abcnews.com | PBS | CNN

EUROPE MORNING BRIEFING

This morning, French start-up Maiaspace is advancing plans for Europe’s first reusable mini-launcher. This initiative aims to enhance European space autonomy amid longstanding competition with established players like SpaceX.