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Home favourite Oscar Piastri set the fastest lap of the day in the second practice session for the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.

The McLaren driver posted a 1:19.729, finishing just over two-tenths ahead of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, who took second. George Russell completed a Mercedes one-two-three, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc rounding out the top five.

Max Verstappen and reigning champion Lando Norris were sixth and seventh fastest, while Cadillac’s Sergio Perez was unable to record a timed lap.

The full top 10 times from the session:

Donald Trump dismissed Kristi Noem on Thursday after months of mounting controversies, including the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis and scrutiny over a $220 mln advertising contract linked to the department.

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that Markwayne Mullin would be nominated to replace her, with the appointment requiring confirmation by the United States Senate.

Noem, a former governor of South Dakota, had become one of the most prominent figures in Trump’s Cabinet, frequently using social media to highlight crimes committed by migrants and promote the administration’s tough immigration stance. Her removal...

Charles Leclerc finished fastest in the opening free practice session of the new Formula One season at the Australian Grand Prix, leading a strong showing for Scuderia Ferrari.

The Monegasque driver posted a best lap of 1:20.267, placing him four-tenths of a second ahead of his team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who secured second place in the session. Much of the early running was dominated by Ferrari and Red Bull Racing.

Max Verstappen finished third for Red Bull, while rookie Isack Hadjar placed fourth in the team’s second car.

Difficult Session for Several Teams

The practice session saw several interruptions...

Netflix said on Thursday it had acquired InterPositive, a film technology startup founded by Ben Affleck that develops artificial intelligence tools for movie production. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria said the company believes new technology should expand creative freedom rather than replace the work of writers, directors and film crews.

The purchase is Netflix’s first acquisition since stepping back from a bid to buy studio and streaming assets from Warner Bros. Discovery after a rival offer from Paramount Skydance was judged stronger.

Affleck, director and star of the Oscar-winning...

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have warned social media influencers in Dubai that posting content about the escalating conflict with Iran could lead to heavy fines or even prison.

Officials said posts considered harmful to public order, national unity or the reputation of the state could violate the country’s cybercrime laws. Penalties may include fines of up to $77,000 (£58,000) and potential jail sentences.

The warning has prompted some influencers to remove videos and photos from their accounts. One content creator said she deleted footage showing burning debris outside her apartment after realising people must be «very...

NATO air defence systems intercepted and destroyed an Iranian ballistic missile headed toward Turkey, marking the alliance’s first direct involvement in the ongoing regional conflict.

According to Turkish officials, the missile was launched from Iran and tracked as it travelled across Iraq and Syria before being neutralised by NATO missile defence assets deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.

Authorities said the interception occurred before the missile entered Turkish airspace. Debris from the interceptor reportedly fell in Hatay Province near the Syrian border, but no casualties were reported.

NATO condemned what it described as the targeting of an allied nation...

China has announced a major demographic policy overhaul aimed at boosting birth rates and supporting its rapidly ageing population.

The government’s new five-year plan seeks to build what officials describe as a «childbirth-friendly society,» introducing measures such as expanded childcare subsidies, free pregnancy-related healthcare and stronger social security support for families.

Authorities said the plan will ensure that pregnancy and fertility treatments, including IVF, are fully covered by national insurance, while families with children will receive additional housing support and improved access to childcare services. The government also plans to expand preschool education and maintain education spending above...

Iran launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks on Thursday targeting Israeli and US military positions, as regional fighting escalated following recent strikes by Israel and the United States.

Air raid sirens sounded across Tel Aviv and Jerusalem after Israeli authorities reported incoming missiles. Iranian state media said the strikes also targeted American bases in the region.

In response, the Israeli military said it launched a «large-scale wave of strikes» in Tehran and carried out targeted attacks against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon. Explosions were reported in several areas of the Iranian capital.

Tensions intensified...

British actress Emma Watson has reportedly been linked to Mexican businessman Gonzalo Hevia Bailleres, sparking widespread speculation about a possible relationship.

Media reports say the pair were recently seen together in Mexico City and the resort area of Punta Mita, with photographs circulating online showing them spending time together. The sightings have led to speculation that the relationship may have begun in late 2025.

Neither Watson nor Bailleres has publicly confirmed the romance.

Watson, best known for portraying Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, has largely kept her personal life private in recent years while focusing...

The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Israel has responded to a video in which an Uzbek citizen used offensive language while filming during a missile attack, prompting criticism from residents in Israel.

In the footage, the man compared people taking shelter from rocket strikes to rats. The remarks triggered a negative reaction among Israelis, and an Israeli citizen later filed a complaint with police over the incident.

Following the controversy, the consular department of the embassy quickly contacted the Uzbek citizen and held a conversation with him. Embassy officials also spoke with the Israeli citizen who submitted the complaint.

The...

The United Arab Emirates said it intercepted three ballistic missiles and 121 drones during a large-scale aerial attack on March 4, according to the UAE Ministry of Defence.

Officials reported that 129 aerial threats were detected, with the majority destroyed by air defence systems before reaching their targets. However, eight drones crashed within UAE territory, causing limited damage.

Debris from intercepted missiles and drones sparked several fires, including incidents near the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel and the Fairmont The Palm on Palm Jumeirah. Authorities said at least four people were injured in one of the incidents.

Since...

A suspected outbreak of Norovirus has left nearly 80 people ill aboard a cruise ship operated by Holland America Line, according to health authorities in Hong Kong.

Officials said 65 passengers and 11 crew members on the MS Westerdam reported symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. The vessel, carrying about 2,800 passengers, had departed from Yokohama, Japan, on 15 February.

The Centre for Health Protection boarded the ship on 1 March to investigate the incident and collect samples from affected individuals. Laboratory tests confirmed that stool samples from several passengers tested positive for norovirus.

Holland...

Azerbaijan said drones believed to have crossed from Iran struck areas around an airport in its Nakhchivan exclave on Thursday, injuring two people.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, the unmanned aircraft crossed the border from Iranian territory before landing in separate locations in the region. One drone fell on the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport, which lies about 10 kilometres from the Iranian border. Another landed near a school in a nearby village.

Officials said two people were wounded in the incidents. Video footage shared by a source close to the government appeared to show...

BTS has released the first trailer for a special livestream event celebrating the group’s long-awaited return, as the band prepares to launch a new album and global tour.

The teaser for «BTS the Comeback Live | Arirang», which will stream on Netflix, features members RM, Jin, Suga, J‑Hope, V, Jimin and Jung Kook. The event will be broadcast from Gwanghwamun Square on March 21.

The livestream will include the first live performances of songs from the group’s fifth album, Arirang, which is scheduled for release a day earlier.

The trailer opens with fan reactions to the...

The UAE’s property market is under pressure after Iranian missile strikes shook the Gulf, undermining the perception of Dubai and Abu Dhabi as stable investment hubs, Reuters reports. The attacks on airports, ports and residential areas have heightened concerns over the sector’s reliance on foreign capital.

Developers that once sold out off-plan launches within hours now face uncertain demand. Off-plan deals accounted for 65% of Dubai property transactions in 2025, according to Betterhomes, making foreign buyers critical to sustaining the market.

Shares of major developers fell sharply on Wednesday. Emaar Properties, behind downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa, and...

Uzbekistan plans to begin pilot cultivation of ginseng, the Ministry of Agriculture announced, with the involvement of South Korean company FDfive.

The medicinal plant will be grown in Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region and in the foothill areas of Kashkadarya. Ginseng, a perennial plant traditionally grown in Korea, China, and Russia, takes four to six years for its roots to mature and is valued for boosting immunity and improving blood circulation.

In addition to ginseng, the Ministry of Agriculture and FDfive agreed to explore the cultivation of Italian ryegrass, Sudan grass, alfalfa, and Japanese millet on Uzbekistan’s saline soils.

Talks on landmark cryptocurrency legislation have stalled after banks refused to back a compromise negotiated by the White House, raising doubts over whether the bill will pass this year. President Donald Trump criticised lenders on social media, accusing them of trying to undermine his crypto agenda.

The Clarity Act seeks to create clear regulations for crypto firms and stablecoin issuers, promoting adoption while addressing risks that have limited industry growth. Disagreement centres on whether crypto companies can offer rewards or yield-bearing products, which banks warn could draw deposits away and affect lending.

Crypto companies including Coinbase support the White...

Irish driver Alex Dunne has joined the Alpine Academy ahead of his second season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship.

The 20-year-old, who will race for Rodin Motorsport, becomes a full member of Alpine’s young driver programme after leaving the McLaren Driver Development Programme last October.

Dunne took part in two Free Practice 1 sessions with McLaren during the 2025 season at the Austrian Grand Prix and the Italian Grand Prix, impressing by setting the fourth-fastest time in Austria.

After a strong rookie campaign in Formula 2, with two wins, two pole positions and eight podiums, Dunne finished fifth...

Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey has said the team will significantly limit running for drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll during the Australian Grand Prix due to serious vibration problems that could cause nerve damage.

According to Newey, vibrations from the Honda power unit in the AMR26 are affecting the car’s reliability and transferring through the steering wheel into the drivers’ hands. The issue has already caused components such as mirrors and tail lights to come loose.

He said the problem is more serious for the drivers’ health. Alonso believes he cannot complete more than 25 consecutive laps...

More than 4,900 Uzbek citizens have been flown home from Medina and Jeddah as of March 4, Uzbekistan’s Transport Ministry said.

Domestic airlines also evacuated 235 passengers from Dubai as part of ongoing repatriation efforts.

Following instructions from the president, a round-the-clock operations headquarters has been set up at the Uzaviatsiya agency to coordinate the return of Uzbek nationals. A 24/7 call centre is also operating, with citizens able to contact operators via +998 78 120-00-72 or +998 71 200-07-65.

The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it had received no reports of Uzbek citizens killed in the Middle East...

The official White House account posted a video showing recent U.S. military strikes on Iran that begins with footage from the video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.

The roughly one-minute video, shared on March 4 with the caption «Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue», features clips of real missile strikes on Iranian targets. It opens with a short animation from the game showing a player activating an MGB killstreak, a hidden feature triggered after achieving 30 kills without dying.

The post came days after the United States joined Israel in airstrikes against Iran. The video quickly drew...

China is preparing to introduce a new law that would require the use of Mandarin Chinese as the primary language in education and public life, a move critics say could restrict linguistic rights for ethnic minorities.

The proposed Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, expected to be discussed during the annual meeting of China’s parliament, aims to strengthen national unity and standardise language use across the country.

Under the draft legislation, Mandarin would become the main language for core subjects in schools and universities, while minority languages would still be allowed as secondary subjects. The policy could...

Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, held a phone call on Wednesday with Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, to discuss regional security and the safety of Uzbek citizens in the Gulf state.

During the conversation, Mirziyoyev expressed Uzbekistan’s solidarity with Qatar and support for efforts aimed at maintaining the country’s security and stability. He also condemned recent actions by Iran, stating that such attacks violate principles of good neighbourliness, international law and the United Nations Charter.

The Uzbek president also thanked the Qatari leadership for its attention to Uzbek citizens living in Qatar and for...

A diplomatic dispute has emerged between the United States and Spain after Madrid denied claims from the White House that it had agreed to support U.S. military operations related to the conflict with Iran.

Jose Manuel Albares, Spain’s foreign minister, rejected the assertion that Spain had changed its stance on the use of Spanish bases by American forces. Speaking to radio station Cadena Ser, Albares said the government’s position «has not changed one iota.»

The denial came shortly after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested that Spain had agreed to cooperate with U.S. military planning.

Tensions between...