News from March 22, 2025 at 2 PM

Heathrow Airport closed on Friday due to a power outage caused by a fire at an electrical substation in Hayes, west London, disrupting the travel plans of thousands of passengers. Nearby homes were evacuated and some schools shut down. The airport announced it would restart some flights later on Friday and aimed for full operation on Saturday, advising passengers not to travel to the airport without airline confirmation. Flights already in the air were diverted or returned to their departure points, causing chaos. British Airways, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic cancelled or adjusted flights, offering affected passengers options to rebook or receive full refunds. Some stranded passengers expressed concerns about extended return times, feeling tired, frustrated, and angry.

On March 21, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned ongoing protests sparked by the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was detained on charges of corruption and aiding terrorist groups just days before he was expected to be named as a presidential candidate. Thousands protested in Istanbul and other cities on Friday, defying bans and police crackdowns. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel called for nationwide peaceful demonstrations. Authorities imposed a four-day ban on gatherings, extended to Ankara and Izmir. Over 100 people, including politicians, journalists, and businessmen, have been arrested. Imamoglu, re-elected mayor last year, is seen as a strong rival to Erdogan.

Late on Thursday, Russian forces launched a massive drone attack on Ukraine's Black Sea port city of Odesa, injuring three people and damaging a high-rise apartment building and a shopping center. Oleh Kiper, the regional governor, wrote on the Telegram messaging app that the strikes occurred in three locations, triggering fires and causing power outages in three districts of the city. Public broadcaster Suspilne had earlier reported more than 18 explosions in the city after 10 p.m. (2000 GMT). Odesa has been a frequent target of Russian attacks in the over three-year-old war, particularly its port facilities. Ivan Fedorov, the governor of Ukraine's southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, reported several strikes near the city of Zaporizhzhia, including one guided bomb, injuring five people, including a child.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have recaptured the presidential palace in Khartoum in a significant advance during their recent offensive, marking a major progress in the two-year civil war. The palace, which includes the historic Republican Palace, symbolizes power and sovereignty. The army has taken control of much of Khartoum's city center, pushing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) out of key sites. Although RSF fighters remain in parts of the city and airport, they have effectively lost control of the capital. Bloody fighting is expected to continue as the army tries to corner remaining RSF units. The UN describes Sudan's humanitarian crisis as the world's worst, with 12 million people displaced and parts of the country facing famine.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has largely accepted that Ukraine will not become a NATO member. In an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, Witkoff said that for any peace deal, Ukraine's non-membership in NATO is widely accepted. He added that the key issue in the conflict is the status of the new Russian regions. Witkoff emphasized that Russia has no plans to attack European countries and noted that Ukraine has agreed to hold elections.

According to the New York Times, billionaire Elon Musk is scheduled to be briefed by the Pentagon on Friday about the U.S. military's plan for any potential war with China. This move would significantly expand Musk's role as an advisor to President Donald Trump, who has led efforts to cut U.S. government spending. Musk's involvement raises concerns about conflicts of interest, given his business interests in China and with the Pentagon as the head of Tesla and SpaceX. The Pentagon confirmed Musk's visit but provided no further details. An anonymous U.S. official stated that the briefing, attended by senior U.S. military officials, will cover various topics, including China. Relations between Washington and Beijing have been tense over issues ranging from technology access, trade tariffs, cybersecurity, TikTok, Taiwan, Hong Kong, human rights, and the origins of COVID-19.

Boxing heavyweight legend George Foreman passed away on March 22, 2025, at the age of 76. Foreman won Olympic gold in 1968 in Mexico City and claimed the world heavyweight title twice, 21 years apart, becoming the oldest champion in history at age 45. He lost his first title to Muhammad Ali in the famous Rumble in the Jungle in 1974. Foreman boasts an astonishing 76 wins, including 68 knockouts. After retiring in 1997, he endorsed a best-selling grill, earning more from it than his boxing career. His family mourned him on Instagram as a devout preacher, devoted husband, and loving father. Tributes poured in from the boxing world, with former champion Mike Tyson highlighting his enduring contributions. The Ring magazine described him as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Born in Texas, Foreman overcame a troubled youth to find success in the ring.

British-American influencers Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan announced on Friday their return to Romania from the US, where they face charges including human trafficking. Andrew Tate, posting to his 10.8 million followers, claimed spending $185,000 on a private jet to sign a document in Romania, asserting his innocence. The brothers, who deny all allegations, are expected to register at a police station on Monday. They arrived in the US in late February after a two-year travel ban was lifted by Romanian prosecutors. Andrew Tate, 38, and Tristan Tate, 36, are accused of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Romania, with Andrew also facing rape charges. In the UK, they are under investigation for rape and human trafficking, and in the US, they face a civil case alleging coercion into sex work and defamation. Romanian prosecutors emphasize the case is ongoing, with the brothers under judicial control. Their departure raised concerns about US political pressure, which President Trump denied knowledge of. Andrew Tate was placed under house arrest in Romania in August 2024 amid a new criminal investigation. They also face tax evasion charges in the UK, with a court ruling to seize over $2.6 million from them.

US President Donald Trump expressed support for joining the Commonwealth of Nations in a social media post. On March 21, Trump responded to a US Sun article based on a Daily Mail report, suggesting that British monarch King Charles III might propose Trump's joining the Commonwealth as an 'associate member' during an upcoming state visit to Britain. Trump wrote, 'I love King Charles. Sounds good to me!' Buckingham Palace declined to comment, but a source familiar with the process noted that Commonwealth membership is not determined by the monarch. The British Prime Minister's office, coordinating the state visit invitation, did not immediately respond. Trump's feud with Canada, a Commonwealth member and the US' northern neighbor, has heightened diplomatic tensions within the Commonwealth. Trump has imposed tariffs on Canada and spoken of his desire to annex it, where King Charles is the head of state. Commonwealth nations are expected to adhere to shared values outlined in the 1971 Singapore Declaration, including support for the UN, eradication of economic inequality, free trade, and elimination of discrimination. The British overseas territory of Gibraltar holds associate membership.

On March 20th local time, at the 144th session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) held in Greece, Kirsty Coventry was elected as the IOC President in the first round of voting with a decisive majority, becoming the first female and African president. Following her victory, Coventry held her first press conference, where Yang Mingjiao, a reporter from the China Media Group, was the only Chinese journalist to ask a question. Yang inquired about Coventry's views on the relationship between the IOC and China and her future plans. Coventry stated that the relationship between the IOC and China has always been very close and will continue to be so, and she will work to foster good relations with all member entities.

Peruvian lawmakers voted on Friday to remove Interior Minister Juan Jose Santivanez from his position due to his failure to address a surge in crime. The Peruvian Congress's official X account stated that Santivanez was ousted for 'his political responsibility and inability to tackle the wave of citizen insecurity.' On Monday, the Peruvian government declared a state of emergency in the capital Lima and deployed soldiers to combat a recent spike in violence, including the murder of a popular singer. The crime wave, marked by a rise in extortion cases, prompted President Dina Boluarte to advocate for the death penalty for murderers, despite Peru only allowing execution for treason. According to national death statistics, homicides in Peru increased by over 35% in 2024, rising from 1,508 in 2023 to 2,059 last year.