World News
Hamas agrees to free US-Israeli hostage, bodies of 4 other dual nationals
Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza on March 2 as a standoff over the truce escalated, with Hamas calling on Egyptian and Qatari mediators to intervene
 "Hamas agrees to free US-Israeli hostage, bodies of 4 other dual nationals")
Iran using digital surveillance & vigilantism to crush dissent: UN report
The UN's Independent International Fact-Finding Mission released a report on Friday, stating that Iran is making "concerted state efforts to stifle dissent
 "Iran using digital surveillance & vigilantism to crush dissent: UN report")
US Fed expected to cut rates twice this year, starting in September
Fed officials have signaled they may be on hold for some time amid uncertainty around President Donald Trump's economic policies, particularly on trade
 "US Fed expected to cut rates twice this year, starting in September")
US envoy to relay Putin's Ukraine ceasefire stance to Trump: Kremlin
Russia's army has gained battlefield momentum, and analysts say Putin likely will be reluctant to rush into a ceasefire while he feels he has an advantage
 "US envoy to relay Putin's Ukraine ceasefire stance to Trump: Kremlin")
Electronics giant Foxconn forecasts strong Q1 revenue after profit miss
Foxconn, which also makes iPhones for Apple, booked an October-December net profit of T$46.33 billion ($1.41 billion), missing the T$54.4 billion average of 15 analyst estimates compiled by LSEG
 "Electronics giant Foxconn forecasts strong Q1 revenue after profit miss")
BMW sees tariffs, China sales decline weighing on carmaking profit
BMW shares declined as much as 4.5% on Friday. The stock has fallen more than 20% over the past year
 "BMW sees tariffs, China sales decline weighing on carmaking profit")
UN's food agency WFP to cut aid for about one million people in Myanmar
The agency said the cuts would affect communities across Myanmar, including around 100,000 internally displaced people comprising the minority Muslim Rohingya communities and others
 "UN's food agency WFP to cut aid for about one million people in Myanmar")
Musk's Tesla warns US tariffs could backfire, raise EV production costs
Tesla warns Trump's tariffs may backfire, triggering retaliatory duties, raising EV production costs, and making US exports less competitive globally
 "Musk's Tesla warns US tariffs could backfire, raise EV production costs")
Iran increasingly electronically surveils for headscarf violations: UN
The state is increasingly reliant on state-sponsored vigilantism in an apparent effort to enlist businesses and private individuals in hijab compliance, portraying it as a civic responsibility
 "Iran increasingly electronically surveils for headscarf violations: UN")
Qatar to supply natural gas to Syria to increase electricity supply
Under the deal, Qatar will send 2 million cubic meters of natural gas a day to the Deir Ali power station, south of Damascus, via a pipeline passing through Jordan
 "Qatar to supply natural gas to Syria to increase electricity supply")
Maldives seeks aid amid severe debt crisis, $1 billion payment due in 2026
Maldives struggles with soaring debt as $1 billion repayment looms in 2026, seeking urgent financial aid from China, Gulf nations, and regional partners amid crisis
 "Maldives seeks aid amid severe debt crisis, $1 billion payment due in 2026")
PIA flight lands safely at Lahore airport despite missing rear wheel
One of the rear wheels of PIA flight PK-306, which left from Karachi for Lahore, was missing when it landed at the Lahore airport, the official said
 "PIA flight lands safely at Lahore airport despite missing rear wheel")
Fashion brand Merrachi sparks French backlash with hijab-clad Eiffel Tower
French political leaders condemned the ad as a 'deliberate provocation,' while social media was ablaze with divided opinions
 "Fashion brand Merrachi sparks French backlash with hijab-clad Eiffel Tower")
Pirate Bay co-founder Carl Lundstrom dies in Slovenia plane crash
Carl Lundstrom, Pirate Bay co-founder and early financier, dies at 64 in a plane crash in Slovenia's Velika Planina while flying from Zagreb to Zurich
 "Pirate Bay co-founder Carl Lundstrom dies in Slovenia plane crash")
China urges banks to expand lending, credit use to boost consumer spending
Chinese economy, the world's second-largest, has been growing recently at about a 5 per cent pace, according to official statistics
 "China urges banks to expand lending, credit use to boost consumer spending")
China, Russia urge end to US sanctions on Iran, restart of nuclear talks
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has mocked Trump, saying he wasn't interested in talks with a bullying government, although Iranian officials have offered conflicting signals
Japan PM Ishiba faces criticism over gifts to lawmakers after election loss
The beleaguered prime minister has already struggled to get his budget approved and rival conservatives are looking for chances to oust him
 "Japan PM Ishiba faces criticism over gifts to lawmakers after election loss")
Google, OpenAI push for lighter AI regulations under Trump's admin
US tech majors urge the US government to adopt a flexible framework as the Trump administration calls for an 'AI Action Plan'
 "Google, OpenAI push for lighter AI regulations under Trump's admin")
US and Israel look to Africa for resettling Palestinians uprooted from Gaza
Palestinians in Gaza have rejected the proposal and dismiss Israeli claims that the departures would be voluntary
 "US and Israel look to Africa for resettling Palestinians uprooted from Gaza")
Jaffar Express driver recalls how insurgents attacked train in Pakistan
The ordeal began on Tuesday when separatist militants ambushed the Jaffar Express blowing up the railway track and attacking the train with rockets
 "Jaffar Express driver recalls how insurgents attacked train in Pakistan")
