World News
Marco Rubio says US can achieve Iran objectives without ground troops
Rubio said recent deployments of thousands more troops to the region were intended to give Trump options to respond to contingencies in the conflict, but declined to go into operational details
 "Marco Rubio says US can achieve Iran objectives without ground troops")
Datanomics: Emigration to unemployment, a lot on the table for Nepal's PM
High unemployment, migration surge and heavy remittance reliance pose key economic challenges for Nepal's new PM Balendra Shah
 "Datanomics: Emigration to unemployment, a lot on the table for Nepal's PM")
US and Israel hit Iran's nuclear facilities as Tehran attacks Gulf
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also said the country's military would escalate its assault on the Islamic Republic in response to the targeting of civilians
 "US and Israel hit Iran's nuclear facilities as Tehran attacks Gulf")
Oil may hit $200 per barrel if Iran war lasts till June, warns Macquarie
A conflict that stretches through the second quarter would result in historically high real prices, analysts said
 "Oil may hit $200 per barrel if Iran war lasts till June, warns Macquarie")
Stocks resume slide as Donald Trump extension fails to calm markets
US Treasury yields hit highest since July as bonds fall
 "Stocks resume slide as Donald Trump extension fails to calm markets")
China probes US trade practices in response to Trump tariff moves
The Chinese investigations are the latest volley in a long-running trade war and could be bargaining chips to counter any possible new US tariffs
 "China probes US trade practices in response to Trump tariff moves")
G7 meets amid wars as Rubio tries to sell US strategy to sceptical allies
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, meanwhile, said Britain also favoured a diplomatic path, acknowledging differences with the US
 "G7 meets amid wars as Rubio tries to sell US strategy to sceptical allies")
Nepal's new PM Balendra 'Balen' Shah a man of many firsts, takes oath
The 35-year-old is also the first person from the Madhes region to become the 47th prime minister of the nation
 "Nepal's new PM Balendra 'Balen' Shah a man of many firsts, takes oath")
India sends humanitarian aid to Iran amid conflict, eyes Hormuz exit
India sends humanitarian aid to Iran while seeking safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz and pushing for Brics consensus amid the West Asia conflict
 "India sends humanitarian aid to Iran amid conflict, eyes Hormuz exit")
DOJ confirms Iran-linked hackers breached FBI director's Kash Patel's email
On their website, the hacker group Handala Hack Team said Patel "will now find his name among the list of successfully hacked victims"
 "DOJ confirms Iran-linked hackers breached FBI director's Kash Patel's email")
Oil up 2.5% but set for first weekly decline since start of Iran war
Brent crude futures rose by $2.73, or 2.53%, to $110.74 a barrel by 1257 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were up $2.39, or 2.53%, at $96.87
 "Oil up 2.5% but set for first weekly decline since start of Iran war")
Iran starts to formalise its chokehold on Hormuz with a 'toll booth' regime
Only about 150 vessels, including tankers and container ships, have transited since March 1, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence shipping information firm
Israel's defence minister warns attacks on Iran will 'escalate, expand'
Israel Katz made the comment in a statement noting that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "warned the Iranian terrorist regime to stop firing missiles at the civilian population in Israel"
 "Israel's defence minister warns attacks on Iran will 'escalate, expand'")
WTO reform talks stall as US-India divide blocks progress in Cameroon
While the US and India acknowledge the need to reform the global trading system, they have resisted proposals of a substantive workplan on reforms
 "WTO reform talks stall as US-India divide blocks progress in Cameroon")
Trump wants his name on every dollar. Why signatories on currency matter
US Department of the Treasury has announced that Trump's signature will soon appear on US currency which till now features the signature of the Treasury secretary and the treasurer
 "Trump wants his name on every dollar. Why signatories on currency matter")
Ukraine and Saudi Arabia sign deal on defence cooperation, says Zelenskyy
Zelenskiy said the framework agreement was signed ahead of a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
 "Ukraine and Saudi Arabia sign deal on defence cooperation, says Zelenskyy")
Shipping to and from ports of US-Israeli allies is prohibited: Iran's IRGC
The IRGC added that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and any transit through the waterway will face "harsh measures"
 "Shipping to and from ports of US-Israeli allies is prohibited: Iran's IRGC")
US Senate approves funding for TSA, but not immigration enforcement
The deal, which the Senate approved unanimously without a roll call, next goes to the House, which is expected to consider it Friday
 "US Senate approves funding for TSA, but not immigration enforcement")
Luxury carmakers fly supercars to Gulf as Hormuz crisis disrupts trade
Shipping disruptions in the Gulf due to the ongoing West Asian conflict are forcing luxury carmakers to fly supercars to wealthy customers, as air freight costs surge and new orders slow in the region
 "Luxury carmakers fly supercars to Gulf as Hormuz crisis disrupts trade")
PM Modi congratulates Balendra Shah on being sworn in as 47th PM of Nepal
Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah 'Balen,' took oath as Nepal's democratically elected prime minister on Friday
 "PM Modi congratulates Balendra Shah on being sworn in as 47th PM of Nepal")