Nepal’s reset moment: Can Balen deliver real reform?
In a political earthquake that has stunned South Asia, 35-year-old former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah — popularly known as “Balen” — has led the insurgent Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to an overwhelming parliamentary victory in Nepal. The election followed months of political turmoil and youth-»»»
Beef and car duties on the line, as von der Leyen hopes for Australia trade pact
EU officials are confident of sealing a trade pact with Australia early next week as the bloc continues its dash for bilateral trade deals. President von der Leyen is due in Canberra on Monday for a three day visit that EU officials hope will conclude an agreement during a meeting with president An»»»
Qatar warned of consequences of targeting Iranian oil, gas facilities on other countries: Minister of State for Energy Affairs
Doha: Minister of State for Energy Affairs HE Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi revealed that the State of Qatar had warned the United States of the consequences that could affect other countries if Iranian oil and gas facilities were targeted, emphasizing that Washington was urged to exercise restraint in»»»
White House releases AI laws framework to prevent state laws - UPI.com
The White House Friday released a legislative framework for artificial intelligence. File Photo by Fazry Ismail/EPA March 20 (UPI) -- The White House released a new legislative framework for artificial intelligence creating a federal policy to prevent states from making their own laws about it. "Th»»»
Norway's Mette-Marit says Jeffrey Epstein 'manipulated and deceived' her - UPI.com
Magnus Haakon, the crown prince of Norway, and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway attend the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize presentation ceremony at Oslo City Hall. Mette-Marit gave her first interview about her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. File Photo by Paul Treadway/UPI | License Photo March 20 (UP»»»
3 indicted for smuggling AI-capable Nvidia chips to China - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Ting-Wei “Willy” Sun, left, and a worker from another company, work with "dummy" servers to allegedly conceal Nvidia microchips heading to China. Image courtesy of the Department of Justice March 20 (UPI) -- Three men were charged with smuggling Nvidia chips able to run artificial intellig»»»
Beijing-backed Brain Chip Firm Says it is 3 years behind Musk's Neuralink
Leading Chinese state-backed brain-computer interface (BCI) startup NeuCyber Neurotech said its most cutting-edge product is still three years behind Elon Musk's Neuralink, as Beijing races to expand clinical trials. Last week, China became the first country in the world to approve an invasive BCI »»»
US Stocks Sink on Fears the War with Iran will Keep Interest Rates High
US stocks are sinking Friday as hopes wither on Wall Street for a possible cut to interest rates by the Federal Reserve this year because of the war with Iran. The S&P 500 fell 0.9% and was on track for a fourth straight losing week, its longest such streak in a year. The Dow Jones Industrial Avera»»»
India news: Stocks open higher after massive sell-off
BusinessIndiaIndia news: Stocks open higher after massive sell-offMahima Kapoor with ANI, AFP, AP, dpa, ReutersIndian investors are on edge as the US-Israel war in Iran disrupts the global energy supply and sends oil prices soaring. Meanwhile, the LPG shortage continues at home. DW has more. https:»»»
Media Review: March 20
OVERVIEW The launch of the election campaign and the rising fuel prices are the dominant topics in the media on Friday. ELECTIONS In an interview for Bulgarian National Radio, Iva Lazarova, from the Institute for Public Environment Development, part of the Public Council of the Central Election Com»»»
Iran’s permits-for-passage through Hormuz system is developing fast
Iran has begun extracting payments of up to $2mn per tanker for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as the informal permits-for-passage system allowing only tankers from “friendly countries” through develops quickly, according to The Financial Times citing shipping data. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran’s permits-for-passage through Hormuz system is developing fast
Iran has begun extracting payments of up to $2mn per tanker for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as the informal permits-for-passage system allowing only tankers from “friendly countries” through develops quickly, according to The Financial Times citing shipping data. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran’s permits-for-passage through Hormuz system is developing fast
Iran has begun extracting payments of up to $2mn per tanker for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as the informal permits-for-passage system allowing only tankers from “friendly countries” through develops quickly, according to The Financial Times citing shipping data. »»»
Iran’s permits-for-passage through Hormuz system is developing fast
Iran has begun extracting payments of up to $2mn per tanker for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as the informal permits-for-passage system allowing only tankers from “friendly countries” through develops quickly, according to The Financial Times citing shipping data. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran’s permits-for-passage through Hormuz system is developing fast
Iran has begun extracting payments of up to $2mn per tanker for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as the informal permits-for-passage system allowing only tankers from “friendly countries” through develops quickly, according to The Financial Times citing shipping data. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran’s permits-for-passage through Hormuz system is developing fast
Iran has begun extracting payments of up to $2mn per tanker for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as the informal permits-for-passage system allowing only tankers from “friendly countries” through develops quickly, according to The Financial Times citing shipping data. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran’s permits-for-passage through Hormuz system is developing fast
Iran has begun extracting payments of up to $2mn per tanker for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as the informal permits-for-passage system allowing only tankers from “friendly countries” through develops quickly, according to The Financial Times citing shipping data. »»»
Iran’s permits-for-passage through Hormuz system is developing fast
Iran has begun extracting payments of up to $2mn per tanker for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as the informal permits-for-passage system allowing only tankers from “friendly countries” through develops quickly, according to The Financial Times citing shipping data. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran’s permits-for-passage through Hormuz system is developing fast
Iran has begun extracting payments of up to $2mn per tanker for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as the informal permits-for-passage system allowing only tankers from “friendly countries” through develops quickly, according to The Financial Times citing shipping data. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran has begun charging shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a "safe corridor" for pre-approved vessels through its territorial waters, Newsbase reported, citing Lloyd's List on March 20. »»»
EU Council meeting
EU leaders had a heavy agenda at a summit in Brussels on March 19. They had to deal with a mushrooming energy crisis, a Ukraine funding fiasco and the stalled passage of twentieth sanctions on Russia. Little progress was made on solving any of these issues. »»»
EU Council meeting
EU leaders had a heavy agenda at a summit in Brussels on March 19. They had to deal with a mushrooming energy crisis, a Ukraine funding fiasco and the stalled passage of twentieth sanctions on Russia. Little progress was made on solving any of these issues. »»»
Tunisia receives new batch of buses from China to enhance public transport in regions
Tunis, March 20 (TAP) - A new batch of buses arrived on the morning of Friday, March 20, 2026, at the port of La Goulette, as part of the implementation of the international contract with the Chinese side for the acquisition of 461 buses for the...»»»
Early Southwest Heat is Latest in Parade of Weather Extremes as Earth Warms
The dangerous heat wave shattering March records all over the US Southwest is more than just another extreme weather blip. It’s the latest next-level weather wildness that is occurring ever more frequently as Earth’s warming builds. Experts said unprecedented and deadly weather extremes that someti»»»
Transport Ministry receives new batch of buses from China to enhance public transport in regions
Tunis, March 20 (TAP) - A new batch of buses arrived on the morning of Friday, March 20, 2026, at the port of La Goulette, as part of the implementation of the international contract with the Chinese side for the acquisition of 461 buses for the...»»»
Cheap weight-loss jabs: India set to reshape global obesity fight
Mumbai: A deluge of weight loss drugs is set to transform the global fight against obesity as India prepares to unleash low cost generic versions of injections like Ozempic after a key patent expired Friday. The move will dramatically widen access to treatments that have long been considered a luxu»»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Trump's Mideast Muddle Could Play into Xi's Hands at Planned Summit
China will be in a stronger position to extract concessions from Donald Trump when the US president finally visits Beijing after becoming entangled in his Middle East war, analysts say. Trump had been due in the Chinese capital at the end of this month for talks with President Xi Jinping, but has d»»»
Iran Attacks Wipe Out 17% of Qatar’s LNG Capacity for Up to Five Years
Iranian attacks have knocked out 17% of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue and threatening supplies to Europe and Asia, QatarEnergy's CEO and state minister for energy affairs told Reuters on Thursday. Saad al-Kaabi said two»»»
Netanyahu: Israel 'acted alone' against Iran's South Pars gas field - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Jerusalem, on Thursday. Pool Photo by Ronen Zvulun/UPI | License Photo March 20 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel "acted alone" in stri»»»
Japan backs US push on security and energy: Takaichi
Japan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi has told US president Donald Trump that Tokyo is prepared to support efforts to promote global stability, as the two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating conflict involving Iran, Ky»»»
Quagmire in the Gulf: 13 points from when war games meets reality in US-Iran conflict
Three weeks into the war with Iran, the trajectory of the conflict is beginning to resemble some of the worst-case scenarios long modelled by policymakers and analysts, according to Ilan Goldenberg, a former US Department of Defence official and Middle East expert. »»»
Trump takes Pearl Harbor jab at Japan's Takaichi as she ducks Iran row
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday sidestepped a potential clash with President Donald Trump over the war in Iran, as the US president blamed allies for failing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, Takaichi was caught off guard when Trump invoked Japan’s World War II attack»»»
Iran warns of 'zero restraint' amid intensifying gas and oil attacks
Iranian attacks on the world's largest LNG plant in Qatar and refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait sent global oil and gas prices surging Thursday, raising fears of wider economic fallout. US President Donald Trump warned of a forceful response if Iran continued targeting Gulf energy infrastructur»»»
The global winners and losers of the war in Iran
From soaring heating oil bills for homes in Yorkshire to bill-saving school closures in Pakistan, the financial fallout from the war in the Middle East is already being keenly felt. It is increasingly clear that the impact of Tehran's retaliation, designed to trigger economic disruption and damage,»»»
Netanyahu says Iran 'decimated,' Mojtaba Khamenei 'has not shown his face'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Iran is being "decimated" and it is unclear who is in charge, even as the Islamic Republic kept up attacks on Gulf oil and gas targets that have jolted global markets. Nearly three weeks into the Middle East war launched by Israel and the»»»
Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs: Iranian attacks disrupted 17 % of gas export capacity
DOHA: Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the Managing Director and CEO of QatarEnergy, Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi has revealed that Iranian attacks disrupted 17 percent of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing losses estimated at approximately $20 billion in ann»»»