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President Donald Trump has stated that Lebanon was not included in the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, contradicting Pakistan's claim that the truce covers the entire region. This development comes after Israel launched a massive assault on Lebanon, resulting in hundreds of casualties in densely populated areas.Trump described the Israeli conflict with Hezbollah as a “separate skirmish,” indicating that the US-Iran agreement does not extend to Lebanon due to Hezbollah's presence. “Because of Hezbollah, they were not included in the deal,” he told PBS. “That’ll get taken care of, too. It’s all right.”The exclusion of Lebanon from the truce risks jeopardizing the ceasefire across the region. Iranian news outlets have reported that Tehran may take serious steps in response to the Israeli attacks, including potentially suspending oil tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iranian officials have not confirmed these reports.Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced that the two-week truce covers the entire region, specifically mentioning Lebanon. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that attacks against Lebanon would continue, despite the US-Iran agreement.Israel's recent assault on Lebanon has compounded the humanitarian and displacement crises, with over 1.2 million people forced to flee their homes. The attacks included a strike on a funeral in the Bekaa Valley town of Shmestar, killing at least 20 people. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on the international community to intervene and end the aggressions.

A daring escape attempt has unfolded in Namibia, where a prisoner has taken refuge on the roof of a shopping centre. The individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, managed to evade capture and hide on the rooftop, prompting a standoff with authorities. The incident has raised concerns about prison security and the measures in place to prevent such escapes. Details about the prisoner's motives and background are still scarce. Namibia's law enforcement agencies are working to resolve the situation safely, with negotiations and tactical operations underway to bring the escaped prisoner to justice.

Celebrations erupted in Tehran after officials announced a two‑week ceasefire with the United States, creating a window for diplomatic talks aimed at de‑escalating the regional conflict.Iran consented to suspend hostilities, with negotiations slated to begin on Friday in Pakistan. President Donald Trump pledged to halt military operations provided Tehran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor. Iran’s foreign minister added that safe passage through the strait will be coordinated with Iranian armed forces throughout the truce.The breakthrough followed a direct appeal by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who urged Trump to extend his negotiation deadline and called on Iran to restore strait access.Iranian officials framed the ceasefire as a “victory”, asserting that their preconditions for talks were accepted and that Trump’s acknowledgment of progress on key disputes validates Tehran’s stance. They emphasized that national unity, patience, and military resilience were decisive factors.In their assessment, the earlier U.S.–Israeli strategy of targeting Iranian leadership failed, while the ensuing conflict demonstrated Iran’s capacity to sustain prolonged military operations.Trump, speaking to AFP, described the agreement as a “total and complete victory”, insisting that Iran’s uranium stockpiles would be “perfectly taken care of” under the deal and crediting China for facilitating the negotiations.Despite the truce, Democratic lawmakers announced they will continue impeachment efforts against Trump, condemning his rhetoric toward Iran as “genocidal” and “unhinged.”

Chinese swimming authorities have initiated an investigation into cyberbullying targeting Quan Hongchan, the 19-year-old diving champion who has won three Olympic gold medals. The General Administration of Sport's swimming management centre announced the probe on Wednesday, stating that it is working with officials in Quan's home province of Guangdong to address the issue.Quan, who won her first gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at just 14 years old and added two more golds at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has faced intense scrutiny and pressure. She has spoken publicly about the toxic online commentary she has faced, particularly regarding her weight and diet.The cyberbullying has been described as 'malicious' and has included false information and abnormal fan culture. Chinese authorities have pledged to crack down on such behavior, which has been termed 'toxic fandom'. Quan's swimming club has also reported the case to police, emphasizing that athletes are a valuable national asset and that such acts of slander and insult are unacceptable.Quan's success has made her a popular figure in China, with her hometown becoming a tourist destination. However, this has also led to intense media scrutiny and pressure to conform to certain standards. The investigation aims to address these issues and ensure a safer online environment for athletes.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15‑year‑old sensation for Rajasthan Royals, was lauded as “amazing” and “fearless” after an audacious display against Indian pace ace Jasprit Bumrah during an IPL clash. Facing the 32‑year‑old Mumbai Indians bowler for the first time, Sooryavanshi launched a six over the wide long‑on fence on his very first ball. Bumrah smiled, but three deliveries later the teenager repeated the feat with a pull shot that cleared deep backward square leg. Continuing his blitz, Sooryavanshi amassed 39 runs from just 14 balls, forming an 80‑run opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who contributed an unbeaten 77. The duo steered Rajasthan to a 27‑run victory in a rain‑shortened 11‑over contest at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium. Rajasthan captain Hardik Pandya described the innings as “fascinating,” emphasizing the youngster’s fearlessness and range of shots. “Amazing to see the way he bats, the kind of fearlessness he has,” Pandya said. Sooryavanshi also took on New Zealand pacer Trent Boult, dispatching an attempted yorker for a boundary over backward square leg. His momentum was halted by a spectacular catch in the deep by Tilak Varma, taken off a big hit off Shardul Thakur. Visibly upset after his dismissal, Sooryavanshi covered his face and let out a scream before trudging back to the pavilion, while a watching Jaiswal expressed admiration for the teenager’s approach. “The way he has been playing, it’s tremendous,” Jaiswal, who earned player‑of‑the‑match honors, added. “He works hard, motivates me, and I’ll keep giving him positive messages – play freely.” Last season, Sooryavanshi announced his arrival with a 35‑ball century, the second‑fastest in IPL history. Former spin legend Anil Kumble has already urged that the prodigy be fast‑tracked into India’s senior side. His pedigree extends to the youth level, where he smashed 175 runs off 80 balls in the Under‑19 World Cup final against England, cementing his reputation as a future star.

The temporary cease‑fire in the US‑Israel‑Iran war has given Iran and China a strategic opening to challenge the US dollar’s supremacy in global finance. Both nations share a common objective: to reduce reliance on the greenback, especially in the oil sector where, according to a 2023 JP Morgan estimate, roughly 80% of transactions are settled in dollars. In a practical step toward this goal, Iran’s de‑facto toll‑booth system in the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint that handles about one‑fifth of the world’s oil and LNG shipments—has started accepting transit fees in Chinese yuan. Lloyd’s List reported that at least two vessels had already paid in yuan by March 25, and China’s Ministry of Commerce later acknowledged the reports on social media. Iran’s embassy in Zimbabwe even called for the introduction of a “petroyuan” to the global oil market, underscoring the political symbolism of the move. While Tehran pledged to guarantee safe passage for two weeks under a US‑brokered cease‑fire, Beijing declined to comment. Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff told Al Jazeera that Iran’s actions serve a dual purpose: they “poke a thumb in the United States’s eye” and provide a practical alternative to dollar‑based sanctions. Rogoff added that Iran’s shift to yuan aligns with China’s broader effort to redenominate trade among BRICS nations. For both countries, the yuan offers a way to sidestep US sanctions and lower transaction costs. Their trade relationship, cemented by a 25‑year strategic partnership signed in 2021, sees China buying over 80% of Iran’s oil—often at discounted rates—while Iran imports Chinese machinery, electronics, chemicals, and industrial components. Data from Kpler and TankerTrackers indicate that, despite the conflict, Iran’s oil exports to China have remained near pre‑war levels, ranging between 12 million and 13.7 million barrels in the first two weeks of hostilities. China’s ambition to elevate the yuan is long‑standing. President Xi Jinping, in a 2024 address, expressed hope that the yuan would become a global reserve currency. Yet significant hurdles remain: the yuan is not freely convertible due to strict capital controls, and the Chinese financial system is perceived as opaque, limiting broader adoption. According to the IMF, the dollar still dominated global foreign‑exchange reserves at 57% last year, far ahead of the euro’s 20% and the yuan’s modest 2%. Cross‑border trade settled in yuan rose to 3.7% in 2024, up from under 1% in 2012, per S&P; Global—an encouraging but limited shift. Natixis chief economist Alicia Garcia‑Herrero cautioned that the Strait of Hormuz experiment adds only “incremental pressure” and that a true “de‑dollarisation” would require Gulf states, which have priced oil in dollars since the 1970s in exchange for US security guarantees. European analyst Hosuk Lee‑Makiyama highlighted that China’s ability to supply Iran with essential goods makes the yuan a viable alternative, a dynamic not possible for Europe or Japan. He described China as the closest the world has seen to a “manufacturing one‑stop shop.” Consultancy founder Dan Steinbock echoed that while the dollar’s supremacy is unlikely to crumble overnight, the gradual increase in yuan usage could “chip away” at US dominance in specific sectors over time. Rogoff concluded that the long‑term impact hinges on the war’s outcome. If Iran and China emerge stronger, many countries may diversify away from the dollar to avoid US‑imposed financial constraints. Conversely, a decisive US victory could reinforce dollar hegemony for the foreseeable future.

President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that a U.S. attack on Iran could cause "a whole civilization to die tonight," a statement that sparked immediate backlash from climate icon Greta Thunberg. The Swedish activist, known for her outspoken stance on climate change and the Gaza crisis, described the president’s remarks as a normalization of genocide and urged the public to reject such rhetoric. In an Instagram video posted shortly before a cease‑fire was announced, Thunberg lamented the "muted" reaction to the threat, asking, "What the f*** is anyone even doing at this point?" She emphasized that the world has become accustomed to "total annihilation of entire peoples" and the "systematic destruction of the biosphere," urging viewers to demand an end to these narratives. Poll data reveal a stark generational split on the war. A Pew Research Center survey released Tuesday showed that while 67 % of Republicans aged 65+ believe the conflict will curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, only 25 % of Republicans aged 18‑29 share that view. When asked about the war’s impact on Iranians, just 7 % of older Republican voters said they would be worse off, compared with nearly 28 % of younger voters. Among Democrats, the age gap is less pronounced but still significant: 60 % of young Democratic respondents (18‑29) think the war will harm Iranians, versus 48 % of those over 65. Similar patterns emerge in other surveys. Emerson College found that 75 % of respondents under 50 fear a new world war within four years, compared with 54 % of those over 50. A Politico poll of self‑identified “MAGA Republicans” showed that only 49 % of those under 35 believe Trump has a concrete plan for the Iran conflict, versus 70 % of older supporters. These findings echo a broader historical trend: younger Americans, many of whom grew up in the shadow of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, display a more isolationist outlook. A December 2025 Pew poll indicated that only 39 % of 18‑29‑year‑olds consider active U.S. involvement in global affairs important, compared with 73 % of seniors. The generational divide also extends to attitudes toward Israel. The same Tuesday poll reported that 84 % of young Democrats and 57 % of young Republicans hold an unfavorable view of Israel, whereas older respondents are considerably less critical. Thunberg’s criticism of Trump aligns with her longstanding activism on Middle‑East issues. Last year she joined a humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza, only to be detained and deported by Israeli forces. Her latest condemnation underscores a growing sentiment among Gen Z that calls for accountability and an end to war‑like rhetoric. In summary, the controversy surrounding Trump’s Iran threat has amplified existing generational tensions in the United States, with younger citizens increasingly questioning the efficacy and morality of U.S. military interventions while demanding a shift away from language that normalizes mass violence.

U.S. crude futures tumbled about 16.5% to $94 a barrel after President Donald Trump declared a two‑week ceasefire with Iran. The announcement sparked a broad market rally: S&P; 500 futures jumped over 2%, the dollar weakened across the board, and 10‑year U.S. Treasury futures rose roughly 15 ticks. Investors welcomed the prospect of resuming oil and gas flows through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that carries roughly one‑fifth of global petroleum shipments. The ceasefire, which Trump said would halt U.S. attacks for two weeks, is being coordinated with the Iranian Armed Forces, and Tehran has pledged to cease its own strikes if the United States does the same. Since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran at the end of February, markets have been volatile. The conflict forced Iran to effectively close the Strait, contributing to the . The new de‑escalation offers a potential relief valve for inflation‑sensitive economies and could restore confidence in energy‑intensive sectors. "Markets have been predicting that Trump was looking for an off‑ramp in Iran," said Jamie Cox, managing partner at Harris Financial Group. "Today, he got one and took it." The sentiment was echoed by analysts who see the ceasefire as a "good start" that may pave the way for a more permanent reopening of the waterway, though many uncertainties remain. Asian equity futures also pointed higher, reflecting the global impact of lower oil prices on regional markets that have been battered by the war and soaring energy costs. Meanwhile, the dollar's retreat underscores its recent role as a safe‑haven currency during the turmoil. Trump added that the United States had received a "10‑point proposal" from Iran, which he described as a workable basis for negotiations toward a long‑term peace settlement. While the ceasefire is limited to two weeks, analysts such as IG's Tony Sycamore caution that "lots of ifs still to work out" before a durable resolution can be achieved.

In a revealing glimpse of the club’s ironclad exclusivity, a 2019 iMessage exchange shows Jeffrey Epstein pleading with Steve Bannon to secure a membership for Paul, Weiss partner Brad Karp. Bannon dismissed the request, describing Augusta’s governing families as "crackers" from the Old South who distrust lawyers and bankers, underscoring the club’s cultural gatekeeping. That anecdote illustrates a broader truth: money alone cannot buy entry to the Masters. Even former President Donald Trump has never been able to force his way onto the Augusta grounds, a rarity among high‑profile U.S. sporting events. Traditionally, most tickets are allocated to lifelong local patrons, a practice that has been frozen since the 1970s. The only official avenue for the public is an annual lottery, where the odds are so slim they make Tiger Woods’ chances of a sixth Green Jacket look generous. In practice, however, a lucrative secondary market emerged, with scalpers selling tickets for up to 50 times face value and operating just outside the 2,700‑foot anti‑scalping boundary mandated by Georgia law. Last year’s Masters turned into a "bloodbath" for the resale industry. An executive from a local hospitality firm reported that around 200 ticket holders were denied entry after the club began rigorously enforcing its anti‑scalping policy. Patrons were sometimes escorted to a room, asked for identification, and interrogated about how they obtained their tickets – a process likened to a police stop. According to insiders, the club’s four‑day tickets now contain RFID chips that allow staff to track each badge’s location nightly. The embedded barcodes allegedly store the buyer’s address, enabling staff to pinpoint resale activity. Some reports claim the club is even purchasing resale tickets en masse to uncover the identities of sellers, then sending a politely worded letter that permanently bans the recipient from the grounds. Ticket platforms have felt the impact. StubHub has introduced a new contract that makes sellers fully liable for any fees or charges if a buyer is turned away, while SeatGeek has ceased offering Masters tickets altogether. This decisive move by Augusta National signals a broader shift in how elite sports events manage secondary markets. Ultimately, the crackdown serves a dual purpose: protecting the club’s brand integrity and reinforcing its reputation as an institution that remains untouched by even the most powerful political figures. As the Masters approaches, the message is clear – the only way onto Augusta’s hallowed fairways is through its own tightly‑controlled channels, not through the influence of money, politics, or the resale trade.