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The Iran war has triggered a massive energy shortfall in Asia, forcing governments to ramp up their use of coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel. Countries across the region, including South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, India, and Bangladesh, are trying to compensate for a drop-off in imported energy, much of which comes from the Middle East.Climate experts have warned that the increased use of coal will have a devastating environmental impact, and that the energy crisis should be a wake-up call for governments to invest in renewables. The crisis has highlighted the importance of renewable energy for energy security in Asia.The global market has flipped within four weeks from a healthy supply surplus to a severe deficit, leading to price spikes and fuel shortages. Almost 30bn cubic meters of LNG has been removed from global supply chains, with over 80% of this loss affecting the Indo-Pacific region.Experts warn that it will take years to recover LNG supplies and that the crisis will have a lasting impact on the energy landscape in Asia. Governments are racing to overcome shortfalls, with some countries introducing measures to reduce energy consumption, such as four-day workweeks and remote work arrangements.

The arrival of drier March days brings with it the familiar hum of lawn mowers on urban housing estates, but for the author, it's a signal to search for the first signs of their beloved spring flower: the dandelion. Spotting one blooming in a crack beside a crumbling wall, the author can't help but feel a sense of joy and connection to this often-maligned weed. The dandelion's unique charm lies in its ability to thrive in unexpected places, much like the author, who identifies as a wheelchair user, feels a kinship with the flower's resilient nature. This connection is shared with toddlers who delight in carrying dandelions in their fists, and the author jokingly suggests that dandelions would make a perfect bridal bouquet. Dandelions are pure sunshine, offering an instant tonic for grey days or low moods. They provide a vital source of nutrition for pollinators when other pollen is scarce, acting as a bridge until other spring flowers bloom. The flowers, roots, and leaves are also a remarkably nutritious food source, boasting more vitamin A than spinach and more vitamin C than tomatoes. The dandelion's thick roots, rich in latex, are being explored as a sustainable and eco-friendly source of rubber for car and bicycle tires. Additionally, the flower's behavior serves as a rudimentary weather forecast, closing its petals tight when rain is approaching to protect its pollen. As the dandelion's flowering cycle comes to an end, it offers a final gift: turning into bright, white moons. Blowing on these seed heads not only helps spread the seeds but also feels like an appropriate thank you for all that the dandelion provides.

Beirut, Lebanon – On 24 March, Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi announced that Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, was declared persona non grata and ordered to depart by 29 March. Two days after the deadline, the envoy remained in Beirut, refusing to leave. The episode unfolds against a broader conflict that has already claimed more than 1,000 lives and displaced over 1.2 million people within a single month of Israeli military action in Lebanon. It also highlights a deepening schism in Lebanese politics between supporters of the pro‑Iranian Shia militia Hezbollah and those demanding its disarmament. Imad Salamey, a political scientist at the Lebanese American University, told Al Jazeera that the ambassador’s defiance is a symptom of a larger contest over legitimacy and authority. IRGC’s Strategic Role Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) helped forge Hezbollah in 1982 as a response to Israel’s invasion. Over the decades, Tehran’s billions of dollars in funding elevated Hezbollah to Lebanon’s most powerful political and military force. Hezbollah’s popularity peaked in 2000 after driving Israeli forces from south Lebanon, but subsequent engagements—including the 2006 war, the 2008 Beirut street battles, the Syrian civil war, and the 2019 domestic protests—have eroded its broader support. When Hezbollah entered open conflict with Israel on 8 October 2023, it enjoyed limited backing beyond the Shia community. By the November 2024 cease‑fire, the group was at a low point, with Israel having killed more than 4,000 Lebanese, including leader Hassan Nasrallah and much of Hezbollah’s command. International pressure then mounted for Hezbollah’s disarmament, prompting Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun to prioritize the issue. According to several analysts, the IRGC exploited the cease‑fire lull to dispatch officials to Lebanon, restructuring Hezbollah’s command and possibly ordering its re‑entry into the war on 2 March—just days after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was assassinated. Prime Minister Salam has publicly claimed the IRGC is “managing the military operation in Lebanon” and even accused Tehran of launching an attack on Cyprus. Ambassador Refuses to Exit In response to the perceived IRGC influence, Raggi’s declaration stripped Sheibani of diplomatic immunity. Dania Arayssi, senior analyst at the New Lines Institute, described the move as a “landmark decision” given Iran’s entrenched role in Lebanese politics. Iran’s Foreign Ministry, however, maintains that Sheibani will not depart, and Hezbollah has openly pledged to protect him, warning that any government attempt to disarm the militia will be met with “punishment.” Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri—longtime Hezbollah ally—initially backed the government’s ban on Hezbollah’s military activity after the March re‑entry, illustrating the fluidity of alliances within Lebanon’s power‑sharing system. State Authority Tested Hezbollah’s renewed campaign, which includes dozens of cross‑border attacks and direct engagements with Israeli forces on Lebanese soil, is reshaping the political calculus. The militia’s revived confidence challenges the Lebanese government’s ability to enforce disarmament. While the ambassador remains protected inside the Iranian diplomatic compound—effectively beyond the reach of Lebanese law—critics argue that Tehran’s refusal to honor the expulsion order undermines the state’s authority, already weakened by months of war. Salamey summed up the dilemma: “The state is asserting its authority on paper, but internal divisions and competing claims of legitimacy constrain its practical power, testing the limits of Lebanon’s fragile power‑sharing arrangement.”

Islamabad – Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to Beijing, reaffirming the “all‑weather strategic cooperative partnership” between the two nations, according to the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The visit follows a high‑profile quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad that brought together foreign ministers from Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, all aiming to coax the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table amid a war that has already spiked global energy prices.Despite a recent hairline shoulder fracture, Dar pressed on with the trip, signalling the urgency of Pakistan’s diplomatic push. In a March 27 call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised Islamabad’s “untiring efforts to cool down the situation,” a sentiment echoed by spokesperson Mao Ning, who said China is ready to “enhance communication… for a cease‑fire and peace in the region.”Analysts argue the mission is less about collecting praise and more about testing whether Beijing will move from rhetoric to concrete action in the US‑Iran mediation. The central question: can China become an active partner rather than a silent observer?Former Wilson Center fellow Baqir Sajjad Syed explains that Dar will brief Chinese leaders on the recent Islamabad quadrilateral and seek to turn five draft principles – immediate ceasefire, resumption of talks, civilian protection, maritime security, and UN Charter compliance – into a binding framework.Pakistani scholars view the outreach as classic intermediary behaviour: Pakistan leverages China’s permanent‑member status to stay relevant, while China, unlike the United States, mainly engages with Gulf states and Tehran.Iran specialist Vali Nasr suggested Tehran may be looking for a Chinese “guarantor” for any US‑Iran deal, a premise disputed by professor Ishtiaq Ahmad, who calls the expectation “analytically weak” given China’s reluctance to back a declining regime.The strategic stakes are stark. The Strait of Hormuz moves roughly 20 % of global oil. Kpler data show China imported about 1.38 million barrels per day of Iranian crude in 2025 – roughly 12 % of its total oil imports. The IEA estimates 15 million barrels per day passed through the strait in 2025, with China and India accounting for 44 % of that flow.China‑Iran trade hit about $41.2 billion in 2025, and a 2021 25‑year strategic cooperation pact promised up to $400 billion in Chinese investment for discounted Iranian oil, much of which remains unrealised due to U.S. sanctions.Syed describes China’s motivations as “clear and self‑interested”: protecting energy security, safeguarding Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, and bolstering its image as a global peace broker. A prolonged war would hurt China’s economy through higher oil prices and disrupted trade routes.While Beijing is unlikely to deploy military forces, it may employ diplomatic tools – public endorsements, joint statements, and economic levers – to push for a cease‑fire. Its pragmatic stance means it will weigh the benefits of deeper involvement against the risk of being drawn into a conflict.The diplomatic backdrop includes a postponed Trump visit to Beijing and a slated summit for mid‑May, as well as a future Xi‑to‑U.S. trip, which observers say could signal a broader alignment between the two great powers.Meanwhile, the United States continues to amass forces in the Gulf, with thousands of Marines and Army troops positioned for possible ground operations, underscoring the volatility that Pakistan and China are trying to mitigate.In sum, Dar’s Beijing mission tests whether China will remain a passive supporter or become an active broker in a war that threatens global energy markets and regional stability.

Washington state has taken a historic step towards a more progressive tax system by passing a 9.9% income tax on millionaires. The tax, which will take effect in 2028, targets the state's ultra-wealthy residents and aims to address the state's regressive tax system.The tax was championed by activists and lawmakers, including Noel Frame, who has been pushing for a wealth tax for over 15 years. Frame's efforts were previously met with resistance from the tech industry, particularly Microsoft and Amazon, which are headquartered in the state.The new tax is seen as a significant departure from the state's previous stance on taxation. Washington state has long been known for its lack of an income tax, instead relying on sales, business, and property taxes. However, this system has been criticized for being regressive, with the state's poorest residents paying a larger share of their income in taxes.The millionaire tax is expected to bring in much-needed revenue for public services, including public schooling and healthcare. The state's budget gap has been growing, and lawmakers have been struggling to find ways to balance the books.The tax is also seen as part of a national movement towards more progressive taxation. Several other states, including California, Colorado, Michigan, and New York, are considering wealth taxes. The movement is driven in part by growing public awareness of the wealth gap and the need for more equitable taxation.Despite the potential for the tax to drive away wealthy individuals and businesses, research suggests that taxation is not a major factor in decisions to move to a different state. Instead, factors such as work opportunities, family, and lifestyle choices play a much larger role.The tax is expected to face legal challenges and potential opposition from opponents who argue that it will harm the state's economy. However, supporters of the tax argue that it is a necessary step towards creating a more equitable tax system and providing more revenue for public services.

Ethiopian women's rights activists are facing a rising tide of digital violence, including online threats, doxing, and deepfake abuse, forcing some to flee the country. Yordanos Bezabih, an Ethiopian women's rights activist, had faced online threats for years, including acid attacks, gang-rape, and death. However, in 2025, the threats became more menacing, with an anonymous Telegram group organizing an effort to track down her location.The group shared deepfakes of her – nude images and videos. A stranger started filming her in the streets, calling her by her social media handle. Thieves broke into her house and stole her laptop. Soon after, her Telegram account was hacked, and her private photos and messages were circulated on social media. The perpetrators later circulated her address, demanding she be found and “executed”.In August, Bezabih left Ethiopia on a fellowship for human rights defenders. She has not returned since; it is too dangerous. “I have been forced to remain outside the country in order to protect my safety and continue my work,” she says.Bezabih is one of a small but growing number of feminists and women’s rights defenders who have left Ethiopia over the past two years, as online violence has become all-pervasive and uncontrolled. Three years after Facebook was accused of allowing hate speech to spread unchecked in Ethiopia, amid genocidal violence against ethnic Tigrayans during the civil war – claims rejected by Meta – social media inciters in Ethiopia have found a new target: women online.Research by the Centre for Information Resilience (CIR) bears out the scale of online gendered abuse in Ethiopia. Its 2024 report, Silence, Shamed and Threatened, found that technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) has become “normalized to the point of invisibility” and is a daily occurrence with severe offline impacts, including psychological harm, physical assault, and arrests.Activists say the government and social media platforms are not doing enough to protect them. “I don’t think the government is much concerned about online harassment. It is barely a government agenda,” says Befekadu Hailu, an Ethiopian civil society leader and former director of Ethiopia’s Centre for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy.Bezabih says the online platforms that enable the violence also do little about it. “Even though they claim to have all these community guidelines, tech platforms never respond to reports, claims or even appeals.”

MLS Commissioner Don Garber has hit back at Ibrahim Hassan, Egypt's national team director, who advised Mohamed Salah to avoid MLS and consider a move to the Saudi Pro League instead. In an interview with the Guardian, Garber suggested that Hassan should watch Lionel Messi star for Inter Miami to understand the league's quality. Garber stated, 'Leo Messi is the most popular player in the world. He was, and he still is. I'd be happy to send an Apple subscription to the head of the Egyptian FA so he can watch as many Messi games as he'd like.'This is not the first time a senior soccer figure has questioned MLS's caliber. In 2016, Gian Piero Ventura left Sebastian Giovinco out of Italy's squad, saying 'he plays in a league that doesn't matter much.' However, MLS has attracted several high-profile players, including Gareth Bale and James Rodríguez, who have used the league to regain form ahead of international tournaments.Garber emphasized MLS's growth, noting that the league supplied 36 players to the 2022 World Cup, more than any league system outside of Europe's top five. He also highlighted the development of players like Obed Vargas and Brian Gutiérrez, who have progressed from MLS academies to represent Mexico's national team.According to Opta's league power rankings, MLS is currently ranked 13th globally, between Poland's and Croatia's top flights. In contrast, the Saudi Pro League is ranked 37th. Garber concluded, 'We're just constantly dealing with this perspective that we, Americans, will never get it, and it's just not true. We've got dozens of players [who came through MLS teams] playing in Europe. We've got some of the best players in the world playing here.'

France concluded their World Cup preparations with a convincing 3-1 friendly win over Colombia, highlighting their attacking firepower and squad depth. The match, played at the Washington Commanders' home stadium in Landover, Maryland, served as a crucial test for coach Didier Deschamps ahead of naming his World Cup squad in May.Desire Doue opened the scoring for France with a low drive that was deflected in by Colombia's Daniel Munoz after 30 minutes. Doue struck again on 56 minutes, assisted by Marcus Thuram, who had also scored earlier just before halftime. Thuram's goal came from a cross by Maghnes Akliouche.Colombia's Jaminton Campaz pulled a goal back, but France's dominance was evident as they controlled the game. Kylian Mbappe, a late substitute, was rested for much of the game due to a recent knee injury. Mbappe remains one goal shy of equalling France's all-time scoring record of 57 goals, currently held by Olivier Giroud.France's performance in this and the previous match against Brazil has shown a balance of style and efficiency, boosting their confidence ahead of the World Cup. Deschamps' team appears to be heading into the tournament with growing certainty.

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed that millions of victims of the country's car finance scandal will receive payouts this year. The regulator has unveiled a long-awaited industry-wide scheme to compensate people who were treated unfairly when taking out motor finance to buy a new or second-hand vehicle. The scheme, which will put £7.5bn back into people's pockets, is expected to result in a likely total bill of £9.1bn for lenders. The FCA had previously estimated that 14.2m loan agreements would be considered unfair and therefore due compensation, but this number has been cut to 12.1m. The average payout is expected to be around £830 per agreement, up from the previously estimated £695. The scheme will largely focus on people whose deal included a 'discretionary commission arrangement' (DCA), a type of car finance banned in 2021. Millions of claims will be paid out later this year, with the vast majority settled by the end of 2027. The FCA has advised people to 'complain now to get compensation sooner' and has provided a template letter on its website for those who want to make a claim. Lenders will have three months from the end of the implementation period to let people know whether they are owed compensation and, if so, how much. The payout timings vary, but for a post-April 2014 agreement, a lender must confirm if someone is owed money, and how much, by 30 September this year. The individual has a month to accept or challenge the offer, by 31 October. Then compensation is paid within one month, by November.