Afghanistan's Taliban government has accused Pakistan of air attacks on civilian homes in Kabul and Kandahar. The fighting between the two countries has intensified, leading to civilian deaths and displacement. The United Nations reported many people killed or forced to leave their homes due to the conflict.
Key Facts
Afghanistan's Taliban government says Pakistan's airstrikes targeted civilian homes in Kabul and Kandahar.
Women and children are reportedly among the casualties from these attacks.
The Taliban claims four civilians from the same family died from Pakistani artillery fire.
Fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan has been ongoing since February 26.
The United Nations reports 56 Afghan civilians killed, including 24 children, between February 26 and March 5.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of sheltering fighters responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.
About 115,000 people have reportedly been displaced due to the conflict.
There was no immediate response from Pakistan's government or military regarding the accusations.
The United States is reportedly moving parts of its Thaad missile defense system from South Korea to the Middle East. This action is linked to ongoing conflicts involving Iran and is meant to strengthen U.S. defense operations in the region. South Korea has expressed concerns about the potential impact on their security.
Key Facts
The U.S. is relocating parts of the Thaad missile defense system from South Korea to the Middle East.
This move comes amid tensions involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel.
Thaad was first deployed to South Korea in 2017 to protect against threats from North Korea.
The system can intercept high-altitude missiles and has been important for South Korea's defense.
South Korea has expressed opposition to the redeployment.
Iran has reportedly launched more than 500 ballistic missiles, leading to high demand for defense systems like Thaad.
The U.S. operates eight Thaad systems worldwide, and the cost of one system is approximately $1 billion.
Members of Congress clashed online over anti-Muslim statements from several Republican lawmakers. The comments led to strong responses, especially from Democrats, urging for unity in the wake of recent violent incidents in the U.S. connected to individuals of Muslim background.
Key Facts
Republican lawmakers made anti-Muslim posts on social media.
Democrats strongly criticized these posts, calling for unity instead of division.
Recent attacks in Michigan and Virginia influenced the discussions; these attacks involved suspects with connections to Islam.
A Michigan synagogue attack involved a car with explosives, but no one was harmed.
In Virginia, a shooting at a college resulted in one death and two injuries.
Some Republicans suggested policy changes, like ending Muslim immigration and modifying immigration laws.
Democrats are considering a formal censure of Rep. Randy Fine for his comments.
A French soldier, Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion, was killed in an attack in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the attack and stated that several other soldiers were injured. French forces have been in the region since 2015 as part of a coalition against ISIS.
Key Facts
A French soldier died in an attack in northern Iraq's Kurdish region.
President Macron confirmed the soldier's death and condemned the attack as "unacceptable."
The attack injured several other French soldiers, though Macron did not specify the number.
French forces have been in Iraq since 2015 to fight ISIS with an international coalition.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a group including Iran-aligned armed groups, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Iraq is considered a "second battlefield" in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
A pro-Iranian group threatened French interests in Iraq and the region.
A separate drone attack injured six soldiers at a military base in Iraq, though it was unclear if these were the same soldiers mentioned by Macron.
In East Jerusalem, Palestinian families, like Basema Dabash's, are being forced to demolish their own homes due to Israeli demolition orders. This happens because the residents want to avoid high demolition fees charged by the municipality. The situation has a large emotional and financial impact on the affected families.
Key Facts
Basema Dabash was forced to demolish her own home in Sur Baher, East Jerusalem.
Israeli authorities issued a demolition order in 2014, with an eviction notice following in January 2023.
The family started demolishing their home on February 12 to avoid a fee from the municipality.
The Dabash family completed the demolition of two houses, home to eight people including three children.
Despite self-demolishing, they must pay a fine of around $14,600 until 2029.
The choice between self-demolition and paying the municipal fee leaves many Palestinians with limited options.
Dabash’s family tried to get a building permit but was repeatedly denied by Israeli authorities.
The situation causes significant emotional distress and financial strain on the affected families.
George Russell was the fastest in the only practice session at the Chinese Grand Prix, leading Mercedes to a one-two finish. The session set the stage for the upcoming sprint qualifying in the Formula 1 race weekend.
Key Facts
George Russell led the session with the fastest time for Mercedes at the Chinese Grand Prix practice.
Kimi Antonelli, also from Mercedes, finished second in the practice session.
Oscar Piastri from McLaren came third, 0.736 seconds behind Russell.
Mercedes showed similar speed advantage as in the previous race in Australia.
Lewis Hamilton from Ferrari was sixth, affected by an earlier spin requiring older tires.
Ferrari used a new rear wing design for better speed on straights.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished eighth, 1.8 seconds slower than Russell.
British rookie Arvid Lindblad had a technical problem and stopped after only six laps.
Balendra Shah's party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), won a majority in Nepal's general election. The election was held on March 5, and RSP's victory is the first time in decades a single party achieved such success in Nepal. Shah, a former Kathmandu mayor, may become the youngest prime minister in Nepal's history if confirmed.
Key Facts
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won 182 out of 275 seats in Nepal's parliament.
The Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal UML followed with 38 and 25 seats, respectively.
The election was a snap election held after the government was toppled in September 2025 following youth protests.
The election results were announced in seven days, faster than the previous election in 2022, which took nearly two weeks.
Nepal's challenging terrain makes organizing elections difficult, with ballot boxes sometimes needing to be airlifted.
Nearly 19 million people registered to vote, with around 60% participation.
The election uses a mixed voting system: first-past-the-post for 165 seats and proportional representation for 110 seats.
Balendra Shah is the prime ministerial candidate for the RSP and defeated former Prime Minister Sharma KP Oli in his constituency.
Oil prices are above $100 per barrel because of disruptions in the global energy supply caused by a conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Iran's threats to the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil route, have significantly reduced the number of ships passing through. The situation has led to increased tension in energy markets.
Key Facts
Oil prices recently went over $100 per barrel due to disruptions.
The Strait of Hormuz handles about one-fifth of the world's oil, and its traffic is currently limited.
Iran's Supreme Leader has confirmed threats to ships in the Strait as a strategy.
President Trump underscored the priority of stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Since the conflict began, only a few ships pass through the Strait each day, compared to an average of 138 before.
At least 16 commercial vessels have been attacked in the region since the conflict started.
The International Energy Agency plans to release 400 million barrels from emergency stockpiles.
The US Navy may begin escorting commercial ships through the Strait by the month's end.
The Senate voted against a proposal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the fourth time, as parts of the agency have been shut down for nearly a month. The disagreement between political parties is primarily about immigration reform and funding for specific DHS offices like the TSA. This deadlock is causing significant problems, such as financial strain on TSA workers and longer security lines at airports.
Key Facts
The Senate voted 51 to 46 against the DHS funding bill.
This marks the fourth rejection of the bill intended to fund DHS.
The department has been partially shut down since February 14.
TSA workers are missing paychecks due to the shutdown.
The Senate needs 60 votes to pass the funding bill.
The shutdown is linked to disagreements on immigration enforcement reforms.
Airports are experiencing long security lines and delays during busy travel times.
Political parties continue to blame each other for the funding impasse.
The Israeli military has decided not to proceed with charges against five soldiers who were accused of sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee, despite video evidence. The incident sparked international concern and led to protests in Israel both for and against the soldiers.
Key Facts
The Israeli military dropped charges against five soldiers.
The soldiers were accused of sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee.
The alleged abuse was captured on video.
The video led to international outrage.
Protests occurred in Israel, with some backing the soldiers.
The incident involved the Israeli military and a Palestinian detainee.
The UK is experiencing cold weather with snow and frost because Arctic air has moved south, bringing lower temperatures. The Met Office has issued warnings for snow and ice in parts of Scotland, and it is expected to stay cold into the weekend.
Key Facts
Arctic air is causing temperatures in the UK to drop to single digits.
Snow is expected in central and north-west Scotland, with up to 10cm possible in higher areas.
Northern Ireland, the English Lakes, and the Pennines might see wintry conditions.
Weather includes sunny spells and blustery showers, with possible hail and thunder.
Met Office issued a warning for snow and ice in central and northwest Scotland until Friday morning.
The cold weather is predicted to last into the weekend with frost expected in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
A strong jet stream, influenced by temperature contrasts in the US, is bringing cold air to the UK.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, broke an NBA record previously held by Wilt Chamberlain by scoring 20 points or more in 127 consecutive games. He achieved this milestone during a game against the Boston Celtics. Gilgeous-Alexander's record-setting performance showcases his consistent scoring ability over multiple games.
Key Facts
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA.
He surpassed Wilt Chamberlain's record of 126 games with 20 points or more.
Gilgeous-Alexander's record was achieved during a game against the Boston Celtics.
By halftime, he scored 17 points, completing the record with a jump shot in the third quarter.
He joined the NBA in 2018, starting with the Los Angeles Clippers.
He helped lead the Thunder to an NBA Finals victory and has been an MVP.
The Thunder are considered favorites for another championship with his performances.
Chamberlain's record was set between 1961-62 and 1963, making this achievement notable after over 60 years.
Bruce Pearl, a well-known figure in college basketball and father of Auburn Tigers' current head coach Steven Pearl, faced criticism for his behavior during a game. A video showed him shouting obscenities at an official, leading to negative reactions from fans. This occurred during Auburn's loss to the Tennessee Volunteers in the SEC Tournament.
Key Facts
Auburn Tigers lost to Tennessee Volunteers with a score of 72-62 in the SEC Tournament.
Steven Pearl is in his first season as Auburn's head coach, taking over after his father, Bruce Pearl, stepped down.
Bruce Pearl, now a sports analyst, was seen shouting at a game official, which was captured on video.
Fans criticized Bruce Pearl's behavior at the game, finding it inappropriate.
Bruce Pearl stepped down from coaching Auburn in September after 11 years.
Despite efforts, Auburn risks ending their streak of NCAA Tournament appearances under Steven Pearl's coaching.
The UK government, represented by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, has stated it will not allow energy companies to profit excessively from rising oil prices, which have surged due to conflict in the Middle East. The government is considering various measures and warned the industry against unjustified price increases, with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) prepared to act if needed. The situation has led to discussions about long-term energy strategies and possible immediate actions to address rising consumer energy costs.
Key Facts
The UK government has warned energy firms against profiteering from increased oil prices.
Rising oil prices have been linked to conflict in the Middle East, affecting consumer bills.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband emphasized the need for clean, homegrown energy.
The government will not allow new North Sea oil exploration licenses, sticking with current fields.
The CMA is on alert to prevent any unjustified increases in fuel prices.
Households’ heating oil costs have significantly increased, raising government concern.
The government is exploring support measures for households affected by energy costs.
Long-term plans include speeding up the process to build new nuclear power stations.
The U.S. government has temporarily allowed countries to buy Russian oil currently on ships to help stabilize global energy markets affected by the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. This decision aims to ease the rise in oil prices due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The authorization is only for oil already being transported and will last until April 11.
Key Facts
The U.S. permitted buying Russian oil already at sea as a temporary measure.
This decision is in response to the economic effects of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.
The measure aims to stabilize energy markets amid rising oil prices.
The authorisation is valid until April 11 and does not significantly benefit the Russian government.
Conflict-related attacks have disrupted oil supplies and raised prices above $100 per barrel.
Roughly 20% of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently impacted.
The International Energy Agency plans to release 400 million barrels of oil to address the situation.
Asian countries like the Philippines are taking measures to manage oil supply issues, such as reducing workdays to save fuel.
In recent elections, Nepal's young political party, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) led by rapper and politician Balendra Shah, won a significant majority. The party's success disrupts long-standing political structures, as they promise to tackle corruption and reform judicial and public systems. Shah's victory marks a shift in Nepal's political landscape, though his lack of extensive experience poses new challenges.
Key Facts
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) was formed four years ago and is led by Balendra Shah, a rapper-turned-politician.
The RSP won a large majority in Nepal's recent elections, surprising many due to Nepal's dual-election system.
Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli lost his seat in Jhapa 5, a significant change in local politics.
Many voters see the RSP's victory as a break from decades of perceived corruption and political stagnation.
Balendra Shah previously served as mayor of Kathmandu and faced criticism for his approach to handling street vendors.
The RSP has promised to investigate corruption, particularly targeting those in power since the 1990s.
They aim to reform the judiciary by ending political appointments of judges and possibly live-streaming trials.
The RSP also plans to focus on economic growth and address youth unemployment, which is around 20% in Nepal.
Gary Wagner, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, passed away at the age of 85. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox during a six-year career in the 1960s and 70s.
Key Facts
Gary Wagner was a professional baseball player in the Major Leagues.
He played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox from 1965 to 1970.
Wagner had a career record of 15 wins and 19 losses with a 3.70 ERA.
He mostly played as a relief pitcher, appearing in 162 games.
Wagner also contributed seven saves during the 1966 and 1968 seasons.
Originally from Bridgeport, Illinois, he attended Eastern Illinois University and started as a shortstop.
He switched to pitching after volunteering when his college team needed pitchers.
Wagner is survived by his wife, brother, three sons, and seven grandchildren.
An American military refueling plane crashed in Iraq while involved in an operation against Iran. U.S. Central Command confirmed the incident, and rescue teams are searching the area. The number of casualties is currently unknown.
Key Facts
A U.S. military refueling plane crashed in Iraq.
The crash happened during an operation involving Iran.
U.S. Central Command announced the crash.
There were at least five crew members on the plane.
The cause of the crash was not hostile or friendly fire.
Rescue efforts are ongoing.
The U.S. military described the plane as "a loss."
Mike Evans, a wide receiver who used to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has joined the San Francisco 49ers. George Kittle, a tight end for the 49ers, played an important part in convincing Evans to make the move.
Key Facts
Mike Evans previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Evans joined the San Francisco 49ers in the current season.
George Kittle helped persuade Evans to join the 49ers.
Kittle has been with the 49ers since 2017 and has made it to seven Pro Bowls.
Evans won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in the 2020 season.
Evans set an NFL record with 11 consecutive seasons of 1,000 receiving yards.
The 49ers are hoping Evans will be the key to another Super Bowl win.
The team’s top wide receivers have recently left, creating a need for a player like Evans.
Isiah Pacheco, a former Kansas City Chiefs running back, signed with the Detroit Lions, aiming to regain his previous form after injuries affected his performance. During a press conference, Pacheco humorously imitated Lions head coach Dan Campbell and expressed excitement about joining the team. He had multiple offers but chose the Lions after the Chiefs pursued another running back.
Key Facts
Isiah Pacheco was a running back for the Kansas City Chiefs.
He broke his fibula in September 2024 but returned in November.
Pacheco signed with the Detroit Lions as a free agent.
During his introduction, Pacheco entertained reporters by imitating head coach Dan Campbell.
Pacheco decided on the Lions after the Chiefs showed interest in another player.
The Detroit Lions had recently traded another running back, David Montgomery.
Pacheco had eight teams interested in him, including his former team.
Pacheco led the Chiefs in rushing during his first two seasons.
