Germany, Japan to Unblock Oil Reserves as G-7 Stands ‘Ready’ to Act
Japan and Germany announced they will tap strategic petroleum reserves to curb soaring crude prices amid the Iran‑Israel war, following an International Energy Agency request for a 400 million‑barrel release. Japan plans to act as early as March 16, while Germany will contribute without a set date. The move is part of a coordinated G‑7 effort to stabilize markets as the Strait of Hormuz remains threatened. The IEA’s proposed drawdown would be the largest ever, exceeding the 2022 release during the Ukraine conflict.
Spain Permanently Withdraws Ambassador as Rift with Israel Deepens
Spain announced on March 10 that it has permanently withdrawn its ambassador to Israel, leaving the Tel Aviv mission under a charge d’affaires. The decision follows a series of diplomatic confrontations, including Spain’s ban on weapons shipments to Israel and...
Internet Outages in Russia to Last as Long as ‘Necessary’ to Ensure ‘Safety’: Kremlin
The Kremlin announced that mobile internet outages across Russia will persist for as long as necessary to protect citizen safety, attributing the disruptions to increasingly sophisticated Ukrainian cyber attacks. Outages have been documented in Moscow and western cities such as...
Drones Hit East Congo's Biggest City, Killing French Aid Worker, Rebels and UN Say
Drone strikes hit Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city, killing at least three people, including a French UNICEF aid worker. The M23 rebel group blamed the Congolese army for launching the drones, marking the first urban drone attack since the rebels...
More Airliner Deaths in 2025 Despite Fewer Accidents: IATA
The International Air Transport Association reported that 2025 saw 394 fatalities across eight fatal air crashes, up from 244 deaths in seven accidents in 2024. The surge is attributed to two high‑profile disasters – the Air India Boeing 787 crash in...
Google to Open German Centre for ‘AI Development’
Google will open an AI centre in Berlin on March 5, part of its €5.5 billion investment plan for Europe. The hub will combine cloud computing, data infrastructure and a collaboration space for startups and research institutions. The announcement highlights Europe’s reliance...