World News
Latest world news and updates
Total: 3476
Iran’s Rial Collapses to 1.31 Million per Dollar as Sanctions and Oil Shock Unleash Economic Pain
The Iranian rial has plunged to about 1.314 million per U.S. dollar in market trading, a collapse driven by loss of foreign exchange from sanctions, an oil‑dependent revenue structure, and failed attempts at exchange‑rate reform. The slump is deepening inflationary pain for ordinary Iranians, prompting central bank turnover and heightening political and humanitarian risks.
BYD EV Survives Missile Blast in Jerusalem, Underscoring Battery Safety and Brand Stakes in Conflict Zones
A BYD Yuan Plus (ATTO 3) in Jerusalem survived a nearby missile explosion with no battery fire and only non‑fatal passenger injuries, highlighting BYD’s battery safety claims and raising questions about selling EVs in conflict zones. The incident boosts BYD’s reputation in Israel even as it spotlights insurance, supply‑chain and geopolitical risks faced by consumer tech firms operating abroad.
Hormuz Disruption Sends Oil and Gas Prices Soaring, Forces Central Banks to Recalculate
An adviser to Iran’s IRGC said the Strait of Hormuz had been closed, triggering a sharp spike in oil and gas prices as tankers halted transits and insurance and navigation risks rose. Attacks on Qatari LNG wells and broader Gulf tensions amplified fears of supply shortages, forcing policymakers and central bankers to reassess inflation and monetary policy risks.
Iran Threatens to Seal Strait of Hormuz as Oil Markets and Diplomacy Fray
Iran’s IRGC has threatened to strike any vessel attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, effectively halting tanker traffic and lifting oil prices. The dispute has exposed divisions among Western allies, prompted an SCO call for restraint, and raised risks to global energy supplies and shipping.
Drone Strike on U.S. Embassy in Riyadh Sends Oil and Gold Higher as Trump Warns of Retaliation
A drone attack on the U.S. embassy in Riyadh and U.S. signals of military retaliation triggered sharp moves in global markets on March 3, lifting oil, fuel, and precious metals. President Trump’s War Powers notice and his warning of imminent retaliation have increased the risk premium on Gulf supplies and heightened the prospect of further escalation.
France Says US–Israel Strikes on Iran Lack UN Legitimacy, Warns of Dangerous Drift
France’s foreign minister said on March 2 that military action by the United States and Israel against Iran lacked legitimacy because it had not been reviewed by the UN Security Council. Paris warned that indefinite strikes without clear objectives risk escalating into prolonged regional turmoil and urged a return to multilateral deliberation.
Tehran Hospital Hit in Overnight Airstrike; Iran Blames US and Israel, WHO Warns of Legal Breach
A midnight airstrike struck Gandhi Hospital in Tehran on March 1, causing structural damage and injuring medical staff; Iranian authorities blamed the United States and Israel. The World Health Organization warned attacks on medical facilities breach international humanitarian law, while independent verification of responsibility was not available.
Confusion in Tehran: Ahmadinejad’s Fate Unclear After Strikes as Rivals Trade Claims
Conflicting reports emerged after strikes in Tehran left the fate of former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad uncertain, with Israeli media claiming he was killed and aides and Iranian outlets denying it. The episode underscores the symbolic weight of attacking a well-known hardliner and the risk such actions pose for escalation and internal Iranian politics.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Warn They Will Destroy Vessels Attempting to Transit the Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned it will destroy ships attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy chokepoint. The declaration raises immediate risks to shipping, energy markets and regional security, and could prompt increased naval deployments and higher insurance and freight costs.
Iran's IRGC Adviser Declares Strait of Hormuz Closed, Threatens Attacks on Passing Vessels
An IRGC command adviser declared the Strait of Hormuz closed on March 3, 2026 and warned Iran would strike ships that attempt to pass. The threat targets a vital oil transit route and raises the risk of military confrontation, higher energy prices and costly international responses.
Three US Warplanes Crash in Kuwait — A Rare Incident That Signals Rising Gulf Tensions
Three US military aircraft reportedly crashed in Kuwait on 2 March 2026, an occurrence described by Chinese media as rare and suggestive of rising confrontations in the Gulf. With official details absent, the incident raises questions about maintenance, operational strain, or possible hostile action and has implications for US force posture and regional stability.
Spring Farewells: China Marks 2026 Military Retirements with Ritual and a Promise to Return
China's spring 2026 military retirement ceremonies, held across multiple PLA and PAP units, combined ritual, emotion and political education to reaffirm veterans' loyalty and latent reserve obligations. The events served both domestic cohesion and external signalling purposes while highlighting ongoing challenges in veteran reintegration.