Executive summary

• The US-Israel conflict with Iran escalates into its second week, with widespread strikes, civilian casualties, and significant disruptions in the Middle East.
• Oil prices surged dramatically due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, impacting global energy markets and supply chains.
• Internet blackouts and AI-generated misinformation are prominent features of the Iran conflict, raising concerns about information warfare.
• US diplomatic efforts focus on countering China’s influence in Latin America, while also re-establishing ties with Venezuela after Maduro’s capture.
• Severe weather events in the US and heavy flooding in Kenya caused multiple fatalities and significant damage.

International Relations & Diplomacy

• Iran-US-Israel Conflict Escalates; UK Warned on Involvement.
  • Iran-backed Hezbollah sees dozens killed in an Israeli special forces raid in Lebanon.
  • Iranian ambassador warns the UK against further involvement in US-Israeli attacks.
  • Iranian President Pezeshkian apologized for attacks on Gulf neighbors but vowed no unconditional surrender to US demands.
  • The UN humanitarian chief warns of “grave peril” and “massive impact” on civilians due to the conflict.
  • Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8l2p2l3v0o), (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq6qp458zv1o), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/07/iran-vows-it-wont-surrender-as-war-with-the-us-and-israel-enters-second-week.html), (https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c9wnevqljd0o)
• US-Venezuela Resume Diplomatic Ties After Maduro Capture.
  • Diplomatic relations re-established, US embassy in Caracas reopened.
  • US aims to promote stability, economic recovery, and political reconciliation.
  • US Secretary of the Interior stated intervention would help ensure “oil will flow to America.”
  • Venezuela and US agreed to develop mining in the country.
  • Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy9g1l5jx90o), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/trump-iran-war-china-trade-tariffs.html)
• US Seeks to Counter China’s Influence in Latin America.
  • Trump to host “Shield of the Americas Summit” to rally allies against China’s growing presence.
  • China is the region’s top lender and trading partner, financing major infrastructure projects.
  • Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yvw0zwpd5o), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/trump-iran-war-china-trade-tariffs.html)
• China-US Relations Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting.
  • Chinese FM Wang Yi emphasizes “thorough preparations” for the planned meeting amid Iran war and trade differences.
  • The Middle East conflict sets a complex “mood music” for upcoming trade talks.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/08/china-says-thorough-preparations-needed-ahead-of-trump-xi-meeting.html), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/trump-iran-war-china-trade-tariffs.html)
• US Offers India Waiver on Russian Oil Amid Iran War.
  • India received a 30-day waiver to buy Russian crude to ease global supply worries.
  • This is a temporary measure as Gulf supplies are disrupted, creating awkward diplomatic situation for India.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/us-india-waiver-russian-oil-iran-war-energy-supply-worries-.html), (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4geelnw7w3o)

Major Regional Events

• Middle East Conflict Intensifies; Data Centers Targeted.
  • Israeli strikes hit oil refineries in Tehran, causing huge flames.
  • Iran’s retaliatory strikes target US bases in Gulf states and data centers in UAE.
  • Internet blackout in Iran extends into second week, isolating citizens.
  • UAE mulls freezing Iranian assets in response to escalating conflict.
  • Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7vj9redqz2o), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/the-tech-download-data-centers-become-military-targets-as-iran-war-rages-on.html), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/07/irans-internet-blackout-extends-into-second-week-netblocks.html), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/uae-mulls-freezing-iranian-assets-as-middle-east-conflict-escalates-wsj-.html), (https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cg4g0gl23z4o)
• Ukraine Suffers Deadly Russian Strike; Armed Robots Deployed.
  • Russian airstrike hits Kharkiv apartment block, killing at least ten, including children.
  • Ukraine is implementing a major program to deploy armed uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) on the battlefield.
  • Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn8zd049l08o), (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62662gzlp8o)
• US Embassy in Oslo Hit by Explosion.
  • Minor damage reported, no injuries; police investigating cause.
  • Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yjegg892lo)
• Deadly Tornadoes Strike Michigan and Oklahoma.
  • At least six people, including a 12-year-old boy, died in severe storms.
  • Widespread damage to property and infrastructure; emergency declared in Michigan counties.
  • Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrxpwzvd5vo)
• Heavy Flooding in Nairobi Kills At Least 23.
  • Torrential rain caused widespread flooding, property destruction, and road closures.
  • Military deployed for rescue efforts; Nairobi Airport flights disrupted.
  • Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn87pl8e2l5o)
• Rapper-Politician Leads in Nepal Election.
  • Balendra Shah unseats former PM and is on course to win the general election.
  • Represents a new generation of politicians appealing to young voters for change.
  • Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93w6y0lnd9o)
• Swiss to Vote on Public Broadcaster Licence Fee.
  • Referendum to sharply reduce the annual fee for the national broadcaster.
  • Debate influenced by alleged Russian interference, urging voters to reject cuts.
  • Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g55v24wrno)

Global Economic & Market Movers

• Oil Prices Surge as Strait of Hormuz Disrupted by Iran War.
  • US crude oil prices surged 35% this week, the biggest gain in futures trading history.
  • Tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is at a near standstill due to Iranian threats.
  • Kuwait cut oil production, and Iraq reduced output, due to lack of storage space.
  • US announced a $20 billion reinsurance program for oil tankers, but analysts are skeptical it will immediately resolve security concerns.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/iran-us-war-oil-prices-brent-wti-barrel-futures.html), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/07/kuwait-oil-cut-iran-war-strait-hormuz.html), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/trump-reinsurance-oil-iran-war.html), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/trump-navy-strait-hormuz-iran-oil-tanker.html)
• Global Supply Chains Affected by Middle East Conflict.
  • Shipping giant Maersk temporarily suspended two key services linking the Middle East to Asia and Europe.
  • This suspension is a precautionary measure amid the escalating Iran war.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/maersk-a-bellwether-for-global-trade-suspends-two-key-shipping-services-due-to-iran-war.html)
• US Tariffs Face Legal Challenges.
  • New York and 23 other states sued to block Trump’s new tariffs, calling them illegal.
  • Customs and Border Protection stated it cannot immediately comply with a refund order for $166 billion in previously illegal tariffs.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/05/trump-tariffs-state-ags-sue-supreme-court-decision.html), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/trump-trade-tariffs-refunds-customs-border-protection.html)
• India’s Remittance Pipeline at Risk.
  • Over $50 billion in remittances from Indian diaspora in Gulf countries are at risk if the Middle East conflict is prolonged.
  • This represents a significant share of India’s GDP and foreign exchange inflows.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/05/iran-conflict-india-impact-remittance-pipeline.html)
• China Dials Down Growth Ambitions.
  • China sets a decades-low GDP growth target of 4.5% to 5% for 2026.
  • This reflects anticipation of greater global uncertainty and domestic challenges.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/china-economy-gdp-growth-target-lowest-in-decades-tariffs-deflation-.html)
• Dubai Real Estate Remains Resilient.
  • A Dubai real estate magnate dismisses fears of a property cooldown despite regional missile strikes.
  • He attributes resilience to stable leadership and high consumer confidence.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/dubai-real-estate-uae-iran-missile-strikes-mohammed-alabbar.html)
• Canada’s “Elbows Up” Boycott Against US.
  • Canadians continue boycotting US-made goods and travel due to Trump’s tariffs and sovereignty threats.
  • This shift has structural economic implications for both countries.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/07/canada-boycott-trump-travel-alcohol-economy.html)
• Automakers Brace for Iran War Impact.
  • Toyota, Hyundai, and Chinese automakers like Chery are expected to be most impacted.
  • Closure of Strait of Hormuz and rising oil prices will affect sales, logistics costs, and deliveries.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/iran-war-automakers-toyota-hyundai-china.html)
• US Job Market Sees Unexpected Decline.
  • US nonfarm payrolls fell by 92,000 in February, unemployment rose to 4.4%.
  • Health care and manufacturing saw job losses, while wages rose more than expected.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/february-2026-jobs-report.html)
• Palantir Rallies on Iran War Prospects.
  • Palantir stock surged 15% this week, seen as a beneficiary of increased government defense spending.
  • Investors largely ignored concerns about its AI partner Anthropic’s blacklist by the government.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/palantir-stock-jumps-15percent-in-week-on-iran-war-boosts-anthropic-muted.html)
• BYD Sales Plunge in Early 2026.
  • BYD’s lead in China’s EV market narrowed, with sales volumes dipping by 36% in Jan-Feb.
  • Intensified domestic competition and a reinstated purchase tax are contributing factors.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/05/drawdown-byd-chinese-ev-sales-mixed-results-holiday-lull.html)

Science, Tech, & Health (Major Developments)

• AI’s Role in Warfare and Misinformation.
  • Armed robots are increasingly deployed on the Ukrainian battlefield.
  • AI-generated war videos and fake satellite imagery surge online, monetized by creators.
  • X temporarily suspends monetization for AI-generated conflict videos without labels.
  • Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62662gzlp8o), (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg8wvz427vo)
• Indonesia to Ban Social Media for Under 16s.
  • Accounts for under-16s on “high risk” platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook to be deactivated.
  • Aims to protect children from pornography, cyberbullying, scams, and addiction.
  • Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg50168ddgo)
• Deep-Sea Discoveries in Caribbean Islands.
  • Scientists found a new underwater mountain range, a massive “blue hole,” and untouched coral reefs.
  • Never-before-seen sea creatures documented in Britain’s Caribbean territories.
  • Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgmllk32g72o)
• Weight-Loss Treatments Boom Amid Changing Beauty Standards.
  • In Kenya, surgical procedures and weight-loss drugs like Ozempic are gaining popularity.
  • Driven by societal pressures and health concerns, despite high costs and potential side effects.
  • Zealand Pharma’s stock plummets after disappointing weight-loss drug trial results.
  • CEO emphasizes long-term tolerability over rapid weight loss in the competitive market.
  • Sources: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq6qq6q2692o), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/zealand-stock-zela-roche-trial-weight-loss-ceo-novo-glp1.html)
• Samsung Reveals AI Smart Glasses Details.
  • Upcoming smart glasses will feature a camera and smartphone connectivity for AI processing.
  • Aims to compete in the growing mixed-reality market dominated by Meta.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/samsung-ai-smart-glasses-first-details-specs-release-date.html)
• Marvell Stock Surges on AI Demand.
  • Marvell shares rose 18% after strong earnings and guidance, fueled by robust AI demand.
  • CEO expects accelerated revenue growth, partly from recent acquisitions.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/marvell-shares-surge-18percent-as-ceo-points-to-continuing-ai-demand.html)
• Google and Amazon Continue Anthropic AI Offerings.
  • Despite Pentagon’s “supply chain risk” designation for Anthropic, Google and Amazon will continue to offer its AI technology to non-defense customers.
  • Sources: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/google-says-anthropic-remains-available-outside-of-defense-projects.html), (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/amazon-aws-anthropic-claude-pentagon-blacklist.html)