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Iran has announced it will ease and expedite humanitarian aid passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and its foreign minister confirmed that Indian-flagged vessels and tankers, along with those from other 'friendly nations' like China, Iraq, Pakistan, and Russia, are permitted passage on a case-by-case basis.
Austria has implemented or is planning a ban on social media use for children under the age of 14, aiming to protect minors from potential online harms, with new reports confirming the initiative.
Indonesia has begun implementing new social media restrictions for children under 16, making it the first Southeast Asian country to ban minors from platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, with the curbs starting on March 28.
Cuba is seeking the Vatican's intervention to ease the US oil embargo, which has led to severe fuel shortages, as tensions rise between the US and Cuba over restricted oil shipments.
Highland communities in the Cordillera region of the Philippines are urged to prioritize food security and secure rice stocks as the Middle East conflict impacts global oil supplies.
India is experiencing a more severe impact from $100 per barrel oil prices compared to previous instances, primarily due to the interplay of dollar-denominated oil and exchange rate dynamics.
Analysts at Macquarie have warned that oil prices could surge to a record $200 per barrel if the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues through the entire second quarter.
Russia has announced a ban on gasoline exports starting April 1, aiming to prioritize domestic supplies and stabilize fuel prices amidst surging domestic prices and turbulence in global oil markets. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak instructed the energy ministry to draft a resolution for this measure, which will last until July 31st.
The International Olympic Committee has decided to ban transgender women and those with differences in sexual development from women’s events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, mandating a gene-screening test for eligibility. This move has drawn mixed reactions, with criticism from France and support from other nations.
From Russia without love: inside Putin’s grip on our nuclear power The Times
Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s declaration of a national energy emergency, major shopping malls in Manila are reducing operating hours to conserve power, and the Philippine National Police has begun filing criminal cases for fuel hoarding and profiteering amid the expected oil supply crisis.
Small-scale farmers and municipal fisherfolk in Eastern Visayas, Philippines, are now permitted to purchase diesel and gasoline in portable containers for legitimate livelihood activities, aiming to improve fuel access.
Ukraine anticipates a substantial boost in its rapeseed oil exports, projecting 576,000 tons for the 2025/2026 marketing year, a 2.7-fold increase from the previous season.
The foreign ministers of South Korea and Ukraine have agreed to address the issue of two North Korean soldiers captured during the Russia-Ukraine war, emphasizing international law and humanitarian principles.
President Trump has publicly reiterated his threat that 'Cuba is next' for US military action while speaking at a Saudi investment conference, as US-Cuba tensions continue to rise due to restricted oil shipments, prompting Cuba to seek the Vatican's help, amidst the island's latest internal crisis.
After initially rejecting a 15-point American peace proposal, Iran is now reviewing the US proposal to end the ongoing conflict, while also setting its own conditions for a resolution, leading to crude oil rallying as doubts about the talks emerge.
Austria is set to follow other countries in curbing young people's access to social media. The three-party governing coalition plans to present a draft law by the end of June.
The Philippines anticipates a boost in natural gas supply from new Malampaya wells, which analysts believe will help protect the country from the volatile global oil market, particularly amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Financier Crispin Odey underwent three days of cross-examination as part of his legal challenge against a regulatory ban and fine, with reports describing him as both a 'victim' and a 'dinosaur'.
The International Monetary Fund is developing scenarios for countries that may require financial support due to the prolonged Middle East conflict. India has cut special excise duties on petrol and diesel, while Pakistani provinces are seeking to avoid the burden of fuel subsidies, favoring passing global oil prices to consumers and proposing targeted subsidies.
Russia has successfully passed a resolution through the UN Human Rights Council, marking its first such achievement since 2022, with observers noting the text was crafted to be difficult to vote against.
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