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Rising global energy prices amid the ongoing West Asia conflict are likely to put significant pressure on India's fiscal position in FY27, according to a report by ICRA. However, the report still claims that available buffers are likely to help manage the impact of the crisis. It noted that geopolitical tensions largely drive recent increases in energy prices, have added volatility to global markets and could require adjustments in fiscal policy. "Even if the situation stabilises, energy prices are expected to remain higher than earlier budgeted assumptions, which may require fiscal adjustments," the report said. The rating agency said that higher crude oil and gas prices may increase subsidy burdens, particularly for fertilisers and LPG. "Higher crude oil and natural gas prices may lead to an increase in subsidy requirements, particularly for fertilisers and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)," it added.<h3>Fiscal buffers</h3>It also flagged possible pressure on government revenues, indicating that elevated prices could lead to softer excise collections and lower corporate tax inflows. Over supply-side concerns, ICRA stated that “global supply disruptions and logistical challenges have contributed to the increase in energy prices, which could impact various sectors, including petroleum and fertilisers.”&nbsp;However, ICRA highlighted the availability of fiscal buffers despite these challenges. "Multiple buffers are available to manage the impact," ICRA said. It also cited mechanisms that include the Economic Stabilisation Fund (ESF), expenditure savings, and flexibility through supplementary demand for grants.&nbsp;It also stated that savings in expenditure seen in recent years, along with the possible carry-forward of higher small savings collections, could create extra fiscal room. At the same time, lower redemptions and tweaks in market borrowing may provide additional support.&nbsp;On the fiscal outlook, ICRA said these buffers could help limit deviations from targets. "These buffers may help contain any significant deviation from the fiscal deficit target of 4.5 per cent of GDP for FY2026-27," the report stated and cautioned that outcomes depend on how long elevated energy prices continue.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lpg-vessel-apollo-ocean-docks-in-karnataka-india-assures-stable-energy-supply-1774533177605">LPG vessel 'Apollo Ocean' docks in Karnataka, India assures stable energy supply</a>

ICRA flagged possible pressure on government revenues, indicating that elevated prices could lead to softer excise collections and lower corporate tax inflows. Despite these challenges, it highlighted the availability of fiscal buffers. 

Rising global energy prices amid the ongoing West Asia conflict are likely to put significant pressure on India's fiscal position in FY27, according to a report by ICRA. However, the report still claims that available buffers are likely to help manage the impact of the crisis. It noted that geopolitical tensions largely drive recent increases in energy prices, have added volatility to global markets and could require adjustments in fiscal policy. "Even if the situation stabilises, energy prices are expected to remain higher than earlier budgeted assumptions, which may require fiscal adjustments," the report said. The rating agency said that higher crude oil and gas prices may increase subsidy burdens, particularly for fertilisers and LPG. "Higher crude oil and natural gas prices may lead to an increase in subsidy requirements, particularly for fertilisers and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)," it added. Fiscal buffers It also flagged possible pressure on government revenues, indicating that elevated prices could lead to softer excise collections and lower corporate tax inflows. Over supply-side concerns, ICRA stated that “global supply disruptions and logistical challenges have contributed to the increase in energy prices, which could impact various sectors, including petroleum and fertilisers.” However, ICRA highlighted the availability of fiscal buffers despite these challenges. "Multiple buffers are available to manage the impact," ICRA said. It also cited mechanisms that include the Economic Stabilisation Fund (ESF), expenditure savings, and flexibility through supplementary demand for grants. It also stated that savings in expenditure seen in recent years, along with the possible carry-forward of higher small savings collections, could create extra fiscal room. At the same time, lower redemptions and tweaks in market borrowing may provide additional support. On the fiscal outlook, ICRA said these buffers could help limit deviations from targets. "These buffers may help contain any significant deviation from the fiscal deficit target of 4.5 per cent of GDP for FY2026-27," the report stated and cautioned that outcomes depend on how long elevated energy prices continue. Also read: LPG vessel 'Apollo Ocean' docks in Karnataka, India assures stable energy supply

ICRA flagged possible pressure on government revenues, indicating that elevated prices could lead to softer excise collections and lower corporate tax inflows. Despite these challenges, it highlighted the availability of fiscal buffers.&nbsp;

Rising energy prices could put strain on India’s FY27 fiscal position, says ICRA

US paper currency will soon bear Donald Trump's signature, the Treasury Department announced Thursday, in a move that would be a first for a sitting American president and coincide with the country's 250th anniversary.Historically, the signatures on dollar bills belong to those of the Treasurer of the United States and the secretary of the Treasury. But the upcoming new bills will feature those of Trump and current Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent."Under President Trump's leadership, we are on a path toward unprecedented economic growth, lasting dollar dominance, and fiscal strength and stability," Bessent said in a statement announcing the decision."There is no more powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J. Trump than US dollar bills bearing his name, and it is only appropriate that this historic currency be issued at the Semiquincentennial," he added.The move would be the latest effort by Trump to circumvent longstanding practice and put his mark on American currency.Last week, an advisory commission hand-picked by Trump approved the design of a commemorative gold coin featuring his image -- also intended to mark the 250th anniversary of the July 4, 1776 founding of the United States.One side of it shows a glaring Trump standing with his fists bunched on a desk, and the other features an eagle perched with wings spread on what appears to be a bell.The coin does not have a monetary value and its sale price has not been disclosed, but similar commemorative coins sold by the US Mint can cost more than $1,000.The move to put Trump's countenance on a coin -- which runs counter to federal law that says no living president may appear on US currency -- has been criticized by his Democratic opponents.But Trump has pressed ahead with other deeply controversial designs as well, including one bearing Trump's face on a $1 coin that would be temporarily added to circulating currency, and which would also celebrate the nation's 250th birthday.Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The move would be the latest effort by Trump to circumvent longstanding practice and put his mark on American currency.

US paper currency will soon bear Donald Trump's signature, the Treasury Department announced Thursday, in a move that would be a first for a sitting American president and coincide with the country's 250th anniversary. Historically, the signatures on dollar bills belong to those of the Treasurer of the United States and the secretary of the Treasury. But the upcoming new bills will feature those of Trump and current Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. "Under President Trump's leadership, we are on a path toward unprecedented economic growth, lasting dollar dominance, and fiscal strength and stability," Bessent said in a statement announcing the decision. "There is no more powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J. Trump than US dollar bills bearing his name, and it is only appropriate that this historic currency be issued at the Semiquincentennial," he added. The move would be the latest effort by Trump to circumvent longstanding practice and put his mark on American currency. Last week, an advisory commission hand-picked by Trump approved the design of a commemorative gold coin featuring his image -- also intended to mark the 250th anniversary of the July 4, 1776 founding of the United States. One side of it shows a glaring Trump standing with his fists bunched on a desk, and the other features an eagle perched with wings spread on what appears to be a bell. The coin does not have a monetary value and its sale price has not been disclosed, but similar commemorative coins sold by the US Mint can cost more than $1,000. The move to put Trump's countenance on a coin -- which runs counter to federal law that says no living president may appear on US currency -- has been criticized by his Democratic opponents. But Trump has pressed ahead with other deeply controversial designs as well, including one bearing Trump's face on a $1 coin that would be temporarily added to circulating currency, and which would also celebrate the nation's 250th birthday. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The move would be the latest effort by Trump to circumvent longstanding practice and put his mark on American currency.

Trump’s signature on US currency? US president to end 165-year tradition

In a rare overnight session, the Senate moved unanimously early Friday (Mar 27) to restore funding for the majority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, the deal stops short of a full department reopening, leaving critical border agencies in a state of financial limbo. This agreement provides immediate funding for essential components, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the US Coast Guard. Despite this breakthrough, the consensus remained fragile. Lawmakers notably excluded Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and segments of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from the package following a collapse in negotiations earlier on Thursday (Mar 26).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/usa-trump-deploys-ice-agents-to-us-airports-amid-tsa-staff-shortages-1774328403282/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/usa-trump-deploys-ice-agents-to-us-airports-amid-tsa-staff-shortages-1774328403282/embed</a> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the negotiations fell apart, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters, “We’re going to execute on as much of DHS as we can tonight, and then we’ll fund the rest of it later.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-no-masks-trump-orders-ice-agents-deployed-at-us-airports-amid-partial-government-shutdown-1774281087170">'No masks': Trump orders ICE agents deployed at US airports amid partial government shutdown</a>&nbsp;The funding stalemate has pushed DHS personnel to a breaking point, as thousands of TSA agents and department employees face mounting shifts without pay. The financial strain is manifesting as a logistical nightmare for the public: severe staffing shortages have triggered nationwide travel delays and a surge in missed flights.As the crisis enters a critical phase, the atmosphere on Capitol Hill has turned increasingly volatile. Lawmakers are facing immense pressure to resolve the impasse immediately, with the urgency fueled by an impending two-week congressional recess. Senators are now scrambling to secure a deal before departing Washington, fearing the political fallout of leaving the nation’s security infrastructure, and its workforce is in limbo during the break.

In a rare overnight session, the Senate unanimously voted to fund the TSA and Coast Guard, ending a 42-day DHS shutdown while leaving ICE and Border Patrol unfunded

In a rare overnight session, the Senate moved unanimously early Friday (Mar 27) to restore funding for the majority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, the deal stops short of a full department reopening, leaving critical border agencies in a state of financial limbo. This agreement provides immediate funding for essential components, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the US Coast Guard. Despite this breakthrough, the consensus remained fragile. Lawmakers notably excluded Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and segments of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from the package following a collapse in negotiations earlier on Thursday (Mar 26). https://www.wionews.com/videos/usa-trump-deploys-ice-agents-to-us-airports-amid-tsa-staff-shortages-1774328403282/embed As the negotiations fell apart, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters, “We’re going to execute on as much of DHS as we can tonight, and then we’ll fund the rest of it later.” Also read: 'No masks': Trump orders ICE agents deployed at US airports amid partial government shutdown The funding stalemate has pushed DHS personnel to a breaking point, as thousands of TSA agents and department employees face mounting shifts without pay. The financial strain is manifesting as a logistical nightmare for the public: severe staffing shortages have triggered nationwide travel delays and a surge in missed flights. As the crisis enters a critical phase, the atmosphere on Capitol Hill has turned increasingly volatile. Lawmakers are facing immense pressure to resolve the impasse immediately, with the urgency fueled by an impending two-week congressional recess. Senators are now scrambling to secure a deal before departing Washington, fearing the political fallout of leaving the nation’s security infrastructure, and its workforce is in limbo during the break.

In a rare overnight session, the Senate unanimously voted to fund the TSA and Coast Guard, ending a 42-day DHS shutdown while leaving ICE and Border Patrol unfunded

Senate votes to fund most of Homeland Security; ICE remains stalled

An Israeli Air Force reservist is suspected of having exploited classified military information to place bets on the Polymarket prediction site related to Israel’s war with Iran in 2025, a Tel Aviv court revealed on Thursday. According to the indictment, the reservist, who served as a major, shared information on the timing of Israel’s opening strike in June 2025 with a civilian acquaintance, who then placed online bets for profit. Prosecutors allege the pair earned $162,663 from a successful wager, which they agreed to split evenly, reported Times of Israel. Israeli news website, Ynet reported that the civilian transferred the reservist’s share via a digital wallet using cryptocurrency. The reservist and civilian continued betting on subsequent events, including the end date of the 12-day conflict, until their arrests last month.<h2>Court Proceedings and Military Response</h2>&nbsp;The pair were indicted on severe security offences, bribery, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors requested that they remain in custody until the conclusion of legal proceedings. Authorities have not disclosed additional details about the suspects’ identities or the specifics of the bets, as the case was initially under a court-imposed gag order. This restriction was partially lifted on Thursday evening after a request by several Hebrew-language media outlets, allowing key details to be published, though the defendants’ names remain undisclosed. According to reports, the reservist briefed his acquaintance on the planned operation a day before it began on June 13, and similar alleged information-sharing occurred regarding an attack in Yemen later in September 2025. This bet won the pair thousands of dollars. The Israel Defense Forces described the matter as ‘grave’ but stressed that ‘no operational harm was caused.’ The IDF further stated, “This constitutes a severe ethical failure and a clear crossing of a red line… the alleged actions are not in line with IDF values and what is expected of servicemembers.”&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-toys-compared-to-ours-trump-mocks-uk-aircraft-carrier-questions-britain-s-commitment-in-iran-conflict-i-said-don-t-bother-1774539771473">‘Toys compared to ours’: Trump mocks UK aircraft carrier, questions Britain’s commitment in Iran conflict</a><h2>Context: Polymarket and Security Concerns</h2>&nbsp;Polymarket is one of the world’s largest prediction markets, allowing users to place bets using cryptocurrency, debit or credit cards, and bank transfers. The platform has faced scrutiny over insider trading and manipulation, with users reportedly profiting from early knowledge of military or political events, including US-Iran hostilities and actions in Venezuela. Earlier this month, The Guardian reported that newly created accounts had placed almost $70,000 on a US ceasefire with Iran, standing to win nearly $820,000, apparently based on insider knowledge.&nbsp;

According to reports, the reservist briefed his acquaintance on the planned operation a day before it began on June 13, and similar alleged information-sharing occurred regarding an attack in Yemen later in September 2025. This bet won the pair thousands of dollars. 

An Israeli Air Force reservist is suspected of having exploited classified military information to place bets on the Polymarket prediction site related to Israel’s war with Iran in 2025, a Tel Aviv court revealed on Thursday. According to the indictment, the reservist, who served as a major, shared information on the timing of Israel’s opening strike in June 2025 with a civilian acquaintance, who then placed online bets for profit. Prosecutors allege the pair earned $162,663 from a successful wager, which they agreed to split evenly, reported Times of Israel. Israeli news website, Ynet reported that the civilian transferred the reservist’s share via a digital wallet using cryptocurrency. The reservist and civilian continued betting on subsequent events, including the end date of the 12-day conflict, until their arrests last month. Court Proceedings and Military Response The pair were indicted on severe security offences, bribery, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors requested that they remain in custody until the conclusion of legal proceedings. Authorities have not disclosed additional details about the suspects’ identities or the specifics of the bets, as the case was initially under a court-imposed gag order. This restriction was partially lifted on Thursday evening after a request by several Hebrew-language media outlets, allowing key details to be published, though the defendants’ names remain undisclosed. According to reports, the reservist briefed his acquaintance on the planned operation a day before it began on June 13, and similar alleged information-sharing occurred regarding an attack in Yemen later in September 2025. This bet won the pair thousands of dollars. The Israel Defense Forces described the matter as ‘grave’ but stressed that ‘no operational harm was caused.’ The IDF further stated, “This constitutes a severe ethical failure and a clear crossing of a red line… the alleged actions are not in line with IDF values and what is expected of servicemembers.” ALSO READ: ‘Toys compared to ours’: Trump mocks UK aircraft carrier, questions Britain’s commitment in Iran conflict Context: Polymarket and Security Concerns Polymarket is one of the world’s largest prediction markets, allowing users to place bets using cryptocurrency, debit or credit cards, and bank transfers. The platform has faced scrutiny over insider trading and manipulation, with users reportedly profiting from early knowledge of military or political events, including US-Iran hostilities and actions in Venezuela. Earlier this month, The Guardian reported that newly created accounts had placed almost $70,000 on a US ceasefire with Iran, standing to win nearly $820,000, apparently based on insider knowledge.

According to reports, the reservist briefed his acquaintance on the planned operation a day before it began on June 13, and similar alleged information-sharing occurred regarding an attack in Yemen later in September 2025. This bet won the pair thousands of dollars.&nbsp;

Military intel for gambling? Israeli air force major charged with using secret Iran war details to win big on Polymarket

The newly release documents by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in January has shaken up the world in recent months. The fresh cache of Epstein files has reignited controversy related to popular personalities like US President Donald Trump, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and the world's richest man Elon Musk. The 3 million files consists of more than 2,000 videos and over 1,80,000 photos.&nbsp;It has also led to the disclosure of personal information of Epstein survivors, who have now filed a class action lawsuit against the Trump administration and Google.&nbsp;“The United States, acting through the DOJ, made a deliberate policy choice to prioritize rapid, large-volume disclosure over protection of Epstein survivors’ privacy,” the plaintiffs said in their lawsuit filed on Thursday, reported NBC.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-threatens-to-strike-uae-s-energy-nuclear-sites-if-us-deployed-ground-troops-in-middle-east-1774593163732">Iran threatens to strike UAE's energy, nuclear sites if US deployed ground troops in Middle East</a>&nbsp;The Justice Department “outed approximately 100 survivors of the convicted sexual predator, publishing their private information and identifying them to the world," added the lawsuit.&nbsp;Later the government withdrew survivors’ personal information from the publicly released files but the plaintiffs argue that “online entities like Google continuously republish it, refusing victims’ pleas to take it down.”&nbsp;“Survivors now face renewed trauma. Strangers call them, email them, threaten their physical safety, and accuse them of conspiring with Epstein when they are, in reality, Epstein’s victims,” the complaint of the survivors read.&nbsp;There has not been any response from the Justice Department or Google on the matter so far.Some other names to have come up in the latest Epstein files released by US Justice Department are: Larry Summers, Bill Richardson, Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Kevin Spacey, Diana Ross &amp; Chris Tucker. Woody Allen, Richard Branson, Noam Chomsky, and Stephen Hawking have also been named in the list.&nbsp;

Later the government withdrew survivors’ personal information from the publicly released files but the plaintiffs argue that online entities like Google continuously republish it.

The newly release documents by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in January has shaken up the world in recent months. The fresh cache of Epstein files has reignited controversy related to popular personalities like US President Donald Trump, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and the world's richest man Elon Musk. The 3 million files consists of more than 2,000 videos and over 1,80,000 photos. It has also led to the disclosure of personal information of Epstein survivors, who have now filed a class action lawsuit against the Trump administration and Google. “The United States, acting through the DOJ, made a deliberate policy choice to prioritize rapid, large-volume disclosure over protection of Epstein survivors’ privacy,” the plaintiffs said in their lawsuit filed on Thursday, reported NBC. ALSO READ: Iran threatens to strike UAE's energy, nuclear sites if US deployed ground troops in Middle East The Justice Department “outed approximately 100 survivors of the convicted sexual predator, publishing their private information and identifying them to the world," added the lawsuit. Later the government withdrew survivors’ personal information from the publicly released files but the plaintiffs argue that “online entities like Google continuously republish it, refusing victims’ pleas to take it down.” “Survivors now face renewed trauma. Strangers call them, email them, threaten their physical safety, and accuse them of conspiring with Epstein when they are, in reality, Epstein’s victims,” the complaint of the survivors read. There has not been any response from the Justice Department or Google on the matter so far. Some other names to have come up in the latest Epstein files released by US Justice Department are: Larry Summers, Bill Richardson, Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Kevin Spacey, Diana Ross & Chris Tucker. Woody Allen, Richard Branson, Noam Chomsky, and Stephen Hawking have also been named in the list.

Later the government withdrew survivors’ personal information from the publicly released files but the plaintiffs argue that “online entities like Google continuously republish it."

Victims facing renewed trauma: Epstein survivors sue Trump administration and Google

Iranian media on Friday (Mar 27) claimed that a US cargo plane has an “emergency situation” in Kuwait amid the war in West Asia. It added that the aircraft transmitted an emergency code that suggested an “urgent situation that requires landing.” The report added that the cause of the incident is not known yet.“A US military transport aircraft, a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, which took off from Kuwait and is returning from the operational area, has transmitted emergency code 7700,” Iranian state media Fars News Agency reported.Meanwhile, Kuwait authorities said that the Gulf nation’s main commercial port was damaged in a drone attack on Friday (Mar 27) as Iran continues to retaliate against the United States and Israel in the region.The Shuwaikh port was targeted at dawn “by enemy drones, preliminary reports revealed material damage but no human casualties,” the Kuwait port authority said in a statement on X.<h2>Three US F-15 jets shot down in Kuwait</h2>Earlier this month, three American F-15 Strike Eagle fighter jets were shot down over the skies of Kuwait after being targeted by the US’ own Patriot missiles. Speaking on Tuesday (Mar 24), US President Donald Trump revealed that Kuwaiti forces—using US-made Patriot missiles—accidentally shot down three allied aircraft after misidentifying them as enemy threats.Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump labelled the incident as a “little mishap”.“They shot down three planes with our missiles. They happen to be our planes,” he said, adding that all pilots survived and were already back in action. “The pilots made it… pretty amazing,” Trump said. “They’re flying today.”Trump insisted that “the Kuwaitis made a mistake, they fired...They thought they were firing at the enemy. It was, as the expression goes, friendly fire.”Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. &nbsp;

Iran claims US cargo plane encountered ‘emergency situation’ in Kuwait

Iranian media on Friday (Mar 27) claimed that a US cargo plane has an “emergency situation” in Kuwait amid the war in West Asia. It added that the aircraft transmitted an emergency code that suggested an “urgent situation that requires landing.” The report added that the cause of the incident is not known yet. “A US military transport aircraft, a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, which took off from Kuwait and is returning from the operational area, has transmitted emergency code 7700,” Iranian state media Fars News Agency reported. Meanwhile, Kuwait authorities said that the Gulf nation’s main commercial port was damaged in a drone attack on Friday (Mar 27) as Iran continues to retaliate against the United States and Israel in the region. The Shuwaikh port was targeted at dawn “by enemy drones, preliminary reports revealed material damage but no human casualties,” the Kuwait port authority said in a statement on X. Three US F-15 jets shot down in Kuwait Earlier this month, three American F-15 Strike Eagle fighter jets were shot down over the skies of Kuwait after being targeted by the US’ own Patriot missiles. Speaking on Tuesday (Mar 24), US President Donald Trump revealed that Kuwaiti forces—using US-made Patriot missiles—accidentally shot down three allied aircraft after misidentifying them as enemy threats. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump labelled the incident as a “little mishap”. “They shot down three planes with our missiles. They happen to be our planes,” he said, adding that all pilots survived and were already back in action. “The pilots made it… pretty amazing,” Trump said. “They’re flying today.” Trump insisted that “the Kuwaitis made a mistake, they fired...They thought they were firing at the enemy. It was, as the expression goes, friendly fire.” Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran claims US cargo plane encountered ‘emergency situation’ in Kuwait

Iran launched over 4,300 missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) at the six member-states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) after the West Asia war started on 28 February. Surprisingly, out of these attacks, Tehran has only launched nearly 930 missiles and drones at Israel during the same period. From the data, it is determined that around 83 per cent of the missiles and drones Iran launched were directed at the GCC countries- namely the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has launched at least 1,815 drones and 372 missiles, including 357 ballistic ones, at the UAE, according to figures from the Emirati Ministry of Defence, according to a report in The Print. Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) shows that the UAE experienced 112 such hostile incidents over the past month, potentially affecting around 2 million people. ACLED counts both successful and intercepted strikes, and treats multiple projectiles hitting the same location on the same day as a single event.<h3>GCC nations faced more strike then Israel</h3>Overall, the six GCC countries have experienced around 416 strike events over the past month. Whereas Israel has faced nearly 317 strikes. During the war, Tehran retaliated, focusing on several strategic installations across the region, which include energy infrastructure, along with American military installations.&nbsp;Last week, Iran targeted Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City on March 18 and 19, damaging key LNG infrastructure and disrupting exports worth around $20 billion annually. The outage is expected to affect nearly 17 per cent of Qatar’s yearly LNG shipments.In a similar move, Iran struck the UAE’s Habshan gas field, the country’s largest oil and gas facility, forcing a shutdown that lasted about a week, with operations reportedly resuming earlier this week. Iran also carried out attacks on Ras Tanura and Yanbu, two major facilities run by Saudi Aramco, causing temporary halts in operations in recent weeks.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-war-pentagon-to-send-10-000-more-ground-troops-as-iran-mobilises-1-million-say-reports-pressure-tactic-or-costly-mistake-of-us-1774588399102">Iran war: Pentagon to send 10,000 more ground troops as Iran mobilises 1 million, say reports. Pressure tactic or costly mistake of US?</a>

Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) shows that the UAE experienced 112 such hostile incidents over the past month, potentially affecting around 2 million people.

Iran launched over 4,300 missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) at the six member-states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) after the West Asia war started on 28 February. Surprisingly, out of these attacks, Tehran has only launched nearly 930 missiles and drones at Israel during the same period. From the data, it is determined that around 83 per cent of the missiles and drones Iran launched were directed at the GCC countries- namely the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has launched at least 1,815 drones and 372 missiles, including 357 ballistic ones, at the UAE, according to figures from the Emirati Ministry of Defence, according to a report in The Print. Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) shows that the UAE experienced 112 such hostile incidents over the past month, potentially affecting around 2 million people. ACLED counts both successful and intercepted strikes, and treats multiple projectiles hitting the same location on the same day as a single event. GCC nations faced more strike then Israel Overall, the six GCC countries have experienced around 416 strike events over the past month. Whereas Israel has faced nearly 317 strikes. During the war, Tehran retaliated, focusing on several strategic installations across the region, which include energy infrastructure, along with American military installations. Last week, Iran targeted Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City on March 18 and 19, damaging key LNG infrastructure and disrupting exports worth around $20 billion annually. The outage is expected to affect nearly 17 per cent of Qatar’s yearly LNG shipments. In a similar move, Iran struck the UAE’s Habshan gas field, the country’s largest oil and gas facility, forcing a shutdown that lasted about a week, with operations reportedly resuming earlier this week. Iran also carried out attacks on Ras Tanura and Yanbu, two major facilities run by Saudi Aramco, causing temporary halts in operations in recent weeks. Also read: Iran war: Pentagon to send 10,000 more ground troops as Iran mobilises 1 million, say reports. Pressure tactic or costly mistake of US?

Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) shows that the UAE experienced 112 such hostile incidents over the past month, potentially affecting around 2 million people.

Iran launched far more missile, drone strikes on Gulf states than Israel, claims report

Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah was sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister on Friday (Mar 27), becoming the youngest person to hold the position. The 35-year-old achieved a sweeping victory in the country’s first election since the uprising last year. His party, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) made the largest mandate in Nepal’s modern electoral era after the youth-led protest toppled the previous government. Shah is also the first leader from the Madheshi community to become the country’s PM.“I, Balendra Shah, in the name of the country and people, pledge that I will be loyal to the constitution... and fulfil my duty as the prime minister,” Shah said. He was dressed in all black and wore his trademark dark sunglasses.The oath of office was administered by President Ram Chandra Poudel at the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas. The ceremony involved scores of chanting Hindu priests and red-robed Buddhist monks.Earlier on Thursday (Mar 26), Shah issued his first post-election message via a rap song, urging unity.“The strength of unity is my national power,” Shah, better known as Balen, rapped in Nepali. “Undivided Nepali, this time history is being made.”The video gained thousands of views within minutes after it was posted on social media and streaming platforms.&nbsp;Shah has remained silent since his party’s landmark victory in the March 5 elections. The election came after the deadly youth-led uprising in September 2025. At least 77 people were killed during the demonstrations that forced the last administration to leave office.<h2>PM Modi congratulates Balendra Shah</h2>Congratulating the new prime minister, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he is looking forward to closely working with Shah and taking India-Nepal friendship to greater heights.“Warm congratulations to Mr. Balendra Shah on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal,” PM Modi wrote on X. “Your appointment reflects the trust reposed in your leadership by the people of Nepal. I look forward to working closely with you to take India-Nepal friendship and cooperation to even greater heights for the mutual benefit of our two peoples.”

Ex-rapper Balendra Shah sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister

Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah was sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister on Friday (Mar 27), becoming the youngest person to hold the position. The 35-year-old achieved a sweeping victory in the country’s first election since the uprising last year. His party, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) made the largest mandate in Nepal’s modern electoral era after the youth-led protest toppled the previous government. Shah is also the first leader from the Madheshi community to become the country’s PM. “I, Balendra Shah, in the name of the country and people, pledge that I will be loyal to the constitution... and fulfil my duty as the prime minister,” Shah said. He was dressed in all black and wore his trademark dark sunglasses. The oath of office was administered by President Ram Chandra Poudel at the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas. The ceremony involved scores of chanting Hindu priests and red-robed Buddhist monks. Earlier on Thursday (Mar 26), Shah issued his first post-election message via a rap song, urging unity. “The strength of unity is my national power,” Shah, better known as Balen, rapped in Nepali. “Undivided Nepali, this time history is being made.” The video gained thousands of views within minutes after it was posted on social media and streaming platforms. Shah has remained silent since his party’s landmark victory in the March 5 elections. The election came after the deadly youth-led uprising in September 2025. At least 77 people were killed during the demonstrations that forced the last administration to leave office. PM Modi congratulates Balendra Shah Congratulating the new prime minister, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he is looking forward to closely working with Shah and taking India-Nepal friendship to greater heights. “Warm congratulations to Mr. Balendra Shah on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal,” PM Modi wrote on X. “Your appointment reflects the trust reposed in your leadership by the people of Nepal. I look forward to working closely with you to take India-Nepal friendship and cooperation to even greater heights for the mutual benefit of our two peoples.”

Ex-rapper Balendra Shah sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister

A federal judge in the US has temporarily blocked the Pentagon's ‘supply chain risk’ designation against Anthropic, the AI firm, whose Claude model was reportedly used in the first days of the Iran war for purposes including target determination for US forces. In the 43-page ruling, US District Judge Rita Lin sided with Anthropic, also halting President Donald Trump’s directive to cut all federal contracts with the company.<h2>Anthropic vs Pentagon: What the court ruling said</h2>Terming the Trump administration's actions ‘classic First Amendment retaliation,’ Judge Lin wrote in the ruling: “These broad measures do not appear to be directed at the government’s stated national security interests.”“If the concern is the integrity of the operational chain of command, the Department of War could just stop using Claude… Instead, these measures appear designed to punish Anthropic,” the judge said.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-us-use-anthropic-ai-in-iran-s-strikes-despite-trump-s-ban-what-we-know-1772356637161">Did US use Anthropic AI in Iran’s strikes despite Trump’s ban? What we know</a><h2>Anthropic versus Pentagon: How did they reach here?</h2>The dispute centres around the Pentagon’s insistence on using Anthropic’s Claude model for “all lawful uses,” including some potential military applications that Anthropic vehemently resisted.These included the use of its AI in fully autonomous lethal weapons and mass surveillance of Americans. Anthropic argued, as did its CEO Dario Amodei, that this stance is a “protected viewpoint” of the company.Judge Lin supported Anthropic's argument, stating, “Nothing in the governing statute supports the Orwellian notion that an American company may be branded a potential adversary… for expressing disagreement with the government.”Lin also found Anthropic likely to succeed on claims that its due process rights were violated and that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth failed to follow due process.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/anthropic-vs-pentagon-anthropic-refuses-pentagon-request-for-ai-weapons-1774462511822/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/anthropic-vs-pentagon-anthropic-refuses-pentagon-request-for-ai-weapons-1774462511822/embed</a><h2>It is not over yet for Anthropic</h2>The ruling has been paused for one week so that the Trump administration can appeal to the US Court of Appeals. The court ruling blocks sweeping restrictions such as banning federal contracts and limiting partnerships for Anthropic. However, it does not prevent the Pentagon from discontinuing use of Claude or selecting alternative AI vendors.Many tech companies had supported Anthropic’s challenge to the Pentagon. A spokesperson for Anthropic said the firm is “grateful” and remains focused on ensuring “safe, reliable AI” for Americans.However, it may be difficult for the company to make a comeback to government contracts. The Department of Health and Human Services and the General Services Administration, for instance, had already removed Anthropic products following earlier directives.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-no-dictator-style-praise-anthropic-ceo-says-us-govt-hostility-linked-to-trump-donations-slams-openai-s-altman-in-internal-memo-report-1772698855018">'No dictator-style praise': Anthropic CEO says US govt hostility linked to Trump donations; slams OpenAI's Altman in internal memo - Report</a><h2>Why the Anthropic ruling matters: A question of First Amendment, national security, and AI policy</h2>The case is being seen as a litmus test for issues at the crossroads of the First Amendment, national security, and AI policy. The Pentagon’s “supply chain risk” designation is typically reserved for foreign adversaries, making its application to a US-based firm unusual. As AI systems like Claude become increasingly powerful, debates have intensified about their use in military operations, surveillance, and public sector deployment. The ruling is a significant development in the ongoing clash between the artificial intelligence-led tech industry and the government over AI regulation, national security, and constitutional rights.

A US judge has blocked the Pentagon’s ‘supply chain risk’ designation for Anthropic, calling it a ‘First Amendment retaliation’. This is a significant development in the legal battle over AI use in the military, ethics, and national security. Here is why

A federal judge in the US has temporarily blocked the Pentagon's ‘supply chain risk’ designation against Anthropic, the AI firm, whose Claude model was reportedly used in the first days of the Iran war for purposes including target determination for US forces. In the 43-page ruling, US District Judge Rita Lin sided with Anthropic, also halting President Donald Trump’s directive to cut all federal contracts with the company. Anthropic vs Pentagon: What the court ruling said Terming the Trump administration's actions ‘classic First Amendment retaliation,’ Judge Lin wrote in the ruling: “These broad measures do not appear to be directed at the government’s stated national security interests.” “If the concern is the integrity of the operational chain of command, the Department of War could just stop using Claude… Instead, these measures appear designed to punish Anthropic,” the judge said. Also read: Did US use Anthropic AI in Iran’s strikes despite Trump’s ban? What we know Anthropic versus Pentagon: How did they reach here? The dispute centres around the Pentagon’s insistence on using Anthropic’s Claude model for “all lawful uses,” including some potential military applications that Anthropic vehemently resisted. These included the use of its AI in fully autonomous lethal weapons and mass surveillance of Americans. Anthropic argued, as did its CEO Dario Amodei, that this stance is a “protected viewpoint” of the company. Judge Lin supported Anthropic's argument, stating, “Nothing in the governing statute supports the Orwellian notion that an American company may be branded a potential adversary… for expressing disagreement with the government.” Lin also found Anthropic likely to succeed on claims that its due process rights were violated and that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth failed to follow due process. https://www.wionews.com/videos/anthropic-vs-pentagon-anthropic-refuses-pentagon-request-for-ai-weapons-1774462511822/embed It is not over yet for Anthropic The ruling has been paused for one week so that the Trump administration can appeal to the US Court of Appeals. The court ruling blocks sweeping restrictions such as banning federal contracts and limiting partnerships for Anthropic. However, it does not prevent the Pentagon from discontinuing use of Claude or selecting alternative AI vendors. Many tech companies had supported Anthropic’s challenge to the Pentagon. A spokesperson for Anthropic said the firm is “grateful” and remains focused on ensuring “safe, reliable AI” for Americans. However, it may be difficult for the company to make a comeback to government contracts. The Department of Health and Human Services and the General Services Administration, for instance, had already removed Anthropic products following earlier directives. Also read: 'No dictator-style praise': Anthropic CEO says US govt hostility linked to Trump donations; slams OpenAI's Altman in internal memo - Report Why the Anthropic ruling matters: A question of First Amendment, national security, and AI policy The case is being seen as a litmus test for issues at the crossroads of the First Amendment, national security, and AI policy. The Pentagon’s “supply chain risk” designation is typically reserved for foreign adversaries, making its application to a US-based firm unusual. As AI systems like Claude become increasingly powerful, debates have intensified about their use in military operations, surveillance, and public sector deployment. The ruling is a significant development in the ongoing clash between the artificial intelligence-led tech industry and the government over AI regulation, national security, and constitutional rights.

A US judge has blocked the Pentagon’s ‘supply chain risk’ designation for Anthropic, calling it a ‘First Amendment retaliation’. This is a significant development in the legal battle over AI use in the military, ethics, and national security. Here is why

Anthropic vs Pentagon: Judge blocks designation of AI firm as ‘supply chain risk’. It's 1–0, for now

The Indian government says there's no fuel shortage. Someone forgot to tell this guy. A video circulating widely on social media shows a man walking into a petrol station carrying what appears to be a detached motorcycle fuel tank. As fuel stations across the nation refuse to fill bottles or cans, citing safety regulations, this man found a workaround. No bottle, no can. Just the bike petrol tank. Here's what happened.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/big-relief-for-indian-consumers-petrol-excise-slashed-to-3-diesel-duty-cut-to-zero-as-oil-prices-bite-amid-iran-war-1774580655511">India cuts petrol and diesel taxes — but prices for consumers to stay the same. Here's what FM Sitharaman said</a><h2>'Jugaad' video goes viral</h2>A video of a man getting a motorbike's petrol tank - just the tank is going viral on social media. In the video, a man in a blue shirt can be seen getting fuel in the detached bike fuel tank, as the attendant, visibly unsure what the rulebook says about this particular situation, eventually just fills it up.The clip has since gone viral, and honestly, it's not hard to see why. According to X's AI Grok, the video is from Rajasthan. A close look at the video shows the name 'Ankit Petroleum' written on a board in one part of the video, and a quick search of HPCL website shows that a Hindustan Petroleum by that name exists in Rajasthan's Jhalwar.You can watch the video here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Petrol in bottles is banned and allowed only in bike tanks, so he just brought the tank without bike. 😂 <a href="https://t.co/xVS1om4v9y">pic.twitter.com/xVS1om4v9y</a>&mdash; Oppressor (@TyrantOppressor) <a href="https://twitter.com/TyrantOppressor/status/2037201918469300609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Internet reacts to viral video</h2>Reactions split almost immediately. Many found it hilarious, lauding the "jugaad". Others were critical — arguing that this kind of behaviour feeds the panic it's supposedly responding to, and that dispensing fuel into a loose, detached tank is genuinely hazardous, regardless of how clever the workaround is. Others pointed fingers at the station itself, questioning why the attendant didn't simply refuse.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-a-bad-start-for-iran-s-new-supreme-leader-trump-confirms-cia-told-him-mojtaba-khamenei-is-gay-1774570805558">'A bad start' for Iran's new Supreme Leader? Trump confirms CIA told him Mojtaba Khamenei is gay | Watch Viral video</a>Some took a harder line, calling for stricter enforcement against both customers who bend rules and stations that let them.And then there were the practical ones, asking why the man didn't just push the bike to the station?<h2>The bigger picture: It's not all laughs</h2>The video didn't emerge in a vacuum. It comes as long queues have been snaking outside petrol stations across several Indian cities over the past few days, driven by rumours of an impending fuel shortage linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. The government has repeatedly pushed back, insisting that fuel supply is stable, refineries are running at capacity, and all outlets are operating normally.

Fuel shortage or full blown panic? With queues growing despite government assurances, a viral video shows a man filling petrol in a detached bike tank at a pump, sparking debate over “jugaad” vs safety. Scroll down to watch the video.

The Indian government says there's no fuel shortage. Someone forgot to tell this guy. A video circulating widely on social media shows a man walking into a petrol station carrying what appears to be a detached motorcycle fuel tank. As fuel stations across the nation refuse to fill bottles or cans, citing safety regulations, this man found a workaround. No bottle, no can. Just the bike petrol tank. Here's what happened. Also read | India cuts petrol and diesel taxes — but prices for consumers to stay the same. Here's what FM Sitharaman said 'Jugaad' video goes viral A video of a man getting a motorbike's petrol tank - just the tank is going viral on social media. In the video, a man in a blue shirt can be seen getting fuel in the detached bike fuel tank, as the attendant, visibly unsure what the rulebook says about this particular situation, eventually just fills it up. The clip has since gone viral, and honestly, it's not hard to see why. According to X's AI Grok, the video is from Rajasthan. A close look at the video shows the name 'Ankit Petroleum' written on a board in one part of the video, and a quick search of HPCL website shows that a Hindustan Petroleum by that name exists in Rajasthan's Jhalwar. You can watch the video here:

Fuel shortage or full blown panic? With queues growing despite government assurances, a viral video shows a man filling petrol in a detached bike tank at a pump, sparking debate over “jugaad” vs safety. Scroll down to watch the video.

‘Jugaad’ goes viral: No cans allowed, man brings bike tank to petrol pump | Watch

An unverified photo claiming to be of the last moments of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has gone viral on social media. Reportedly, the image was taken just 23 minutes before the Iranian leader was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes in his office on February 28 and was captured on CCTV footage. This comes as the war in West Asia enters its Day 27.<h2>What does image show?</h2>According to Lebanese media Al Mayadeen, the photo was released by Tehran. The image, which claims to be the last picture of the Iranian leader, shows him sitting in a chair in his office and reading. The authenticity of the image has not been verified.Some social media users claimed that the image could be generated using AI, questioning how the CCTV footage would survive after the deadly strikes.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Tehran publishes the last picture taken of Islamic Revolution leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei at his office in the Iranian capital before his martyrdom. <a href="https://t.co/sPm3fpZCKb">pic.twitter.com/sPm3fpZCKb</a>&mdash; Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) <a href="https://twitter.com/MayadeenEnglish/status/2037328693912027274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hostilities began on February 28 when the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program.In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Azerbaijan. Iran has ruled out any possibility of a ceasefire, while US President Donald Trump has claimed victory multiple times, suggesting that the objective is nearly met. Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its operations in Lebanon, targeting Iran’s ally Hezbollah and has ruled out diplomacy with the Lebanese government.<h2>Trump claims talks ongoing</h2>In a recent development, US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Mar 26) said that he has postponed his deadline for potential strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure until April 6, saying the delay came at Tehran’s request and emphasising that negotiations are progressing positively.“Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Initially, Trump had issued a 48-hour ultimatum last Saturday, demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers or face destruction of its power facilities. Since then, the deadline has been extended twice. “As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 pm, Eastern Time,” he posted. US envoy Steve Witkoff told a cabinet meeting that there were “strong signs” Iran might be willing to negotiate.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

An unverified photo claiming to show Ali Khamenei before his death in US-Israel strikes has gone viral, amid ongoing war tensions and disputed authenticity concerns.

An unverified photo claiming to be of the last moments of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has gone viral on social media. Reportedly, the image was taken just 23 minutes before the Iranian leader was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes in his office on February 28 and was captured on CCTV footage. This comes as the war in West Asia enters its Day 27. What does image show? According to Lebanese media Al Mayadeen, the photo was released by Tehran. The image, which claims to be the last picture of the Iranian leader, shows him sitting in a chair in his office and reading. The authenticity of the image has not been verified. Some social media users claimed that the image could be generated using AI, questioning how the CCTV footage would survive after the deadly strikes.

An unverified photo claiming to show Ali Khamenei before his death in US-Israel strikes has gone viral, amid ongoing war tensions and disputed authenticity concerns.

Khamenei’s last photo released? CCTV grab claiming to capture Iranian leader goes viral on social media

Amid reports of United States gearing up to deploy troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East and a possible ground operation in the Kharg Island, Iran has threatened to strike key energy and infrastructure installations in the UAE. According to Iran’s state-linked Fars News Agency, Tehran has marked five major sites: the Jebel Ali power and desalination complex in Dubai, the Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, the Al Taweelah power station, Dubai’s M Station, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park for the attack.&nbsp;An attack on these installations could lead to widespread blackouts, disrupt desalination systems that supply drinking water to millions, and impact critical services. It has also threatened “special and unprecedented" retaliatory measures against Bahrain in the wake of a US ground offensive.<h2>Iran appeals with American citizens</h2>&nbsp;After reports of Pentagon contemplating troop deployment in the Middle East emerged, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) sent out a stern warning to the US-Israel forces.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-pakistan-is-no-qatar-we-will-beat-hell-out-of-them-if-islamabad-warns-israel-1774587169821">'Pakistan is no Qatar. We will beat hell out of them if...', Islamabad warns Israel</a>&nbsp;"Don't send your children to hell with the deceit of Netanyahu and Trump. The invading soldiers will be deeply drowned and disappear in the million-strong sea of the Iranian nation," read the statement by IRGC.&nbsp;"The truth of the war you must observe at American gas stations, on the streets of Iran, and in the skies of Tel Aviv and Haifa," the statement read further.&nbsp;According to reports, Pentagon is considering sending up to 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East to expand military options and secure the Strait of Hormuz, vital for global shipping. &nbsp;

Iran has also threatened special and unprecedented retaliatory measures against Bahrain in the wake of a US ground offensive.

Amid reports of United States gearing up to deploy troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East and a possible ground operation in the Kharg Island, Iran has threatened to strike key energy and infrastructure installations in the UAE. According to Iran’s state-linked Fars News Agency, Tehran has marked five major sites: the Jebel Ali power and desalination complex in Dubai, the Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, the Al Taweelah power station, Dubai’s M Station, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park for the attack. An attack on these installations could lead to widespread blackouts, disrupt desalination systems that supply drinking water to millions, and impact critical services. It has also threatened “special and unprecedented" retaliatory measures against Bahrain in the wake of a US ground offensive. Iran appeals with American citizens After reports of Pentagon contemplating troop deployment in the Middle East emerged, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) sent out a stern warning to the US-Israel forces. ALSO READ: 'Pakistan is no Qatar. We will beat hell out of them if...', Islamabad warns Israel "Don't send your children to hell with the deceit of Netanyahu and Trump. The invading soldiers will be deeply drowned and disappear in the million-strong sea of the Iranian nation," read the statement by IRGC. "The truth of the war you must observe at American gas stations, on the streets of Iran, and in the skies of Tel Aviv and Haifa," the statement read further. According to reports, Pentagon is considering sending up to 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East to expand military options and secure the Strait of Hormuz, vital for global shipping.

Iran has also threatened “special and unprecedented" retaliatory measures against Bahrain in the wake of a US ground offensive.

Iran threatens to strike UAE's energy, nuclear sites if US deployed ground troops in Middle East

Turkey’s central bank has swapped and sold nearly 60 tons of gold, worth over $8 billion, in two weeks after the West Asia war begins. This has added to downward pressure on bullion prices as the country's gold reserves show a decline of 6 tons in the week of March 13 and another 52.4 tons in the week of March 20, according to the latest data published by the central bank. According to a report by the Bloomberg, some of the gold was sold outright, however, most of them was utilised to secure foreign exchange or liras via swap agreements. Meanwhile, officials of the Turkey’s central bank has declined to give any remarks on it. The move comes as Turkey’s disinflation strategy faces pressure, as it depends on keeping the lira stable or gradually weakening, often supported by foreign-currency interventions through state-run banks. However, higher energy import costs and increased demand for dollar since the war began have made this approach harder to maintain.<h3>Central bank relied on gold sales and swap deals</h3>To manage liquidity and support domestic demand, officials have reportedly relied on gold sales and swap deals using the central bank’s $135 billion reserves, according to Iris Cibre of Phoenix Consultancy in Istanbul. She estimated total sales at 58.4 tonnes, with more than half carried out through gold-for-foreign-exchange swaps overseas. This figure is higher than the roughly 43 tones of outflows from gold-backed exchange-traded funds tracked by Bloomberg during the same two-week period, highlighting the scale of the intervention. Additionally, as per Bloomberg, the central bank of Turkey had been discussing to track its gold reserves via transactions in London to protect the lira from steeper war-related losses. The report sent the spot price of the gold on global markets swinging to a loss from an previous gain. It indicated that the spot gold declined another 2.4 per cent as of 5 p.m. in London on Thursday, paring losses from as much as 3.1 per cent previous. &nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-petrol-diesel-price-hike-nayara-energy-march-2026-1774521014719">Petrol, diesel prices surge in India after Nayara Energy hike: Check city-wise prices today</a>

Some of the gold was sold outright, however, most of them was utilised to secure foreign exchange or liras via swap agreements. Meanwhile, officials of the Turkey’s central bank has declined to give any remarks on it.

Turkey’s central bank has swapped and sold nearly 60 tons of gold, worth over $8 billion, in two weeks after the West Asia war begins. This has added to downward pressure on bullion prices as the country's gold reserves show a decline of 6 tons in the week of March 13 and another 52.4 tons in the week of March 20, according to the latest data published by the central bank. According to a report by the Bloomberg, some of the gold was sold outright, however, most of them was utilised to secure foreign exchange or liras via swap agreements. Meanwhile, officials of the Turkey’s central bank has declined to give any remarks on it. The move comes as Turkey’s disinflation strategy faces pressure, as it depends on keeping the lira stable or gradually weakening, often supported by foreign-currency interventions through state-run banks. However, higher energy import costs and increased demand for dollar since the war began have made this approach harder to maintain. Central bank relied on gold sales and swap deals To manage liquidity and support domestic demand, officials have reportedly relied on gold sales and swap deals using the central bank’s $135 billion reserves, according to Iris Cibre of Phoenix Consultancy in Istanbul. She estimated total sales at 58.4 tonnes, with more than half carried out through gold-for-foreign-exchange swaps overseas. This figure is higher than the roughly 43 tones of outflows from gold-backed exchange-traded funds tracked by Bloomberg during the same two-week period, highlighting the scale of the intervention. Additionally, as per Bloomberg, the central bank of Turkey had been discussing to track its gold reserves via transactions in London to protect the lira from steeper war-related losses. The report sent the spot price of the gold on global markets swinging to a loss from an previous gain. It indicated that the spot gold declined another 2.4 per cent as of 5 p.m. in London on Thursday, paring losses from as much as 3.1 per cent previous. Also read: Petrol, diesel prices surge in India after Nayara Energy hike: Check city-wise prices today

Some of the gold was sold outright, however, most of them was utilised to secure foreign exchange or liras via swap agreements. Meanwhile, officials of the Turkey’s central bank has declined to give any remarks on it.

Turkey sells, swaps nearly 60 tonnes of Gold worth $8 billion amid West Asia war pressures

Iran formally notified the United Nations on Thursday (Mar 26) about media reports detailing alleged US and Israeli plans to assassinate senior Iranian officials — including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeed Iravani sent official letters to both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the President of the Security Council, demanding attention.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/big-relief-for-indian-consumers-petrol-excise-slashed-to-3-diesel-duty-cut-to-zero-as-oil-prices-bite-amid-iran-war-1774580655511">India cuts petrol and diesel taxes — but prices for consumers to stay the same. Here's what FM Sitharaman said</a><h2>What did Iran say?</h2>In its letters to the UN Chief and UNSC president, Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeed Iravani said that "reports indicate that the United States and the Israeli regime have identified and designated high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Mr. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, as assassination targets," Iravani wrote, adding that any so-called suspension of such plans was described in the reports as "merely temporary." In other words, these plans are paused for now, not cancelled."The conditional nature of the alleged 'suspension' also confirms that the threat remains real, deliberate, and ongoing," he said, calling it a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, international human rights law, and what he described as the basic foundations of peaceful relations between states.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-a-bad-start-for-iran-s-new-supreme-leader-trump-confirms-cia-told-him-mojtaba-khamenei-is-gay-1774570805558">'A bad start' for Iran's new Supreme Leader? Trump confirms CIA told him Mojtaba Khamenei is gay | Watch Viral video</a><h2>The Gulf nations get a warning too</h2>In separate letters, Iravani went after Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates — accusing all four of allowing their territory and airspace to be used by the US and Israel to carry out strikes on Iranian soil.Iran "expressed its strong and firm protest" against what it called illegal actions, and pointedly asked the Gulf states to stop it, or face the consequences. Tehran said it "reserves its legitimate right to take all necessary and appropriate measures" — including the"inherent right of self-defence -- in order to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence." &nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran has just warned the UN of assassination plots against its top leaders. Tehran has flagged reports naming senior officials like Baqer Ghalibaf and Abbas Araghchi as targets, calling the threat “real and ongoing.” What exactly did Iran say, and who else did it warn? Scroll down.

Iran formally notified the United Nations on Thursday (Mar 26) about media reports detailing alleged US and Israeli plans to assassinate senior Iranian officials — including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeed Iravani sent official letters to both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the President of the Security Council, demanding attention. Also read | India cuts petrol and diesel taxes — but prices for consumers to stay the same. Here's what FM Sitharaman said What did Iran say? In its letters to the UN Chief and UNSC president, Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeed Iravani said that "reports indicate that the United States and the Israeli regime have identified and designated high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Mr. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, as assassination targets," Iravani wrote, adding that any so-called suspension of such plans was described in the reports as "merely temporary." In other words, these plans are paused for now, not cancelled. "The conditional nature of the alleged 'suspension' also confirms that the threat remains real, deliberate, and ongoing," he said, calling it a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, international human rights law, and what he described as the basic foundations of peaceful relations between states. Also read | 'A bad start' for Iran's new Supreme Leader? Trump confirms CIA told him Mojtaba Khamenei is gay | Watch Viral video The Gulf nations get a warning too In separate letters, Iravani went after Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates — accusing all four of allowing their territory and airspace to be used by the US and Israel to carry out strikes on Iranian soil. Iran "expressed its strong and firm protest" against what it called illegal actions, and pointedly asked the Gulf states to stop it, or face the consequences. Tehran said it "reserves its legitimate right to take all necessary and appropriate measures" — including the"inherent right of self-defence -- in order to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence." Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran has just warned the UN of assassination plots against its top leaders. Tehran has flagged reports naming senior officials like Baqer Ghalibaf and Abbas Araghchi as targets, calling the threat “real and ongoing.” What exactly did Iran say, and who else did it warn? Scroll down.

Iran threatens Gulf nations with 'self-defence' retaliation, flags ‘assassination plots’ against Araghchi and Ghalibaf at UN

As the Iran war continues, the Pentagon appears to be constantly leaking information to the American press on troop buildup, this time with reports saying that an additional 10,000 ground troops are being dispatched to the Middle East. First reported by the Wall Street Journal and picked up by multiple American outlets, this deployment, if it happens, will add to the thousands of Marines and airborne division infantry that have reportedly already been ordered to the region. With talks reaching nowhere, US President Donald Trump extended his five-day pause on striking Iran energy infrastructure. It was set to end on Friday (Mar 27), but now it has been postponed to April 6. Amid this, &nbsp;the additional troop deployments is expected to give the US president yet another military option.<h2>Pentagon sending 10,000 more US ground troops to Middle East: What reports say</h2>The deployment of additional 10,000 troops could include infantry units and armoured forces such as vehicles and heavy equipment. According to the reports, these troops would likely be positioned within operational range of Iran, but not necessarily deployed inside Iranian territory.The strategic purpose of this move is to increase pressure on Iran and to prepare for possible ground operations. This is also aimed at strengthening US leverage during diplomatic negotiations to end the war.The decision, according to unnamed officials cited in the reports, has not yet been approved. It is still under planning as part of providing Trump with expanded military options.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-thursday-stocks-tumble-in-worst-crash-of-2026-as-iran-toll-booth-pushes-oil-past-100-1774566312748">Black Thursday? Stocks tumble in worst crash of 2026 as Iran 'toll booth' pushes oil past $100</a><h2>7,000 US troops are already deployed, as per reports</h2>If one goes by earlier reports, there are already 7,000 American troops in the region. This includes 5,000 Marines and some 2,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division, including paratroopers.The recent buildup, as per reports, would be around 17,000 troops if one adds up everyting leaked to the press. On the higher end, it could be up to 20,000 troops, as much of the reporting is not officially confirmed due to the secretive nature of such plans and deployments.If one includes the wider estimated US military presence in the Gulf states around Iran, the total numbers could approach 50,000 personnel.<h2>A posturing or another mistake in the desert? Iran mobilising 1 million troops</h2>The leaked information indicates the US has a range of plans and options, including ground invasion and/or attacking and taking control of strategic areas in and around the Strait of Hormuz, including Kharg Island, from which Iranian oil flows.But the slow American buildup, if it is indeed happening, is also giving Iran enough time to deploy its own defences. Already, reports say that Iran has mobilised over a million troops to face off against any ground invasion from the US.American troops are reportedly being positioned in Gulf states, on aircraft carriers, and at forward operating bases in the region.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-president-says-strikes-paused-for-10-days-at-iran-s-request-1774587573008/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-president-says-strikes-paused-for-10-days-at-iran-s-request-1774587573008/embed</a><h2>Analysis: Is victory over Iran that easy?</h2>So the question is, will this be another desert quagmire for American troops, or will they achieve a swift victory over Iran? Whether the US will succeed or not, we will know in days.But consider the below facts:If one is to trust the Iranian ground troop mobilisation numbers of 1 million, it would outnumber US forces (estimated at 17,000) by nearly 60 times over.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-will-end-the-iran-war-us-demands-iran-red-lines-and-israel-s-stance-breaking-down-what-each-side-wants-1774533776640">What will end the Iran war? US demands, Iran red lines and Israel’s stance — breaking down what each side wants</a>Iran is well-versed in the terrain, battle-hardened not only within its own borders but in the broader region, directly or via proxies. Iranian missile and drone capabilities are far from depleted if one goes by its strike rates even now.Trump himself gave a timeline of victory at around six weeks, in his remarks on Thursday. He also paused energy sector targeting of Iran for 10 days till April 6, "at Iran’s request.''The current US buildup is for multiple objectives: military readiness and possible control of strategic assets such as Iran’s oil infrastructure, and securing maritime routes like the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. &nbsp;

The Pentagon is reportedly planning to send 10,000 more troops to the Middle East amid the Iran war. This could potentially bring the total US forces to 20,000. Iran meanwhile, is mobilising 1 million ground troops, say reports. Is that a good match?

As the Iran war continues, the Pentagon appears to be constantly leaking information to the American press on troop buildup, this time with reports saying that an additional 10,000 ground troops are being dispatched to the Middle East. First reported by the Wall Street Journal and picked up by multiple American outlets, this deployment, if it happens, will add to the thousands of Marines and airborne division infantry that have reportedly already been ordered to the region. With talks reaching nowhere, US President Donald Trump extended his five-day pause on striking Iran energy infrastructure. It was set to end on Friday (Mar 27), but now it has been postponed to April 6. Amid this, the additional troop deployments is expected to give the US president yet another military option. Pentagon sending 10,000 more US ground troops to Middle East: What reports say The deployment of additional 10,000 troops could include infantry units and armoured forces such as vehicles and heavy equipment. According to the reports, these troops would likely be positioned within operational range of Iran, but not necessarily deployed inside Iranian territory. The strategic purpose of this move is to increase pressure on Iran and to prepare for possible ground operations. This is also aimed at strengthening US leverage during diplomatic negotiations to end the war. The decision, according to unnamed officials cited in the reports, has not yet been approved. It is still under planning as part of providing Trump with expanded military options. Also read: Black Thursday? Stocks tumble in worst crash of 2026 as Iran 'toll booth' pushes oil past $100 7,000 US troops are already deployed, as per reports If one goes by earlier reports, there are already 7,000 American troops in the region. This includes 5,000 Marines and some 2,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division, including paratroopers. The recent buildup, as per reports, would be around 17,000 troops if one adds up everyting leaked to the press. On the higher end, it could be up to 20,000 troops, as much of the reporting is not officially confirmed due to the secretive nature of such plans and deployments. If one includes the wider estimated US military presence in the Gulf states around Iran, the total numbers could approach 50,000 personnel. A posturing or another mistake in the desert? Iran mobilising 1 million troops The leaked information indicates the US has a range of plans and options, including ground invasion and/or attacking and taking control of strategic areas in and around the Strait of Hormuz, including Kharg Island, from which Iranian oil flows. But the slow American buildup, if it is indeed happening, is also giving Iran enough time to deploy its own defences. Already, reports say that Iran has mobilised over a million troops to face off against any ground invasion from the US. American troops are reportedly being positioned in Gulf states, on aircraft carriers, and at forward operating bases in the region. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-president-says-strikes-paused-for-10-days-at-iran-s-request-1774587573008/embed Analysis: Is victory over Iran that easy? So the question is, will this be another desert quagmire for American troops, or will they achieve a swift victory over Iran? Whether the US will succeed or not, we will know in days. But consider the below facts: If one is to trust the Iranian ground troop mobilisation numbers of 1 million, it would outnumber US forces (estimated at 17,000) by nearly 60 times over. Also read: What will end the Iran war? US demands, Iran red lines and Israel’s stance — breaking down what each side wants Iran is well-versed in the terrain, battle-hardened not only within its own borders but in the broader region, directly or via proxies. Iranian missile and drone capabilities are far from depleted if one goes by its strike rates even now. Trump himself gave a timeline of victory at around six weeks, in his remarks on Thursday. He also paused energy sector targeting of Iran for 10 days till April 6, "at Iran’s request.'' The current US buildup is for multiple objectives: military readiness and possible control of strategic assets such as Iran’s oil infrastructure, and securing maritime routes like the Strait of Hormuz. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

The Pentagon is reportedly planning to send 10,000 more troops to the Middle East amid the Iran war. This could potentially bring the total US forces to 20,000. Iran meanwhile, is mobilising 1 million ground troops, say reports. Is that a good match?

Iran war: Pentagon to send 10,000 more ground troops as Iran mobilises 1 million, say reports. Pressure tactic or costly mistake of US?

After reports emerged of Israel-US strike near Pakistan embassy in the Iranian capital Tehran on Thursday (March 26), Pakistan Strategic Forum, affiliated to the government released a statement saying that any harm to its diplomats, whether in Iran or elsewhere by Israel, will be met with a strong response.&nbsp;“Israel must remember, Pakistan is no Qatar. We will beat hell out of them if any harm occurred to our diplomats, anywhere in the world", read the statement by Pakistan Strategic Forum.&nbsp;The threat comes amid reports of Israel and United States carrying out fresh airstrikes in central Tehran on Thursday. The strikes, as reported were close to the residence of Pakistan’s ambassador and the Pakistani Embassy.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-strait-of-hormuz-bab-al-mandab-next-houthi-rebels-threaten-global-trade-lifeline-say-fully-militarily-ready-to-support-iran-1774575420107">After Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab Strait next? Houthi rebels threaten global trade lifeline, say 'fully militarily ready' to back Iran's war efforts</a>&nbsp;Though, the Pakistani ambassador was unhurt, the embassy compound and several other buildings in the vicinity shook violently in the explosion.<h2>Pakistan offers to broker peace between US, Iran</h2>The strike near its embassy in Tehran comes at a time when Pakistan is attempting to facilitate dialogue between US and Iran. Several senior officials in the Pakistani administration have come out in the open and said that “if both parties desire, Islamabad is willing to host talks" between the United States and Iran.&nbsp;Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said Islamabad was “ready and honoured” to facilitate “meaningful and conclusive talks” between the US and Iran.Notably, Washington has often used Pakistan as a channel to engaged with Tehran over the years. &nbsp;

The strike by Israel near its embassy in Tehran comes at a time when Pakistan is attempting to facilitate dialogue between the two waring nation, US and Iran. 

After reports emerged of Israel-US strike near Pakistan embassy in the Iranian capital Tehran on Thursday (March 26), Pakistan Strategic Forum, affiliated to the government released a statement saying that any harm to its diplomats, whether in Iran or elsewhere by Israel, will be met with a strong response. “Israel must remember, Pakistan is no Qatar. We will beat hell out of them if any harm occurred to our diplomats, anywhere in the world", read the statement by Pakistan Strategic Forum. The threat comes amid reports of Israel and United States carrying out fresh airstrikes in central Tehran on Thursday. The strikes, as reported were close to the residence of Pakistan’s ambassador and the Pakistani Embassy. ALSO READ: After Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab Strait next? Houthi rebels threaten global trade lifeline, say 'fully militarily ready' to back Iran's war efforts Though, the Pakistani ambassador was unhurt, the embassy compound and several other buildings in the vicinity shook violently in the explosion. Pakistan offers to broker peace between US, Iran The strike near its embassy in Tehran comes at a time when Pakistan is attempting to facilitate dialogue between US and Iran. Several senior officials in the Pakistani administration have come out in the open and said that “if both parties desire, Islamabad is willing to host talks" between the United States and Iran. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said Islamabad was “ready and honoured” to facilitate “meaningful and conclusive talks” between the US and Iran. Notably, Washington has often used Pakistan as a channel to engaged with Tehran over the years.

The strike by Israel near its embassy in Tehran comes at a time when Pakistan is attempting to facilitate dialogue between the two waring nation, US and Iran.&nbsp;

Pakistan is no Qatar. We will beat hell out of Israel if diplomats are harmed: Pak think tank

The White House posted cryptic pixelated images—possibly of Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Marco Rubio—the day after strange videos, sparking viral speculation about hacks or a hidden teaser.

PICS | White House posts mysterious pixilated photos after cryptic videos – What do they mean?

US-Iran-Israel War Highlights: Everything You Need to Know About the Conflict Now Entering Its Second Month It's been nearly a month. The bombs are still falling, the diplomats are still talking past each other, and the Middle East is no closer to quiet. The war began on February 28, when Israel and the United States launched what they called "pre-emptive" strikes on Iran — this, while nuclear negotiations with Tehran were still technically ongoing. Within 24 hours, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. Iran struck back, targeting Israel and US military bases across the Gulf countries. The weeks that followed have been bloody. Several senior Iranian figures have been killed, among them security chief Ali Larijani. Iran has since named Mojtaba Khamenei — the late Ayatollah's son — as its new Supreme Leader. Where things stand On the diplomatic front, Trump has put a peace plan on the table. Iran has rejected it — or more precisely, refused to engage at all unless security guarantees are offered first. That's a precondition Washington hasn't been willing to meet, which means the talks that aren't quite talks continue to go nowhere. Meanwhile, the global energy market is quietly panicking. The Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway through which a fifth of the world's oil typically flows — has become a flashpoint. Disruptions there have already sent oil prices surging, and with the Houthis now threatening the Bab al-Mandab Strait as well, there may soon be very few safe routes left for Gulf energy exports.<h2>Follow WION for all the updates, analysis and developments on the US-Israel-Iran war</h2>(Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.)

The Israeli military confirmed it struck a uranium processing site in Yazd, central Iran, on Friday, after the Islamic Republic's atomic energy organisation said US-Israeli strikes hit the facility.

Israel army confirms struck uranium processing facility in Iran's Yazd

Rubio says US open to diverting weapons from Ukraine to Iran war.

Rubio signals US open to diverting Ukraine weapons to Iran war

Iran would be "well advised" to negotiate with the United States after almost a month of the US-Israeli war against the Islamic republic, Germany's foreign minister said Friday.

Germany presses Iran for talks with US to ease tensions

Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said Friday that it has delivered a batch of medicines to Iran.The ministry said that 313 metric tons of medicines were carried by rail to Azerbaijan’s border with Iran, where they were handed over to Iranian representatives. It said the supplies have been sent on President Vladimir Putin’s order.

Russia delivers 313 metric tons of medicines to Iran

US-Israeli airstrikes on Friday damaged two major steel plants in Iran, Iranian media reports said."Minutes ago, the American–Zionist enemy targeted the Khuzestan Steel (in southwest Iran) and Mobarakeh Steel factories in Isfahan (central Iran) in two separate attacks," the Fars news agency said, with state broadcaster IRIB also reporting the strikes.

US-Israeli strikes target two steel plants in Iran

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Useful talk this morning with US &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;@SecRubio&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;🇮🇳 🇺🇸 &lt;a href="https://t.co/HAwzm6FyDg"&gt;pic.twitter.com/HAwzm6FyDg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2037501341107470739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;March 27, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

EAM Jaishankar holds talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

The European Union will see significantly slower economic growth if the war in the Middle East drags on, EU economy chief Valdis Dombrovskis warned Friday.

EU expects slower economic growth if the West Asia war drags on

Defence minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel would step up strikes against Iran as a result of its continued missile fire, warning the Islamic republic would pay a "heavy price".

Israel to intensify strikes on Iran to halt missile fire: Defence Minister

UNHCR flagged a concern on Wednesday, highlighting that Lebanon is at 'real' risk of ‘humanitarian catastrophe’.

Lebanon at 'real' risk of 'humanitarian catastrophe', says UNHCR

US and Israeli attacks on Iran have damaged at least 120 museums and cultural and historic sites across the country ever since the war broke out, the head of Tehran city council’s cultural heritage committee said. “At least 120 museums, historical buildings and cultural sites across various provinces were directly targeted and sustained serious structural damage,” Ahmad Alavi said.According to state television, he identified several sites affected by the war, including the UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace, as well as Saadabad Palace, the Marble Palace, and Teymourtash House, also referred to as the War Museum.

Over 120 Museums, Heritage sites damaged in Iran amid US-Israeli strikes: Tehran

The United States has launched more than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles during the four-week conflict with Iran, according to a report by The Washington Post. The extensive use of these precision-guided weapons has raised concerns among some Pentagon officials and sparked internal deliberations on replenishing stockpiles. The report noted that the high rate of deployment has led to discussions within the military on ways to increase the availability of these missiles.

US Fires Over 850 Tomahawk Missiles in Four Weeks of War with Iran: Report

Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Friday said they had turned back three ships trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz, and added that the route was closed to vessels travelling to and from ports “belonging to allies and supporters of the Zionist-American enemies.”

Iran turns back 3 ship trying to cross Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Guards stated on Friday that Hormuz is 'closed' for shipping to and from enemy ports, according to a report by the AFP.

Hormuz port 'closed' for shipping to & from enemy ports: Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday (Mar 27) slammed the bombing of Minab school, calling it a “calculated assault” by the United States. In a video address to the United Nations Human Rights Council during an urgent council debate on the February 28 attack, Araghchi called it “a war crime and a crime against humanity”. This comes as the war in West Asia entered its Day 28 on March 27. Hostilities began on February 28 when the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases across the Gulf and has blocked the strategic Strait of Hormuz, triggering a global energy crisis.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-slaughtered-in-cold-blood-iran-fm-araghchi-accuses-us-of-war-crimes-over-minab-school-bombing-calls-it-calculated-assault-1774604612770">Read more</a>

Iran FM Araghchi accuses US of ‘war crimes’ over Minab school bombing

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#WATCH&lt;/a&gt; | Srinagar | On West Asia conflict, Jammu &amp;amp; Kashmir National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah says, “…I pray that the war gets over soon and we can continue to live in peace…” &lt;a href="https://t.co/7HO174Qck1"&gt;pic.twitter.com/7HO174Qck1&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; ANI (@ANI) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2037469084003238080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;March 27, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

I pray that the war gets over soon: J&K National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah

US and Israeli strikes on Iran have damaged at least 120 museums and cultural and historic sites across the country since the start of the war, the head of Tehran city council's cultural heritage committee said."At least 120 museums, historical buildings and cultural sites across various provinces were directly targeted and sustained serious structural damage," said Ahmad Alavi.He was quoted by state TV as naming UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace along with other sites damaged in the war, including Saadabad Palace, the Marble Palace and Teymourtash house, also known as the War Museum.

Iran says US, Israeli strikes damage 120 museums, historic buildings

The bombing of Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab evoked a visceral horror, said United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.The images of bombed-out classrooms and grieving parents showed clearly who pays the highest price for war: civilians with no power in the decisions that led to conflict. In this case, a reported 168 pupils, teachers, school staff, and their loved ones.

Differences countries have will not be solved by killing school children: United Nations High Commissioner 

The United Nations Human Rights Council will hold an urgent debate on “the aerial attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh Girl's School in Minab, Iran, as a grave breach of international humanitarian law and international human rights.”

Iran urges UN Human Rights Council to condemn attack over Minab school strike

Rising global energy prices amid the ongoing West Asia conflict are likely to put significant pressure on India's fiscal position in FY27, according to a report by ICRA. However, the report still claims that available buffers are likely to help manage the impact of the crisis.It noted that geopolitical tensions largely drive recent increases in energy prices, have added volatility to global markets and could require adjustments in fiscal policy. "Even if the situation stabilises, energy prices are expected to remain higher than earlier budgeted assumptions, which may require fiscal adjustments," the report said. The rating agency said that higher crude oil and gas prices may increase subsidy burdens, particularly for fertilisers and LPG. "Higher crude oil and natural gas prices may lead to an increase in subsidy requirements, particularly for fertilisers and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)," it added.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/rising-energy-prices-could-put-strain-on-india-s-fy27-fiscal-position-says-icra-1774599708591">Read more</a>

Rising energy prices could put strain on India’s FY27 fiscal position

Kuwait’s main commercial port was damaged in a drone attack today, authorities say, as Iran pressed on with its campaign in the Gulf in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes.The Shuwaikh port was targeted at dawn “by enemy drones, preliminary reports revealed material damage but no human casualties,” the Kuwait port authority says in a statement on X.

US-Iran-Israel War LIVE: Kuwait says main port damaged in drone attack

“Is he the Director General of an international organization or a media analyst? He has not condemned attacks on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities, including the two recent attacks on the Bushehr power plant site, and instead of issuing a serious warning about the effects of war on Iran's safeguarded nuclear program and any use of other destructive and illegal weapons, he is showing the way and means to destroy Iran's legitimate and legal nuclear activities!,” said Ghoribabadi, Deputy Minister of Legal and International Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iran.

Iran responds to IAEA chief Grossi

"We have supplied Iran with military equipment, but we cannot accept these accusations that we are passing intelligence to Iran," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to French television channel France 2.

Russia denies 'passing intelligence to Iran

Kuwait's, Shuwaikh port, its main commercial port was damaged in a drone attack on Friday, as Iran continued its campaign in the Gulf in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes.

Kuwait's main port damaged in drone attack

An unverified photo claiming to be of the last moments of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has gone viral on social media. Reportedly, the image was taken just 23 minutes before the Iranian leader was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes in his office on February 28 and was captured on CCTV footage. This comes as the war in West Asia enters its Day 27.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khamenei-s-last-photo-released-cctv-photo-claiming-to-capture-iranian-leader-goes-viral-on-social-media-1774593342550">Read more here.</a>

Khamenei’s last photo released? CCTV photo claiming to capture Iranian leader goes viral on social media

India: Ministries to hold joint breifing at 3:00 pm today

Iran formally notified the United Nations on Thursday (Mar 26) about media reports detailing alleged US and Israeli plans to assassinate senior Iranian officials — including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeed Iravani sent official letters to both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the President of the Security Council, demanding attention.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-flags-assassination-plots-against-araghchi-and-ghalibaf-at-un-threatens-gulf-nations-with-self-defence-retaliation-1774587979821">Read more here.</a>

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;In view of the West Asia crisis, the central excise duty on petrol and diesel for domestic consumption has been reduced by ₹10 per litre each. This will provide protection to consumers from rise in prices. Hon. PM &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;@narendramodi&lt;/a&gt; has always ensured that citizens are protected from…&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/nsitharaman/status/2037382302502883685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;March 27, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says excise duty reduced by Rs 10

The White House has once again left social media users puzzled after posting a series of mysterious pixelated photos on its social media accounts on Thursday (Mar 26). This comes a day after the Trump administration posted two cryptic short videos without providing any context and deleted one of them within minutes.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/pics-white-house-posts-mysterious-pixilated-photos-after-cryptic-videos-what-do-they-mean-1774585189415/1774585189417">See pics here.</a>

White House posts mysterious pixilated photos after cryptic videos – What do they mean?

Iran has formally alerted the United Nations over media reports claiming the United States and Israel are planning to assassinate senior Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.In a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council, Iran’s envoy Amir Saeed Iravani said the reports point to an operational framework targeting top political leaders and warned the threat remains “real and ongoing.”"I draw the immediate attention of Your Excellency and the members of the Security Council to the reports published in the media. These reports indicate that the United States and the Israeli regime have identified and designated high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Mr. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, as assassination targets. The reports describe any suspension of such plans as merely temporary", he said.Tehran called any such move a violation of international law and the UN Charter, describing it as “state terrorism” and a dangerous precedent.

Iran flags alleged US Israel assassination plots to UN, warns of ‘state terrorism’

Oil prices fell on Friday after US President Donald Trump pushed back a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though that only partially pared the previous day's surge amid growing anxiety that the conflict will last far longer than first thought.Brent crude is down 1.8 per cent at 0230 GMT, selling at $106.12 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate is down 1.5 per cent at $93.07.Brent is up almost 50 per cent since the war began, while WTI has risen around 40 per cent.

Oil prices drop after Trump statement

The Indian government has sharply cut special additional excise duties on petrol and diesel, effective Thursday (Mar 26). Petrol duty has been slashed from ₹13 to ₹3 per litre. Diesel goes further — straight to zero, down from ₹10.However, don't rush to the pump just yet, though. Retail prices remain unchanged — for now. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/big-relief-for-indian-consumers-petrol-excise-slashed-to-3-diesel-duty-cut-to-zero-as-oil-prices-bite-amid-iran-war-1774580655511">Why won't consumers benefit? All you need to know HERE</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260327/image-1774581780713.jpg?rect=(0,344,4318,3238)"></figure>

India cuts petrol and diesel taxes — but prices for consumers to stay the same. Here's why

Vietnam temporarily waived an environmental tax on fuel to cut soaring petrol prices by a quarter on Friday, the trade ministry said, as the Middle East war disrupts global energy supplies."From 24:00 on March 26, 2026, to the end of April 15, 2026, the environmental protection tax rate for gasoline (excluding ethanol), diesel fuel, and aviation fuel will be 0 VND/liter," read an environmental tax statement posted on the government website.

Vietnam waives green tax to cut petrol prices by a quarter

Steve Witkoff, serving as a special envoy under President Donald Trump, revealed that the United States has been engaging Iran through indirect diplomatic efforts, with Pakistan acting as a mediator. During a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Witkoff said that a 15-point proposal outlining a potential peace framework has been delivered through Pakistan’s government. He noted that the plan is intended to guide negotiations toward a resolution.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-pakistan-acting-as-intermediary-between-us-iran-negotiations-confirms-witkoff-1774552905469">Click here to read</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260117/image-1768634689000.jpg?rect=(0,152,2396,1797)&amp;imwidth=800&amp;imheight=600&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="'Pakistan acting as intermediary between US-Iran negotiations', confirms Witkoff"></figure>

'Pakistan acting as intermediary between US-Iran negotiations', confirms Witkoff

US President Donald Trump has postponed his deadline for potential strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure until April 6, saying the delay came at Tehran’s request and emphasising that negotiations are progressing positively. Earlier, Trump had dismissed suggestions that he was eager to secure a deal to end the Middle East conflict, even as Iran responded cautiously to a US-backed peace proposal.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-delays-strikes-on-iran-s-energy-sites-for-10-days-amid-ongoing-talks-1774559056786">Read more here</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260327/image-1774559234553.jpg?rect=(0,68,1065,799)&amp;imwidth=800&amp;imheight=600&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="Trump delays strikes on Iran's energy sites for 10 days amid 'ongoing talks'"></figure>

Trump delays strikes on Iran's energy sites for 10 days amid 'ongoing talks'

Israel's military said its forces carried out strikes on "infrastructure" targets in Tehran early Friday, nearly a month into the Middle East war.A brief military statement said Israeli forces "completed a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in the heart of Tehran".

Israel military says carried out 'wide-scale' strike on Tehran

Japan's government plans to temporarily lift restrictions on coal-fired power plants as it seeks to ease an energy crunch caused by the Middle East war, an official said on Friday.Japanese media, including Jiji Press, had earlier reported the industry ministry would announce the proposal on Friday, citing unnamed sources."The reported fact is true" and the plan would be presented at an expert panel meeting "to start at 11 am (0200 GMT)," Takahide Soeda, an industry ministry official, told AFP.

Japan confirms plan to boost coal-fired power to ease energy crunch amid Iran war

Stocks tumbled Thursday (Mar 27), suffering the worst day since the start of the Iran conflict on February 28. The S&amp;P 500 dropped 1.7 per cent, its worst single day since January, and is now staring down a fifth consecutive losing week. That's the longest such streak in nearly four years, and it stretches back to before the Iran war even started. The Dow shed 469 points. The Nasdaq fell 2.4 per cent, slipping more than 10 per cent below its record high from earlier this year. Markets across Asia and Europe followed suit. On Wall Street, they have a word for that kind of drop: a "correction." <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-thursday-stocks-tumble-in-worst-crash-of-2026-as-iran-toll-booth-pushes-oil-past-100-1774566312748">Here's what it means</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260327/image-1774566921701.jpg?rect=(0,58,908,682)"></figure>

Black Thursday? Stocks tumble in worst crash of 2026 as Iran 'toll booth' pushes oil past $100

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Friday they had carried out missile and drone strikes the previous day targeting sites in Israel and military facilities in the Gulf used by US forces.The strikes involved long- and medium-range missiles and "destructive and roaming drones", and targeted sites in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, the Guards said in a statement carried by the IRNA and Fars news agencies.The statement said a maintenance facility for US air defence system Patriot was targeted in Bahrain.

Iran Guards say carried out attacks on Israel and US forces in Gulf

Are the Houthis about to open a new front in the Iran war? The Iran-backed group says it is “fully ready” to act, with warnings of targeting a key global chokepoint. If the Bab al Mandab Strait is hit, global trade could take a major blow. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-strait-of-hormuz-bab-al-mandab-next-houthi-rebels-threaten-global-trade-lifeline-say-fully-militarily-ready-to-support-iran-1774575420107">Click here to read more</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260116/image-1768558750550.jpg?rect=(0,84,1332,998)"></figure>

After Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab Strait next? Houthi rebels threaten global trade lifeline, say 'fully militarily ready' to support Iran

Farmers around the world are facing fertiliser shortages and rising costs due to supply disruptions caused by the war in Iran, which could make food more expensive later this year. The war has almost halted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage off Iran that handles about a fifth of the world's oil and nearly a third of global fertiliser trade. Rising natural gas prices, a key ingredient, are also pushing fertiliser costs higher just as planting season starts across the Northern Hemisphere.

The war in Iran sparks a global fertiliser shortage and threatens food prices

Nearly a month in, the US-Iran-Israel war shows no signs of slowing. Diplomacy is stalled, oil markets are rattled, and the Strait of Hormuz hangs in the balance. Follow WION blog for all live updates.

US-Iran-Israel War Highlights: Everything You Need to Know About the Conflict Now Entering Its Second Month It's been nearly a month. The bombs are still falling, the diplomats are still talking past each other, and the Middle East is no closer to quiet. The war began on February 28, when Israel and the United States launched what they called "pre-emptive" strikes on Iran — this, while nuclear negotiations with Tehran were still technically ongoing. Within 24 hours, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. Iran struck back, targeting Israel and US military bases across the Gulf countries. The weeks that followed have been bloody. Several senior Iranian figures have been killed, among them security chief Ali Larijani. Iran has since named Mojtaba Khamenei — the late Ayatollah's son — as its new Supreme Leader. Where things stand On the diplomatic front, Trump has put a peace plan on the table. Iran has rejected it — or more precisely, refused to engage at all unless security guarantees are offered first. That's a precondition Washington hasn't been willing to meet, which means the talks that aren't quite talks continue to go nowhere. Meanwhile, the global energy market is quietly panicking. The Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway through which a fifth of the world's oil typically flows — has become a flashpoint. Disruptions there have already sent oil prices surging, and with the Houthis now threatening the Bab al-Mandab Strait as well, there may soon be very few safe routes left for Gulf energy exports. Follow WION for all the updates, analysis and developments on the US-Israel-Iran war (Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.)

Nearly a month in, the US-Iran-Israel war shows no signs of slowing. Diplomacy is stalled, oil markets are rattled, and the Strait of Hormuz hangs in the balance. Follow WION blog for all live updates.

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