KPMG appoints chair who claimed leak allegations were ‘completely false’ and called senator’s actions ‘inappropriate’

• Rebel fighters besieging El Obeid, Sudan, are using drone attacks that have put approximately 500,000 civilians at risk of large-scale atrocities. • The ongoing conflict has displaced over 14 million people internally and pushed millions toward famine while severely limiting humanitarian access.

• The U.S. and Iran have held separate meetings in Qatar, agreeing to maintain ongoing discussions to address diplomatic tensions. • A separate report highlights that Donald Trump earned tens of millions of dollars from properties in countries reliant on U.S. military support or seeking tariff relief.

• Prof Raj Kumar and Shashi Tharoor addressed Japan's National Diet to discuss strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Japan. • The discussions focused on leveraging education and parliamentary diplomacy as key pillars to deepen bilateral ties beyond traditional crisis management.

• Venezuela's healthcare system has reached a breaking point following two powerful earthquakes that struck the country nearly a week ago. • The government reports that the death toll has surpassed 1,900 people, while thousands of displaced citizens are currently living in unsanitary conditions.

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has significantly increased funding for the U.K. military in one of his final major acts of office. • The decision to boost weapons spending on Tuesday prioritizes military expansion over domestic welfare programs.

• Professor C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), and MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor addressed the Japanese parliament. • The event took place on the eve of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's official visit to India to strengthen bilateral relations.

• Iranian state TV reports that a ship has run aground in the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz. • A separate report details a deadly attack on a primary school in southeastern Iran on February 28, which is described as the deadliest strike in the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict against Iran.

• The author argues that U.S. diplomacy under the Trump administration has shifted from impartial professional diplomats to real estate investors. • Specific concerns are raised regarding Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, alleging their roles in negotiations with Iran create significant conflicts of interest.

• Europe and the Gulf states are seeking to increase their strategic autonomy to counter global "great-power chaos" and geopolitical instability. • The proposed collaboration focuses on three primary pillars: developing critical infrastructure projects, establishing free trade agreements, and securing scalable defense deals.

• Satellite imagery reveals that over 58,000 buildings were damaged following earthquakes in Venezuela. • In the U.S., the Supreme Court issued three major rulings: upholding birthright citizenship (6-3), allowing states to ban transgender athletes from women's sports, and striking down federal limits on political party campaign spending.

• Roberto Savio, founder of Inter Press Service (IPS), discussed the critical importance of global citizenship in an exclusive interview with INPS Japan. • Savio promoted his new book, *The Global Citizen Handbook*, which he co-authored with educator Giuliano Rizzi to address the complexities of the 21st century.

• MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor and JGU Vice Chancellor Prof. C. Raj Kumar addressed Japan’s National Diet to advocate for stronger bilateral ties. • The visit focused on promoting robust university collaborations and enhancing parliamentary diplomacy beyond simple crisis management or interest negotiation.