Central

• JPMorgan analysis shows markets repricing oil-driven inflation risks, with global equities adjusting to potential rate hike scenarios amid recent oil price surges. • Central banks are providing clearer signals on monetary policy, suggesting rate hikes may not materialize as aggressively as feared despite elevated energy costs. • The divergence highlights inflation fears running ahead of underlying economic reality, potentially creating buying opportunities if data moderates.

• Kazakhstan launched a comprehensive national AI strategy aimed at building a competitive technology ecosystem and digital infrastructure for regional leadership. • The plan focuses on Central Asia dominance through AI research hubs, talent development, and partnerships with global tech firms. • This initiative matters as it positions Kazakhstan as an emerging AI powerhouse bridging Europe and Asia amid global tech rivalries.

• The Trinamool Congress (TMC) moved the Supreme Court on Friday for an urgent hearing challenging the Election Commission of India's decision to appoint only central government employees as counting supervisors for West Bengal Assembly elections. • Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed an urgent hearing for Saturday, with the plea to be heard by a bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi, indicating high-priority consideration of the electoral dispute. • The challenge reflects ongoing political tensions in West Bengal regarding electoral fairness and governance, with TMC opposing what it views as potential bias in vote counting procedures.

Strongest tornado hits Mineral Wells, Texas, where disaster was declared. Elsewhere, extreme rain inundates ChinaSpring is the season for severe thunderstorms across the central US, and the start of this week was a particularly active period for the region. A favourable weather pattern fuelled intense thunderstorms on Monday through Wednesday, bringing strong winds, very large hail and strong tornadoes.Eight tornadoes were reported on Monday, including an EF2 tornado that ripped through the town of Sycamore, Kansas. On Tuesday, a more widespread event tore across the mid-west, most notably as a severe hailstorm moved through Springfield, Missouri. Continue reading...

Police say 29-year-old arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and drink driving after collision in WestminsterA woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car hit pedestrians in central London in the early hours of Sunday morning.A woman in her 30s is in hospital in a critical condition and a man in his 50s suffered life-changing injuries after they were hit by a car in Argyll Street, Westminster, at around 4.30am on Sunday, the Metropolitan Police said. Continue reading...

Finance chiefs to join exercise in Washington designed to assess how they would handle collapse of significant bankThe bosses of the central banks and treasuries of the UK, US and EU are to take part in a war game in Washington on Saturday to test how they would handle the collapse of a globally significant bank.Amid growing unease over the risks to global financial stability, the most senior officials from the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England – including its governor, Andrew Bailey – are expected to take part. Continue reading...

Geoscience Australia says aftershocks likely but much lighter and in a smaller areaFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPart of Australia’s east coast has been shaken by an earthquake that could be felt hundred of kilometres away.A 4.5-magnitude quake hit at 8.19pm on Tuesday at a depth of 5km about 30km south-west of Orange in central west NSW, near the Cadia goldmine. Continue reading...

After Singapore last week, the PM visits supplier of 9% of Australia’s diesel as treasurer travels to Washington for G20 finance ministers’ meetingGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has arrived in Brunei Darussalam, the first Australian prime minister to fly to the oil-rich country for a meeting with the sultan, where he’ll discuss fuel supplies with the world’s longest serving monarch, Andrew Greene has reported from the travelling media pool.Arriving in Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday for his second trip to Asia in a week, Albanese was officially welcomed on the tarmac before making his way to the Brunei Darussalam-Australia memorial to lay a wreath. Continue reading...

Witness described at least one person slashed with large knife and police with guns drawnA shooting and stabbing has left at least two people critically injured at New York City’s Grand Central subway station, according to reports.Citing information from New York’s fire department, the local news outlet WPIX reported two people were brought to a hospital in critical condition after a shooting and stabbing at about 9.50am at the subway station on the corner of East 42nd Street and Park Avenue in midtown Manhattan. Continue reading...

• Israel's military launched a wave of airstrikes in the heart of Tehran early Friday, March 27, while U.S. President Donald Trump delayed his deadline to strike Iran's energy plants until April 6 amid ongoing Strait of Hormuz tensions. • The conflict has resulted in over 1,900 deaths in Iran, nearly 1,100 in Lebanon, 18 in Israel including four soldiers, and 13 U.S. military members, with millions displaced in both countries. • Trump cited Iran's request for a grace period and stated talks on a 15-point proposal are going 'very well,' despite Tehran's public denials of negotiations.

• Israel's military launched a wave of airstrikes targeting the heart of Tehran early on March 27, 2026, as confirmed by military statements, while smoke rose over Beirut. • The strikes coincide with US President Donald Trump extending his deadline to bomb Iran's energy plants until April 6, 2026, after Iran's request, claiming talks are 'going very well' despite Tehran's denials. • Trump referenced a 15-point US proposal to end the conflict, amid convulsing stock markets and Iran's insistence on no direct negotiations, heightening global tensions over the Strait of Hormuz closure.

• U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, head of Central Command, stated in an interview that the military campaign against Iran is 'ahead or on plan' amid ongoing strikes. • Israeli forces launched a wide-scale wave of strikes on Iranian terror regime infrastructure early Monday, with Iranian media reporting new airstrikes in Tehran. • Death toll exceeds 1,500 in Iran, 1,000 in Lebanon, 15 in Israel, and 13 U.S. military members, displacing millions in both countries.

• All major central banks adopted hawkish stances last week as energy market disruptions reignited inflation concerns, prompting global reassessment of monetary policy outlooks and eliminating prior rate-cut expectations. • U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut bets over the next 12 months have been priced out entirely, while most other advanced economies have begun pricing in additional rate hikes; the December Monetary Policy Report that implied a 25 basis point rate cut to 3.75% by Q4 2026 is now obsolete. • The combination of persistent energy price shocks and hardening central bank stances creates a "brutal combo for risk assets," with the dollar index remaining anchored in the 96.00-100.00 range as USD risks remain skewed to the upside during periods of financial market stress.

Scotland’s busiest station to run reduced trains timetable after estimated 953,000 passenger journeys affected so farScotland’s busiest station, Glasgow Central, will partially reopen its main concourse on Wednesday, including for cross-border services, after a fire gutted the Victorian building next to it.There will be a reduced timetable, including a scaled-down service to London Euston, and passengers are asked to check journeys before travelling. Continue reading...

Zahira Byjaouane, 43, arrested on Saturday after reports baby fell from property on Horseferry Road in WestminsterA mother has been charged with murdering her 18-day-old baby girl, who fell from a height at a property in central London.Zahira Byjaouane, 43, was arrested on Saturday morning after reports that a baby had fallen from a property on Horseferry Road in Westminster. Continue reading...

Met police says woman, 43, was detained after newborn girl in Westminster taken to hospital and pronounced deadA woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an 18-day-old baby girl fell from a property in central London.The Metropolitan police said officers attended Horseferry Road in Westminster after reports on Saturday morning that a baby had fallen from a residential property. Continue reading...

A U.S. military aircraft crashed in western Iraq on March 14, 2026, killing its entire crew of six, as disclosed by U.S. Central Command, bringing total confirmed American deaths in Iran operations to 13. The incident follows a prior refueling plane crash that killed four, heightening scrutiny on operational safety during escalated regional tensions. Pentagon officials cite mechanical failure pending investigation, while congressional calls grow for briefings on mission risks. Families demand transparency as recruitment challenges intensify.

A U.S. military aircraft crashed in western Iraq on March 14, 2026, killing all six crew members, as disclosed by U.S. Central Command via social media amid ongoing operations. This incident raises the confirmed U.S. death toll to 13 in the military campaign against Iran. The crash underscores operational risks in heightened regional tensions, impacting troop morale and public support. Investigations into causes and potential policy adjustments are expected soon.