Extends

• Niger's transitional government announced a three-month extension to its military cooperation agreement with France, pausing its expulsion of French troops and reversing its February timeline for withdrawal. • The reversal follows intense negotiations between Paris and Niamey, with France agreeing to reduce its military footprint from 1,500 to 900 personnel and committing €200 million in civilian development aid. • The compromise addresses security challenges in the Sahel region, where French and US military presence remains crucial to counterterrorism operations despite growing anti-Western sentiment among portions of Niger's military leadership.

US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent says Iran’s Kharg Island storage facilities will be full and their ‘fragile’ oil wells shut in mere days because of the blockade; oil prices rise amid ongoing uncertaintyTrump announces extension of Iran ceasefire until ‘discussion concluded’Shares have been mixed in early trading across Asia, while oil prices have eased on hopes the US and Iran may resume talks to end their war.The price of Brent crude edged 0.2% lower but was still above $98 a barrel. US benchmark crude fell 0.4% to $89.29 a barrel. Continue reading...

Lack of ballot papers and defective computers disrupt election that Keiko Fujimori appears to be leadingPeruvians will have to wait at least until the end of Monday to know the result of the presidential election held on Sunday, after the voting process descended into chaos in some polling stations due to a lack of ballot papers or defective computers.In an unprecedented move, Peru’s electoral agency ONPE announced on Sunday night that it would extend voting for an extra day to allow tens of thousands of Peruvians in the country and abroad, who had been unable to vote, to cast their ballots. Continue reading...

• Myanmar's military government extended a nationwide curfew to 8 p.m. to midnight on April 10, as civil disobedience movements and anti-junta protests intensified in Yangon, Mandalay, and Naypyidaw following the announcement of forced military conscription. • Opposition groups reported at least 15 major demonstrations across urban centers, with internet shutdowns affecting mobile data services; the junta deployed additional armed units to key public spaces. • Human rights organizations documented at least 30 arrests of protest organizers within the past 48 hours, while military leaders warned of "zero tolerance" for anti-government activity, escalating concerns of a broader crackdown on dissent.

• NATO members approved a €4.2 billion additional military assistance package for Ukraine on April 10, including air defense systems, ammunition, and electronic warfare equipment to counter Russian offensives. • Russian forces intensified bombardment across the Donbas region this week, launching over 850 artillery strikes daily and deploying newly mobilized forces toward Pokrovsk, a key Ukrainian logistics hub 50 kilometers from the front. • NATO Secretary-General emphasized the aid reflects alliance commitment to Ukraine's defense, with additional commitments expected at the NATO summit scheduled for June 2026 in Madrid.

• The benchmark S&P 500 fell for a fifth consecutive week and is down more than 7% since U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran in late February. • Rising volatility and shifting rate expectations continue to pressure equity markets as geopolitical tensions compound economic uncertainties. • Market participants are reassessing expectations for Federal Reserve policy, with implications for growth stock valuations.

• President Trump announced he is delaying threatened strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, citing productive talks on ending the war and extending the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. • Iranian leaders continue to deny any direct talks are taking place with U.S. officials, maintaining their public position on the dispute. • The delay signals potential diplomatic progress while tensions remain high over regional shipping routes critical to global oil supplies.

• President Trump extended the strike deadline on Iran's energy sector while warning that failure to accept current negotiation terms would result in "far greater military consequences," according to White House statements. • The White House confirmed ongoing negotiations with Iranian leadership despite military operations continuing at historic levels, with Iranian leadership described by Trump as "desperate to negotiate."

• President Donald Trump extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 10 days, pausing potential air strikes on power plants after closing the vital trade route. • Oil prices climbed higher due to Middle East conflict concerns, while Asian and European markets closed lower; US stocks ended Thursday down with Nasdaq in correction territory at 21,408.08. • ECB President Christine Lagarde warned equity markets are 'too optimistic' amid the 'real shock' in Iran, as Dow fell 1% to 45,960.11 and S&P 500 dropped 1.7% to 6,477.16.

• 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.

Senate nominee in Texas James Talarico says ‘Christian nationalism kills’ in response to Brooks Potteiger remarkJames Talarico, the Texas Democratic state representative and Presbyterian seminarian, has said he forgives Pete Hegseth’s pastor for praying for his death. On Tuesday, Texas’s popular Democratic nominee for a US Senate seat pushed back against comments from Brooks Potteiger, the defense secretary’s closest spiritual adviser, who said: “We want him crucified with Christ.”Talarico said on X: “Jesus loves. Christian Nationalism kills. You may pray for my death, Pastor, but I still love you. I love you more than you could ever hate me.” Continue reading...

• President issued an executive order on March 24, 2026, further continuing the FEMA Review Council established by Executive Order 14180. • The council's term is extended until 10 days after its required report submission or May 29, 2026, whichever comes first. • Extension ensures ongoing assessment of FEMA operations amid disaster preparedness concerns.

• President Donald Trump extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by five days on Monday, saying the U.S. will delay striking Iranian power plants to allow envoys to hold talks with Tehran leadership. • Trump stated his government was holding "productive talks" with Iran, but Iran denied any negotiations were occurring and fighting showed no signs of slowing. • An Iranian warhead with approximately 100 kilograms of explosives struck central Tel Aviv on Tuesday, causing significant damage, while Iranian missile attacks also hit Kurdish positions in Iraq, killing 6 Peshmerga fighters and wounding 30 others.

President delays threat against energy infrastructure after Iran’s threats of retaliation, while Tehran denies any talksMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump has extended by five days his deadline to “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power stations and energy infrastructure if Tehran does not allow shipping to move freely through the strait of Hormuz, claiming that the US and Iran have held “very good and productive conversations” on an end to the three-week-old war.There was no immediate official reaction from Tehran to Trump’s announcement, which was made in a post on Truth Social and appeared to avert a potentially massive escalation of the conflict, at least for now. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Allowing US tech firm to analyse intelligence in name of tackling fraud raises fresh concerns over privacyFCA deal gives Palantir yet more access to inner workings of power in BritainPalantir is to be granted access to a trove of highly sensitive UK financial regulation data, in a deal that has prompted fresh concerns about the US AI company’s deepening reach into the British state, the Guardian can reveal.The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has awarded Palantir a contract to investigate the watchdog’s internal intelligence data in an effort to help it tackle financial crime, which includes investigating fraud, money laundering and insider trading. Continue reading...

As the conflict with Iran enters its third week, Americans' tolerance for the prolonged war is diminishing according to reports from the field. Thousands gathered in the streets of Tehran to celebrate Al-Quds Day amid the ongoing military escalation between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Growing public concern about the conflict's duration reflects broader anxiety about the war's trajectory and humanitarian impact. The escalating tensions have also contributed to broader economic concerns, with global volatility potentially boosting inflation rates across North American economies.