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War is stretching into a more uncertain phase, technology deals are colliding with national security concerns, and economic alliances are quietly being redrawn. Each shift on its own would be significant, but together they are creating a more volatile and less predictable global landscape.

Pressure is building across energy markets, AI competition, and trade policy at the same time, with ripple effects already beginning to show.

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President Trump, in his first Cabinet meeting since ordering strikes on Iran, said Tehran has been “decisively defeated” and is “begging” for a deal. He also claimed Iran sent him a gift “worth a tremendous amount of money,” a remark that left officials unsure what he meant.

The White House said it will ease sanctions on Belarus and plans to support U.S. farmers dealing with the economic fallout from the conflict. Iran rejected Trump’s characterization, with state media saying no negotiations are underway.

Israel said it killed a senior Iranian navy commander tied to the Strait of Hormuz blockade, a route that carries about a fifth of global oil. The disruption has pushed fuel prices higher and is beginning to feed into inflation across Western economies.

Chinese authorities have barred two executives from the AI company Manus from leaving the country during scrutiny of Meta’s acquisition of the startup. Beijing’s move signals that cross-border AI deals are no longer just corporate transactions but strategic contests over talent, code, and national control.

Manus drew attention for building advanced AI agents, and the deal had already become a high-stakes test of whether Chinese-rooted companies can move frontier technology into foreign hands without provoking intervention. Regulatory pressure now extends beyond export controls and chips into the movement of founders themselves, raising the cost of building global AI companies with ties to both China and the United States.

For Meta and its rivals, the episode is another reminder that expansion in AI increasingly runs through geopolitics as much as engineering. Venture investors and founders will be watching for whether Beijing treats this as a one-off warning or a template for future outbound-tech restrictions.

The European Parliament approved a trade agreement with the United States while adding suspension clauses meant to protect the bloc if Washington undercuts the pact. Fresh guardrails matter because Brussels wants tariff stability without giving up leverage in a relationship that has swung sharply in the past year.

Leaders pitched the vote as a way to preserve predictable access for exporters and avoid another spiral of retaliatory tariffs inside one of the world’s biggest trading relationships. New language gives European officials room to respond faster if future disputes over coercion, discrimination, or enforcement break open again.

For businesses, the deal lowers one layer of uncertainty even as negotiations over implementation still lie ahead. Investors and manufacturers now have a clearer short-term framework, but another clash over industrial policy or national-security trade rules could still test how durable the agreement really is.

The OECD downgraded growth forecasts for major economies and flagged the UK as especially exposed to fallout from the Iran conflict due to energy costs and market sensitivity. Mounting pressure on fiscal policy comes as global forecasts are revised, with risks rising if oil prices stay elevated.

Hungary’s ruling party is facing accusations of voter intimidation ahead of national elections, with opposition groups warning of institutional pressure on the electoral process. Rising scrutiny comes as allegations intensify amid stronger-than-expected opposition polling.

Australia’s One Nation party is gaining ground in polls ahead of federal elections, disrupting both major parties as voter frustration reshapes the race. Political dynamics are shifting as support climbs among voters focused on cost-of-living and immigration concerns.

A new eligibility policy adopted Thursday will bar transgender women from competing in women’s categories at Olympic events. The move is already drawing pushback, with legal challenges in the works and debate intensifying over fairness and inclusion in sport.

The Kennedy Center confirmed Maher as this year’s recipient after days of uncertainty. The White House had pushed back on earlier reports of his selection before the announcement was finalized.

Suburban organizers are planning “No Kings” protests ahead of April rallies, drawing in moderate voters and first-time activists concerned about executive power. Expanding activity in historically competitive suburbs signals a shifting political landscape as organizers mobilize nationwide.

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Stocks sold off while crude jumped as uncertainty around the Iran war deepened in its fourth week, with the Strait of Hormuz blockade still in place. Markets remain volatile as the disruption to a key oil route fuels price spikes and investor anxiety.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.38% this week, its highest level since last fall, adding fresh pressure to an already tight housing market. Higher borrowing costs are further squeezing affordability as inventory remains limited.

New filings for unemployment benefits edged up to 210,000 last week but remain within a range economists still view as historically strong. The labor market continues to show resilience despite broader economic uncertainty.

A new study finds AI systems trained on human feedback tend to flatter users instead of correcting them. Researchers say the behavior poses particular risks in high-stakes areas like medicine and finance.

New fossil analysis suggests early apes may have first evolved in Europe rather than East Africa, challenging a long-standing scientific consensus. The finding could reshape how researchers understand primate evolution, migration, and the environments that shaped early human ancestors.

Rare drone footage shows female sperm whales forming a protective circle around a mother and her newborn calf. The behavior adds to evidence of complex, coordinated social dynamics among cetaceans.

LSU fired Matt McMahon hours after its NCAA Tournament exit and is moving quickly to reshape its program. The school is finalizing a deal to bring back Will Wade, who was dismissed in 2022 during an NCAA investigation.

The tablet-based review system introduced this tournament is reshaping how officials handle disputed calls, giving teams a more direct role in challenges. Early data shows those challenges are being upheld more often than expected.

The latest ticket sales window for the North America-hosted tournament opened Thursday, kicking off another rush for seats. Demand is already expected to far exceed supply, especially for the highest-profile matches.

A breakout series has turned “Love Story” into the year’s first true global TV hit, fueled by nostalgic romance and a carefully chosen soundtrack. Its early success shows how familiar storytelling, done well, can still stand out in a crowded streaming field.

Awards season often shifts quickly from campaigning to consensus-building, as studios and voters coalesce around a handful of contenders. Industry strategy and prestige media coverage still play a major role in defining who becomes a “safe” front-runner well before the winners are announced.

The Tidal Basin cherry trees hit peak bloom Thursday, drawing the season's largest crowds to the National Mall. National Park Service officials expect the display to last through the weekend.

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Two juries this week found Meta and YouTube liable for addicting young users and the harm that followed, marking a significant shift in how U.S. courts are approaching tech platforms. Instead of focusing on what users posted, the cases centered on how the platforms were designed, highlighting recommendation systems, autoplay features, and persistent notifications that kept minors engaged for extended periods.

Plaintiffs argued those design choices were not neutral tools but intentional systems built to maximize time spent on the platforms. They tied that behavior to real-world harm, including eating disorders, depression, and self-harm among young users, with clinicians and internal records cited as supporting evidence.

The legal strategy is notable because it attempts to work around Section 230, which has long shielded companies from liability over user-generated content. By targeting the systems that deliver and amplify content, rather than the content itself, the cases test a boundary courts have mostly avoided until now.

Families and child safety advocates say the verdicts validate claims they have been making for a long time. Still, the outcome is far from settled, with both companies planning appeals and legal fights likely to stretch on. Whether courts uphold these rulings, or Congress steps in with new legislation, will determine if this becomes a turning point or fades without lasting change.

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