Japan tops G-7 chart with highest fully vaccinated population

Speaking at a Women's History Month event at the White House, the US president said he had been fully briefed on the situation and described the incident as "terrible."

He highlighted India's role as a "first responder" for the Maldives, emphasising that India's support during critical periods has been fundamental to the stability and security of the island nation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Motegi Toshimitsu on Wednesday welcomed the decision made by the International Energy Agency (IEA) to implement a collective release totaling 400 million barrels of oil by the member countries, a statement by Japan's Foreign Minister said.

MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while addressing an Inter-Ministerial Briefing on Recent Developments in West Asia, said that the Indian Embassy in Tehran remains fully operational and is on high alert. The government is assisting Indian nationals, including students and pilgrims, who wish to leave the country. He further added that those choosing to exit Iran via land, the embassy is assisting citizens in crossing into Armenia and Azerbaijan, from where they can board commercial flights to return to India.

The European Union on Wednesday moved to intensify pressure on Tehran amid the conflict in West Asia by approving new sanctions targeting 19 Iranian regime officials and entities accused of serious human rights violations.

Amid the developing security situation in West Asia, the Indian Embassy in Qatar provided an update, where it mentioned that about 1000 Indian passengers have travelled back to New Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi. It further said that temporary transit visas of 96 hours' validity had been issued for Indian nationals through the Salwa border to Saudi Arabia and underlined that the Embassy's 24/7 control room remains functional.

China has announced a 7 per cent increase in its 2026 defence budget to roughly USD 277 billion. Amidst regional conflicts and military purges, Beijing is prioritising modernisation and "sovereign rights." While feeling vulnerable due to energy dependencies, China is choosing diplomatic engagement over direct military involvement in current global wars.

"9 days into Operation Epic Mistake, oil prices have doubled while all commodities are skyrocketing. We know the U.S. is plotting against our oil and nuclear sites in hopes of containing huge inflationary shock," Araghchi wrote.

Two persons were murdered in Bogura and Cox's Bazar, on March 6 and March 7, while crude bombs were thrown at a Hindu temple in Cumilla city during a puja on March 8, triggering significant panic, as per rights group the Bangladesh Jatio Hindu Mohajote (Bangladesh National Grand Alliance).

The seventh India-Japan military exercise, Dharma Guardian 2026, concluded in Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, on March 8. Focusing on counter-terrorism and urban warfare, the joint training enhanced interoperability and strategic ties. The exercise culminated in a successful 48-hour validation phase, reaffirming both nations' commitment to regional security and defence cooperation.