U.S. President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the ongoing war with Iran, marking their first direct contact since the conflict began. According to a New York Times report citing unnamed U.S. officials, billionaire Elon Musk also participated in the call, which took place on Tuesday, March 24.

The report noted that the inclusion of a private individual like Musk in such a sensitive discussion between two heads of government was highly unusual. The White House described the conversation as productive. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said that President Trump and Prime Minister Modi share a strong relationship and that the discussion was constructive.

The call occurred amid escalating tensions following multiple attacks in the region, including strikes on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility and missile attacks affecting industrial areas in the United Arab Emirates.

Wikipedia has introduced a new policy prohibiting editors from writing or rewriting articles using artificial intelligence. The update, added to the English version’s guidelines late last week, cites repeated violations of core content policies by AI-generated text as the reason for the ban. Editors may still use large language models for basic copy editing or translation, provided the AI does not add new content and the editor can verify translation accuracy.

The updated rules caution that some editors may naturally write in styles similar to AI, and enforcement should focus on compliance with content policies rather than stylistic traits. The change follows months of community concern over AI-generated material, which led to the creation of WikiProject AI Cleanup and a policy enabling the rapid deletion of low-quality AI-written pages.

The proposal, introduced by an editor known as Chaotic Enby, received overwhelming support from the community. It aims to curb problematic AI use while preserving acceptable applications such as minor edits and verified translations.

Software company Block, the parent of Square, Afterpay and Cash App, has laid off 40 percent of its workforce, amounting to about 4,000 employees. The company attributed the decision to advances in artificial intelligence that it said reduced the need for human staff. Similar moves have been reported across the tech industry, with Atlassian, Meta, Amazon and WiseTech also announcing significant job cuts while citing AI-related efficiencies.

Inside Block, reactions to the layoffs have been divided. Some former employees doubt that AI alone justified the cuts, arguing that current tools cannot replace thousands of engineers with deep institutional knowledge. Others, including those who helped develop the company’s AI systems, believe the technology’s accelerating capabilities are indeed reshaping the workforce. Research from Model Evaluation and Threat Research (METR) found that while programmers using AI felt more productive, they actually completed tasks more slowly, suggesting a perception gap about AI’s effectiveness.

Executives such as Block’s Jack Dorsey have described a major leap in AI sophistication since late 2025, while critics accuse companies of using AI as a convenient cover for cost-cutting. Despite skepticism, investors responded positively, with Block’s share price rising 22 percent on the day of the layoffs.

Global crude oil prices rose above $110 per barrel on March 27, 2026, as fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East intensified. Brent crude futures reached $110.12 per barrel, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate stood at $94.85. The market is assessing the risk of prolonged supply interruptions, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil and LNG shipments.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has created severe instability in energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, which typically handles about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and LNG flows, is now under heavy strain, with traffic reportedly near a standstill. Investors are focusing more on the potential for a long-term conflict than on daily diplomatic developments.

According to the International Energy Agency, the current supply shock is more severe than the combined impact of the 1970s oil crisis and the Russia-Ukraine gas disruptions. Reuters reported that global oil supply has fallen by about 11 million barrels per day.

A new study has found that potassium plays a vital role in maintaining heart health, yet many people around the world unknowingly suffer from its deficiency. Health experts have warned that improving dietary habits can significantly reduce the risk of major heart diseases. According to the findings, adequate potassium intake can lower the risk of stroke by 20 percent and heart disease by up to 24 percent.

Experts emphasized that populations with high salt consumption are particularly vulnerable to potassium deficiency. They cautioned that millions remain unaware of this hidden shortage, which increases the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes, and other health complications. Poor dietary awareness and the widespread consumption of processed, high-salt foods are worsening the problem.

Professor John Young of Teesside University noted that modern diets are a major cause of declining potassium levels. Potassium supports nerve signaling, muscle contraction, heartbeat regulation, and blood pressure control. Even mild deficiency can cause muscle cramps, constipation, and headaches, while severe cases may lead to confusion, depression, irregular heartbeat, and breathing difficulties if untreated.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wedeful has said that preparations are underway for direct talks between the United States and Iran. According to him, representatives from both countries are planning to meet in Pakistan. In an interview with Deutschlandfunk Radio, Wedeful stated that there had already been indirect communication between the two sides and that they are now preparing for a direct meeting, which he believes will take place soon.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran must take the initiative to persuade him to stop the war, adding that the decision now rests with Iran’s leaders and that he is not interested in reaching any agreement. However, Iranian state media reported that the country’s leadership remains skeptical about Washington’s sincerity in pursuing talks.

The planned meeting, if held, could mark a significant step in easing tensions between the two nations, though mutual distrust remains a major obstacle according to the source.

The United Nations General Assembly has officially recognized the transatlantic slave trade, which forcibly transported Africans across the Atlantic, as a serious crime against humanity. The resolution, introduced by Ghana, was passed on Wednesday with majority support. It calls for historical acknowledgment of the atrocity, urges member states to express remorse, and includes a proposal to establish a compensation fund.

A total of 123 countries voted in favor of the resolution, while the United States, Israel, and Argentina opposed it. Fifty-two countries, including the United Kingdom and members of the European Union, abstained. Ghanaian President John Mahama said the decision honors the millions who suffered under slavery and racial discrimination, describing it as a safeguard against historical amnesia and a challenge to address the lingering wounds of slavery.

U.S. envoy to the UN Dan Negrea opposed the resolution, stating that the United States does not recognize compensation claims for historical wrongs that were not illegal under contemporary international law and warned against pressuring modern nations for crimes with which they had no connection.

The ongoing war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel has shaken the global economy, with developing nations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East facing severe inflationary pressure. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Gulf energy facilities have triggered a fuel crisis, hitting import-dependent economies the hardest. Countries from Pakistan to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and from Jordan to Egypt and Ethiopia, are struggling to manage the fallout.

Pakistan, which imports 80 percent of its fuel from Gulf states, has seen its reserves of petrol and diesel plummet within weeks of the conflict. The government has reduced working days in public offices, closed schools, and limited fuel use for businesses. Although Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rejected a proposal to raise fuel prices before Eid, experts warn that prolonged conflict could paralyze economic activity. Bangladesh, which imports 95 percent of its fuel, is also facing shortages, with some districts already closing pumps despite rationing.

Egypt has ordered early shop closures to conserve electricity, while a Washington-based analysis identified Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Senegal, Egypt, Angola, Ethiopia, and Zambia as the most vulnerable to inflation caused by the energy crisis.

Global oil prices declined following US President Donald Trump’s announcement to delay a planned strike on Iranian energy facilities by ten days. The decision was made public on Friday, after which both Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) showed downward trends in international markets. As of 2:30 a.m. GMT, Brent crude dropped 1.5 percent to 93.07 dollars per barrel, while WTI fell 1.8 percent to 106.12 dollars per barrel.

Market analysts noted that the postponement provided temporary relief but warned that concerns over a prolonged conflict continued to unsettle the oil market. The overall sentiment remained cautious, with traders monitoring geopolitical developments closely.

The short-term decline in prices reflected immediate market reactions to reduced expectations of imminent military escalation, though analysts suggested that volatility could persist amid ongoing regional tensions.

France defeated Brazil 2-1 in an international football match held in Foxborough, Boston, on March 27, 2026. Despite being reduced to ten men after Dayot Upamecano was sent off in the 55th minute following a VAR review, Didier Deschamps’ team held on for victory. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 32nd minute after a precise pass from Ousmane Dembélé, while Hugo Ekitike doubled the lead in the 65th minute from a Michael Olise through pass. Brazil’s Bremer pulled one back in the 78th minute from a Casemiro setup but could not find an equalizer.

Brazil started the match strongly and enjoyed crowd support in Boston but failed to capitalize on early chances, including one from Raphinha. France gradually took control of the game before halftime and maintained composure even after going a man down. The win brought Mbappé’s international goal tally to 56, placing him close to the top of France’s all-time scorers list.

The result highlighted France’s resilience and Brazil’s missed opportunities as both teams continue preparations for upcoming international fixtures.

World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has warned that the global trading system is facing its most severe disruption in 80 years. She made the remark during the opening session of the WTO ministerial conference, emphasizing the scale of the challenges confronting the global economy.

The warning comes as global energy markets experience turmoil following U.S.-Israeli attacks in Iran. Tehran has nearly halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that handles about 20 percent of the world’s energy supply. This disruption has intensified instability in global energy flows and heightened concerns about broader economic impacts.

The WTO chief’s statement underscores the growing strain on international trade and supply chains, with energy insecurity adding to existing global economic pressures.

Global oil prices climbed on March 26, 2026, as uncertainty grew over whether the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel would ease. Brent crude rose 1.5 percent to 98.72 dollars per barrel, while US benchmark WTI increased 2 percent to 92.16 dollars. The market reaction followed Iran’s rejection of a US-proposed ceasefire plan that included 15 points, while President Donald Trump delayed his previously scheduled military action.

Asian stock markets opened lower as investors reacted to the geopolitical tension. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.8 percent, South Korea’s KOSPI dropped 3.3 percent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index declined 1.9 percent. The uncertainty surrounding the conflict has created pressure across energy and equity markets.

Analysts noted that if the war continues, Asia could face rising energy shortages and broader economic instability, reflecting the region’s sensitivity to disruptions in global oil supply.

Researchers have announced TRIBE v2, a next-generation predictive foundation model designed to act as a digital twin of human neural activity. The model can forecast how the brain responds to various sights, sounds, and language inputs with unprecedented speed and accuracy, offering a seventyfold increase in resolution compared to similar systems. TRIBE v2 was trained on data from more than 700 healthy volunteers exposed to diverse media, including images, podcasts, videos, and text. It enables zero-shot predictions for new subjects, languages, and tasks, outperforming standard modeling approaches.

The developers have released the model, codebase, research paper, and an interactive demo to support neuroscientists and clinical researchers. By simulating brain activity computationally, TRIBE v2 allows testing of hypotheses without requiring human subjects for every experiment. The release aims to accelerate neuroscience discovery, improve AI systems through brain-inspired insights, and advance treatments for neurological disorders.

All materials are shared under a CC BY-NC license, with the goal of fostering open research and enabling scientific and clinical breakthroughs for the broader community.

FIFA has announced the schedule for the final phase of ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup, set to begin on April 1 and continue until the end of the tournament. According to FIFA, over one million tickets were sold in earlier phases between December and February. Additional tickets will be released gradually, meaning seat availability will vary over time. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, featuring 104 matches in total.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously said ticket demand is unprecedented, with expectations that all matches will be sold out. However, criticism over ticket prices continues. The supporters’ group Football Supporters Europe has filed a complaint with the European Commission, alleging that FIFA’s dynamic pricing model has unfairly inflated prices. Earlier, group-stage tickets started at $140, while final match tickets reached up to $8,680, and semifinal tickets ranged from $920 to $1,125.

In this final phase, tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and fans can choose their preferred seats. Those who already purchased tickets can view their seat allocations from April 1.

Larry Fink, chairman and chief executive of BlackRock, has warned that the global economy could face a severe recession if international oil prices rise to 150 dollars per barrel. Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, he said that a prolonged war involving Iran could drive oil prices higher and have far-reaching effects on the world economy. The ongoing Middle East conflict has already caused significant volatility in financial markets as people try to anticipate future energy costs.

Fink stated that the fate of the global economy now depends on Iran’s role in the conflict. He outlined two possible scenarios: if the war ends and Iran is reintegrated into the international community, oil prices could stabilize or even fall below pre-war levels; but if the conflict continues, prices could remain between 100 and 150 dollars per barrel for years, triggering a deep global downturn. He urged nations to use their resources efficiently and accelerate the search for alternative energy sources.

BlackRock manages about 14 trillion dollars in assets and is considered one of the world’s largest investment firms.