In Nepal, 35-year-old reformist Balendra Shah was sworn in as prime minister on Friday, assuming the country's most powerful office. He swept last month's general elections on pledges to create jobs and restore political stability. A day before the ceremony, Shah released a rap song on social media, garnering millions of views and highlighting his appeal to the youth-driven movement that propelled him to power.
Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, has been sworn in as Nepal's prime minister following a landslide victory in the country's first elections since last year's youth-led protests. The 35-year-old Shah's rise marks a significant shift in Nepali politics, with his promise of change resonating among an electorate angry at corruption, nepotism, and elite rule, in a vote that came after widespread unrest.
The US Treasury Department has announced that Donald Trump is set to become the first sitting president to have his signature appear on American banknotes. Trump's signature will feature alongside that of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on new dollar bills, a move the department purportedly claims will mark the nation's 250th anniversary. This unprecedented step breaks with longstanding tradition, where only treasury officials' signatures have historically been used.
Iran's Red Crescent is conducting search and rescue operations for survivors "trapped under the rubble" following US-Israeli strikes on the capital, Tehran, and a deadly assault on the city of Qom. On Friday, air raids targeted three residential houses in Qom, killing six people, according to local media reports. Qom's deputy governor told the Fars News Agency that the number of injured remains unknown, highlighting the ongoing chaos and human toll of the attacks.
The Philippines has become the first country to officially declare a state of emergency in the energy sector for one year, amid a growing global fuel shortage. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the corresponding decree, characterizing the situation as an "imminent threat" to national security. This decision comes as the country's current fuel reserves average only 45 days.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sought to reassure Australians that the country's fuel supply remains "secure" despite soaring prices and widespread reports of panic buying and petrol stations running dry since the onset of the war in Iran. Albanese told reporters on Friday, "The longer this war goes on, the greater the impact will be. But we continue to act to prepare and shield Australians from the worst of it." However, the situation on the ground appears increasingly dire, with reports of truck drivers and motorists stranded, and businesses warning that rising costs are threatening their viability.
Iranian state television reported that the country has banned its sports teams from traveling to nations it considers "hostile." This ban was announced ahead of club side Tractor SC's scheduled football match in Saudi Arabia.
▪️ Israel's main opposition leader Yair Lapid has warned that the war with Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon is taking an excessively high toll and accused the government of steering the country towards a "security disaster". In a video address late on Thursday, Lapid stated that the military "is stretched to the limit and beyond", echoing a warning delivered a day earlier by military chief Eyal Zamir, according to leaked remarks from a security cabinet meeting.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of emergency in the country's energy sector. This move is linked to a sharp rise in oil prices following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, which the head of state described as an "imminent threat" to the nation's energy supply.
As the war enters its 28th day, US President Donald Trump has delayed planned attacks on Iran's energy infrastructure by 10 days until April 6, claiming that peace talks are going "very well." However, Iranian officials have described the US proposal as "one-sided and unfair," highlighting ongoing tensions and the challenges in reaching a diplomatic resolution.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has unveiled a new policy under its "framework to protect the female category in Olympic sports," which excludes transgender women from competing in women's events. The committee will utilize a one-time test for the presence of the SRY gene to determine eligibility for the female category. These new rules are set to take effect starting with the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States.
The Sabon Gari Market in Kano, northern Nigeria, has become a major hub for trading second-hand household appliances from the US and Europe. 34-year-old cleaner Marian Shammah purchased a refrigerator here for 50,000 naira ($36), but it broke down after just one month. Shammah reported that only the top half of the refrigerator was working, while the freezer failed. This led to spoiled food and the loss of her savings.