**Summary:** A Pakistani man, Asif Merchant, was convicted by a US jury in New York for conspiring to assassinate prominent US politicians, including President Donald Trump, on behalf of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (CGRI). The plot, planned for 2024, was thwarted before any attack occurred.

**Key points:**
- Merchant, a 47-year-old merchant, was convicted of 'murder for hire and attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries.'
- Potential targets included then-President Joe Biden, Nikki Haley, and Donald Trump.
- The alleged plot was in retaliation for the US killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020.
- Merchant testified he joined unwillingly to protect his family in Tehran, claiming he intended to cooperate with US authorities.
- The trial began shortly before Trump ordered an assault on Iran, which has expanded into a major regional conflict.

**Why it matters:** The conviction highlights ongoing international tensions involving Iran and the US, particularly concerning alleged state-sponsored terrorism against US political figures.

Pakistani convicted of plotting to kill Trump over death of Iran commander

Jurado de EE.UU. halla culpable a paquistaní de conspirar para asesinar a Trump

Pakistani Man Convicted in Plot to Kill Trump and Other US Politicians

**Summary:** Azerbaijan's State Security Service (SSS) prevented planned terrorist provocations and intelligence gathering orchestrated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The alleged targets included a strategic oil pipeline, the Israeli embassy, a religious community leader, and an Ashkenazi synagogue.

**Key points:**
- The SSS discovered an explosive device weighing 1,280 grams near a shipyard in Baku's Garadagh district.
- The planned attacks also targeted the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan strategic oil pipeline and the Israeli embassy in Azerbaijan.
- Three explosive devices were found and defused on Azerbaijani territory.
- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi stated Tehran is in contact with Baku and is investigating the incident, denying Iranian involvement.
- Azerbaijan previously closed its airspace for 12 hours following an Iranian drone attack on an airport in Nakhchivan on March 5.

**Why it matters:** This event represents a significant escalation in security tensions between Azerbaijan and Iran, involving allegations of state-sponsored terrorism and intelligence operations on Azerbaijani soil.

Azərbaycanda SEPAH-ın tapşırıqlarını yerinə yetirən vətəndaşlar saxlanılıb - Day.Az

Azerbaijani SSS discovers IRGC's explosive device in Garadagh - Trend.Az

Иран высказался об инциденте в Нахичевани - Lenta.ru

Азербайджан обвинил КСИР в подготовке теракта в стране - Lenta.ru

Azerbaijan accuses IRGC of planning terrorist attacks and intelligence gathering

**Summary:** The US labor market experienced a surprising deterioration in February, with the economy losing 92,000 non-farm jobs, contrasting sharply with market expectations of 55,000 created jobs. This loss reversed much of January's gains (126,000 created jobs), causing the unemployment rate to climb to 4.4%.

**Key points:**
- The loss of 92,000 non-farm jobs in February followed 126,000 jobs created in January.
- The unemployment rate increased to 4.4% in February, up from 4.3% in January and 4.2% in February 2024.
- Job destruction was notable in education and health services (-34,000 jobs), leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing.
- Public employment destroyed 6,000 jobs, marking the fifth consecutive month of job destruction in that sector.
- The Department of Labor revised December's creation of 65,000 jobs down to a loss of 17,000, and January's creation from 130,000 to 126,000.

**Why it matters:** These surprisingly weak employment figures raise doubts about the solidity of the US labor market and complicate the Federal Reserve's balancing act between supporting employment and containing price pressures.

Diario Financiero - La economía estadounidense perdió 92 mil empleos en febrero en una fuerte caída

La Tercera - Economía de Estados Unidos perdió 92.000 empleos en febrero y la desocupación subió a 4,4%

US Economy Lost 92,000 Jobs in February; Unemployment Rose to 4.4%

**Summary:** South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit dismissed two senior government officials in Republican decrees issued on Friday, March 6, 2026. The changes involved the leadership of the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) and the Petroleum Exploration and Production Authority (PEPA).

**Key points:**
- Gloria Nyoka Joseph Lagu was removed as Executive Director of the SSNBS and Secretary to its Council.
- Eng. Joseph Esbon Waiwai was removed as Director General of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Authority in the Ministry of Petroleum.
- Oiylang Dominic Kanuto was appointed as the new Executive Director of the SSNBS.
- Eng. Lual Chol Dak was appointed as the new Director General of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Authority.
- The changes are part of the government’s ongoing reshuffle of senior positions in key national institutions.

**Why it matters:** These leadership changes affect critical institutions regulating product standards and overseeing the country's vital oil sector, signaling administrative adjustments aimed at strengthening public service delivery.

eyeradio.org - Kiir removes standards bureau chief, petroleum authority director

sudanspost.com - Kiir relieves Standards Bureau chief, Petroleum Authority head in new decrees

Kiir Dismisses South Sudan Standards Bureau Chief and Petroleum Authority Head

**Summary:** Russia is reportedly providing Iran with real-time intelligence regarding the locations of US military assets in the Middle East to aid Tehran's targeting efforts. This intelligence sharing is seen as a significant escalation, drawing in a major US nuclear rival into the conflict that began on February 28.

**Key points:**
- The intelligence shared includes coordinates for US military ships and aircraft, described as a "fairly comprehensive effort."
- Iran's independent capability to locate US forces has reportedly degraded since the conflict started.
- The US-Israeli campaign has struck over 2,000 Iranian targets, including missile facilities and naval assets.
- The UAE is reportedly preparing to freeze billions of dollars in Iranian assets, potentially targeting structures linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
- An Israeli official described the progress of the joint US-Israeli military operation as "epic" and better than expected.

**Why it matters:** The reported Russian support for Iran's military actions against the US marks a major geopolitical shift in the conflict. Simultaneously, potential severe financial sanctions from the UAE threaten to cripple Iran's economy, which is already strained by military spending.

В Израиле одним словом оценили ход операции против Ирана

Россия передает Ирану данные для ударов по военным объектам США, - The Washington Post

Russia Is Actively Feeding Iran Intelligence On US Military Targets In West Asia: Report

Удар по "кошельку" Тегерана: ОАЭ готовят замораживание активов на миллиарды долларов, - WSJ

Russia shares US military intelligence with Iran amid ongoing conflict

**Summary:** Azerbaijan and Moldova agreed to hold regular consultations on bilateral and multilateral cooperation issues, including economic ties, following a meeting between their foreign ministers in Baku. Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi also condemned Iran's attacks on Nakhchivan.

**Key points:**
- The agreement covers analysis of the bilateral treaty and legal framework, as well as consular matters.
- Bilateral trade grew by 22% in 2025, though officials noted potential remains untapped.
- Moldova expressed interest in the 'Green Energy Corridor' project and dialogue with SOCAR.
- Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted Moldova's consistent support for Azerbaijan's global initiatives.

**Why it matters:** The high-level meeting solidifies ongoing diplomatic engagement between Azerbaijan and Moldova, focusing on expanding economic and energy cooperation, while also addressing regional security concerns like the attacks on Nakhchivan.

Азербайджан всегда наблюдал поддержку своих глобальных проектов со стороны Молдовы

Азербайджан и Молдова договорились проводить консультации по вопросам сотрудничества

Moldova condemns Iran's attacks on Nakhchivan - Mihai Popșoi

Moldova open to expanding energy cooperation with Azerbaijan, FM says

Azerbaijan and Moldova Agree on Bilateral Cooperation Consultations

**Summary:** The US Treasury Department issued a temporary 30-day waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil currently on tankers at sea. This move, announced by US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, aims to stabilize global energy markets amid rising tensions in the Middle East following operations against Iran.

**Key points:**
- The waiver is temporary, lasting for 30 days, and applies only to oil already loaded on tankers in the sea.
- US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent stated India is an essential partner and expressed hope India will increase US oil purchases.
- The US believes this measure will not provide substantial financial benefit to the Russian government.
- The decision was made against the backdrop of the ongoing military operation involving Israel and the USA against Iran.

**Why it matters:** The temporary exemption addresses immediate global energy market stability concerns arising from heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

interfax.ru - США временно разрешили Индии покупать находящуюся на танкерах в море российскую нефть

lenta.ru - США разрешили Индии закупать нефть России с танкеров

News18.com - India Gets 30-Day Waiver From US To Purchase Russian Oil Amid Iran War

US Grants India 30-Day Waiver to Buy Russian Oil Amid Middle East Tensions

**Summary:** The United States and Venezuela have agreed to formally re-establish diplomatic and consular relations, which were broken in 2019. This move is intended to facilitate joint efforts to promote stability, support economic recovery, and advance political reconciliation in Venezuela.

**Key points:**
- The restoration follows the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the US government in January 2026, with Delcy Rodríguez taking charge as the interim president.
- The US Department of State stated the step will help create conditions for a peaceful transition toward a democratically elected government.
- The agreement comes amid a progressive opening by Washington toward Caracas, particularly in the energy sector, with the US now trading Venezuelan hydrocarbons.
- US officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, have visited Venezuela to meet with Delcy Rodríguez.
- Laura Dogu was designated as the US Chargé d'Affaires in Caracas in January to reopen the US mission.

**Why it matters:** This formal restoration marks a significant shift in US-Venezuela relations, linking diplomatic normalization to a US-backed three-phase plan for Venezuela's future, contingent on cooperation with the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez.

axios.com - U.S. and Venezuela reach historic agreement to re-establish diplomatic ties

newsfeed.zeit.de - Venezuela: USA und Venezuela nehmen diplomatische Beziehungen wieder auf

latercera.com - EE.UU. y Venezuela acuerdan formalmente restablecer relaciones diplomáticas

elfinanciero.com.mx - EU y Venezuela fuman la pipa de la paz: Acuerdan formalmente restablecer relaciones diplomáticas

lemonde.fr - Les Etats-Unis et le Venezuela vont rétablir leurs relations diplomatiques, annonce Washington

US and Venezuela Agree to Formally Restore Diplomatic Relations