World

The United States imposed additional sanctions on Russia, targeting dozens of defense companies, hundreds of parliament members, and the CEO of Russia's largest bank. The Treasury Department warned about potential sanctions on gold-related transactions, aiming to pressure Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

In a tragic escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukrainian authorities reported 300 deaths from a Russian airstrike on a Mariupol theater sheltering civilians. The March 16 bombing, marked by large "CHILDREN" signs, represents potentially the war's most deadly attack on non-combatants.

Singapore's core consumer price index rose 2.2% in February, lower than expected. The Monetary Authority of Singapore anticipates potential inflation risks from geopolitical and pandemic-related challenges, suggesting possible future policy adjustments.

Russia will partially reopen its stock market with restricted trading on 33 companies in the MOEX Index, nearly a month after shares plunged following the Ukraine invasion. Trading will include major state-owned companies like Gazprom and Rosneft, with heavy limitations to prevent massive selloffs.

Poland's Internal Security Agency has ordered the expulsion of 45 Russian diplomats, alleging they were conducting intelligence operations under diplomatic cover. The government identified these individuals as a threat to national security and summoned the Russian Ambassador to formally communicate the decision.

[President Vladimir Putin announced Russia will require "unfriendly countries" to pay for natural gas exclusively in rubles, criticizing Western asset freezes and challenging current payment mechanisms for energy exports.]

NATO faces a more unpredictable Russia that defies previous strategic assumptions, with Putin's Ukraine invasion representing a significant escalation beyond past military interventions like Crimea and Syria.

British inflation jumped to 6.2% in February, the highest since 1992, driven by soaring energy bills and fuel prices. The increase puts additional strain on household budgets, with food prices rising across the board, prompting calls for government intervention.

Polish President Andrzej Duda compared Russian attacks on Ukraine to Nazi war crimes, specifically highlighting the brutal bombing of Mariupol. As over 3.5 million refugees flee the conflict, survivors like Viktoria Totsen bear witness to the devastating impact of Russian military actions on civilian populations.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party reached a deal with the New Democratic Party to maintain government power until 2025. The agreement provides political stability, allowing Trudeau's government to pass legislation and implement budgets without a parliamentary majority, with NDP supporting key initiatives in healthcare and social programs.