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Japan's Nikkei set to plunge over 7% as oil breaches $100 mark Asia-Pacific markets were expected to experience significant declines on Monday, continuing the volatility seen in the previous week as oil prices surpassed $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022. The surge in oil prices was driven by major Middle Eastern producers, including Kuwait, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, which reduced output following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This development sent Brent crude futures soaring 16.1% to $107.61, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose nearly 17.7% to $107.02. The sharp increase in oil prices also triggered a sharp reaction in global stock markets. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was projected to fall nearly 6% based on futures data, with the Chicago contract at 51,760 compared to the previous close of 55,620.84. The Osaka futures contract was even lower, at 51,660, indicating a drop of over 7% against the last closing price. Similarly, Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 25,328, below the index’s previous close of 25,757.29. U.S. stock futures also declined sharply, with Dow Jones Industrial Average futures down over 800 points or 1.75%, while S&P 500 futures fell 1.59% and Nasdaq-100 futures dropped 1.6%. The broader impact of rising oil prices was evident across the Asia-Pacific region, with Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 falling 3.1% in early trade. The surge in oil prices coincided with a fire that broke out at the Shahran oil depot in Tehran, Iran, following U.S. and Israeli attacks. The incident left numerous fuel tankers and vehicles in the area damaged or unusable, further disrupting regional oil supply chains. U.S.#oil_prices #donald_trump #strait_of_hormuz #japan_nikkei #shahran_oil_depot

U.S. military tested device that may be tied to Havana Syndrome on rats, sheep, confidential sources say Since at least 2016, U.S. diplomats, spies and military officers have reported suffering from severe brain injuries. They described being hit by an overwhelming force that damaged their vision, hearing, sense of balance and cognition. However, the government has doubted their stories, calling them delusional. Now, 60 Minutes has learned that a weapon capable of causing these injuries was obtained overseas and secretly tested on animals at a U.S. military base. The investigation into this mystery has spanned nine years, with this being the fourth story in a series called "Targeting Americans." Despite official government skepticism, the reporting has continued due to the disturbing accounts from victims. Chris, a retired lieutenant colonel who worked on highly classified spy satellites, described experiencing an unseen force striking him five times in five months. The attacks occurred in his home in Northern Virginia, with his wife Heidi present for the last two incidents. Heidi reported severe joint pain and osteolysis, a condition where bones dissolve, requiring surgery. Chris now relies on neurological drugs to manage his symptoms, which include damage to multiple organ systems. Other victims, including an FBI agent, a Commerce Department official in China, and the wife of a Justice Department official stationed in Europe, described similar experiences. They reported intense ear pain, pressure in the head, and disorientation. Many have undergone multiple surgeries and suffer from lifelong disabilities. What is striking about these accounts is the consistency in how different individuals describe their experiences. Despite never meeting, they all report similar symptoms.#stanford_university #havana_syndrome #us_military #cnn #fbi

Former CIA Officer Criticizes Agency's Handling of Havana Syndrome Investigation A former CIA officer has publicly criticized the agency’s investigation into Havana Syndrome, a mysterious illness affecting U.S. intelligence personnel. Marc Polymeropoulos, who served the agency for nearly three decades, alleges that the CIA failed to provide adequate medical care after he was struck in 2017 during a mission in Moscow. He claims the agency dismissed his symptoms as psychosomatic and refused to acknowledge the severity of his condition, leaving him with long-term health issues and a sense of betrayal. Polymeropoulos described the incident as a “terrifying” experience, noting he woke up with vertigo, a severe headache, and tinnitus. He emphasized that the symptoms were unlike any physical trauma he had endured in combat zones like Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite his medical needs, he says the CIA did not offer proper treatment, leading to his eventual retirement due to disability. “I did some very interesting things for the U.S. government, always with the idea that they would have my back if I got jammed up,” he said. “I just needed to get medical care when I came back, and they wouldn’t even do that.” The former officer is among a group of victims who have long sought vindication for their conditions, which they attribute to a previously unknown weapon linked to Havana Syndrome. Polymeropoulos claims the CIA’s investigation into the incidents essentially ended in 2022, with officials pushing a conclusion that the illnesses were psychosomatic or caused by environmental factors. He alleges that some superiors mocked the victims, which he found deeply troubling after witnessing the personal impact of the syndrome on fellow officers during a posting in Central Asia. Dr.#white_house #cia #marc_polymeropoulos #stanford_university #david_relmann

Four-peat denied: Gamecocks fall to Texas in SEC title game, 74-59 South Carolina’s quest for a fourth consecutive Southeastern Conference title ended in a 74-59 loss to No. 4 Texas in the SEC tournament championship game on Sunday. The Longhorns, led by their strong offensive performance, capitalized on 14 turnovers by the Gamecocks and shot 54% from the field to secure the victory. Texas’s dominance was evident early, as the Longhorns surged to a 14-0 run in the first four minutes, fueled by five key plays that set the tone for the game. Despite a brief rally by South Carolina, which narrowed the gap to nine points in the second quarter, Texas quickly extended its lead. A 10-0 run midway through the period pushed the deficit to double digits, marking the Gamecocks’ largest halftime deficit in an SEC tournament game since 2008. The Longhorns maintained control in the third quarter, though a late 6-0 surge by South Carolina cut the lead to 13 points heading into the final period. However, Texas held firm, converting five of its last six field goals to seal the win. For South Carolina, the loss ended their bid for a fourth straight SEC title. Joyce Edwards led the Gamecocks with 13 points but also committed five turnovers, tying for the most individual turnovers on the team. Maddy McDaniel added 10 points, while Texas forward Madison Booker dominated with 18 points. Both teams are projected as No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, with Texas likely to compete in the Fort Worth region and South Carolina in the Sacramento region. The full NCAA Tournament bracket will be announced on March 15.#south_carolina #texas #madison_booker #sec_tournament_championship_game #maddy_mcDaniel

SEC Women's Basketball Tournament Finals: South Carolina vs. Texas in 2026 Showdown The 2026 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament concludes with a high-stakes matchup between No. 1 seed South Carolina and No. 3 seed Texas. The Gamecocks, led by their undefeated regular-season record, face off against the Longhorns, who entered the tournament as last year’s runners-up. South Carolina’s victory over LSU earlier in the season solidified their position, while Texas’ win against Ole Miss secured their place in the championship. The rivalry, marked by a dramatic 20-point loss to South Carolina in the 2025 final, adds tension to the contest. The final game will take place on Sunday, March 8, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. The matchup between the top-ranked Gamecocks and third-seeded Longhorns begins at 3 p.m. EST. ESPN will broadcast the championship game live, with streaming options available through the network. Fans can tune in for a rematch of teams that split their regular-season meetings, with South Carolina claiming the last encounter on January 15 and Texas securing an earlier win on November 27. The historical rivalry between the two programs highlights the stakes. South Carolina holds a 6-4 series edge overall, with a 2-0 record in Columbia and a 3-2 advantage at neutral sites. Texas, however, has dominated games played in Austin, winning both matchups. The Longhorns’ last victory over South Carolina came on November 27, 2025, with a score of 66-64, while the Gamecocks’ most recent win was on January 15, 2026, by a margin of 68-65. The final showdown promises to be a defining moment for both teams, with the SEC title on the line.#south_carolina #texas #sec_womens_basketball_tournament #bon_secours_wellness_arena #espn

Texas Claims First Women's SEC Tournament Title with Dominant Win Over South Carolina The Texas Longhorns secured their first women’s SEC tournament championship with a decisive 78-61 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks on Sunday. The game, played in Greenville, South Carolina, saw Texas take control early, building a 14-0 lead within the first five minutes and never allowing the Gamecocks to reclaim the momentum. The Longhorns’ dominance extended throughout the contest, with their lead never dropping below double digits as they claimed the title. South Carolina, the three-time defending SEC tournament champion, faced its most significant defeat in the tournament’s history. The Gamecocks, who had dominated the conference for the past three years, struggled to respond to Texas’ early aggression. Coach Vic Schaefer’s team, ranked No. 4, showcased resilience and precision, with standout performances from key players. Tournament MVP Madison Booker led the charge, scoring 18 points and averaging 20 points on 61% shooting across the tournament. Booker’s second-half contribution of 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting underscored Texas’ ability to maintain its intensity. The victory marked a historic moment for Texas, as Schaefer became the first coach to win a women’s SEC tournament title at two different schools. His previous success with Mississippi State in 2019 now joins this milestone, highlighting his impact on the program. Schaefer emphasized the team’s focus on toughness and resilience, noting that Texas’ early dominance set the tone for the entire game. “We belong in the SEC,” Booker said, reflecting the team’s confidence in their ability to compete at the highest level. South Carolina’s coach, Dawn Staley, acknowledged the challenge of overcoming Texas’ early lead.#south_carolina_gamecocks #texas_longhorns #vic_schaefer #madison_booker #dawn_staley

Red Wings recall John Leonard from Grand Rapids under emergency conditions The Detroit Red Wings have recalled forward John Leonard from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions. Leonard, 27, has recorded four points (2-2-4) in nine games with the Red Wings during the 2025-26 season. The 5-foot-11, 192-pound forward has also skated in 34 games with the Griffins this season and ranks among the team leaders with 27 goals (1st), 41 points (1st), three power play goals (T5th), three shorthanded goals (1st), eight game-winning goals (1st), 116 shots (3rd), and a 23.3 shooting percentage (1st). Leonard spent the entire 2024-25 campaign with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, tallying 61 points (36-25-61), a plus-21 rating, and 22 penalty minutes in 72 regular-season games. He represented the club at the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic and earned a place on the AHL’s Second All-Star Team. Leonard also recorded 14 points (8-6-14) and 18 penalty minutes in 18 postseason contests, helping the Checkers reach the 2025 Calder Cup Finals. Originally selected by the San Jose Sharks in the sixth round (182nd overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Leonard has registered 21 points (8-13-21) and four penalty minutes in 79 regular-season games with the Sharks, Nashville Predators, Arizona Coyotes, and Red Wings since 2020-21. He has also compiled 212 points (110-102-212) and 72 penalty minutes in 283 AHL games with the San Jose Barracuda, Milwaukee Admirals, Tucson Roadrunners, Checkers, and Griffins. Leonard is the older brother of Ryan Leonard, who was selected by the Washington Capitals in the first round (8th overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. A native of Westwood, N.J.#detroit_red_wings #john_Leonard #grand_rapids_griffins #american_hockey_league #calder_cup_finals

Paloma Valencia gana las consultas presidenciales | Elecciones Presidenciales Colombia | EL PAÍS América Colombia Bogotá - 08 mar. 2026 - 23:37CET La senadora del Centro Democrático, Paloma Valencia, ha ganado la Gran Consulta, un mecanismo interpartidista en el que compitieron nueve candidatos de la centroderecha. Con más de 2,2 millones de votos en el 72% del escrutinio, Valencia se posiciona como la principal aspirante del partido para las elecciones presidenciales del 31 de mayo. Su triunfo le otorga el apoyo del 46% de los colombianos que han participado en las tres consultas realizadas, consolidando su camino hacia la presidencia, algo que nunca antes había logrado una mujer en Colombia. El resultado sorprende por la magnitud de los votos obtenidos, ya que los sondeos de febrero anticipaban su victoria en la consulta de la derecha, pero no su capacidad para reunir casi la mitad de todos los sufragios. En este proceso, el exconcejal de Bogotá Juan Daniel Oviedo se destacó con el 16,7% de los votos, superando a otros candidatos como el exsenador Juan Manuel Galán, el exministro Juan Carlos Pinzón y la periodista Vicky Dávila. Valencia ahora enfrentará a candidatos fuertes en la primera vuelta. A la izquierda, Iván Cepeda, apoyado por el Pacto Histórico de Gustavo Petro, lidera las encuestas y se perfila como un rival serio. A la derecha, el ultra Abelardo de la Espriella, un abogado penalista, podría robarle votos a Valencia al atraer a las bases uribistas. La primera batalla electoral será contra este outsider, cuya presencia agrega incertidumbre al proceso.#paloma_valencia #centro_democrtico #bogot #elecciones_presidenciales_colombia #lvaro_uribe

Government lacks intent to achieve gender parity in courts: Ex-CJI #Ex-CJI #Government_lacks #lacks_intent #achieve_gender #gender_parity