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Mojtaba Khamenei has emerged as the leading candidate to become Iran's next Supreme Leader, with an announcement expected as early as Wednesday, as US-Israeli strikes continue to target leadership and command sites in Tehran.

This comes as Poland's Prime Minister signalled the country would eventually pursue nuclear weapons, South Korea's stock market suffered its worst single-day crash in history, and Pakistan said its forces killed 67 Afghan troops as cross-border fighting entered its fifth day.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇵🇱 Poland will eventually seek its own nuclear weapons, Tusk says: Prime Minister Donald Tusk signalled Poland would pursue nuclear capabilities as Europe strengthens deterrence amid doubts over US commitment to defending the continent. Warsaw is in talks with France over the potential deployment of nuclear-capable fighter jets to allied countries.

2️⃣ 🇨🇳🇺🇸 China signals openness to US talks ahead of expected Trump-Xi summit: Beijing has expressed willingness to communicate with Washington ahead of an anticipated summit at the end of March. However, a parliamentary spokesperson reiterated China will not compromise on its "red lines" regarding sovereignty and security.

3️⃣ 🇰🇷 South Korea's stock market suffers historic meltdown amid Iran war: The benchmark KOSPI index plunged as much as 12.2 percent on Wednesday, eclipsing the single-day fall after the September 11 attacks and the 2008 financial crisis. Shipping and logistics firms were hit hardest amid the effective halt of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with South Korea relying on imports for about 98 percent of its fossil fuel needs.

4️⃣ 🇸🇩🇪🇹 Sudan accuses Ethiopia of involvement in civil war for the first time: Khartoum alleged that drones were launched from Ethiopian territory to carry out attacks in February and March, warning of consequences and affirming its right to respond by all available means. The accusation follows a Reuters report last month that Ethiopia was hosting a secret camp to train thousands of fighters for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

5️⃣ 🇺🇸 Defense contractors expected to drop Anthropic AI tools after Trump ban: Lockheed Martin said it would comply with the Pentagon's order to purge Anthropic's Claude from supply chains, despite legal scholars questioning whether the administration has authority to require contractors to stop using the technology entirely. Anthropic said it would challenge the ban in court, with one attorney noting the move has already caused "significant harm" to the company regardless of its legal justification.

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Major Story

Day 5: Iran names Khamenei's son as new Supreme Leader

Succession and Israeli threats

Mojtaba Khamenei — the late Ayatollah's son — has emerged as the leading candidate to become Iran's next Supreme Leader, with an announcement expected as early as Wednesday, according to the New York Times. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that any successor "will be an unequivocal target for elimination — it does not matter what his name is or where he hides."

The succession process comes as Israel struck a site linked to the Assembly of Experts in Qom, in what Israeli officials framed as an effort to disrupt the leadership selection process. The IDF also struck what it called a secret underground nuclear facility near Tehran, claiming scientists there were developing weapons components.

Kurdish front opens

The CIA is working to arm Kurdish forces to spark an uprising in Iran, according to CNN. Trump spoke with the president of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, and Kurdish opposition forces are expected to launch a ground operation in western Iran in the coming days.

Lebanon and European response

In Lebanon, Israeli troops moved into forward positions along the border while Hezbollah rejected a government ban on its military activities, warning "if the enemy wants an open war then let it be an open war." France, Germany and Greece are sending warships and air defense systems to Cyprus after Iranian drones struck a British base there.

Mixed messages from Washington

Rubio attempted to backtrack on comments that Israel's attack plan spurred US strikes — but hours later Trump contradicted him again, saying "if anything, I might have forced Israel's hand." German Chancellor Merz told reporters after meeting Trump that the US "does not have a clear strategy for the future civilian leadership" of Iran.

Gulf and regional attacks

Iran deployed kamikaze drone boats in combat for the first time, striking an oil tanker off Oman's coast and killing one crew member. The IRGC claims "complete control" of the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar confirmed an Iranian missile struck Al Udeid Air Base — the largest US facility in the region — with no casualties. An 11-year-old girl was killed in Kuwait when shrapnel fell on a residential area. US embassies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Lebanon have closed indefinitely.

By the numbers

The US has struck nearly 2,000 targets and sunk 17 Iranian ships. Six US service members have been killed. Seoul's KOSPI crashed 12 percent — its worst day ever. Brent crude briefly hit $84.

Diplomatic fallout

Trump threatened to cut all trade with Spain after Madrid refused base access and attacked Starmer as "not Winston Churchill." Qatar arrested two IRGC cells. Trump says Iran wanted talks — his response: "Too late."

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Other News

1️⃣ 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago declares new state of emergency over violent crime: The Caribbean nation reimposed emergency powers for the second time in recent months, citing credible threats against law enforcement and ongoing gang violence. The country has recorded 63 killings so far this year, with the opposition accusing the government of resorting to authoritarian measures.

2️⃣🇳🇵 Nepal holds first election since youth uprising ousted government: Millions of Nepalis are voting in parliamentary elections following protests that forced out the previous prime minister. The newly formed National Independent Party, led by rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, is mounting a strong challenge to the long-dominant Nepali Congress and Communist Party.

3️⃣ 🇵🇰🇦🇫 Pakistan says its forces killed 67 Afghan troops as cross-border fighting enters fifth day: Islamabad said Afghan forces attacked military positions along the border on Tuesday, while the Taliban government rejected the claim and said it had repelled Pakistani attacks and killed four soldiers. The UN mission in Kabul called for an immediate halt to fighting, saying at least 42 civilians have been killed since hostilities began last Thursday.

4️⃣ 🇬🇧 UK to end study visas for students from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Cameroon and Sudan: The Home Office said it was imposing an "emergency brake" for the first time after asylum claims by students from the four countries surged more than 470 percent between 2021 and 2025. The move comes amid rising anti-immigration sentiment and the surge of the hard-right Reform UK party in opinion polls.

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