Nepal’s youngest prime minister took the oath of office Friday after his party won a landslide victory in elections earlier this month, and following a youth-led uprising that toppled the government in September.

 As fears of a wider regional conflict escalate following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that began in late February, Pakistan has emerged as an unexpected mediator, offering to help bring Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table.

A jury in California found Alphabet’s Google and Meta liable for $6 million in damages on Wednesday in a landmark lawsuit in which the social media giants were accused of being legally responsible for the addictive design of their platforms.

Pakistan intervened to halt a reported Israeli plan to target Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, preserving fragile diplomatic channels. As Tehran reviews a U.S. peace proposal, Islamabad, Turkey, and Egypt continue mediation efforts to end the escalating Middle East conflict.

Iran and the United States hardened their positions as a diplomatic push for a ceasefire in the Middle East war appeared to falter on Thursday

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that Iran did not plan to negotiate with the United States and intended to keep fighting, after the White House said talks were ongoing.

Australia banned visitors from Iran on Thursday, saying war in the Middle East increased the risk they would refuse to fly home once their short-term visas expired.

Iran has dismissed out of hand a proposed US 15-point roadmap for peace. 

Israeli emergency services said at least 12 people were injured in the centre of the country on Tuesday evening following a missile launch from Iran.