NO MAJOR ISRAELI EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH LEBANON

NYSE PARTNERS WITH SECURITIZE ON TOKENIZED SECURITIES The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Securitize have signed an agreement to develop tokenized securities markets. Securitize will serve as the first digital transfer agent on NYSE’s upcoming blockchain-based platform, enabling the issuance of tokenized stocks and ETFs. The partnership will also focus on building systems for on-chain settlement, marking a step toward integrating blockchain into traditional financial markets.

FIRST MEETING BETWEEN ISRAEL AND LEBANON WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT IN WASHINGTON - AXIOS REPORTER ON X

IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON SAYS CONDUCTING TALKS TO END WAR IS CONTINGENT ON U.S. ADHERING TO ITS CEASEFIRE COMMITMENTS ON ALL FRONTS INCLUDING LEBANON -STATEMENT

U.S., BRENT CRUDE FUTURES FALL ABOUT $4 AS ISRAEL SAYS TO START DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS WITH LEBANON AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

NATO'S RUTTE: NATO WILL BE WILLING TO PLAY A ROLE IN A POSSIBLE STRAIT OF HORMUZ MISSION IF IT'S ABLE TO

NETANYAHU MOVES TO START DIRECT TALKS WITH LEBANON Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will begin direct negotiations with Lebanon, aiming to disarm Hezbollah and establish peaceful relations. He welcomed Lebanon’s call to demilitarize Beirut.

TRUMP URGES NETANYAHU TO TONE DOWN LEBANON STRIKES President Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, urging him to scale back strikes in Lebanon to protect the Iran negotiations, a senior official said. Although Lebanon isn’t formally covered by the ceasefire, Israel agreed “to be a helpful partner.” The call followed Netanyahu’s pledge to continue aggressive strikes, which Iran warned could end the truce. The Israeli embassy declined to comment.

TRUMP ASKED NETANYAHU TO SCALE BACK ISRAEL’S STRIKES IN LEBANON: NBC

HOME SELLERS SLASH PRICES AS BUYERS GAIN POWER A record 34.2% of home sellers cut prices in February, up from 31.5% last year, according to Redfin. Those who reduced prices dropped them by an average of $40,915 (7.3%), reflecting a clear shift to a buyer’s market. High mortgage rates, elevated prices, and economic uncertainty are keeping buyers on the sidelines—leaving sellers with more competition and forcing price cuts.

GREENLAND PRIME MINISTER: TRUMP'S DESIRE TO TAKE OVER OR CONTROL GREENLAND HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN OFF THE TABLE

*JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, SOURCES SAY

NO NEW REQUESTS FOR SHIP INSURANCE IN GULF – CNBC CITING INDUSTRY SOURCES (most tanker owners are still not actively preparing or committing to transit the Strait of Hormuz — they are holding back due to unresolved safety concerns, uncertainty over Iranian permissions/tolls, and lack of full confidence in the fragile ceasefire, even if some insurance options exist.)

WTI CRUDE MOVES BACK UP TO $100 A BARREL

U.S. FEB WHOLESALE INVENTORIES +0.8 PCT (CONSENSUS -0.4 PCT)

GERMANY'S MERZ SAYS I AM CONVINCED THAT IT WAS NOT TRUMP'S INTENTION TO DESTROY A CIVILISATION

GERMANY'S MERZ SAYS THERE ARE NO PLANS TO RESTRICT THE USE BY US FORCES OF THEIR BASES IN GERMANY

🚨 GERMANY'S MERZ SAYS OIL PRICES COULD RISE FURTHER FROM FEBRUARY LEVELS

SPOT GOLD RISES 1% TO $4,761.64/OZ

US LACKS CLEAR LEAD ON LEBANON AS CEASEFIRE STRAINS Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah is putting the Iran ceasefire at risk—yet no senior Trump administration official is clearly in charge of the Lebanon file, according to an Axios reporter.