U.S. stocks sink as Trump renews criticism of PowellU.S. stocks stumbled Monday as renewed attacks by U.S. President Donald Trump on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell added to concerns about the central bank's independence.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 971.82 points, or 2.48 percent, to 38,170.41. The S 500 sank 124.50 points, or 2.36 percent, to 5,158.2. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 415.55 points, or 2.55 percent, to 15,870.9.U.S. defense secretary shares attack details in 2nd Signal chat: reportU.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared detailed information about forthcoming strikes in Yemen on March 15 in a private Signal group chat that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer, The New York Times reported on Sunday.Hegseth shared the flight schedules for the F/A-18 Hornets targeting the Houthis in Yemen, said the report, citing four anonymous sources with knowledge of the matter.Pope Francis dies at 88Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, died Monday at the age of 88, said the Vatican in a statement.Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Francis was head of the Roman Catholic Church since 2013.His death came weeks after returning home from a 38-day stay in intensive care, and followed an intense Holy Week schedule that included public appearances.NASA's Lucy spacecraft makes asteroid encounterNASA announced that its Lucy spacecraft made a close encounter with a small main belt asteroid on Sunday.The spacecraft made the closest approach to the asteroid, codenamed "Donaldjohanson", at 1:51 p.m. Eastern Time (0551 GMT) within 960 km at the speed of about 48,000 km per hour.The Lucy spacecraft phoned home after the encounter, and initial information indicated that the spacecraft is in good health, said the operations team.Israeli PM vows "forceful response" to Houthi attacksIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel would deliver a "forceful response" to repeated attacks by Yemen's Houthi forces.Netanyahu made the threat during a public speech in Tel Aviv, which he said addressed "the Houthis and all those who wish us harm," vowing that "any attack against Israel will not go unanswered. There will be a forceful response."Putin ratifies comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with IranRussian President Vladimir Putin has officially ratified a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with Iran, according to an official document published online Monday.The treaty was initially signed by the Russian president and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Jan. 17 following bilateral talks in Moscow.China rolls out guideline on upgrading pilot free trade zonesChina has released a guideline for improving the country's pilot free trade zones (FTZs) to further promote high-standard opening up and high-quality development.The guideline, issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, called for promoting the optimization and upgrading of trade of goods, invigorating the development of services trade, and supporting innovative development in digital trade.Iran ready for deal with U.S. if national interests respected: presidentIranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Iran is open to reaching an agreement with the United States in ongoing indirect talks, provided that the country's national interests are preserved."In the negotiations with the United States, we are ready for an agreement within a defined framework and while ensuring our national interests," Pezeshkian said during a meeting in Tehran.