East Asia & the Pacific
Australia: Migrants say new laws stopping temporary migration from war-torn countries ‘a slap in the face’
ABC News (Australia)
Iranians in Australia have criticized new laws that will let the government block the arrival of temporary visa holders from war-torn countries. The federal government says the laws will protect the “integrity and sustainability” of Australia’s immigration system. Home Affairs officials have flagged that people in Iran with temporary visas for Australia are most likely to be affected by the changes.
Cambodia: Cambodia calls on Thailand to adhere to frontier treaties
Khmer Times (Cambodia)
Cambodia has urged Thailand to comply with existing border agreements and refrain from attempting to “create facts on the ground” after a series of delays to boundary talks. The appeal comes after reports of Thai military activity and civilian infrastructure projects in areas Cambodia considers its sovereign territory.
China: Chongqing mayor under investigation as China’s anti-corruption crackdown gathers pace
South China Morning Post (Hong Kong)
The mayor of the southwestern metropolis Chongqing has been put under investigation by China’s top anti-corruption agency. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) issued a statement on Friday saying that Hu Henghua, mayor of Chongqing and deputy secretary of its municipal committee of the Communist Party, was under investigation for “serious violations of discipline and law” – a term commonly used to refer to corruption.
China: Trump ally Steve Daines will be first sitting US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019
South China Morning Post (Hong Kong)
Republican Senator Steve Daines, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, is expected to visit Hong Kong at the end of this month to visit American business leaders, according to sources. It would mark the first trip to the city by a sitting US Senator since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fiji: Digital skills hub for youth: India backs Fiji tech training at Polytech
Fiji Times (Fiji)
Pacific Polytech has launched its first NIELIT Polytech Centre for Electronics and ICT, a partnership between Fiji and government of India that will provide students access to programs that are aligned with international standards in electronic and information technology.
Japan: Trump calls for Japan, NATO to ‘step up’ on Iran as oil prices bite
The Asahi Shimbun (Japan)
President Donald Trump on March 19 urged Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to “step up” as he pressed allies for more support over the war with Iran and rising oil prices, while defending the secrecy of the campaign by invoking Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Takaichi called for de-escalation of the conflict, condemned Iran’s attacks in the strait, said Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and added she believed only Trump could achieve peace.
Myanmar: Myanmar’s post-coup parliament sits packed with junta allies
Frontier Myanmar (Myanmar)
Myanmar’s parliament is set to convene Monday for the first time since a military coup five years ago, packed with pro-junta lawmakers elected in a poll orchestrated by the top brass.
North Korea: Ukraine can help Seoul as North Korea’s military grows stronger, experts say
NK News (South Korea)
Ukraine can provide South Korea with invaluable battle-tested expertise for deterring North Korea in exchange for military aid like anti-air defense systems that are in short supply due to Russia’s invasion, members of Ukrainian security think tanks said Friday.
South Korea: Seoul sticks to cautious line as allies condemn Iran over Hormuz
Korea Herald (South Korea)
South Korea maintained a cautious stance as of Friday amid mounting pressure from Washington and its allies over the Strait of Hormuz, even as key partners, including Western nations and Japan, issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s actions, from which Seoul was notably absent.
Taiwan: China not planning to invade Taiwan in 2027: U.S. intelligence report
Focus Taiwan (Taiwan)
China is maintaining the option to use force to achieve unification with Taiwan and counter what it views as the U.S.’ efforts to use Taiwan to contain Beijing’s rise, but it would prefer not to take that option, if possible, according to the report, titled “Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community.”
Thailand: Royal command appoints Anutin as Thailand’s prime minister
Bangkok Post (Thailand)
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has appointed Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister, according to an announcement published in the Royal Gazette on Friday. The royal command stated that the House of Representatives, at its meeting on Thursday, passed a resolution approving Mr. Anutin’s appointment as prime minister with more than half of the total number of existing members voting in support.
Vietnam: Parliamentary elections: ‘99.68% voter turnout’ in a tightly controlled power struggle.
BBC News Vietnamese (Vietnam)
(Translated from Vietnamese) The Office of the National Election Council of Vietnam announced that 76,043,527 voters cast their ballots for the National Assembly and people’s councils at all levels, reaching a turnout rate of 99.68%. However, Facebook users commented that the March 15 election “wasted taxpayers’ money” and expressed their weariness with what they believed to be a rigged result.
Europe & Eurasia
Czech Republic: Czechs rally in country’s largest anti-government protest since 2019
Reuters (United Kingdom)
Tens of thousands of Czechs rallied on Saturday in the country’s biggest anti-government demonstration since 2019, protesting against defense spending cuts under Prime Minister Andrej Babis and over fears his administration will target public media.
Europe: NATO leader says he expects Europe will come together on Iran
Politico (United States)
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Sunday offered a full-throated endorsement of President Donald Trump’s military efforts against Iran and also said he expects the nations of NATO to come together to support Trump.
Europe: European nations, Japan to join ‘appropriate efforts’ to open Hormuz Strait
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan have issued a joint statement saying they would take steps to stabilize energy markets, a day after several strikes on energy facilities in the Gulf region sent oil and gas prices soaring amid the United States-Israel war on Iran.
Italy: Strong early turnout in Italy referendum with high stakes for Meloni
Poltico (United States)
Voter turnout in Italy’s referendum on judicial reform was over 38 percent by 7 p.m. on Sunday, signaling a stronger-than-expected start to a vote seen as a key test for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Netherlands: Senior European journalist suspended over AI-generated quotes
The Guardian (United Kingdom)
The publisher of the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf and the Irish Independent has suspended one of its senior journalists after he admitted using AI to “wrongly put words into people’s mouths”.
Slovenia: Slovenia exit polls: ruling Freedom Movement is set to win parliamentary vote
Euro News (France)
The liberals of incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob are narrowly leading the conservatives of Janez Jansa in Sunday’s parliamentary vote. A first exit poll shows Golob’s party at 29.9 percent and the conservatives of Jansa at 27.5 per cent.
Ukraine/Hungary: Ukraine-Hungary Druzhba oil pipeline row threatens EU loan
BBC (United Kingdom)
A dispute pitting Hungary and Slovakia against Ukraine is holding up a crucial €90bn (£77.95bn) EU loan to Ukraine. No oil has flowed through the Druzhba pipeline, from Russia to Hungary and Slovakia across Ukraine, since the major oil hub at Brody, in western Ukraine, was damaged in a Russian attack on 27 January.
United Kingdom: Britain sees no evidence that Iran is targeting Europe with missiles
Reuters (United Kingdom)
British Cabinet Minister Steve Reed said on Sunday that there was no assessment that backed claims Iran is planning to strike Europe with ballistic missiles, or that it even has the capacity to do so.
Near East
Iran: Iran’s national security council confirms death of its chief, Ali Larijani
The Guardian (United Kingdom)
Iran’s supreme national security council has confirmed the death of its chief, Ali Larijani, after Israel said it had killed him in an airstrike. His death removes a pivotal figure at the heart of the regime’s political and security establishment at a moment of acute crisis and represents a devastating blow.
Iran: Strikes hit world’s largest natural gas field in Iran, and Tehran retaliates with more attacks
Associated Press (United States)
Iran broadened its strikes on major energy facilities in the Middle East, eliciting strong warnings Thursday from Gulf Arab states that called it a dangerous escalation that threatened to draw them into direct combat with Tehran. The strikes come after Israel killed Iran’s intelligence minister and reportedly attacked the world’s largest natural gas field in Iran as the war escalated pressure on the region’s economic lifeblood: energy.
Iran: Iran says US and Israel attacked Natanz nuclear facility
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
The United States and Israel have struck Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, according to its atomic energy organization. It added that there was “no leakage of radioactive materials reported” at the Shahid Ahmadi Roshan enrichment facility in Natanz in central Iran, one of the country’s most important uranium enrichment sites, about 220km (135 miles) southeast of Tehran.
Iraq: NATO withdraws troops from Iraq mission to Europe as Iran war rages
Reuters (United Kingdom)
NATO has withdrawn all of its troops from an advisory mission in Iraq, the military alliance said on Friday, as the repercussions of the Iran War spread across the Middle East. “I would like to thank the Republic of Iraq and all the Allies who assisted in the safe relocation of NATO personnel from Iraq,” U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said in a statement. The statement said the mission had relocated “all its personnel” from the Middle East to Europe. A NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that amounted to “several hundred” troops.
Iraq: Drone strike near Iraqi intelligence headquarters in Baghdad kills officer
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
One police officer has been killed in a drone strike by “outlaw groups” on the headquarters of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service in the heart of capital Baghdad. “A drone targeted the headquarters of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service in the Mansour district” at about 10am local time (07:00 GMT), General Saad Maan, head of the Iraqi government’s security media unit, said in a brief statement on Saturday. A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the AFP news agency that the drone targeted a “communications building”, adding that the building houses an Iraqi security agency that works with United States’ advisers in Iraq on security matters.
Lebanon: Death toll surpasses 1,000 in Lebanon as Israeli bombardment continues
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
More than 1,000 people have been killed in intensified Israeli attacks across Lebanon this month, according to local authorities, as the United Nations and other rights groups say Israel’s bombardment of the country may amount to war crimes. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said on Thursday that Israeli attacks have killed 1,001 people in Lebanon since March 2, including 79 women, 118 children and 40 healthcare workers. More than 2,584 people have been wounded.
Qatar: Iran attacks wipe out 17% of Qatar’s LNG capacity for up to five years, QatarEnergy CEO says
Reuters (United Kingdom)
Iranian attacks have knocked out 17% of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue and threatening supplies to Europe and Asia, QatarEnergy’s CEO and state minister for energy affairs told Reuters on Thursday. Saad al-Kaabi said two of Qatar’s 14 LNG trains and one of its two gas-to-liquids (GTL) facilities were damaged in the unprecedented strikes. The repairs will sideline 12.8 million tons per year of LNG for three to five years, he said in an interview.
Sub-Saharan Africa
DR Congo: Former diplomat to stand trial for 1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
Etienne Davignon, a 93-year-old former Belgian diplomat, has been ordered to stand trial for complicity in the 1961 murder of Congo’s first prime minister and anti-colonial icon, Patrice Lumumba. Davignon is the only surviving suspect among ten Belgians originally accused by Lumumba’s family of involvement in the assassination. Prosecutors allege that Davignon participated in the unlawful detention and humiliating treatment of Lumumba, who was killed by a Belgian-backed rebel group just months after taking office. The trial represents a significant legal milestone, as Belgian courts have historically avoided judging the country’s own colonial-era crimes.
Equatorial Guinea: Secretive US deal leaves deported migrants stranded in transit hub
AP News (United States)
A secretive deal between the Trump administration and Equatorial Guinea has turned the authoritarian petrostate into a transit hub for migrants deported from the United States. At least 29 people from nine different countries, including Ethiopia and Eritrea, have been sent to the country despite many having received legal protection from U.S. judges against being returned to their home nations. These individuals now face indefinite detention or pressure to return to the dangerous conditions they fled, as Equatorial Guinea reportedly lacks a functioning asylum system. Documents suggest the U.S. government paid Equatorial Guinea $7.5 million as part of these opaque arrangements, which critics argue serve as a legal loophole to circumvent laws prohibiting the return of refugees to places where their lives are threatened.
Kenya: Nairobi introduces official menstrual leave policy for government employees
AP News (United States)
The county government of Nairobi has implemented a new policy granting female staff two paid days off per month for menstrual pain and discomfort. Governor Johnson Sakaja stated the initiative aims to dignify the workforce and boost productivity, noting that women lead the county’s major business and health portfolios. While the policy is a “no-questions-asked” arrangement, some employees expressed concerns that it could lead to hiring bias in favor of men or that social stigma might prevent women from utilizing the leave. Kenya currently lacks a national menstrual leave law, but other African nations like Zambia have similar policies in place.
Kenya/Russia: Agreement reached to halt recruitment of Kenyans for Ukraine war
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
Kenya and Russia have agreed that Kenyan citizens will no longer be enlisted through the Russian Ministry of Defence to fight in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The agreement followed reports that over 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to fight on Russia’s side, often through trafficking syndicates and rogue officials. While Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov maintained that all contracts were signed voluntarily, Kenya’s foreign minister stated that Nairobi wanted to ensure its partnership with Russia is not defined solely by the war. Consular services will now be organized to assist Kenyans currently in Russia who require diplomatic support.
Niger: Junta summons European envoy over resolution demanding Bazoum’s release
allAfrica.com (South Africa)
Niger’s Foreign Ministry summoned the European Union’s chargé d’affaires to protest a resolution from the European Parliament that called for the release of ousted president Mohamed Bazoum. The Nigerien government denounced the resolution as “condescending” and reiterated that it would not accept directives from foreign powers regarding its internal affairs. Bazoum was removed from office in a July 2023 coup that saw widespread public support and led to the eventual expulsion of French troops from the country. Nigerien officials maintain that the military government is acting in accordance with the anti-imperialist sentiments of the population.
Nigeria: Maiduguri security tightened following deadly suicide bombings
Deutsche Welle (Germany)
President Bola Tinubu has ordered security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri after multiple suicide blasts killed at least 23 people and injured over 100 others. The attacks, suspected to be the work of Boko Haram militants, targeted a bustling market, a hospital gate, and a post office. The blasts have revived fears of a resurgence of extremist violence in a city that had enjoyed a period of relative calm since 2021. In response to the ongoing threat, the United States has begun deploying approximately 200 troops to Nigeria to support the military’s fight against jihadist groups in the region.
Republic of Congo: President Sassou Nguesso extends 42-year rule with fifth term
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
Provisional results indicate that President Denis Sassou Nguesso has been re-elected for a fifth consecutive term, winning 94.82 percent of the vote in an election marked by an internet shutdown and an opposition boycott. The 82-year-old leader, who has ruled for a total of nearly 42 years, ran against six relatively unknown candidates while major opposition figures remained imprisoned. Human rights activists reported that public gatherings were closely monitored and several opposition parties were suspended in the lead-up to the vote. Despite being rich in oil and minerals, the country continues to struggle with high international debt, which currently stands at nearly 95 percent of its gross domestic product.
Senegal: New legislation significantly increases prison terms for same-sex sexual acts
AP News (United States)
Senegal’s government has ratified a new law that increases the maximum punishment for “unnatural acts”, a legal term for homosexuality, from five years to 10 years in prison. The legislation, which is awaiting a final signature from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, follows a period of intensified anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and reported mob violence against suspected gay individuals. Human rights groups have noted a surge in arrests and warn that the “freedom to express hatred” is being supported by politicians to gain favor during election cycles. Many members of the LGBTQ+ community report living in hiding or seeking to flee the country due to the deteriorating safety environment.
Somalia: U.S. military conducts air strike against ISIS targets in Puntland
allAfrica.com (South Africa)
The United States military, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, carried out an air strike against Islamic State fighters in the Calmiskaad mountains. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) stated the operation was part of a continued effort to degrade ISIS capabilities that threaten security and U.S. interests in the Horn of Africa. The Islamic State has maintained hideouts in the Bari region’s mountainous terrain since 2015. Puntland regional authorities have been conducting their own sustained military campaign since late 2024 to reclaim territory from the militant group.
South Africa: High youth unemployment and systemic failures stall “Born Free” generation
Independent Online (South Africa)
On Human Rights Day, reports highlighted that over 57 percent of South Africans aged 15 to 34 remain unemployed, representing a significant gap between democratic promises and lived reality. Nearly one-third of young people are currently not in employment, education, or training, leading to prolonged dependency on unstable social systems. Administrative failures at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have exacerbated the crisis, with billions in housing funds unaccounted for due to corruption and mismanagement. Studies also reveal that roughly 65 percent of students at major universities face severe food insecurity, often having to choose between basic nutrition and transportation costs.
South Africa: ANC rejects allegations of foreign interference in upcoming elections
Independent Online (South Africa)
The African National Congress (ANC) has dismissed recent media reports alleging that the party received covert funding or disinformation support from Russian and Iranian networks. Party spokespeople characterized the claims as “entirely baseless” and part of a broader misinformation campaign intended to undermine public confidence in democratic institutions. The allegations were fueled by a study citing leaked documents linked to Russia’s foreign intelligence service, which suggested targeted cyberattacks against South African opposition parties. The ANC reaffirmed that its electoral campaigns remain free from external strategic or financial influence.
South Africa: Parliament reviews operational plans for army deployment to combat gang violence
Independent Online (South Africa)
Parliamentary committees are reviewing joint operational plans between the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the police service (SAPS) as military deployment expands to provinces hit by rising gang activity. Over 2,000 troops are being deployed to provinces including the Eastern Cape and Free State to tackle illegal mining and violent crime. While some residents have welcomed the intervention and even called for curfews, lawmakers expressed concerns regarding the preparedness of soldiers to operate in civilian environments and the lack of clear command structures. Officials emphasized that the military should serve as a force multiplier, but stressed that long-term success requires addressing the underlying socio-economic drivers of crime.
Sudan/Chad: Heavy fighting on shared border kills 17 people
AP News (United States)
Intense battles between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the border town of Tina have resulted in at least 17 deaths and left over 100 people wounded. The town is one of the last military strongholds in the Darfur region and serves as a critical corridor for humanitarian aid when other crossings are closed. Doctors Without Borders reported that medical teams are struggling to treat the influx of patients at a new hospital in Tine, Chad, which is operating without consistent water or electricity. This escalation follows Chad’s recent decision to close its border indefinitely to prevent the Sudanese conflict from spilling further into its own territory.
Zimbabwe: Report reveals surge in human rights violations with thousands of victims
allAfrica.com (South Africa)
The Zimbabwe Peace Project recorded 105 human rights violations in February 2026, affecting over 3,200 victims across the country. The abuses included torture, assault, enforced disappearances, and political intimidation, with state institutions and members of the ruling ZANU PF party identified as the primary perpetrators. Violations also extended to the unfair distribution of food aid and restrictions on the freedoms of assembly and expression. The high number of victims, nearly half of whom were women, raises serious international concerns regarding institutional accountability and the safety of citizens participating in civic life.
South & Central Asia
Afghanistan/Pakistan: Strike on Kabul rehabilitation centre raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law
Amnesty International (United Kingdom)
With the Pakistani officials claiming that an airstrike that hit a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul was targeting an ammunition depot, Isabelle Lassee an Amnesty International Deputy Regional Director states that Pakistan’s military should have taken all feasible precautions to spare civilians and civilian objects before launching the strike due to accurate assessments and information demonstrating that the camp had a high civilian presence. The scale of death and destruction raises serious concerns about whether the Pakistani military conducted an adequate proportionality assessment and took all necessary steps to gather information about the intended target and minimize civilian harm and must explain what information they acted upon and steps taken to verify.
Bangladesh: Bangladesh High Commissioner meets S Jaishankar in New Delhi
Prothom Alo (Bangladesh)
Dhaka-Delhi relations move forward as India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar holds discussions with Bangladesh High Commissioner M Riaz Hamidullah. The theme of their discussions has focused on advancing bilateral relations with Bangladesh High Commissioner, M Riaz Hamidullah saying that Bangladesh is ready to work together with India to achieve shared interest and mutual benefits.
Bhutan: Are Bhutanese attitudes toward women in goverance shifting?
Kuensel (Bhutan)
Women make up more than half of Bhutan’s population; they are largely underrepresented in leadership positions. Yet, in recent years, women have become visible in leadership roles, from local government positions to senor public appointments, suggesting that perceptions toward women in leadership maybe gradually evolving.
Bhutan: Drop in women’s representation in Parliament prompts calls for electoral reforms, including reservation
Kuensel (Bhutan)
Women remain absent from political leadership with their representation in Parliament falling to its lowest level since the country transitioned to democracy. This issue was emphasized during a capacity building workshop on enhancing women’s political participation. During the workshop participants proposed including reserving and rotating constituencies for women, mandating political parties to nominate, and introducing quotas for candidate lists.
India: India, Pakistan ties ‘remain a risk’ for nuclear conflict: U.S. Intelligence
The Hindu (India)
India and Pakistan relations remain at risk for nuclear conflict, according to the Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community presented to the U.S. Senate on Wednesday (March 18). According to the report, India and Pakistan do not seek to open conflict, however conditions exist for terrorist actors to continue to create catalysts for crises such as the terrorist attack last year near Pahalgam.
India: PM Modi speaks to Iran President; calls for ‘freedom of navigation’ in the Gulf
The Hindu (India)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Id and the Persian new year, Nowruz and urged for freedom of navigation, indicating India’s growing concern over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy route between the Gulf and India.
Kazakhstan: “New state body, special status.” Parliament approves document on Alatau City
Radio Azattyk (Kyrgyzstan)
On March 20, at a joint session of the chambers of parliament, a document on the special status of the city of Alatau was considered, and the parliament approved it. The purpose of the law is to create conditions for the rapid and sustainable development of the city of Alatau in the Almaty region. Several main development sectors will be regulated by a Special Council headed by the Prime Minster allowing for the establishment of more than 30,000 jobs and about 44 major projects to be developed.
Maldives: US Special Envoy to South Asia to visit Maldives to advance cooperation
Sun Online (Maldives)
United States Special Envoy to South and Central Asia Sergio Gor is scheduled to visit the Maldives to advance cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. In the Maldives, Gor will engage with senior government officials to reaffirm the United States’ dedication to the bilateral relationship, strengthen security collaboration, explore ways to assist the Maldives in enhancing its critical infrastructure and growing its economy, and celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.
Nepal: PM comes under fire for political appointments
The Himalayan Times (Nepal)
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has now invited criticism from all corners for her surprise appointment of Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal in the National Assembly (NA) and her personal secretary Adarsha Kumar Shrestha as chairperson of the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). She is faced with many criticisms by Gen Z activists who argue that their protests were merely not a sacrifice to distribute chairs to councils, departments or committees.
Pakistan: Pakistan denies hospital strike in Afghanistan as death toll hits 400
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
Islamabad has denied the accusations of Afghanistan’s Taliban government that Pakistani forces hit a hospital treating drug users in the Afghan capital, Kabul, saying that it has only targeted terrorist infrastructure and military locations. With the reported death toll of the incident reaching 400, Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has called the assault as a “crime against humanity.” In addition, the UN Security Council on Monday, unanimously adopting but not directly naming Pakistan but condemning that all terrorist activity including terrorist attacks and the World Food Program (WFP) is providing “immediate lifesaving food” to families that have been displaced in Afghanistan due to the conflict.
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka says it denied US request to land two aircraft at Mattala airport
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
Sri Lanka’s president says his government turned down a request from the U.S. to land two U.S. combat aircraft at a civilian airport earlier this month. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Sri Lanka’s parliament that Washington requested permission for the aircraft to land at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport from March 4 to 8 which was 2 days before the U.S, and Israel launched their military offensive against Iran. They wanted to bring 2 warplanes that contained antiship missiles with Sri Lanka turning it down to maintain its neutrality.
Tajikistan: “Violated the Rome Statute.” The Hague Court’s decision on Tajikistan
Ozodi (Tajikistan)
The International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague, said Tajikistan violated the Rome Statute by failing to comply with a request to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin. The ICC made legal request to Tajik authorities to arrest Putin in July 2025, however Tajik authorities told the court that they are bound by international laws on ensuring the immunity or inviolability of heads of state, which they had previously signed citing Articles 27 (2) and 98 (1). The International Criminal Court’s ruling on Tajikistan comes at a time when the institution is also embroiled in controversy over the cases of other world leaders such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Turkmenistan: Communication networks are deteriorating in Turkmenistan. Who’s cutting off the country’s internet?
Turkmen News (Netherlands)
Internet outages have been intensifying in Turkmenistan for a month now. Network degradation, The Cybersecurity Authority and Ykjam Aragatnaşyk, a provider of blocking solutions, implemented the attack. The economic losses from their actions could amount to millions of dollars. The problems began in February and have only worsened with up to 70% of users experiencing internet issues. This has not only impacted citizens but businesses as they pay thousands of manats and even thousands of dollars per month for their internet and suffer losses due to downtime.
Western Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere: Pentagon announces the possibility of ground troops joining drug operations in Central America
Politico (United States)
During a House Armed Services Committee, acting assistant secretary of defense announced that the Trump administration could possibly deploy ground troops in Central America to combat the drug cartels. The revelation comes after a probe into the ship bombings and their effectiveness in curbing drug smuggling through the waters. Many worry about the strain on the U.S. Army if they are deployed to Central America amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Chile: Chile’s president begins building border barrier less than week into term
BBC News (United Kingdom)
Chile’s new president, José Antonio Kast, began work on a border barrier five days after being sworn into office. Trenches and fences will compose the barrier on Chile’s northern border with Peru, which spans around 180km. Kast, an admirer of United States President Donald Trump, has hailed the beginnings of construction as the first step to fulfilling his campaign promise to stem illegal immigration.
Colombia: Colombia’s Petro accuses Ecuador of bombing near border
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said that 27 charred bodies were found on the nation’s joint border with Ecuador, just one day after he suggested the Ecuadorian military may have bombed Colombian territory. The accusation comes during a US-backed Ecuadorean military campaign against armed groups in the region launched earlier this month. Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has dismissed Petro’s claims as false and said that all strikes have occurred within his country’s borders.
Costa Rica: Costa Rica’s first extradition to the U.S. holds a high government ranking individual suspected of drug trafficking
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
Costa Rica sent its first criminal extradition flight to the U.S, who the nation has formed a close bond with under the Trump administration. The flight included Celso Gamboa and Edwin Lopez Vega, individuals accused of running a drug operation and planning to smuggle drugs to the U.S. Costa Rica does not allow its citizens to face the death penalty or 50 years or more in prison, so if convicted, the two individuals will face 10 years in prison.
Costa Rica: Costa Rica and Cuba butt heads over the nation’s closing of its embassy in Cuba and calling for communist governments to be eradicated
CBS News (United States)
Costa Rica closed their embassy in Cuba and ordered the island to recall their diplomats from the embassy in San Jose. Rodrigo Chavez, president of Costa Rica, justifies the decision by citing concern for the deterioration of human rights in Cuba and calling for communist governments to be eradicated. Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, president of Cuba, believes the decision came out of pressure from the U.S, who is attempting to get the island to surrender and enter negotiations.
Cuba: Tanker carrying fuel originally bound for Cuba diverts to Trinidad, shipping data shows
Reuters (United Kingdom)
A tanker carrying Russian-origin fuel originally bound for Cuba changed its destination to Trinidad and Tobago, according to LSEG ship tracking data – a blow for Cuba amid a severe fuel scarcity. The previous day the U.S. Treasury Department had changed the terms of a waiver granting sales of Russian-origin crude and petroleum products already on loaded tankers to specifically exclude transactions involving North Korea, Cuba, and Crimea. Despite the Trump administration’s desire to contain high crude and gas prices amid the Middle East conflict, it has not eased pressure on Cuba’s Communist government.
El Salvador: Amendment to introduce life sentences was introduced by Nayib Bukele and will be ratified later in the week after gaining congressional approval
NBC News (United Kingdom)
Amid an already controversial presidency, El Salvador’s president proposed an amendment that would allow life sentences for prisoners and Congress has officially passed the amendment. The new amendment has brought about another wave of critiques for the already controversial presidency. Legal experts argue that this amendment and several others have violated the nation’s constitution and have begun bringing up concerns over human right violations.
Guatemala: ICJ grants Guatemala the ability to intervene in the Belize-Honduras “Sapodilla Cayes” case
The San Pedro Sun (Belize)
The ICJ allowed Guatemala to be a non-party and intervene in the Belize-Honduras dispute over the Sapodilla Cayes. Guatemala sought to intervene to protect their legal interests, specifically their sovereignty over the islands, which they argue comes from a previous Spanish claim. The islands are currently under Belizean administration, stemming from a United Kingdom claim. The next time these nations will submit arguments for the Sapodilla Cayes will be between May 19th and July 20th, 2026.
Paraguay: Paraguay becomes final South American country to approve Mercosur-European Union trade deal
AP News (United States)
Paraguay became the final country to ratify the landmark free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, which will establish one of the world’s largest free trade zones. The deal has been negotiated for a quarter century among countries that now account for over 700 million people and 25% of global gross domestic product. With the unanimous approval of 58 Paraguayan deputies, it becomes the fourth and final founding member of Mercosur to ratify the agreement, following Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil.
The SHU World Review is produced by the Student Research Assistants of the DiploLab at the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University. Some summaries may be copied from article text. Back issues are available in Seton Hall’s repository.