Australia: Migrants say new laws stopping temporary migration from war-torn countries ‘a slap in the face’<\/a><\/span> Cambodia: Cambodia calls on Thailand to adhere to frontier treaties<\/a><\/span> China: Chongqing mayor under investigation as China\u2019s anti-corruption crackdown gathers pace<\/a><\/span> China: Trump ally Steve Daines will be first sitting US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019<\/a><\/span> Fiji: Digital skills hub for youth: India backs Fiji tech training at Polytech<\/a><\/span> Japan: Trump calls for Japan, NATO to ‘step up’ on Iran as oil prices bite<\/a><\/span> Myanmar: Myanmar\u2019s post-coup parliament sits packed with junta allies<\/a><\/span> North Korea: Ukraine can help Seoul as North Korea\u2019s military grows stronger, experts say<\/a><\/span> South Korea: Seoul sticks to cautious line as allies condemn Iran over Hormuz<\/a><\/span> Taiwan: China not planning to invade Taiwan in 2027: U.S. intelligence report<\/a><\/span> Thailand: Royal command appoints Anutin as Thailand’s prime minister<\/a><\/span> Vietnam: Parliamentary elections: ‘99.68% voter turnout’ in a tightly controlled power struggle.<\/a><\/span> Czech Republic: Czechs rally in country’s largest anti-government protest since 2019<\/a><\/span> Europe: NATO leader says he expects Europe will come together on Iran<\/a><\/span> Europe: European nations, Japan to join \u2018appropriate efforts\u2019 to open Hormuz Strait<\/a><\/span> Italy: Strong early turnout in Italy referendum with high stakes for Meloni<\/a><\/span> Netherlands: Senior European journalist suspended over AI-generated quotes<\/a><\/span> Slovenia: Slovenia exit polls: ruling Freedom Movement is set to win parliamentary vote<\/a><\/span> Ukraine\/Hungary: Ukraine-Hungary Druzhba oil pipeline row threatens EU loan<\/a><\/span> United Kingdom: Britain sees no evidence that Iran is targeting Europe with missiles<\/a><\/span> Iran: Iran\u2019s national security council confirms death of its chief, Ali Larijani<\/a><\/span> Iran: Strikes hit world\u2019s largest natural gas field in Iran, and Tehran retaliates with more attacks<\/a><\/span> Iran: Iran says US and Israel attacked Natanz nuclear facility<\/a><\/span> Iraq: NATO withdraws troops from Iraq mission to Europe as Iran war rages<\/a><\/span> Iraq: Drone strike near Iraqi intelligence headquarters in Baghdad kills officer<\/a><\/span> Lebanon: Death toll surpasses 1,000 in Lebanon as Israeli bombardment continues<\/a><\/span> Qatar: Iran attacks wipe out 17% of Qatar\u2019s LNG capacity for up to five years, QatarEnergy CEO says<\/a><\/span> DR Congo: Former diplomat to stand trial for 1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba<\/a><\/span> Equatorial Guinea: Secretive US deal leaves deported migrants stranded in transit hub<\/a><\/span> Kenya: Nairobi introduces official menstrual leave policy for government employees<\/a><\/span> Kenya\/Russia: Agreement reached to halt recruitment of Kenyans for Ukraine war<\/a><\/span> Niger: Junta summons European envoy over resolution demanding Bazoum’s release<\/a><\/span> Nigeria: Maiduguri security tightened following deadly suicide bombings<\/a><\/span> Republic of Congo: President Sassou Nguesso extends 42-year rule with fifth term<\/a><\/span> Senegal: New legislation significantly increases prison terms for same-sex sexual acts<\/a><\/span> Somalia: U.S. military conducts air strike against ISIS targets in Puntland<\/a><\/span> South Africa: High youth unemployment and systemic failures stall “Born Free” generation<\/a><\/span> South Africa: ANC rejects allegations of foreign interference in upcoming elections<\/a><\/span> South Africa: Parliament reviews operational plans for army deployment to combat gang violence<\/a><\/span> Sudan\/Chad: Heavy fighting on shared border kills 17 people<\/a><\/span> Zimbabwe: Report reveals surge in human rights violations with thousands of victims<\/a><\/span> Afghanistan\/Pakistan: Strike on Kabul rehabilitation centre raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law<\/a><\/span> Bangladesh: Bangladesh High Commissioner meets S Jaishankar in New Delhi<\/a><\/span> Bhutan: Are Bhutanese attitudes toward women in goverance shifting?<\/a><\/span> Bhutan: Drop in women’s representation in Parliament prompts calls for electoral reforms, including reservation<\/a><\/span> India: India, Pakistan ties \u2018remain a risk\u2019 for nuclear conflict: U.S. Intelligence<\/a><\/span> India: PM Modi speaks to Iran President; calls for \u2018freedom of navigation\u2019 in the Gulf<\/a><\/span> Kazakhstan: “New state body, special status.” Parliament approves document on Alatau City<\/a><\/span> Maldives: US Special Envoy to South Asia to visit Maldives to advance cooperation<\/a><\/span> Nepal: PM comes under fire for political appointments<\/a><\/span> Pakistan: Pakistan denies hospital strike in Afghanistan as death toll hits 400<\/a><\/span> Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka says it denied US request to land two aircraft at Mattala airport<\/a><\/span> Tajikistan: “Violated the Rome Statute.” The Hague Court’s decision on Tajikistan<\/a><\/span> Turkmenistan: Communication networks are deteriorating in Turkmenistan. Who’s cutting off the country’s internet?<\/a><\/span> Western Hemisphere: Pentagon announces the possibility of ground troops joining drug operations in Central America<\/a><\/span> Chile: Chile\u2019s president begins building border barrier less than week into term<\/a><\/span> Colombia: Colombia\u2019s Petro accuses Ecuador of bombing near border<\/a><\/span> Costa Rica: Costa Rica’s first extradition to the U.S. holds a high government ranking individual suspected of drug trafficking<\/a><\/span> 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<\/a><\/span> Cuba: Tanker carrying fuel originally bound for Cuba diverts to Trinidad, shipping data shows<\/a><\/span> El Salvador: Amendment to introduce life sentences was introduced by Nayib Bukele and will be ratified later in the week after gaining congressional approval<\/a><\/span> Guatemala: ICJ grants Guatemala the ability to intervene in the Belize-Honduras “Sapodilla Cayes” case<\/a><\/span> Paraguay: Paraguay becomes final South American country to approve Mercosur-European Union trade deal<\/a><\/span> The SHU World Review is produced by the Student Research Assistants of the\u00a0DiploLab<\/a><\/span>\u00a0at the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University. Some summaries may be copied from article text. Back issues are available in\u00a0
\nABC News (Australia)\u00a0<\/em>
\nIranians 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.<\/p>\n
\nKhmer Times (Cambodia)\u00a0<\/em>
\nCambodia has urged Thailand to\u00a0comply with\u00a0existing border agreements and refrain from\u00a0attempting\u00a0to \u201ccreate facts on the ground\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\nSouth China Morning Post (Hong Kong)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe mayor of the southwestern metropolis Chongqing has been put under investigation by China\u2019s top\u202fanti-corruption agency. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) issued a statement on Friday saying that Hu\u00a0Henghua, mayor of Chongqing and deputy secretary of its municipal committee of the Communist Party, was under investigation for \u201cserious violations of discipline and law\u201d \u2013 a term commonly used to refer to\u202fcorruption.<\/p>\n
\nSouth China Morning Post (Hong Kong)\u00a0<\/em>
\nRepublican 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.<\/p>\n
\nFiji Times (Fiji)\u00a0<\/em>
\nPacific 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.<\/p>\n
\nThe Asahi Shimbun (Japan)<\/em>
\nPresident Donald Trump on March 19 urged Japanese Prime Minister Sanae\u00a0Takaichi\u00a0to “step up” as he pressed allies for \u200cmore support over the war with Iran and rising oil prices, while defending the secrecy \u2060of the campaign by invoking Japan\u2019s surprise \u2060attack on Pearl Harbor.\u202fTakaichi\u00a0called for de-escalation of the conflict, condemned Iran’s attacks in the strait, said Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon \u2060and added she believed only Trump could achieve peace.<\/p>\n
\nFrontier Myanmar (Myanmar)<\/em>
\nMyanmar’s parliament is set to\u00a0convene\u00a0Monday 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.<\/p>\n
\nNK News (South Korea)\u00a0<\/em>
\nUkraine can provide South Korea with invaluable battle-tested\u00a0expertise\u00a0for deterring North Korea in exchange for military aid like anti-air defense systems that are in short supply due to Russia\u2019s invasion, members of Ukrainian security think tanks said Friday.<\/p>\n
\nKorea Herald (South Korea)\u00a0<\/em>
\nSouth Korea\u00a0maintained\u00a0a 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\u2019s actions, from which Seoul was notably absent.<\/p>\n
\nFocus Taiwan (Taiwan)<\/em>
\nChina 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 \u201cAnnual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nBangkok Post (Thailand)\u00a0<\/em>
\nHis Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra\u00a0Vajiraklaochaoyuhua\u00a0has appointed Anutin\u00a0Charnvirakul\u00a0as prime minister, according to an announcement\u202fpublished in the\u202fRoyal Gazette\u202fon Friday. The royal command\u00a0stated\u00a0that the House of Representatives, at its meeting on Thursday, passed a resolution approving Mr. Anutin\u2019s appointment as prime minister with more than half of the total number of existing members voting in support.<\/p>\n
\nBBC News Vietnamese (Vietnam)
\n(Translated from Vietnamese) The Office of the National Election Council of Vietnam announced that\u00a076,043,527 voters\u00a0cast their ballots for the National Assembly and people’s councils at all levels, reaching a turnout rate of 99.68%. However,\u00a0Facebook users commented that the March 15 election “wasted taxpayers’ money” and expressed their weariness with what they believed to be a rigged result.<\/p>\nEurope & Eurasia<\/h3>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nTens of thousands of Czechs rallied on Saturday in the country’s biggest anti-government demonstration since 2019,\u00a0protesting against\u00a0defense spending cuts under Prime Minister Andrej Babis and over fears \u200chis administration will target public media.<\/p>\n
\nPolitico (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nNATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Sunday offered a full-throated endorsement of President Donald Trump\u2019s military efforts against Iran\u00a0and also\u00a0said he expects the nations of NATO to come together to support Trump.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\nPoltico (United States)<\/em>
\nVoter turnout in Italy\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\nThe Guardian (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe publisher of the Dutch newspaper De\u00a0Telegraaf\u00a0and the Irish Independent has suspended one of its senior journalists after he admitted using AI to \u201cwrongly put words into people\u2019s mouths\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nEuro News (France)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\nBBC (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nA dispute pitting Hungary and Slovakia against Ukraine\u00a0is\u00a0holding up a crucial \u20ac90bn (\u00a377.95bn) 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.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nBritish 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.<\/p>\nNear East<\/h3>\n
\nThe Guardian (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nIran\u2019s 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\u2019s political and security establishment at a moment of acute crisis and\u00a0represents\u00a0a devastating blow.<\/p>\n
\nAssociated Press (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nIran 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\u2019s intelligence minister and\u00a0reportedly attacked\u00a0the world\u2019s largest natural gas field in Iran as the war escalated pressure on the region\u2019s economic lifeblood: energy.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe United States and Israel have struck Iran\u2019s Natanz nuclear facility, according to its atomic energy organization. It added that there was \u201cno leakage of radioactive materials reported\u201d at the Shahid Ahmadi Roshan enrichment facility in Natanz in central Iran, one of the country\u2019s most important uranium enrichment sites, about 220km (135 miles) southeast of Tehran.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nNATO has withdrawn\u00a0all of\u00a0its troops from an advisory mission in Iraq, the military \u200calliance 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 \u2060NATO personnel from Iraq,” U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus\u00a0Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said in a statement. The statement said the mission had\u00a0relocated\u00a0“all its personnel” from the Middle East to Europe. A NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that amounted to “several hundred” troops.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOne police officer has been killed in a drone strike by \u201coutlaw groups\u201d on the headquarters of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service in the heart of capital Baghdad. \u201cA drone targeted the headquarters of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service in the Mansour district\u201d at about 10am local time (07:00 GMT), General Saad Maan, head of the Iraqi government\u2019s 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 \u201ccommunications building\u201d,\u00a0adding that the building houses an Iraqi security agency that works with United States\u2019 advisers in Iraq on security matters.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nMore 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nIranian attacks \u200chave knocked out 17% of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing an estimated\u00a0$20 billion\u00a0in lost annual revenue and threatening supplies to Europe and Asia,\u00a0QatarEnergy’s\u00a0CEO and state minister for energy affairs told Reuters on Thursday. Saad al-Kaabi\u00a0said 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.<\/p>\nSub-Saharan Africa<\/h3>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)<\/em>
\nEtienne 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\u00a0represents\u00a0a significant legal milestone, as Belgian courts have historically avoided judging the country’s own colonial-era crimes.<\/p>\n
\nAP News (United States)<\/em>
\nA 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\u00a0reportedly lacks\u00a0a 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.<\/p>\n
\nAP News (United States)<\/em>
\nThe 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\u00a0Sakaja\u00a0stated 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\u00a0utilizing\u00a0the leave. Kenya currently lacks a national menstrual leave law, but other African nations like Zambia have similar policies in place.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)<\/em>
\nKenya and Russia have agreed that Kenyan citizens will no longer be enlisted through the Russian Ministry of\u00a0Defence\u00a0to 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\u00a0maintained\u00a0that all contracts were signed voluntarily, Kenya’s foreign minister\u00a0stated\u00a0that Nairobi wanted to ensure its partnership with Russia is not defined solely by the war. Consular services will now be organized to\u00a0assist\u00a0Kenyans currently in Russia who require diplomatic support.<\/p>\n
\nallAfrica.com (South Africa)<\/em>
\nNiger’s Foreign Ministry summoned the European Union’s charg\u00e9 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\u00a0regarding\u00a0its 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\u00a0maintain\u00a0that the military government is acting\u00a0in accordance with\u00a0the anti-imperialist sentiments of the population.<\/p>\n
\nDeutsche Welle (Germany)<\/em>
\nPresident Bola Tinubu has ordered security chiefs to\u00a0relocate\u00a0to 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.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)<\/em>
\nProvisional results\u00a0indicate\u00a0that 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.\u00a0The 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.\u00a0Human rights activists reported that public gatherings were closely\u00a0monitored\u00a0and 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\u00a0nearly 95 percent\u00a0of its gross domestic product.<\/p>\n
\nAP News (United States)<\/em>
\nSenegal’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\u00a0Diomaye\u00a0Faye, 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\u00a0warn\u00a0that 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\u00a0seeking\u00a0to flee the country due to the deteriorating safety environment.<\/p>\n
\nallAfrica.com (South Africa)<\/em>
\nThe United States military, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, carried out an air strike against Islamic State fighters in the\u00a0Calmiskaad\u00a0mountains. US Africa Command (AFRICOM)\u00a0stated\u00a0the 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\u00a0maintained\u00a0hideouts 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.<\/p>\n
\nIndependent Online (South Africa)<\/em>
\nOn Human Rights Day, reports highlighted that over 57 percent of South Africans aged 15 to 34\u00a0remain\u00a0unemployed,\u00a0representing\u00a0a 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\u00a0exacerbated\u00a0the crisis, with billions in housing funds\u00a0unaccounted for\u00a0due to corruption and mismanagement. Studies also reveal that\u00a0roughly 65 percent\u00a0of students at major universities face severe food insecurity, often having to choose between basic nutrition and transportation costs.<\/p>\n
\nIndependent Online (South Africa)<\/em>
\nThe 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\u00a0remain\u00a0free from external strategic or financial influence.<\/p>\n
\nIndependent Online (South Africa)<\/em>
\nParliamentary committees are reviewing joint operational plans between the South African National\u00a0Defence\u00a0Force (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\u00a0regarding\u00a0the preparedness of soldiers to\u00a0operate\u00a0in civilian environments and the lack of clear command structures. Officials emphasized that the military should serve as a force\u00a0multiplier, but\u00a0stressed that long-term success requires addressing the underlying socio-economic drivers of crime.<\/p>\n
\nAP News (United States)<\/em>
\nIntense 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\u00a0operating\u00a0without 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.<\/p>\n
\nallAfrica.com (South Africa)<\/em>
\nThe 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.<\/p>\nSouth & Central Asia<\/h3>\n
\n\u00a0Amnesty International\u00a0(United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nWith the\u00a0Pakistani officials claiming that an airstrike that hit a drug rehabilitation\u00a0center\u00a0in Kabul was targeting an ammunition depot, Isabelle Lassee an Amnesty International Deputy Regional Director states that Pakistan\u2019s military should have taken all feasible precautions to spare\u00a0civilians\u00a0and civilian\u00a0objects\u00a0before\u00a0launching the strike due to accurate assessments and information demonstrating that the camp had a high civilian presence.\u00a0The scale of death and destruction raises serious concerns about whether\u202fthe Pakistani military conducted an adequate proportionality assessment and took all necessary steps to\u202fgather information about the intended target and minimize\u202fcivilian harm\u00a0and must explain what information they acted upon and steps taken to verify.<\/p>\n
\nProthom\u00a0Alo\u00a0(Bangladesh)\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>
\nDhaka-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\u00a0with Bangladesh High Commissioner, M Riaz Hamidullah\u00a0saying that Bangladesh is ready to work together with India\u00a0to\u00a0achieve shared interest and mutual benefits.<\/p>\n
\nKuensel\u00a0(Bhutan)\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>
\nWomen make up more than half of Bhutan\u2019s\u00a0population;\u00a0they are\u00a0largely underrepresented\u00a0in leadership positions. Yet, in recent years, women have become\u00a0visible in leadership roles, from local government positions to senor public appointments, suggesting that\u00a0perceptions\u00a0toward women in leadership\u00a0maybe gradually\u00a0evolving.<\/p>\n
\nKuensel\u00a0(Bhutan)\u00a0<\/em>
\nWomen\u00a0remain\u00a0absent 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\u2019s political participation. During the workshop participants\u00a0proposed including reserving and rotating constituencies for women, mandating political parties to nominate, and introducing quotas for candidate lists.<\/p>\n
\nThe Hindu (India)<\/em>
\nIndia and Pakistan relations\u00a0remain\u00a0at 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\u00a0seek\u00a0to open conflict, however conditions exist for terrorist actors to continue to create catalysts for crises such as the terrorist attack last year near Pahalgam.<\/p>\n
\nThe Hindu\u00a0(India)\u00a0<\/em>
\nPrime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian\u00a0on\u00a0Id and the Persian new year, Nowruz\u00a0and urged for freedom of navigation,\u00a0indicating\u00a0India\u2019s growing concern over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy route between the Gulf and India.<\/p>\n
\nRadio\u00a0Azattyk\u00a0(Kyrgyzstan)\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn 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\u00a0to create\u00a0conditions for the rapid and sustainable development of the city of Alatau in the Almaty region.\u00a0Several main development sectors will be regulated by a Special Council headed by the Prime Minster\u00a0allowing for the establishment of more than 30,000 jobs\u00a0and about 44 major projects to be developed.<\/p>\n
\nSun Online (Maldives)<\/em>
\nUnited States Special Envoy to South and Central Asia Sergio Gor is scheduled to visit the Maldives to advance cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.\u00a0In the Maldives, Gor will engage with senior government officials to reaffirm the United States\u2019 dedication to the bilateral relationship, strengthen security collaboration, explore ways to\u00a0assist\u00a0the Maldives in enhancing its critical infrastructure and growing its economy, and celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.<\/p>\n
\nThe Himalayan Times\u00a0(Nepal)\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>
\nPrime 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\u00a0faced\u00a0with many\u00a0criticisms\u00a0by Gen Z activists who argue that their protests were merely not a sacrifice to distribute chairs\u00a0to\u00a0councils,\u00a0departments\u00a0or committees.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera\u00a0(Qatar)\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>
\nIslamabad has denied the accusations of Afghanistan\u2019s 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 \u201ccrime against humanity.\u201d 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 \u201cimmediate lifesaving food\u201d to families that have been displaced in Afghanistan due to the conflict.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nSri Lanka\u2019s president says his government turned down a request from the U.S. to land two U.S. combat\u00a0aircraft\u00a0at a civilian airport earlier this month. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Sri Lanka\u2019s parliament that Washington requested permission for the\u00a0aircraft\u00a0to land at\u00a0Mattala\u00a0Rajapaksa International Airport from March 4 to 8 which was 2 days before the U.S, and Israel launched their military offensive against Iran.\u00a0They wanted to bring 2 warplanes that\u00a0contained\u00a0antiship missiles with Sri Lanka turning it down to\u00a0maintain\u00a0its neutrality.<\/p>\n
\nOzodi\u00a0(Tajikistan)\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague, said Tajikistan violated the Rome Statute by\u00a0failing to comply\u00a0with a request to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin.\u00a0The ICC made legal request to Tajik authorities to arrest Putin in July 2025,\u00a0however\u00a0Tajik 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).\u00a0The 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.<\/p>\n
\nTurkmen News\u00a0(Netherlands)\u00a0<\/em>
\nInternet outages have been intensifying in Turkmenistan for a month now.\u00a0Network degradation, The\u00a0Cybersecurity Authority and\u00a0Ykjam\u00a0Aragatna\u015fyk, a provider of blocking solutions, implemented the attack. The economic losses from their actions could amount to millions of dollars. The\u00a0problems began in\u00a0February and have only worsened with up to 70% of users experiencing internet issues. This has not only\u00a0impacted\u00a0citizens but businesses as they\u00a0pay thousands of manats and even thousands of dollars per month for their internet and suffer losses due to downtime.<\/p>\nWestern Hemisphere<\/h3>\n
\nPolitico (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nDuring a House Armed Services Committee, acting assistant secretary of defense announced that the Trump administration could\u00a0possibly deploy\u00a0ground troops in Central America to combat the drug cartels. The revelation comes after a probe into the\u00a0ship\u00a0bombings 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.<\/p>\n
\nBBC News\u00a0(United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nChile\u2019s new president, Jos\u00e9 Antonio Kast, began work on a border barrier five days after being sworn into office. Trenches and fences will compose the barrier on Chile\u2019s northern border with Peru, which spans around\u00a0180km. 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.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nColombian President Gustavo Petro said that 27 charred bodies were found on the nation\u2019s 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\u2019s President Daniel Noboa has dismissed Petro\u2019s claims as false and said that all strikes have occurred within his country\u2019s borders.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nCosta 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.<\/p>\n
\nCBS News (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nCosta 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\u00a0attempting\u00a0to get the island to surrender and enter negotiations.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nA tanker carrying Russian-origin fuel originally bound for Cuba changed its destination to Trinidad and Tobago, according to LSEG ship tracking data \u2013 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\u2019s desire to\u00a0contain\u00a0high crude and gas prices amid the Middle East conflict, it has not eased pressure on Cuba\u2019s Communist government.<\/p>\n
\nNBC News (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nAmid an already controversial presidency, El Salvador\u2019s 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\u2019s constitution and have begun bringing up concerns over human\u00a0right\u00a0violations.<\/p>\n
\nThe San Pedro Sun (Belize)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe ICJ allowed Guatemala to be a non-party and intervene in the Belize-Honduras dispute over the Sapodilla Cayes. Guatemala\u00a0sought\u00a0to intervene to protect their legal interests, specifically their sovereignty over the islands, which they argue comes from\u00a0a previous\u00a0Spanish claim. The islands are currently under Belizean administration, stemming from a United Kingdom claim. The next time these nations will\u00a0submit\u00a0arguments for the Sapodilla Cayes will be between May 19th and July 20th, 2026.<\/p>\n
\nAP News (United States)<\/em>
\nParaguay became the final country to ratify the landmark free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, which will\u00a0establish\u00a0one of the world\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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