Australia: Trump singles out Australia as he criticizes allies on Iran war support<\/a><\/span> China: China launches investigations into US trade practices. Why now?<\/a><\/span> Indonesia: Indonesia Earns Iran\u2019s \u2018Positive Response\u2019 on Hormuz Pass<\/a><\/span> Japan: China demands more than just regret from Japan after embassy break-in<\/a><\/span> Laos: Laos Seeks Approval for USD 1.3 Billion Railway to Vietnam<\/a><\/span> Malaysia: Malaysia\u2019s medicine stock stable for now, but govt\u2019s main supplier sets up task force over disruption risk<\/a><\/span> Mongolia: Mongolia\u2019s Opposition Democrats Boycott Parliament to Force Speaker\u2019s Ouster<\/a><\/span> North Korea: Lukashenko orders opening of Belarusian Embassy in North Korea<\/a><\/span> Philippines: Marcos: \u2018Bare-boned\u2019 ASEAN Summit in May to focus on oil, food, migrant workers<\/a><\/span> Singapore: More important than ever for Singapore and Hong Kong to collaborate amid competition: PM Wong<\/a><\/span> South Korea: 1 in 4 fans at BTS comeback concert from abroad: data<\/a><\/span> Taiwan: No expulsion or disciplinary action against Ko Wen-je: TPP<\/a><\/span> Denmark: Denmark\u2019s \u2018kingmaker\u2019 could decide who will lead its next government after inconclusive election<\/a><\/span> European Union: The \u2018privacy cult\u2019 means EU online child sex abuse protections will expire<\/a><\/span> European Union: The EU is set to expel more illegal migrants<\/a><\/span> Finland: Two unidentified drones crash in southeastern Finland in ‘suspected territorial violation’<\/a><\/span> Greece: Twenty-two migrants die off Greek coast after six days at sea<\/a><\/span> Hungary: Orb\u00e1n\u2019s spies were hunting me, says Hungarian journalist accused of espionage<\/a><\/span> Moldova: $500 and a trip abroad: How recruits end up in Russian sabotage training camps<\/a><\/span> Slovenia: Slovenia’s PM launches coalition talks after cliffhanger election<\/a><\/span> Ukraine\/Russia: Key Russian Oil Terminal Hit Again By Drones; Zelenskyy Threatens More Strikes On Russia Facilities<\/a><\/span> Iran: Iran rejects US ceasefire plan and submits its own amid push for talks<\/a><\/span> Iran: Iranian naval commander Alireza Tangsiri killed in attack, Israel says<\/a><\/span> Lebanon\/Israel: Israel says it will take control of large buffer zone in southern Lebanon<\/a><\/span> Saudi Arabia: Ukraine and Saudi Arabia sign deal on defense cooperation, Zelenskyy says<\/a><\/span> Yemen: Yemen’s Houthis enter Iran war with attack on Israel, while US Marines arrive in region<\/a><\/span> Africa: Iran war spurs interest in African energy<\/a><\/span> Benin: JNIM Presses into Coastal States<\/a><\/span> Burkina Faso: Terrorism Worsens in Burkina Faso<\/a><\/span> Ghana: Read Ghana’s UN resolution on slavery that defied the West<\/a><\/span> Guinea: Army Commander in Guinea’s 2009 Massacre Dies in Custody<\/a><\/span> Nigeria: Ozoro’s day of shame: How a Cultural Festival Allegedly Mutated into Coordinated Sexual Violence<\/a><\/span> South Africa: France Withdraws South Africa’s Invitation to G7 Summit<\/a><\/span> Sudan: Report: Cargo Flights Arm Sudanese Paramilitary Group<\/a><\/span> Afghanistan: Geneva: Global concern grows over Pakistan’s reported attacks on Afghan civilians<\/a><\/span> Bangladesh: Ruhul Quddus Kazal becomes country\u2019s 18th Attorney General<\/a><\/span> Bhutan: Govt. extends power imports from India till May amid global energy crisis<\/a><\/span> India: India has 60 days of oil stocks, one month of LPG supplies: Govt<\/a><\/span> India: India among five nations granted passage through Strait of Hormuz by Tehran<\/a><\/span> Kazakhstan: Another drone crashes in West Kazakhstan region<\/a><\/span> Maldives: \u2018The registrar is not a judge\u2019: Ali Hussain reacts after Supreme Court rejects case challenging elections bill<\/a><\/span> Maldives: Jabir says government should provide jobs regardless of elections, weather or political timing<\/a><\/span> Nepal: Newly elected HoR members sworn in at Singha Durbar<\/a><\/span> Pakistan: Pakistan continuing military operations against Afghanistan, Pakistan foreign ministry says<\/a><\/span> Sri Lanka: Russia agrees to supply refined fuel to Sri Lanka<\/a><\/span> Tajikistan: Another Tajik citizen detained in Armenia<\/a><\/span> Tajikistan: Armenia has not extradited Asomuddin Rajabov to Tajikistan<\/a><\/span> Turkmenistan: Closed Turkmenistan prepares to host an international tourism forum<\/a><\/span> Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan and Russia mark SMR construction progress<\/a><\/span> Brazil: Brazil\u2019s Lula slams \u2018interference\u2019 in previously colonized countries, without naming Trump<\/a><\/span> Colombia: Death toll in Colombian military plane crash rises to 69<\/a><\/span> Costa Rica: Costa Rica to accept 25 \u2018third country\u2019 deportees from US every week<\/a><\/span> Cuba: Missing sailboats for Cuba aid convoy arrived safely, AFP reports<\/a><\/span> Nicaragua: Authorities must provide proof of life for Brooklyn Rivera<\/a><\/span> Panama: China detaining Panama-flagged ships amid battle over port control, FMC says<\/a><\/span> Venezuela: Judge weighs whether Venezuela can pay Maduro\u2019s legal costs in US drug trafficking case<\/a><\/span> <\/p>\n 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\u00a0Seton Hall\u2019s repository.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Trump singles out Australia as he criticizes allies on Iran war support ABC News (Australia)\u00a0 The US president said he was “surprised” by Australia’s refusal to help the US secure the Strait of Hormuz, while again lashing out at NATO allies for their inaction. He extended a deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and said it would face its “worst nightmare” if it did not agree… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5878,"featured_media":197,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[53,5],"tags":[31,6,127,189,109,45,128,8,130,154,100,106,187,140,78,179,15,71,80,120,91,9,32,10,63,103,165,188,57,150,41,113,11,34,42,137,18,135,161,184,29,59,142,25,60,93,157,19,35,47,108],"class_list":["post-190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-53","category-issues","tag-afghanistan","tag-australia","tag-bangladesh","tag-benin","tag-bhutan","tag-brazil","tag-burkina-faso","tag-china","tag-colombia","tag-costa-rica","tag-cuba","tag-denmark","tag-finland","tag-ghana","tag-greece","tag-guinea","tag-hungary","tag-india","tag-indonesia","tag-iran","tag-israel","tag-japan","tag-kazakhstan","tag-laos","tag-lebanon","tag-malaysia","tag-maldives","tag-moldova","tag-mongolia","tag-nepal","tag-nicaragua","tag-nigeria","tag-north-korea","tag-pakistan","tag-panama","tag-philippines","tag-russia","tag-saudi-arabia","tag-singapore","tag-slovenia","tag-south-africa","tag-south-korea","tag-sri-lanka","tag-sudan","tag-taiwan","tag-tajikistan","tag-turkmenistan","tag-ukraine","tag-uzbekistan","tag-venezuela","tag-yemen"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/diplolab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/diplolab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/diplolab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/diplolab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5878"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/diplolab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=190"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/diplolab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":196,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/diplolab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190\/revisions\/196"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/diplolab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/197"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/diplolab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/diplolab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/diplolab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nABC News (Australia)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe US president said he was “surprised” by Australia’s refusal to help the US secure the Strait of Hormuz, while again lashing out at NATO allies for their inaction. He extended a deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and said it would face its “worst nightmare” if it did not agree to America’s 15-point ceasefire proposal.<\/p>\n
\nSouth China Morning Post (Hong Kong)\u00a0<\/em>
\nBeijing has launched two trade barrier investigations into the United States in response to a pair of\u202fSection 301 probes\u202fthat allege unfair trade practices by China and other economies and could pave the way for Washington to reimpose higher tariffs.<\/p>\n
\nJakarta Globe (Indonesia)\u00a0<\/em>
\nIndonesia revealed Friday that it had finally earned a \u201cpositive response\u201d from Iran\u00a0regarding\u00a0the Strait of Hormuz passage,\u00a0possibly ending\u00a0the weeks-long uncertainties over its trapped vessels.<\/p>\n
\nThe Asahi Shimbun (Japan)\u00a0<\/em>
\nJapan has expressed its regret over the break-in at the Chinese \u200cembassy in Tokyo by a knife-wielding\u00a0\u2060Japanese military\u00a0\u2060officer, but that is “far from enough,” the Chinese foreign\u00a0\u2060ministry said on Friday. The incident threatens to\u00a0exacerbate\u00a0Sino-Japanese ties.<\/p>\n
\nThe Laotian Times (Laos)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe Lao government has\u00a0submitted\u00a0a proposal to the National Assembly to move forward with a planned railway linking Laos to Vietnam\u2019s Vung Ang Port. Deputy Prime Minister\u00a0Saleumxay\u00a0Kommasith\u00a0presented the project on 24 March during the opening session of the 10th National Assembly, describing it as a key national infrastructure priority for the 2026\u20132030 development period.<\/p>\n
\nMalay Mail (Malaysia)\u00a0<\/em>
\nMalaysia\u2019s medicine supply\u00a0remains\u00a0stable for the next few months, even as global trade disruptions caused by the conflict in West Asia threaten pharmaceutical supply chains worldwide.<\/p>\n
\nMongolia Weekly (Mongolia)\u00a0<\/em>
\nAs the parliament reconvened for the spring session on March 16, 2026, the opposition Democratic Party (DP) boycotted it demanding resignation of Speaker Nyam-Osoryn Uchral. They argue a ruling party leader should also not preside over the legislature.<\/p>\n
\nNK News (South Korea)\u00a0<\/em>
\nBelarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has ordered the opening of an embassy in North Korea, a day after he signed a new friendship agreement with leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. Minsk says the president also invited Kim Jong Un to visit during summit in Pyongyang.<\/p>\n
\nABS-CBN (Philippines)\u00a0<\/em>
\nPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday that the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in May would push through under a \u201cvery bare-boned\u201d setup as part of the government\u2019s cost-cutting measures to cope with the national energy emergency brought about by the Middle East conflict.<\/p>\n
\nThe Straits Times (Singapore)\u00a0<\/em>
\nPM Wong\u00a0emphasizes\u00a0collaboration for mutual benefit between Singapore and Hong Kong amid a healthy competition. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in research, innovation, youth engagement, and exploring Hong Kong’s economic plans like the Northern Metropolis project.<\/p>\n
\nThe Korea Herald (South Korea)\u00a0<\/em>
\nApproximately 1 in 4 people in attendance at BTS\u2019 comeback concert in Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 were foreign nationals, with those from Thailand accounting for the largest share, according to Seoul demographic data released Friday.<\/p>\n
\nFocus Taiwan (Taiwan)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe opposition Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) has characterized the case involving Ko Wen-je as “political prosecution,” and therefore there will be no expulsion or disciplinary action against Ko, the party’s founder, TPP\u00a0Chairman\u00a0Huang Kuo-chang said Friday. Ko was sentenced to 17 years in prison by the Taipei District Court on Thursday for multiple corruption offenses in the Core Pacific City case and three other cases.<\/p>\nEurope & Eurasia<\/h3>\n
\nAP News (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nDenmark\u2019s foreign minister and his centrist party are expected to decide who will lead the next government\u202fafter parliamentary elections\u202fended without a clear majority for any party or bloc.<\/p>\n
\nEUobserver (Belgium)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe European Parliament has voted not to prolong an interim derogation from e-Privacy rules that allows online service providers to voluntarily detect, remove, and report child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and grooming. With 311 votes against, the commission\u2019s proposal to extend these measures was rejected, leaving this essential safeguard set to expire on April 3rd,\u00a02026.<\/p>\n
\nThe European Correspondent (Belgium)\u00a0<\/em>
\nEU governments would soon be allowed to detain non-EU nationals who have been ordered to leave the bloc.<\/p>\n
\nEuronews (France)\u00a0<\/em>
\nTwo unidentified drones crashed near the southern Finnish city of Kouvola on Sunday in what the country\u2019s defense ministry believes is a “suspected territorial violation\u201d.\u00a0Finland\u2019s premier Petteri Orpo says they are\u00a0likely Ukrainian\u00a0drones that went astray due to Russian jamming of signals.<\/p>\n
\nBBC (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nTwenty-two migrants have died off the Greek coast after spending six days in a dinghy bound for Europe, the Greek coastguard has said. Twenty-six survivors were rescued by a European border agency vessel.<\/p>\n
\nPolitico (Hungary)\u00a0<\/em>
\nHungary\u2019s foreign intelligence services\u00a0monitored\u00a0private conversations of the investigative reporter Szabolcs Panyi, he alleged in an interview with POLITICO after being accused of espionage.<\/p>\n
\nPolitico (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nCourt cases in Moldova are lifting the curtain on Russia\u2019s transnational network to recruit,\u00a0train\u00a0and deploy spies and saboteurs.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nSlovenia\u2019s Prime Minister Robert Golob launched talks on a broad coalition with political party leaders on Friday after an inconclusive election, pledging urgent measures to help the Alpine \u200ccountry’s economy cope with soaring energy costs.<\/p>\n
\nRadio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty (Czech Republic)\u00a0<\/em>
\nA major Russian oil export terminal was hit by Ukrainian drones for a third time in a week, officials said, the latest in a series of Ukrainian attacks that have severely restricted Russia\u2019s ability to take advantage of soaring global energy prices.<\/p>\nNear East<\/h3>\n
\nThe Guardian (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nIran dismissed a US ceasefire proposal on Wednesday and countered with a negotiation plan of its own as intermediaries sought to keep diplomatic channels between the warring countries open. Iranian state TV quoted an anonymous official as saying Tehran had rejected the plan it had received via Pakistan, saying it would \u201cend the war when it decides to do so and when its own conditions are met\u201d, and until then would continue fighting across the region.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nAn Israeli air strike has killed the commander of Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy, Israel\u2019s defense minister says. The assassination of Alireza Tangsiri was carried out on Wednesday night and targeted other \u201csenior officers of the naval command\u201d, Israel Katz said on Thursday in a video statement. Al Jazeera\u2019s Ali Hashem, reporting from Tehran, said Tangsiri was a \u201cwell-known commander\u201d who was instrumental in shaping the country\u2019s naval doctrine underpinning its strategy in the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n
\nBBC (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nIsraeli troops will control a large swathe of southern Lebanon as part of their campaign against Hezbollah, Defense Minister Israel Katz says. Katz said troops had blown up bridges on the Litani River, about 30km (19 miles) from the Lebanon-Israel border, and a security zone would be established, with displaced residents not being allowed back until northern Israel was safe.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nUkraine and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement on defense cooperation \u200cthat lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation and investments, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday. During an unannounced visit to the Gulf, Zelenskiy hopes to bolster support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, which is now in its fifth year, as the war with Iran raises uncertainty over whether Washington will restrict its military supplies.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe risk of an expanded Iran war grew on Saturday as Yemen’s Iran aligned Houthis launched their first attacks on Israel since the start of the conflict, even as additional U.S. forces reached the Middle East. Speaking before the strike, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States expected to conclude military operations within weeks, although a new deployment of U.S. Marines started \u200carriving in the region. The Houthis said they would continue their operations until the “aggression” on all fronts ended.<\/p>\nSub-Saharan Africa<\/h3>\n
\nSemafor (United States)<\/em>
\nThe war in Iran has prompted countries to focus on African energy, with both positive and negative effects. Algeria has agreed to increase LNG exports to Spain as global energy prices soar, and Italy and Ukraine are also seeking more supplies from Algeria and Mozambique. While energy-exporting countries in Africa are gaining higher revenues, nations dependent on imports are struggling with rising fuel costs that\u00a0impact\u00a0everyday workers and raise concerns about potential shortages and social unrest.<\/p>\n
\nADF Magazine (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nA recent attack in Benin shows that the extremist group\u00a0Jama\u2019at\u00a0Nusrat al-Islam\u00a0wal- (JNIM) is expanding from the Sahel into coastal West Africa. The assault in\u00a0Kofouno\u00a0killed 15 soldiers and injured 5 others, part of a sharp increase in attacks in northern Benin since 2021. JNIM has used the W-Arly-Pendjari\u00a0park regions shared by Benin, Niger, and Togo as a base and is now\u00a0operating\u00a0across those countries. However, its expansion is slowed by limited group numbers and rivalry with the Islamic State Sahel Province. Efforts to stop the group or\u00a0establish\u00a0regional cooperation may struggle after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger split from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Experts say\u00a0containing\u00a0JNIM\u2019s expansion will require more investment in local security and better regional solutions.<\/p>\n
\nADF Magazine (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nBurkina Faso is now considered the world’s most affected country by terrorism, surpassing\u00a0Mali\u00a0and accounting for a quarter of global extremist attacks in 2024. Human rights reports show that violence by groups like\u00a0Jama\u2019at\u00a0Nusrat al-Islam\u00a0wal- (JNIM) has devastated civilians through killings, abductions, and mass displacement, affecting millions. Ibrahim Traor\u00e9 took power in a 2022 coup, gaining a large following as he promised to use aggressive military action to bring terrorism\u00a0in\u00a0the country under control. However, under his leadership, security has worsened significantly, with civilian deaths surging and terrorists linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS\u00a0operating\u00a0throughout much of the country. Concerns about the nation slipping into instability or even becoming a failed state grow as the regime tightens control over the media, suppresses opposition, and uses propaganda to\u00a0maintain\u00a0power.<\/p>\n
\nGhana Web (Ghana)\u00a0<\/em>
\nGhana has led a United Nations resolution that declared the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans as the greatest crime against humanity. Countries that opted out of support include the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, as they take issue with the deception of the enslavement of Africans as \u201cthe gravest crime against humanity\u201d and reparation demands. The United Nations General Assembly has adopted the resolution, with 122 of 193 member states voting in support.<\/p>\n
\nallAfrica\u00a0(South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, Nigeria, Liberia, United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nAboubacar Sidiki Diakit\u00e9, a former army commander serving a 10-year sentence for crimes against humanity, died in custody due to a medical emergency. Diakit\u00e9 was held responsible for\u00a0participating\u00a0in the atrocities during Guinea\u2019s 2009 massacre. This violence left more than 150 people dead and at least 109 women raped. His death has sparked mixed reactions; while in custody, he\u00a0attempted\u00a0to run for president, which led to a protest involving tens of thousands of people. Some are concerned about accountability, while others believe it signals the end of an era.<\/p>\n
\nThe\u00a0Guardian\u00a0(United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn March 19, 2026, the\u00a0Ozoro\u00a0Kingdom festival in Delta State, Nigeria, turned into a scene of mass sexual violence. What should have been a cultural celebration instead became a coordinated attack on a woman with multiple assaults, including rape, carried out in broad daylight. Authorities and community leaders have condemned the acts as criminal or cultural, with the Delta State Police arresting 15 suspects, including an alleged organizer. Officials emphasize that no tradition justifies sexual violence and have called for accountability. The incident has sparked outrage and raised broader concerns about weak community oversight and festival regulation, as well as the issue of endemic gender-based violence and an untrustworthy justice system.<\/p>\n
\nallAfrica\u00a0(South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, Nigeria, Liberia, United States)\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>
\nFrance has disinvited South Africa from the upcoming G7 summit taking place in France with claims that the decision is based on opting for a more \u201cstreamlined G7\u201d. Given that South Africa is not a member of the G7, France has instead invited President Ruto to\u00a0represent\u00a0Africa at the summit. Both the French government and South Africa have denied initial reports that the disinvitation was based on requests by the U.S. government to exclude South Africa amid tensions between Washington and Pretoria.<\/p>\n
\nADF Magazine (United States)\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>
\nAn investigation by Le Monde newspaper found that\u00a0Batot\u00a0Air, a cargo airline registered in Burkina Faso, appears to\u00a0mainly fly\u00a0between the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia. Despite being registered in Burkina Faso, it has not been in the country and has made dozens of trips to areas near Sudan’s conflict. The airline is\u00a0reportedly linked\u00a0to Sudan’s paramilitary forces, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), transporting military supplies and even leaders such as General Mohamed Hamdan\u00a0Dagalo, RSF leader. Reports suggest\u00a0possible links\u00a0between the UAE and RSF operations, including alleged training camps in Ethiopia that the UAE has denied.<\/p>\nSouth & Central Asia<\/h3>\n
\nThe Tribune (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nIn the 61st\u00a0session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, activists and community have voiced their concerns of the bombardment of civilians in Afghanistan by Pakistan and have expressed that these actions could further instability and continued to strain the region. With this conflict occurring during Eid and already struggling Afghanistan this conflict has provided\u00a0additional\u00a0challenges to the region. During this conference it was also discussed the deteriorating law and order that has been occurring during this conflict and urge for the international community to emphasize accountability, restraint, and protect civilians and human rights.<\/p>\n
\nProthom Alo (Bangladesh)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe President has appointed Ruhul Quddus Kazal as the country\u2019s 18th Attorney General. Ruhul Quddus was a lawyer at the Dhaka Districts and Sessions Judges\u2019s Court in 1995 and has since progressed within his position working as a diplomatic official of the Government of Bangladesh and serving as a human rights secretary of the BNP. Till this point Ruhul Quddus has served as a member of the executive committee of the BNP and was a senior joint secretary general of the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Ainjibi Forum.<\/p>\n
\nKuensel\u00a0(Bhutan)\u00a0<\/em>
\nAs the conflict amongst Afghanistan and Pakistan deepens it has led to a significant disruption to fuel supplies and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz affecting electricity systems across South Asia who are facing this strain. The Director General of the Department of Energy, Karma P. Dorji has said that India has approved for electricity imports till the end of May with Bhutan\u2019s current import arrangement being approved till March. With South Asia heavily reliant on fossil fuels, specifically LNG. Bhutan did not foresee this major electricity supply crisis; however, electricity demand has been rising and has\u00a0remained\u00a0insulated because of its renewable-based electricity system.<\/p>\n
\nThe Hindu (India)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said all that India has so far arranged one month of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) supplies through imports with constant additional procurement ongoing. With crude oil, the government has stated that they have secure crude oil supplies to last the next 60 days in addition to India\u2019s current stock which equates to about two months.<\/p>\n
\nThe Hindu (India)\u00a0<\/em>
\nWhile India has been allowed by Iran and other nations they consider \u201cfriendly\u201d to utilize the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping. Over the past few weeks, India has made diplomatic efforts focused on ending the conflict in West Asias as soon as possible and ensuring that consistent flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz. New Delhi also thinks there could be serious ramifications for fuel and fertilizer security for many countries including India if the blockade of the shipping lane continues.<\/p>\n
\nRadio\u00a0Azattyk\u00a0(Kyrgyzstan)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe West Kazakhstan Region Police Department found an object resembling a drone in the\u00a0Akzhaiyk\u00a0district. Last year, drone debris were found several times in the West Kazakhstan Region. The authorities have not provided detailed information about the incidents with the Kazakh Defense Ministry that the incident is under investigation.<\/p>\n
\nSun Online (Maldives)<\/em>
\nThe Supreme Court has rejected the constitutional case lodged by Ali Hussian, attorney at law asking the court to overturn the constitutional amendment on synchronizing the presidential and parliamentary elections. With votes having to go to the polls twice around every 6 to 5 years and these new proposed constitutional amendments it wants to establish two elections and bringing the start of parliament term from May to December 1, which in turn will shorten the current parliamentary assembly. Ali Hussain asked the court to overturn the bill his case was rejected and said the Supreme Court\u2019s registrar is not a judge.<\/p>\n
\nSun Online (Maldives)\u00a0<\/em>
\nMP Abdulla Jabir has said the government should continue creating jobs and expanding projects without linking employment opportunities to elections or seasonal conditions. Jabir reiterated that more Maldivians should be employed across all sectors and will\u00a0benefit\u00a0the country.<\/p>\n
\nThe Himalayan Times (Nepal)\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>
\nNewly elected members of the House of Representatives were sworn in on March 26 in Singha Durbar. Senior member Arjun Narsingh KC administered the oath of office and secrecy to fellow lawmakers.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>
\nPakistan\u2019s military resumed operations against Afghanistan after a temporary pause for Eid al-Fitr however operations will continue until the\u00a0objective\u00a0are achieved and until the Afghan Taliban administration reviews its misplaced priority of supporting terrorist infrastructure.\u00a0\u00a0Trade and crossing at its main border have been suspended, and the Torkham border was temporarily open on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\nDaily Mirror (Sri Lanka)\u00a0<\/em>
\nRussian Deputy Minister of Energy, Roman\u00a0Marshavin, who is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka and has agreed to supply refined fuel to the country following discussions with local authorities. CPC Managing Director, Mayura\u00a0Neththikumara\u00a0said the quantity and the specific orders will be\u00a0finalized\u00a0during further talks scheduled for tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\nOzodi\u00a0(Tajikistan)\u00a0<\/em>
\nArmenian border guards have detained\u00a0Asomuddin\u00a0Rajabov\u00a0who was crossing from Georgia to Armenia and was detained at the request of Tajik authorities and on charges of \u201cextremism\u201d in which\u00a0Rajabov\u00a0has published articles on Facebook under a pseudonym.<\/p>\n
\nOzodi\u00a0(Tajikistan)\u00a0<\/em>
\nArmenian authorities have released\u00a0Asomuddin\u00a0Rajabov\u00a0and plan to move to a third country with the help of human rights organizations. It is unknown why\u00a0Rajabov\u00a0distanced himself from Tajik law enforcement agencies and began publishing articles. In the past year though at least five Tajik citizens have been detained at the Armenian border, and three of them have been released.<\/p>\n
\nTurkmen News (Turkmenistan)\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>
\nTurkmenistan is preparing for its international tourism forum in Ashgabat from April 14 to 16. Deputy Prime Minister for Culture, Bahar Seyidova is\u00a0assisting\u00a0in the preparations of this with the president emphasizing that tourism industry. With Uzbekistan profiting from tourism, Turkmenistan could also\u00a0benefit\u00a0from the experience with tourist flow increasing.<\/p>\n
\nWorld Nuclear News (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nRussia and Uzbekistan have signed a roadmap for nuclear cooperation. This agreement covers all key areas of cooperation on the nuclear power plant construction project and marks Uzbekistan\u2019s emergence as a leader in global nuclear energy in which it would contribute to socioeconomic growth and strengthen its technological sovereignty for the future.<\/p>\nWestern Hemisphere<\/h3>\n
\nAP News\u00a0(United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn March 21st, Brazilian President Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula de Silva criticized what he called the return of a colonial approach to developing nations during a summit in Colombia, referencing the disposal of ex-Venezuelan leader Nicol\u00e1s Maduro and the fuel blockade of Cuba. Lula accused an unspecified \u201cthey\u201d of\u00a0seeking\u00a0to own countries\u2019 critical minerals and rare earth deposits. He also criticized the United Nation\u2019s inability to stop multiple conflicts around the world.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn March 23rd, a Colombian military plane with 126 on board crashed near the southern border with Ecuador and Peru. Authorities say at least 69 people were killed and 57 others wounded. The Lockheed Martin-built C-130 Hercules\u00a0aircraft\u00a0was donated to Colombia by the United States in 2020, and President Gustavo Petro has blamed his predecessor, Ivan Duque, for accepting a \u201cjunk\u201d plane from the United States.<\/p>\n
\nAP News (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn March 26th, Costa Rica announced that it had entered into an agreement with the U.S, agreeing to accept 25 deported third country migrants every week. The Costa Rican government will hold the detainees and process them under their own migratory laws, ensuring that anyone who would be persecuted for returning to their home country would not return to that country.\u00a0The nation has recently faced criticism and scrutiny for the conditions they held\u00a0previous\u00a0detainees in, which\u00a0came to an end\u00a0when a judge ordered their release.\u00a0Costa Rica,\u00a0in light of\u00a0this new agreement, promises to hold the incoming detainees in better conditions and grant special migratory statuses.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn March 37, two sailboats originally reported missing while transporting humanitarian aid from Mexico to Cub have now arrived safely in Cuba, reports AFP. The two boats were part of a broader volunteer grassroots aid effort seeking to deliver food, medicine, baby formula, and other supplies. Cuba has been suffering from power outages and a worsening economic crisis after the United States tightened an embargo on oil and other goods.<\/p>\n
\nAmnesty International (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn March 13th, Amnesty International released a statement condemning Nicaragua\u2019s repression of Brooklyn Rivera, an Indigenous leader speaking out against the government. Daniel Ortega\u2019s government has been seen as plunging the nation into a human rights crisis. Forced exiles, dismantling independent news channels, and arresting critical voices have been part of the president\u2019s regime and raised serious concerns. Brooklyn Rivera has not been heard from, and his family has not been able to see him nor his lawyers.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn March 26th,\u00a0 the number of Panamanian vessels captured by China as they cross the Cristobal and Balboa terminals of the Panama Canal has reached a new historical number, 70. Laura DiBella, chair of the FMC, announced an investigation into the detentions, treating them as possible punishment against Panama for a recent Supreme Court ruling. In January, a Supreme Court ruled in the favor of Panama, striking down a 1997 concession granting CK Hutchinson the right to\u00a0operate\u00a0through the Balboa and Cristobal channels of the Panama Canal. China denounced the ruling, calling it an act of bad faith.<\/p>\n
\nAP News (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn March 26th, United States Judge Alvin Hellerstein pressed the Trump administration about its basis for barring Venezuela\u2019s government from paying former President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro\u2019s legal fees in the drug trafficking case that has seen him jailed in New York. The U.S. hasn\u2019t let the funds flow because of sanctions against Venezuela, but as sanctions have eased and diplomatic relations have improved, Maduro\u2019s lawyers argue the U.S. is violating the deposed leader\u2019s constitutional rights by blocking the flow of funds.<\/p>\n
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