**Summary:** The Israeli military announced the start of a wide wave of attacks targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon. This followed a Hezbollah rocket barrage that killed at least one person in northern Israel, marking the first such death from fire originating in Lebanon since the US-Israel war on Iran began over three weeks prior.

**Key points:**
- Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to speed up the demolition of Lebanese homes and destroy bridges over the Litani River.
- Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the rocket attack on Misgav Am, stating it targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers.
- The Israeli military claimed to have killed a Hezbollah Radwan Force commander, Abu Khalil Barji, and two others in a strike in southern Lebanon.
- Lebanese authorities report that Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed at least 1,024 people and injured 2,740.
- Israel's ground invasion in southern Lebanon has displaced approximately one million people.

**Why it matters:** The escalation includes targeted demolitions and destruction of infrastructure like bridges over the Litani River, which human rights organizations suggest may constitute unlawful forced displacement.

الجيش الإسرائيلي يعلن بدء موجة هجمات واسعة على لبنان - زاد الاردن الاخباري

Israel orders expanded strikes in southern Lebanon, targeting homes and bridges over strategic river - Egypt Independent

Hezbollah attack kills one in north Israel as assault on Lebanon continues - Al Jazeera

Israel Launches Wide Attacks on Lebanon; Hezbollah Claims Deadly Rocket Strike in North Israel

**Summary:** U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Saturday to attack and destroy Iran's power plants, starting with the largest, if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. This threat follows recent U.S. military action against an Iranian arsenal and coincides with new Iranian missile strikes on southern Israel.

**Key points:**
- The ultimatum demands Iran open the Strait of Hormuz 'fully, without threat' within 48 hours.
- The threat came after U.S. forces announced they had weakened Iran's ability to threaten navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iranian missiles struck the southern Israeli cities of Arad and Dimona, injuring dozens, including children.
- The Israeli military chief, Eyal Zamir, stated Iran fired long-range ballistic missiles at the U.S.-UK military base Diego Garcia for the first time since the conflict began on February 28.
- The Strait of Hormuz is critical, handling 20% of global crude oil exports.

**Why it matters:** This represents a dramatic escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran, involving a direct threat to Iranian infrastructure and occurring amidst ongoing military conflict and Iranian attacks on Israel.

Trump threatens Iran with power plant strikes over Hormuz blockade

होर्मुज पर 48 घंटे का अल्टीमेटम: ट्रंप की ईरान को नई धमकी, नहीं माना तो पावर प्लांट तबाह करने की दी चेतावनी - Trump Warns Iran Over Strait Of Hormuz, Threatens Strike On Power Plants - Amar Ujala Hindi News Live

Trump amenaza con atacar las centrales eléctricas de Irán si no abre el estrecho de Ormuz | Últimas | EL COMERCIO PERÚ

Trump advirtió que EEUU “destruirá” las centrales eléctricas de Irán si el régimen no abre el estrecho de Ormuz en 48 horas - Infobae

Trump threatens to 'obliterate' Iran's power plants if Strait of Hormuz isn't opened in 48 hours

Romuald Wadagni, the 49-year-old Minister of Economy and candidate for the majority, presented his presidential program in Cotonou on March 21, 2026, three weeks before the election. His platform emphasizes fostering youth, technological innovation, and regional development.

Key points:
- Wadagni is the designated successor to President Patrice Talon, who must step down after two terms.
- The election is scheduled for April 12, where Wadagni's only opponent will be Paul Hounkpè of the moderate FCBE party.
- The main opposition party, Les Démocrates, was excluded due to insufficient endorsements.
- Wadagni plans to divide Benin into six regions for focused development in industry, tourism, innovation, and agriculture.
- He stressed the importance of collaborating more with neighboring countries, noting Benin's recent experience with jihadist attacks in the north.

Why it matters
This event marks a key moment in Benin's political transition as the ruling party's candidate outlines his vision shortly before the presidential election.

Jeune Afrique - Présidentielle au Bénin : Romuald Wadagni présente son programme

Agence Ecofin - Bénin : Romuald Wadagni veut faire du développement des territoires une priorité

Bénin: Romuald Wadagni Presents Presidential Program Three Weeks Before Vote

**Summary:** A Nigerian national who was extradited from South Africa has been jailed in the United States in connection with a $4.1 million wire fraud scheme. The individual faces deportation following the sentencing.

**Key points:**
- The Nigerian national received a 90-month jail sentence in the US.
- The charges involved wire fraud amounting to $4.1 million.
- The individual faces deportation after serving the sentence.

**Why it matters:** This case highlights international cooperation in prosecuting financial crimes, involving extradition between South Africa and the US.

informationng.com - Nigerian Hacker Jailed 90-Month In US Over Wire Fraud, Faces Deportation

google.com - Nigerian extradited from South Africa jailed in US over $4.1m wire fraud

Nigerian Extradited from South Africa Jailed in US for Wire Fraud

**Summary:** The British government authorized the United States to use military bases in the UK, including RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia, to strike Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz. This decision followed Iran's strikes on British allies, despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially rejecting the US request on legal grounds.

**Key points:**
- The authorization covers US defensive operations to degrade missile sites used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
- British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warned her Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi against further attacks on British bases, including Akrotiri in Cyprus, which was hit by a drone.
- Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi stated that allowing US operations from UK bases makes the UK a party to the conflict.
- Opinion polls in Britain suggest 59% opposition to the US-Israeli attacks, according to a YouGov survey.

**Why it matters:** This move signals a significant shift in the UK's stance on military involvement in the escalating conflict with Iran, potentially deepening the international dimension of the crisis in the Middle East.

Cyprus Mail - UK’s Cooper warns Iran against further attacks on British bases

Cyprus Mail - UK approves US use of British bases to strike Iran missile sites targeting ships

Infobae - Reino Unido deja que Estados Unidos use sus bases militares para atacar a Irán en el estrecho de Ormuz

UK allows US to use British bases for strikes against Iranian missile sites

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump accused NATO countries of being "cowards" on his Truth Social platform for refusing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the US "will remember" their refusal. This criticism comes as allies complain about high oil prices resulting from the ongoing conflict with Iran.

**Key points:**
- Trump stated that without the US, NATO is a "paper tiger" and criticized allies for complaining about oil prices after avoiding the battle against a nuclear-armed Iran.
- Six countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, declared willingness to contribute to securing navigation, but only after hostilities cease.
- French President Emmanuel Macron suggested a future mission under a UN framework, emphasizing France would not participate in opening the Strait by force amid ongoing war operations.
- The near-paralysis of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of global oil production passes, has caused a sharp rise in hydrocarbon prices.
- The UK indicated it is working on a plan with partners to restore maritime traffic in the area.

**Why it matters:** The strong rebuke from the US President highlights significant friction within NATO regarding shared security responsibilities, particularly concerning critical global energy chokepoints amidst regional conflict.

Diario Correo - Trump arremete contra países de la OTAN por negarse a ayudar a abrir el estrecho de Ormuz: “Cobardes”

La Tercera - Trump califica a los países de la OTAN de “cobardes”

Trump Calls NATO Members "Cowards" for Refusing to Help Secure Strait of Hormuz

**Summary:** President José Antonio Kast stated that his government is "ordering the house" by being rigorous with public spending due to the complex state of public finances. This comes as the government also pursues initiatives like Chile's bid for the 2030 Youth Olympic Games.

**Key points:**
- Kast emphasized that current actions are necessary to ensure future pride for Chile.
- The President urged citizens to fulfill any outstanding obligations.
- The Minister of Finance, Jorge Quiroz, recently announced measures to collect from CAE debtors earning over $5 million.
- A recent poll showed 59% agreement with Kast's handling of national security in the first weeks.
- The same poll indicated 58% of respondents do not believe Kast will fulfill his promise to expel all irregular migrants.

**Why it matters:** The administration is balancing ambitious national projects, like the Olympic bid, with the immediate need to address a challenging fiscal situation through strict control over public expenditures.

Diario Financiero - Kast afirma que “estamos ordenando la casa siendo rigurosos en el gasto público”

La Tercera - Descifra: 59% respalda a Kast por gestión en seguridad y 58% no cree que podrá expulsar a todos los migrantes irregulares

Kast focuses on rigorous public spending amid complex public finances

**Summary:** The International Energy Agency (IEA) has classified the ongoing war in the Middle East as the greatest threat to global energy security in history, warning that restoring oil and gas flows from the Gulf could take six months or more. The conflict has already caused a gas interruption volume double what Europe lost from Russia in 2022, and more oil loss than the 1970s shocks.

**Key points:**
- IEA Director Fatih Birol stated the conflict is the biggest threat to global energy security ever.
- Restoration of oil and gas supplies from the Gulf region may require over six months.
- Oil prices rose to nearly US$ 120 per barrel following missile attacks on key energy centers.
- The volume of interrupted gas supply due to fighting doubles the amount Europe lost from Russia in 2022.
- Chile is observing the impacts with caution, noting risks like oil price hikes and potential investment slowdowns.

**Why it matters:** The conflict represents an unprecedented shock to global energy supply, leading to high oil price volatility and prompting domestic economic caution in countries like Chile.

Agencia Internacional de Energía cataloga a la guerra en Medio Oriente como la mayor amenaza para la energía global “en la historia” - Diario Financiero

"Noticia en desarrollo": Chile observa con cautela impactos de extenderse la guerra en Medio Oriente y se aplauden medidas reactivadoras - Diario Financiero

Latest articles