(2026-03-13). new supreme leader vows to keep Hormuz shut, Netanyahu issues threat. al-monitor.com By Parisa Hafezi and Maya GebeilyDUBAI/BEIRUT, March 12 (Reuters) – Iran will fight on and keep the Strait of Hormuz shut as leverage against the United States and Israel, new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday in defiant first comments attributed to him since he succeeded his slain father.Hours later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his first press conference since the start of the war to make his own strong statement, issuing a veiled threat to kill Khamenei and defending the military assault on Iran.
(2026-03-13). US Navy could escort vessels in Strait of Hormuz with international coalition, Bessent says. al-monitor.com LONDON, March 12 (Reuters) – The U.S. Navy, perhaps with an international coalition, will escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz when it is militarily possible, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Sky News in an interview on Thursday."My belief, that as soon as it is militarily possible, the US Navy, perhaps with an international coalition, will be escorting vessels through," Bessent said.
(2026-03-13). Iran's new supreme leader urges continued closure of Hormuz Strait, vows to open new battlefronts. ecns.cn Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday called for the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and pledged to open new fronts in his country's conflict with the United States and Israel.
(2026-03-13). FBI alert on possible Iran retaliation based on unverified tip, White House says. al-monitor.com By Daphne PsaledakisWASHINGTON, March 12 (Reuters) – An FBI alert to law enforcement agencies last month warning of the possibility that Tehran might try to retaliate for any U.S. strikes on Iran by launching drone attacks in California was based on a single unverified tip, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday, adding that there has never been such a threat to the U.S. from Iran.
(2026-03-13). US and allies clash with Russia and China over Iran nuclear program. al-monitor.com March 12 (Reuters) – The U.S. and Western allies clashed with Russia and China on Thursday over Iran's nuclear intentions, as Washington sought at the United Nations to further justify the war it launched on Iran two weeks ago.At a meeting of the 15-member U.N. Security Council, which is chaired this month by the U.S., Russia and China moved unsuccessfully to block a discussion about a committee established to oversee and enforce U.N. sanctions on Iran. They were overruled 11-2 with two abstentions.
(2026-03-13). allies step up strikes despite weakened hand. al-monitor.com By Laila Bassam, Ahmed Rasheed, Pesha Magid and Tom PerryBEIRUT/BAGHDAD/JERUSALEM, March 12 (Reuters) – Shi'ite Muslim armed groups in Lebanon and Iraq are stepping up their role in the war with the U.S. and Israel, showing the Iran-backed "Axis of Resistance" can still wage attacks despite damage inflicted on the alliance during the Gaza conflict.Groups that have long been armed and financed by Iran and loyal to its Shi'ite Islamist rulers are now helping Tehran intensify the war around the region, strikes in recent days show.
(2026-03-13). Iran, US and Israel trade threats, as war nears two-week mark. newarab.com 
The leaders of Iran, Israel and the United States all voiced defiance and vowed to fight on as the Middle East war approached the two-week mark on Friday, killing thousands of people, disrupting the lives of millions of others and shaking financial markets. | New Iranian Supreme Leader
(2026-03-13). Israel strikes heart of Beirut, signals long campaign. al-monitor.com By Ahmed Kerdi, Maya Gebeily and Maayan LubellBEIRUT/JERUSALEM, March 12 (Reuters) – Israeli airstrikes hit two buildings in the heart of Beirut near the Lebanese government's headquarters on Thursday, ramping up Israel's offensive against Iran-backed Hezbollah and dragging Lebanon deeper into the Middle East war.A day after Iran-backed Hezbollah launched its biggest rocket salvo of the conflict, Israel's defence minister said the military had orders to expand the campaign and Israel's military chief said the operation in Lebanon would not be short.
(2026-03-13). Bombing overthrow ruling clerics, Iran dissidents say. al-monitor.com By John IrishPARIS, March 11 (Reuters) – A senior official from a Paris-based Iranian opposition group said on Thursday that the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran would not topple the clerical leadership, arguing that only a popular uprising backed by internal resistance could do so.Almost two weeks of bombing have killed around 2,000 people in Iran including supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and damaged much of its military and security apparatus.
(2026-03-13). Both sides dig in, as Iran war approaches two-week mark. al-monitor.com By Parisa Hafezi and Maya GebeilyDUBAI/BEIRUT, March 13 (Reuters) – The leaders of Iran, Israel and the United States all voiced defiance and vowed to fight on as the Middle East war approached the two-week mark on Friday, killing thousands of people, disrupting the lives of millions of others and shaking financial markets.
(2026-03-13). US has arranged nearly 50 charter flights from Middle East amid Iran strikes, State Dept says. al-monitor.com By Simon LewisWASHINGTON, March 12 (Reuters) – The Trump administration has organized nearly 50 flights to return U.S. citizens from the Middle East since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began, a State Department official said on Thursday, and officials said demand for the flights has declined.The State Department was criticized in the days after the conflict began on February 28 for its late preparations to relocate diplomats and offer assistance to U.S. citizens as Iran's strikes led to airspace closures and flight cancellations across the region.
(2026-03-13). to Iranian Jews in Israel still long for Iran. al-monitor.com For Sahar Saidian, past and present collide every day on the airwaves as she hosts a Persian-language show on Israeli public radio for listeners in Israel and in Iran, the country she left behind years ago."After 26 years in Israel, I look more Israeli than Iranian, but even though I left Iran, the country is still part of me," Saidian told AFP.The two countries are now at war. The Middle East conflict began on February 28 when Israel and the United States attacked Iran.
(2026-03-13). French soldier killed in attack in Iraqi Kurdistan. al-monitor.com A French soldier was killed in an attack in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday, confirming the first French military death in the Middle East war. Since US-Israeli strikes on Iran last month engulfed the Middle East in war, multiple attacks attributed to pro-Iranian factions have targeted the region where foreign forces are based as part of an international anti-jihadist coalition.
(2026-03-13). Netanyahu threatens Iran new leader, says government collapse uncertain. al-monitor.com By Maayan Lubell and Rami AyyubJERUSALEM, March 12 (Reuters) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday issued a veiled threat to kill Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei even as he acknowledged that Israel's joint air war with the U.S. may not lead to a collapse of Tehran's clerical government. Holding his first press conference since the start of the war, the Israeli leader said that Iran was "no longer the same" after nearly two weeks of bombardment and that Tehran had suffered blows to its elite Revolutionary Guards Corps and Basij paramilitary force.
(2026-03-13). Factbox-Recent acts of Jewish-targeted violence in the United States. al-monitor.com March 12 (Reuters) – Rights advocates note a rise inanti-Muslim,anti-Palestinianandantisemitic hate in the United States since the start of U.S. ally Israel's war in Gaza following an October 7, 2023, attack by Palestinian Hamas militants.The United States and Israel also launched a war against Iran on February 28.
(2026-03-13). Trump says he thinks new supreme leader is alive but. al-monitor.com By Kanishka SinghWASHINGTON, March 12 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump said that he thinks new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, whose father, the former supreme leader, was killed on the first day of the U.S. and Israel's war on Iran, is alive but "damaged."Khamenei has not been seen by Iranians since his selection on Sunday by a clerical assembly, and his first comments were read out by a television presenter on Thursday.
(2026-03-13). They Lied About The School Bombing In Iran, And They're Going To Keep On Lying. caitlinjohnstone.com.au And Other Notes: ; ⚪ ‚ùñ | An ongoing internal US military investigation has reportedly Remember all the hasbarists and empire apologists who said it was a misfired Iranian missile that hit the school. Remember how aggressively and uniform…
(2026-03-13). UK exploring additional Gulf deployments after minehunter withdrawal. al-monitor.com LONDON, March 12 (Reuters) – Britain is exploring additional options for deployments to the Gulf after Iran stepped up attacks on vessels, defence minister John Healey said on Thursday, adding that the UK already has autonomous mine hunting systems in the region. The Royal Navy (RN) said last week its last minehunter HMS Middleton, which was based in Bahrain, had arrived back in Britain on March 1. The vessel, which was more than 40 years old, was no longer certified to sail, it said.
(2026-03-13). Trump and Netanyahu pave way to end Arab-Jewish conflict. onlineopinion.com.au After Iran and Gaza, the old two-state formula looks finished. Is it time to rethink how the Arab-Jewish conflict is actually resolved?
(2026-03-13). India Eyes Stronger Ties with Chile as Kast Assumes Presidency. devdiscourse.com India extended its congratulations to Jose Antonio Kast Rist, the newly inaugurated President of Chile, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing eagerness to bolster bilateral ties and collaborative efforts in various sectors.
(2026-03-13). Middle East war displaces over three million inside Iran: UN. newarab.com 
Up to 3.2 million people have been displaced inside Iran since the "Between 600,000 and one million Iranian households are now temporarily displaced inside Iran as a result of the ongoing conflict, according to preliminary assessments," said Ayaki Ito, who heads UNHCR's emergency support team and is the refugee response coordinator for the Middle East emergency. | That represents "up to 3.2 million people", he said in a statement, warning th…
(2026-03-13). Kansai's Strategic Entry in India's Renewable Energy Market. devdiscourse.com Kansai Transmission and Distribution has made a significant move into the Indian energy sector by purchasing a 10% stake in OMC Power. This investment is the first by Kansai in India's energy market, marking a strategic expansion in the renewable energy space.
(2026-03-13). Chinese lawmakers approve 2026 central budget. ecns.cn Chinese lawmakers on Thursday voted to pass a resolution on the implementation of the 2025 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2026 plan for national economic and social development, and approved the 2026 plan at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.
(2026-03-13). Pakistan strikes Kabul and border provinces, Afghan gov't says. newarab.com 
Afghan authorities said on Friday that A Pakistani security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Pakistan struck overnight, adding their forces targeted the Islamabad last month launched a wave of air strikes on its neighbour, an operation…
(2026-03-13). Chinese lawmakers adopt Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law. ecns.cn Chinese lawmakers voted to adopt the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress held in Beijing on Thursday.
(2026-03-13). Chinese lawmakers adopt Ecological and Environmental Code. ecns.cn Chinese lawmakers voted to adopt the Ecological and Environmental Code at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress held in Beijing on Thursday.
(2026-03-13). MPs Criticize Modi Government's Energy Strategy Amid Global Crises. devdiscourse.com In a charged exchange on Friday, Members of Parliament targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri over what they called a faltering approach to fuel security. Opposition leaders accused the government of foreign policy failures that have left citizens scrambling for essential energy sources.
(2026-03-13). CARTOONS: Matt National-isms are Australia. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-03-13). Odisha Congress MLAs Relocated to Bengaluru Amid Election Concerns. devdiscourse.com The Congress party has taken the decisive step of moving several Odisha legislators to Bengaluru ahead of the forthcoming Rajya Sabha elections, scheduled for March 16. This development comes amid growing concerns over potential cross-voting within the party ranks.
(2026-03-13). China's national legislature holds closing meeting of annual session. ecns.cn The closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 12, 2026.
(2026-03-13). Open-borders Australia learns nothing from Carney visit. onlineopinion.com.au Leaving Albanese as a world outlier, Carney has stymied Canada's population growth, to ease the housing pain. Sigh, his Australian visit was all framed around 'middle powers' vs Trump.
(2026-03-13). China approves 2026-2030 blueprint, maps out high-quality path toward modernization. ecns.cn China's national lawmakers on Thursday approved a development blueprint for the 2026-2030 period, marking a pivotal step in the modernization drive of nearly one-fifth of the world's population.
(2026-03-13). Israeli airstrikes hit building in central Beirut, Reuters footage shows. al-monitor.com BEIRUT, March 12 (Reuters) – Israeli airstrikes hit a building twice in central Beirut less than a kilometre from the government headquarters, Reuters video footage showed on Thursday, shortly after the Israeli military said it had begun a new wave of strikes on the Lebanese capital. (Reporting by Maya Gebeily, Writing by Yomna Ehab, Editing by Timothy Heritage)…
(2026-03-13). Charges dropped against 5 soldiers accused of sexually assaulting Palestinian detainee in Israel's 'Guantanamo'. asiapacificreport.nz Asia Pacific Report The Israeli military prosecution has controversially cancelled the indictment of five soldiers accused of sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the notorious Sde Teiman prison in southern Israel, reports Anadolu Ajansi. "In light of significant developments that have occurred since the indictment was filed in the Yemen Field case, the military prosecution…
(2026-03-13). Nation urges immediate ceasefire in Mideast. ecns.cn Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, saying the international community broadly agrees that the fighting must stop, and urging all sides to press the parties involved to halt military operations.
(2026-03-13). China plans deep-sea tourism submersible. ecns.cn China has conducted manned expeditions to the deepest point on Earth — the bottom of the Mariana Trench — for scientific purposes, and has been a global leader in deep-sea exploration missions for several years.
(2026-03-13). Growth target reflects focus on structural reform. ecns.cn China's latest Government Work Report signals a shift toward securing more sustainable expansion, as policymakers lower the headline target while prioritizing structural reform and long-term stability, economists said.
(2026-03-13). Trump says Iran war moving. al-monitor.com US President Donald Trump said Thursday the war against Iran was moving "very rapidly," even as Tehran's new leader vowed defiance in his first public message."The situation with Iran is moving along very rapidly. It's doing very well, our military is unsurpassed," Trump said at the White House."They really are a nation of terror and hate, and they're paying a big price right now," added the US leader, who was attending a Women's History Month event with First Lady Melania Trump.
(2026-03-13). Hunan welcomes tourists lured by allure of Miao silver. ecns.cn Local Miao women will then appear, dressed in brilliant festival attire with silver ornaments rattling against their embroidered fabrics. Sunlight glints off their glittering headpieces as they walk, with layers of ornate necklaces swaying back and forth, each step a soft, rhythmic announcement of their arrival.
(2026-03-13). Morocco plans repatriation of IS-linked citizens from Iraq, official says. al-monitor.com By Ahmed EljechtimiRABAT, March 12 (Reuters) – Morocco is developing plans to repatriate its nationals who fought for Islamic State in Syria and were transferred by the United States into Iraqi detention, a senior security official said on Thursday.The U.S. began moving detained IS members out of Syria in January after the collapse of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which had been guarding around a dozen facilities holding IS fighters and affiliated civilians, including foreigners.
(2026-03-13). Chinese lawmakers adopt National Development Planning Law. ecns.cn Chinese lawmakers voted to adopt the National Development Planning Law at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing on Thursday.
(2026-03-13). China's forest, grassland coverage reaches 56% after large-scale afforestation. ecns.cn China's combined forest and grassland coverage has reached more than 56% of the country's land area after 3.56 million hectares of afforestation were completed over the past year, an official report released Thursday showed.
(2026-03-13). Kerala Gears Up for Record Voter Turnout in Upcoming Assembly Polls. devdiscourse.com Kerala's Chief Electoral Officer Ratan U Kelkar announced on Friday an ambitious plan to set a new record for voter turnout in the upcoming assembly elections. The goal is to surpass the previous turnout high of 80.5% from the 1987 polls, targeting over 85% participation this year.
(2026-03-13). Swiss Court Upholds Arbitral Ruling: Gazprom to Pay $1.4 Billion to Naftogaz. devdiscourse.com The Swiss Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from Russia's Gazprom, upholding a 2025 arbitration ruling that orders the energy giant to pay $1.4 billion to Ukraine's state energy firm, Naftogaz. This decision pertains to a debt incurred for gas transportation services, along with interest and arbitration costs.
(2026-03-13). Standard Chartered becomes first foreign bank in China to custody public QDII, initiated funds. ecns.cn Standard Chartered Bank (China) said Thursday it will provide custody services for a Hong Kong stock-initiated fund launched by Guotai Haitong Securities, becoming the first foreign bank to act as custodian for both a public Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor (QDII) fund and an initiated public fund in China.
(2026-03-13). Maharashtra's Revolutionary Move: Boosting Women's Education with Fee Waiver Scheme. devdiscourse.com The Maharashtra government, under the leadership of Minister Chandrakant Patil, is set to take stringent measures against colleges that refuse admission to girl students under the tuition fee waiver scheme. The government warns that the affiliation of such institutions could face cancellation.
(2026-03-13). Australia's environmental crisis ignored as political parties drift Right. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-03-13). Wang Yi's Diplomatic Visit to Vietnam: Strengthening Ties. devdiscourse.com Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to visit Vietnam in mid-March, the foreign ministry confirmed Friday.
(2026-03-13). Chinese Foreign Ministers to Foster Diplomatic Ties in Vietnam. devdiscourse.com Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to visit Vietnam from March 15 to 17, according to an announcement made by the foreign ministry on Friday.
(2026-03-13). US sanctions 2 firms, 6 individuals for funding North Korean weapons. scmp.com The United States has imposed sanctions on two companies and six individuals for their roles in operations that used information technology workers in foreign countries to raise money for North Korea. | The Treasury Department said the schemes, orchestrated by the North Korean government, had systematically defrauded US businesses and generated revenue to fund North Korea's weapons programmes, including nearly US$800 million in 2024.
(2026-03-13). Cebu Pacific Soars Despite Rising Fuel Costs. devdiscourse.com Cebu Pacific reported a strong performance in February 2026, carrying over 2.3 million passengers and achieving an impressive seat load factor of 85.6%.
(2026-03-13). Apple to cut App Store commissions in China. ecns.cn Apple will reduce the commission rates it charges developers on its App Store in the Chinese mainland after communicating with local regulators, with the changes taking effect on March 15, according to media reports.
(2026-03-13). Yangtze protection efforts boost water quality, wildlife: mininster. ecns.cn China's environment minister said on Thursday that ecological protection efforts over the past decade have improved water quality in the Yangtze River basin and helped increase populations of endangered wildlife.
(2026-03-13). Over 200 civilians killed in Sudan drone strikes since 4 March. newarab.com 
UN rights chief In their battle for territory, both sides in the Sudan conflict have relied on advanced drone warfare, drawing frequent condemnation from the United Nations and suggesting healthy supply routes from their foreign backers. | "It is deeply troubling that despite multip…
(2026-03-13). Deliveries in Xizang are now faster and cheaper. ecns.cn Seeing high courier delivery charges — and sometimes no shipping options at all — when shopping online has long troubled people in the Xizang autonomous region, especially those in rural communities. As a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, Norbu Yangzom proposed a solution.
(2026-03-13). China's defense ministry says Taiwan independence efforts 'doomed to fail'. ecns.cn China's Defense Ministry on Tuesday criticized Taiwan's naval training mission to diplomatic allies in Central and South America, saying the trip was being used by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to pursue independence through foreign support.
(2026-03-13). How Gold Coast Council hid a depot proposal in plain sight. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-03-13). Zhang Yiming remains China's richest person on Forbes 2026 billionaires list. ecns.cn Zhang Yiming, founder of Chinese tech giant ByteDance, remains China's richest person with a net worth of $69.3 billion, according to the latest World's Billionaires List released Wednesday by Forbes.
(2026-03-13). Chinese lawmakers approve 2026 plan for national economic and social development. ecns.cn Chinese lawmakers on Thursday voted to pass a resolution on the implementation of the 2025 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2026 plan for national economic and social development, and approved the 2026 plan at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.
(2026-03-13). Optimism and realism as Nepal set for youth-focused future. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-03-13). Exclusive-With Iran war exit elusive, Trump aides vie to affect outcome. al-monitor.com WASHINGTON, March 13 (Reuters) – A complex tug-of-war inside the White House is driving U.S. President Donald Trump's shifting public statements on the course of the Iran war, as aides debate when and how to declare victory even as the conflict spreads across the Middle East.
(2026-03-13). Xi hails role of Chinese characters in reply letter to French school. ecns.cn President Xi Jinping has replied to a letter from the students and teachers of the Chinese language class at an international school in France's Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, encouraging them to contribute to promoting China-France and China-Europe relations.
(2026-03-13). China sends two test satellites into orbit. ecns.cn China successfully launched two experimental satellites aboard a Long March 2D rocket early on Friday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
(2026-03-13). After creation: Frankenstein and the burden of what we make. onlineopinion.com.au Mary Shelley warned about creation without responsibility. In the age of AI, climate change and algorithms, the monster is already among us.
(2026-03-13). 2026 Appliance & Electronics World Expo opens in Shanghai. ecns.cn AWE 2026, which opened in Shanghai on Thursday, highlights the latest achievements in fields such as smart mobility, embodied intelligence and computing infrastructure, showcasing the high-quality development of China's home appliance and consumer electronics industry.
(2026-03-13). Local governments in China adopt OpenClaw-based AI 'agent' for administrative work. ecns.cn Several local governments in China have begun deploying artificial intelligence "agent" systems to assist with public administration and government services, according to official statements.
(2026-03-13). China, DPRK resume passenger train service. ecns.cn Since Thursday, international passenger train services have resumed in both directions between Beijing and Dandong in China and Pyongyang in DPRK.
(2026-03-13). Gobierno de Cuba anuncia liberación de 51 personas privadas de libertad en vísperas de la Semana Santa. cubadebate.cu En el espíritu de buena voluntad, de estrechas y fluidas relaciones entre el Estado cubano y el Vaticano, con el cual se ha mantenido históricamente una comunicación sobre los procesos de revisión y excarcelación de personas privadas de libertad, el Gobierno de Cuba ha decidido liberar en los próximos días a 51 personas sancionadas a privación de libertad.
(2026-03-13). Mondo Duplantis supera su propio récord mundial de salto con pértiga y alcanza los 6,31 metros. cubadebate.cu Desde que irrumpió en la escena internacional, Duplantis ha devuelto al atletismo ese brillo de "estrella de rock". A sus 26 años, la pregunta ya no es si volverá a batir el récord, sino dónde está el límite biológico del ser humano.
(2026-03-13). Modo Clásico Mundial (VIII): La despedida de San Juan, øesperada o desconcertante? cubadebate.cu Cuba cayó 7-2 contra Canadá en el partido de cierre del Grupo A y terminó su participación en el VI Clásico Mundial de Béisbol. Para algunos era esperada a partir de variables que estaban a flor de piel desde la integración del equipo. Para otros, fue desconcertante a partir del optimismo creado con las dos victorias iniciales.
(2026-03-13). Iran to be high on G7 ministerial agenda at upcoming meeting, Canada says. al-monitor.com OTTAWA, March 12 (Reuters) – The foreign ministers from the Group of Seven will have detailed discussions on diplomatic efforts related to the war in Iran when they meet near Paris at a scheduled meeting at the end of March, Canada's foreign minister said on Thursday. France, which is currently chairing the G7, will host the first of two foreign ministers meeting on March 26-27 at the Vaux de Cernay abbey, some 50km southwest of Paris."We will be having a full-fledged conversation about the diplomatic efforts relating to the war," Anita Anand told reporters on Thursday.
(2026-03-12). Breaking the Nuclear Taboo. dissidentvoice.org President Trump has been on quite a roll. Since just the beginning of the year, he has kidnapped the Venezuela president, threatened to invade Greenland and Colombia, and has in just the last week dragged the U.S.—and seemingly much of the Middle East—into a new war by joining with Israel to attack Iran, something that even the …
(2026-03-12). Colombia's government says Petro and Trump called ahead of now-canceled Venezuela meeting. colombiareports.com Colombia's President Gustavo Petro and his US counterpart Donald Trump spoke on the phone ahead of a planned meeting with Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez, the President's Office said Thursday. In a post on social media platform X, the President's Office said the two leaders "discussed the economic reactivation on the border [with Venezuela] and …
(2026-03-12). What You See If You Go to Venezuela. davidswanson.org
(2026-03-12). Strait of Hormuz must stay blocked, Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei says in defiant statement. scmp.com Iran's new supreme leader has vowed to keep blocking the Strait of Hormuz, attack US bases and avenge the blood of its martyrs in his first statement since succeeding his father. | "The lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must definitely be used," Mojtaba Khamenei said about the strategic waterway, which carries about a fifth of global oil shipments.
(2026-03-12). 6,000 Filipino sailors stranded by Strait of Hormuz closure: 'bored and a little scared'. scmp.com Filipino sailor George Miranda was racing to help a stricken vessel aboard the tugboat Mussafah 2 when he last spoke to his wife and young daughter. | The 46-year-old, whose small ship was struck by a pair of missiles this week in the Strait of Hormuz, is the only seafarer from the Philippines known to be missing in the Middle East war, the government says.
(2026-03-12). Iran war signals return to world of hierarchy without order. scmp.com The war in Iran is not just another Middle Eastern crisis. It is a window into what world politics looks like when rules are weakest and power is most concentrated. Washington has spoken in the language of surrender and coercion, European governments have called for restraint and respect for international law, and Asian powers have scrambled to keep energy flows moving through a Strait of Hormuz that has nearly ground to a halt. | What this reveals is not a functioning rules-based order. It is a…
(2026-03-12). Iran War Threatens Global Food System — and Some Already Feel the Impact. truthout.org Up until the end of February, a steady flow of ships bound for destinations across the world would pass daily through the Strait of Hormuz. A narrow channel running between Oman and Iran, the waterway serves as the only natural maritime link between the Persian Gulf and the global economy. That all changed on March 2, when, after days of military strikes led by the U.S. and Israel… |
(2026-03-12). California's Governor Newsom says no imminent threat despite warning of Iran drone attack. scmp.com California Governor Gavin Newsom said there was no imminent threat to the state, despite a warning from the FBI that Iran could send drones to the west coast in retaliation for war. | Newsom said drone issues "have always been top of mind". | "We've been aware of that information. … It's all about a posture of preparedness for worst-case scenarios," the governor said on Wednesday.
(2026-03-12). FBI bulletin warned of possible Iran retaliation in California. newarab.com 
The The confidential alert, issued by the FBI through the multi-agency Los Angeles Joint Regional Intelligence Center, surfaced publicly on Wednesday as the war that began on 28…
(2026-03-12). Exposing the Iran War Hype: Lessons from a One-Sided Debate with Naomi Wolf. thelastamericanvagabond.com In a live debate over whether America should bomb Iran, one side brought facts and history; the other brought interruptions, patronizing lectures, and recycled empire talking points. On Tuesday, I participated in a debate on whether the US should be bombing Iran with Naomi Wolf—a feminist author, journalist, former Rhodes Scholar, and CEO of Daily
(2026-03-12). Middle power nonsense: Australia, Canada and capitulating to the Iran War. onlineopinion.com.au Mark Carney talks of "middle-power leadership". Yet when the US and Israel bomb Iran, Canada and Australia follow.
(2026-03-12). How Russia and India approach the war on Iran. thealtworld.com The Russia-Iran strategic partnership — even if does not include a military treaty — works in several interlocked levels. | This is part 2 of a two-part analysis. Please read part 1 here | President Putin sent a gracious message to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, personally congratulating him on his election as Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. | Words do (italics…
(2026-03-12). Day 13: Iranian Missiles Still Flying + Energy Exports Stopping as Global Crisis Looms. thealtworld.com At day 13 despite claiming Iranian military command, political leadership, and launcher capacity has been destroyed, Iran averages 20 ballistic missile launches a day, exhausting US anti-missile munitions; | Iran is likely pacing itself for a long-term conflict lasting 6 months to even 1 year or more; | Even if the US "pauses" like it did last year, the war will continue because eliminating Iran is key to encircling Russia and ultimately containing China; | Beware of those blaming "Israel" for this war as Israel is merely an extension of US power in the region like Ukraine is vis-a-vis Russia in Eastern Eur…
(2026-03-12). US-Israeli war on Iran may spark nuclear arms race, Carnegie scholar says. scmp.com Zhao Tong is a senior fellow with the Nuclear Policy Programme at Washington-based think tank the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and its East Asia-based research centre on contemporary China, Carnegie China. | His research focuses on strategic security issues, including nuclear weapons policy, deterrence, arms control, non-proliferation, missile defence, hypersonic weapons, regional security in the Asia-Pacific and China's security and foreign policy.
(2026-03-12). Israel takes POWERFUL Blows — Unleashes GENOCIDAL FURY on Lebanon Ep. 172. thealtworld.com Live coverage of the war on Iran. Updates, analysis, and the latest developments as the conflict escalates across the region.
(2026-03-12). 'Even with Congressional Authorization, the War Would Still Be an Act of Aggression': CounterSpin interview with Gregory Shupak on US/Israeli Iran aggression. fair.org 
(2026-03-12). Iran arrests nearly 200 people over US-Israel war: rights group. newarab.com 
Iranian authorities have The charges relate to accusations including over activity on social media, sending content to foreign media outlets, espionage and disturbing public order, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said, adding its count was based on official repor…
(2026-03-12). Afghan Refugees in Iran Fled One War Zone Only to End Up in Another. truthout.org "I don't know when I will be able to contact you again." my cousin Ahmad told me during a WhatsApp call from Tehran last summer, in the midst of the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. "Maybe it wasn't wise to come here. Afghanistan would probably have been safer." For days, his internet connection had stopped working. Eventually, a privileged neighbor shared their Starlink satellite internet… |
(2026-03-12). Over 1K Children Killed or Wounded in Mideast Since US-Israel Launched Iran War. truthout.org Since the United States and Israel launched an unprovoked war on Iran at the end of February, more than 1,100 youth have been killed or injured in related violence across the Middle East, the United Nations Children's Fund said Wednesday, calling for a swift diplomatic resolution. "The situation is becoming catastrophic for millions of children across the region," UNICEF said in a statement… |
(2026-03-12). Trump Says Rising Oil Prices "Benefit" US as Americans Struggle With Gas Costs. truthout.org President Donald Trump is downplaying Americans' concerns about rising oil and gas prices as a result of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, claiming in a recent social media post that the price increases would somehow benefit the U.S. "The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money," Trump claimed in a Truth Social post on… |
(2026-03-12). "War on the Iranian People" : Nationalism Grows in Iran in Defiance of Deadly U.S. and Israeli Strikes. democracynow.org 
"This is all being read inside of Iran as a war on the Iranian people." As oil prices threaten to spike to $200 a barrel amid Iran's pressure campaign against the U.S. and its allies, professor Narges Bajoghli returns to Democracy Now! with an update on the war on Iran and its place in the modern history of U.S.-Iran relations. Bajoghli explains how the combination of harsh sanctions and an insidious propaganda campaign has created a deep political divide within Iran and its diaspora, as Iranians are stuck between theocratic governance and the prospective return of the U.S.-backed monarchy.
(2026-03-12). Headlines for March 12, 2026. democracynow.org Iran Says U.S. and Israeli Strikes Have Killed 1,348 Civilians, Senators Demand Accountability as Pentagon Admits U.S. Struck Iranian Girls' School, Iranian Missiles and Drones Continue to Strike at Israel, Gulf States and Oil Infrastructure, IEA Announces Record Release of Oil Reserves as Iran Warns Prices Could Top $200 Per Barrel, Lebanon Death Toll Tops 630 as Israel Continues Relentless Bombing Campaign, Israel Strikes Gaza Marketplace and Tent Camp, Killing and Wounding Palestinians, RSF Drone Strike in Sudan Kills 17 People, Most of Them Girls, GOP Sen. John Cornyn Reverses Position on Filibuster to…
(2026-03-12). Suspect shot dead after crashing truck into Michigan synagogue. scmp.com A suspect crashed ‚Å his truck into the hallway of a Detroit-area synagogue where children were attending preschool on Thursday and was shot dead in a confrontation with security staff, with no one else seriously injured, authorities said. | The attack unfolded during a recent surge in US antisemitic incidents and in a period of heightened security concerns around Jewish and Muslim places of worship since US and Israeli forces launched air strikes on Iran on February 28, sparking an intensifying war…
(2026-03-12). A Sense of Nationalism Grows in Iran in Defiance of Deadly US-Israeli Attacks. truthout.org "This is all being read inside of Iran as a war on the Iranian people." As oil prices threaten to spike to $200 a barrel amid Iran's pressure campaign against the U.S. and its allies, professor Narges Bajoghli returns to Democracy Now! with an update on the war on Iran and its place in the modern history of U.S.-Iran relations. Bajoghli explains how the combination of harsh sanctions and an… |
(2026-03-12). Netanyahu threatens Iran's new supreme leader, defends joint assault with US. scmp.com Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday issued ‚Å a veiled threat to kill Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei even as he acknowledged that Israel's joint air war with the US may not lead to a collapse of Tehran's clerical government. | Holding his first press conference since the start of the war, ‚Äåthe Israeli leader said that Iran was "no longer the same" after nearly two weeks of bombardment and that Tehran had suffered blows to its elite Revolutionary Guards Corps and Basij…
(2026-03-12). IMA: Iran War Justifications The Global Implications. thelastamericanvagabond.com Today, the Independent Media Alliance (IMA) brings you a panel discussing the most recent round of hostilities against Iran, how the initiation of this conflict was long-sought by Israel, and what this may mean for the global order. We also discuss the legalities of this war, and whether the conflict is in the interest of
(2026-03-12). Kevork Almassian Interview The True Origins Of ISIS/al-Qaeda The "Iranian Sleeper Cell" Threat. thelastamericanvagabond.com Joining me today is Kevork Almassian, here to discuss the ongoing war on Iran, focusing mostly on the recent development of Syria's US/Israeli-backed al-Qaeda forces announcing potential military involvement in Lebanon on behalf of Israel, and what this means, as well as the true origins of ISIS and al-Qaeda, and why this is so relevant
(2026-03-12). Iranian drones and missile barrages hit energy infrastructure, airports, and residential buildings in the Arab World (March 11-12 updates). longwarjournal.org Between March 11 and March 12, Iran and its allied militias continued launching drones and missiles across the Middle East, targeting energy infrastructure, airports, military bases, residential areas, diplomatic facilities, and maritime targets in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Oman.
(2026-03-12). 'Outdated intelligence': US faces mounting evidence in deadly strike on Iran school. scmp.com Outdated intelligence likely led to the United States carrying out a deadly missile strike on a junior school in Iran that killed over 165 people, many of them children, in the opening hours of the conflict, according to a US official and a second person briefed on findings of a preliminary US military investigation into the incident. | The bombing of the school and its casualties involving children has become a focal point of the war, and if ultimately confirmed to be at the hands of the US,…
(2026-03-12). US troops' injuries in Iran attacks 'worse' than first reported. newarab.com 
The injuries caused to US troops in Some of the injuries sustained include shrapnel wounds and burns, with at least one service member likely to have a limb amputated. | Sources told CBS News that there was great difficulty in rescuing surviving US troops after an
(2026-03-12). Life under fire: a Tehran resident shares her story as Iran is attacked. scmp.com A Tehran resident in her 30s agreed to share her thoughts with Agence France-Presse about the ongoing war and daily life. | Her identity has been withheld for her protection. Here is an edited transcript of the conversation. | How is daily life in Tehran? | People left in waves, especially those who were next to targets.
(2026-03-12). Purported Iran-backed group claims responsibility for attacks in Belgium and Greece. longwarjournal.org A previously unknown organization called the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right claimed responsibility for an explosion that targeted a synagogue in Liège, Belgium, and another unconfirmed attack at an unknown location in Greece this week. It is unclear if the organization is authentic, but recent Iranian threats aimed at European countries over the war could indicate a connection to the Islamic Republic.
(2026-03-12). UN's Albanese floats study on genocide and media during Gaza war. newarab.com 
The research seeks to investigate the killings of and attacks on
(2026-03-12). Gaza mom watched the bodies of her sons for four days. electronicintifada.net A new report traces the ordeal of one family, from the killing of three brothers to the torture of survivors.
(2026-03-12). UK PM Starmer admits his 'mistake' in appointing Mandelson as US ambassador. scmp.com British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken responsibility for his "mistake" in sending Peter Mandelson to Washington as ambassador, as Downing Street denied there was a "cover-up" in the release of files related to the appointment. | The prime minister is facing fresh questions about his judgment in giving Mandelson the ambassadorship despite being warned of a "general reputational risk" because of his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
(2026-03-12). Four possible outcomes with the war on Iran but only one viable. asiapacificreport.nz 
Only one of these four paths protects humanity — the other three are likely destroy it. ANALYSIS: By Qasim Rashid This week Donald Trump threatened more war crimes on the people of Iran. We are now in the most dangerous phase of this crisis, and pretending otherwise is reckless. As a human rights lawyer, I…
(2026-03-12). Workers need jobs, not war. cpusa.org 
May Day Strong, in Against this backdrop, reality-challenged would-be dictator Donald Trump has been describing the U.S. economy as "roaring," including in his State of the Union address where he said the "roaring economy is roaring like never befo…
(2026-03-12). Tomgram: Juan Cole, Trump and the Return of the White Man's Burden. warisacrime.org This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Once again, the "President of Peace" Donald Trump who, while running for office in 2016, announced that "regime change is a proven, absolute failure," has taken out after "the natives," eager to change regimes in distant lands. These …
(2026-03-12). Ukrainian anti-drone teams working in Qatar, UAE, Saudi. newarab.com 
Kyiv has sought to leverage its expertise in downing Russian drones to help the
(2026-03-12). Hands off the communists of Jordan! cpusa.org 
The Communist Party USA condemns the
(2026-03-12). Oil analysts fear worst case scenario as Hormuz crisis deepens. newarab.com 
Oil prices surged to more than $100 a barrel on Thursday as attacks in the Gulf and hawkish rhetoric from the US president overshadowed news that countries would The
(2026-03-12). What Cops Saw Chasing Down New Jersey Drones. twz.com 
(2026-03-12). Not a Third Party, a Third Force. dissidentvoice.org 
In Part One of this planned series of articles, I wrote about the historical timeliness of a 'third force' strategy. I said, "This isn't something pulled out of the air, or someone's lofty dreams. It is grounded in historical experience in the United States over the last 60 or so years." A progressive "third force," …
(2026-03-12). From AirAsia to Qantas, airlines raise fares as Iran war fuels oil price surge. scmp.com Airlines around the world are increasing fares and raising fuel surcharges as the Iran war sends oil prices swinging wildly and stokes fears of jet fuel shortages if the fighting persists. | The cost of plane tickets may jump as much as 9 per cent, said Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association industry group. Fuel costs account for about a quarter of the expenses paid by carriers.
(2026-03-12). The new U.S. Defence demands more from Australia. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-03-12). We're Tired of Marco Rubio Speaking for Us. dissidentvoice.org "Put three Cubans in a room together, you'll have five different opinions," a Cuban friend of mine likes to joke. He was referring to debates in the town-hall meetings during Cuba's constitutional convention process of 2018. But I immediately thought, of course, of any Nochebuena celebration at my dad's house, just a few hundred miles …
(2026-03-12). Military expert: Ground operation in Iran would lead to enormous losses for the USA. eng.belta.by The United States is unlikely to deploy its troops for a ground operation in Iran, as such an action would result in significant losses in personnel, said Aleksandr Alesin, an independent military analyst.
(2026-03-12). Shymanovich, Kozyreva advance to Megasaray Hotels Open doubles quarterfinals. eng.belta.by In the opening match, the Belarusian-Russian pair confidently defeated | the Bulgarian-Turkish duo of Dia Evtimova / Selina Atay, 6-3, 6-2.
(2026-03-12). Major banks evacuate, close branches in Gulf as fears grow. newarab.com 
Citigroup and Standard Chartered have begun US financial giant Citigroup told its staff to evacuate offices in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Dubai's Oud Metha neighbourhood, a memo sent to employees which was seen by Reuters shows, telling them t…
(2026-03-12). Chalmers has never met a tax he didn't like. onlineopinion.com.au Labor says higher CGT will help housing. The real effect may be higher rents and weaker growth.
(2026-03-12). UK man arrested in Dubai for 'filming Iranian missiles'. newarab.com 
A UK citizen was arrested while holidaying in The tourist, 60, is facing charges despite deleting the video when asked to, according to Detained in Dubai CEO Radha Stirling. He has been held at the Bur Dubai police station since Monday, the Telegraph reported. | Stirling sai…
(2026-03-12). Mojtaba Khamenei makes first speech as Iran's supreme leader. newarab.com 
(2026-03-12). Lukashenko warns businessmen against profiting from criminal schemes. eng.belta.by "Everyone in business must know (and not just businessmen): with those | who decide to profit from criminal schemes, the conversation will be | short," the head of state warned.
(2026-03-12). Europe preaches feminism while funding Israeli occupation. newarab.com 
Days before International Women's Day, the European Commission The strategy builds on five familiar priorities: ending gender-based violence; challenging stereotypes; closing gender gaps in pay, employment, pensions, and care; and advancing women's leadershi…
(2026-03-12). US military refuelling plane crashes in Iraq, rescue efforts are under way. scmp.com An American military refuelling plane went down in Iraq and rescue efforts were under way, US Central Command said on Thursday. | The KC-135 aircraft was part of the operation against Iran but the crash was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire, the military said in a statement. | US Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said two aircraft were involved and that one landed safely and the other went down in western Iraq. It described the latter as "a loss".
(2026-03-12). Trump's Presidency and Iranian Missiles. dissidentvoice.org 
Athens Is Burning! The School of Athens and the Fire in the Borgo, Salvador Dali US hegemony is being dispatched to the landfill of history. Empires collapse, sometimes, slowly; sometimes, in rapid order. Trump's war has proven to be an accelerant of the latter. The following unnerves me as a Jewish person: Trump acting as …
(2026-03-12). Diplomat: Belarus explored several options to evacuate tourists from Qatar. eng.belta.by Chargé d'Affaires of the Republic of Belarus in the State of Qatar Aleksei Malafei detailed how Belarusian tourists were evacuated from Qatar on the air of the ONT TV channel.
(2026-03-12). Shield Of The Americas, Narcocartels, And New Stick Of Uncle Sam. thealtworld.com Last week, two events were held in Miami at the base of the US Southern Command, as a result of which the actual US zone of influence in the Western hemisphere was increased due to the agreement of the participating partners in Washington's new initiative. | On Thursday, March 5, a summit on counter cartels was held at the level of defense ministers of several Latin American and Caribbean countries. And on Saturday, March 7, there was a summit called "Shield of the Americas" at the level of heads of state on regional security issues. | The coalition of the "Americas" against narco cartels was formed and a joint d…
(2026-03-12). Railgun Being Fired By U.S. Navy Again After Abandoning It For Years. twz.com 
The U.S. Navy has conducted at least one new round of live-fire tests of its prototype electromagnetic railgun at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. The service had
(2026-03-12). "How On Earth Do You Justify That?" dissidentvoice.org Seyed Ali Mousavi, the Iranian ambassador to the UK, with Laura Kuenssberg On 8 March, on the BBC politics programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, the former BBC political editor put these impassioned words to Seyed Ali Mousavi, the Iranian ambassador to the UK: 'Since we last spoke, your government has killed thousands of its own …
(2026-03-12). RFK Jr. Appointee Reviewing Vaccines Has No Medical Background. truthout.org An individual appointed by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to review the safety of coronavirus vaccines has no medical background, and his research has been widely criticized by experts, a new review of his work demonstrates. Retsef Levi, a professor of operations research and business at MIT, was selected by Kennedy for the role last year. Levi also serves on… |
(2026-03-12). U.S. Intelligence Agents Concocted Scheme to Poison Mexican Revolutionary over a Hundred Years Ago, Establishing the Pattern for the "American Century" covertactionmagazine.com Colonel Ralph Van Deman assisted in cover-up with General John J. Pershing In March 1916, General John J. Pershing, the father of U.S. military intelligence who commanded U.S. forces in World War I, led a punitive expedition into Mexico targeting Francisco "Pancho" Villa, a revolutionary who wanted to redistribute land and wealth and expel predatory …
(2026-03-12). Lukashenko urges to eliminate unjustified intermediation. eng.belta.by We must clearly distinguish between justified and unjustified intermediation, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting to discuss measures to eliminate unjustified and unscrupulous intermediation on 12 March.
(2026-03-12). Three groups of disintermediation measures suggested to Belarus president. eng.belta.by Three groups of measures to step up the fight against unnecessary middlemen were suggested to Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko by Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian People's Congress Aleksandr Kosinets during the government conference held on 12 March to discuss measures to rule out unjustified and unscrupulous intermediation.
(2026-03-12). Belarus, Russia's Arkhangelsk Oblast discuss priorities for scientific cooperation. eng.belta.by The visit of the Arkhangelsk Oblast delegation to Minsk is taking place on 11-13 March.
(2026-03-12). 1 dead, 2 injured in shooting at Virginia's Old Dominion University, police say. scmp.com ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) students in an Old Dominion University classroom subdued and killed the shooter who killed one person and wounded two others, the FBI announced on Thursday. | Dominique Evans, special agent in charge of the FBI's (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Norfolk field office, said at a news conference that the suspect identified by authorities as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh shouted "Allahu akbar" before the shooting. Then the ROTC students stopped him, showing "extreme…
(2026-03-12). 'The world should see this', say Papua deforestation doco filmmakers. asiapacificreport.nz By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific journalist For a country with a record of large deforestation projects, Indonesia's current activities in the far southeastern corner of the republic, South Papua province, surpass all. With 2.5 million hectares of land being cleared for sugarcane and rice production for food and biofuel projects, alongside large oil palm concessions,…
(2026-03-12). Lukashenko reviews draft decree on centralized procurement for agriculture. eng.belta.by Agricultural organizations must be provided with all necessary goods in a timely manner and at fair prices, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting to discuss measures to eliminate unjustified and unscrupulous intermediation on 12 March.
(2026-03-12). After FAMU Signed ICE Deal, Students Demanded Answers, and Were Met With Silence. capitalbnews.org 
The signs read "ICE OUT," "REFUSE RESIST FIGHT FASCISM," and other slogans common at protests against the federal immigration crackdown. But the protest was not in the streets of one of the U.S. cities where residents were turning out by the thousands for days on end to demand an end to the crackdown. It was …
(2026-03-12). British mum who kept woman as 'house slave' for 25 years is jailed. scmp.com A UK judge on Thursday jailed for 13 years a mother-of-10 who forced a vulnerable woman to work as a "house slave" for more than two decades. | Amanda Wixon subjected the woman, who was a teenager when the ordeal began, to more than 25 years of abuse at her squalid home in Gloucestershire, western England.
(2026-03-12). Sanitising atrocities by the US or Israel and finding excuses is in the Western media's DNA. asiapacificreport.nz 
COMMENTARY: By John Minto I came across this statement from an independent media source this week: "The mainstream media is doing what it always does in wartime: manufacturing consent, sanitising atrocities and platforming war criminals." It came to mind immediately when I read The Times newspaper obituary for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei which was reprinted in…
(2026-03-12). KC-135 Tanker Crashes In Iraq During Operation Epic Fury Sortie (Updated). twz.com A KC-135 Stratotanker that was taking part in "U.S. Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft," the command stated Thursday afternoon in a media release. "The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely." | "This was not d…
(2026-03-12). Over 152,000 family capital deposits opened in Belarus. eng.belta.by As of 1 January 2026, a total of 152,400 large families have opened deposit accounts in Belarus under the family capital program, including 82,600 deposit accounts to the total amount of $826 million and 69,700 deposit accounts totaling Br1.87 billion.
(2026-03-12). EU "very keen" on Israel cooperation despite public fury, says internal paper. electronicintifada.net Tel Aviv envoy seeks to allay business lobby's fears of sanctions.
(2026-03-12). Belarus to supply elevators to Kazakhstan. eng.belta.by On 11 March, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Kazakhstan Aleksei Bogdanov met with Director General of Mogilevliftmash Ruslan Strakhar and business partners of the Belarusian enterprise in Kazakhstan's Karaganda Oblast.
(2026-03-12). The Complicity of the Experts: When Knowledge Fails in an Age of War. dissidentvoice.org You may know that in Macedonia the academic disciplines of international relations, geopolitics, and international security were introduced long after the breakup of Yugoslavia. Everything started from scratch, and I would say that these fields are still in their infancy. With rare exceptions. In global terms, we are Lilliputians. Our academic community is small, our …
(2026-03-12). More Than a Singer: How Sam Cooke's Family Built a Legacy After His Death. capitalbnews.org 
CLARKSDALE, Mississippi — Nicole Cooke-Johnson loaded her car full of children's books and traveled to her grandfather's hometown, Clarksdale, Mississippi, for the first time in her life. It was a journey as old and as common as the Great Migration. But her grandfather, Sam Cooke, was no ordinary man. Cooke, an iconic, groundbreaking recording artist …
(2026-03-12). Report: Outdated Intel Behind US Airstrike on Iran Girls' School. truthout.org A preliminary investigation into the airstrike on a girls' elementary school in Iran that killed at least 175 people, mostly children, has found that the U.S. likely created target coordinates for the strike using outdated military maps. The U.S. military has yet to formally state that the U.S. was directly involved in the massacre. However, The New York Times reports that a preliminary… |
(2026-03-12). Trump's 'racist hate speech' fuelling rights violations in US, UN panel says. scmp.com A UN-backed panel of independent experts focusing on racial discrimination has said that racist hate speech by US President Donald Trump and other American political leaders, along with a crackdown on immigration in the United States, have led to "grave human rights violations". | The Geneva-based Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination issued its decision on Wednesday and urged the US to suspend immigration enforcement operations at, and near, schools, hospitals, and faith-based…
(2026-03-12). Myth of Judeo-Christian Culture. dissidentvoice.org Jeff J. Brown: Thomas, knowing your erudite expertise on Christianity, I have a question for you: When did Jews get control of the Vatican? I know it was at least in 1942, when the Jewish psychopath Rothschild clan created the City of London Vatican Bank. T.P. Wilkinson: I will check on your query before I …
(2026-03-12). UK High Court rules in favour of Owen Jones in BBC libel case. newarab.com 
(2026-03-12). 'Why I'm Concerned the Government's Definition of Anti-Muslim Hostility Won't Help Most Victims'. bylinetimes.com After years of advocacy, the Government has released its As chief executive of the Since 2021,…
(2026-03-12). Why Israel is Fixated on Destroying Lebanon. thealtworld.com Rania Khalek reports from Lebanon as Israeli bombardment intensifies, with at least 687 killed so far, including 98 children, 62 women, and 18 medical workers. Amid the attacks, the Lebanese government is attempting to disarm Hezbollah, further escalating internal tensions while the country faces widespread destruction. | Daily airstrikes, mass displacement orders, and strikes on "safe" areas like central Beirut are terrorizing civilians and forcing thousands to flee. | Israel is ramping up bombardment, destroying "safe zones" and forcing mass displacement, while Hezbollah-government tensions escalate…
(2026-03-12). Fraying at the edges: Economic challenges facing Poland today. eng.belta.by As soon as the Middle East flared up, all that stability evaporated instantly. As they say, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Poland's weakest link? Its leadership, whose lack of strategic, pragmatic thinking has left the country exposed.
(2026-03-12). Belarus, Brazil deepen bilateral, multilateral cooperation. eng.belta.by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to Brazil Andrei Andreyev met with Brazil's Secretary for Europe and North America Roberto Abdalla on 11 March. The meeting took place at the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(2026-03-12). The Liberals, the senate, and preferences. onlineopinion.com.au The Liberals changed the Senate voting system to help themselves. Instead, they helped the Greens.
(2026-03-12). Uribe's former fixers convicted for bribing witnesses. colombiareports.com The Bogota appeals court sentenced attorneys Diego Cadena and Juan José Salazar to more than seven years house arrest for trying to bribe witnesses for Colombia's former president Alvaro Uribe, their client. The appeals court ruled that Cadena, a.k.a. "the Gangsattorney," did not jut bribe witnesses, but also committed fraud to shield Uribe and his …
(2026-03-12). Belarus approves humanitarian aid package for Vietnam. eng.belta.by In accordance with the instruction of the Belarusian president, the Council of Ministers has decided to send humanitarian assistance to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The corresponding resolution was signed by Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin.
(2026-03-12). Lukashenko demands strong measures against unjustified mediation. eng.belta.by Law enforcement agencies must crack down on unjustified intermediation, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting.
(2026-03-12). Amnesty Head Agnès Callamard on Iran War, Global Fight for Gender Justice & Killing of Yanar Mohammed. democracynow.org 
Democracy Now! recently sat down with Agnès Callamard, the secretary general of Amnesty International and a former United Nations special rapporteur, while she was in New York City to mark International Women's Day and attend the U.N.'s annual conference on women's rights. Callamard responded to the assassination of Iraqi feminist Yanar Mohammed, U.S. sanctions against U.N. special rapporteur Francesca Albanese and the rise of Christian nationalism under the Trump administration.
(2026-03-12). Serbian president confirms his country owns Chinese supersonic missiles after photo leak. scmp.com Serbia's president confirmed late on Thursday that his country possesses Chinese supersonic surface-attack cruise missiles, after photos of the weapons attached to Serbian fighter jets leaked online. | Photos, which began circulating on social media and defence blogs earlier this week, showed missiles believed to be Chinese-made CM-400AKG cruise missiles attached to Serbia's Russian-made MiG-29 planes.
(2026-03-12). Constitutional Court adopts address to president, parliament. eng.belta.by The Belarusian Constitutional Court has adopted an address to the Belarusian president and the National Assembly "On the state of constitutional legitimacy in the Republic of Belarus".
(2026-03-12). New Interactive Tool Helps Families Locate Loved Ones in ICE Detention. truthout.org Anational immigrant advocacy group is launching an interactive map designed to help families locate detained loved ones, find legal and community resources, and better understand the expanding U.S. immigration detention system. The map, created by Freedom for Immigrants, launched March 12 and compiles information about immigration detention facilities, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)… |
(2026-03-12). Republicans and Democrats Are United in Their War on the Unhoused. truthout.org Former schoolteacher Theo Henderson had been unhoused for six years when he launched the "We the Unhoused" podcast in 2019 from a park in Los Angeles's Chinatown. Henderson became unhoused in 2013 when he was evicted after losing his job and falling into medical debt due to spiraling costs related to his diabetes. When he began documenting his experiences and those of his unhoused neighbors… |
(2026-03-12). American military bleeds US$11.3 billion in first week of Iran war: report. scmp.com The opening week of the war against Iran cost the United States more than US$11.3 billion, lawmakers were told in a Pentagon briefing, according to a New York Times report underscoring the pace at which the conflict is consuming weapons and resources. | The Times, citing unnamed sources familiar with Tuesday's closed-door briefing, said members of Congress were told that the figure excludes many costs connected with the build-up to the strikes — suggesting the final tally for the first week could…
(2026-03-12). Netanyahu vows 'on the ground' action to disarm Hezbollah. newarab.com 
Israel renewed its strikes on "You are playing with fire," Benjamin Netanyahu said to Lebanese authorities during a press conference, as Israeli jets carried out three strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs – two without prior warning – according to the stat…
(2026-03-12). US says Iran campaign cost $11 billion in six days. newarab.com 
(2026-03-12). Lukashenko slams multi-stage markups, cites overpriced cardan shaft as example. eng.belta.by "As a result, ordinary consumers have to pay for all the markups lining the pockets of these fly-by-night operators. It is scandalous and there are plenty of examples," the head of state pointed out.
(2026-03-12). Trump's Call to Putin, Article IV of the NPT and War Crimes. dissidentvoice.org President Trump's recent attempt to reassure the American public how the war against Iran was going relied on the President's assertion that the US is winning the war. Relying on the lame claim, the President said "I think the war is very complete, pretty much," as well as telling Axios that "Any time I want …
(2026-03-12). A slow but growing anti-war movement across the US>. newarab.com 
Within hours of joint This wasn't a spontaneous movement, but one rooted in over two decades of anti-war activism, largely spurred by the 2003 US-led invasion of "
(2026-03-12). Israel drops charges against soldiers in Sde Teiman abuse case. newarab.com 
The Israeli military said on Thursday it had dropped charges against five soldiers accused of "In light of significant developments since the filing of the indictment in the Sde Teiman case, the Military Advocate General decided today to order the cancellation of the indictment against the five defendants," the military said. | In February 2025, the military announced that…
(2026-03-12). U.S. Navy Won't Be Ready To Escort Tankers Through Hormuz For Weeks (Updated). twz.com 
Escorting oil tankers in the strait is an incredibly high-risk mission, and might not even be enough to ensure their safe passage.
(2026-03-12). Reform UK's Crypto Provider on Register That Housed North Korean Money Laundering. bylinetimes.com Reform UK have been processing cryptocurrency donations through a Polish regulatory regime which previously housed a Cambodian crime syndicate A detailed legal analysis provided to Byline Times exposes fundamental structural weaknesses in Poland's Virtual Asset Service Pro…
(2026-03-12). Palestinians locked out of Al-Aqsa in final days of Ramadan. newarab.com 
(2026-03-12). The Era of Truth and Freedom is Over. thealtworld.com The British Parliament is in the process of abolishing the right to trial by jury. The law, which seems about to pass, removes a jury trial for defendants whose crimes are punishable by a sentence of three years or less. Instead of a jury of one's peers, a judge will determine a defendant's innocence or guilt. Next the cutoff will be 5 years, then ten, then jury trial will disappear, and England will return to the Dark Ages. The appointed judge will decide according to the wishes of he who rules. | The reason the Labour government gives for abolishing trial by jury is an 80,000 case backlog that is choking the Br…
(2026-03-12). Colombia's Supreme Court orders arrest of 2 house representatives on corruption charges. colombiareports.com Colombia's Supreme Court formally accused six House Representatives and ordered the arrest of two of them over their alleged involvement in the embezzlement of emergency funds. As members of the congressional Public Credit Commission, the lawmakers allegedly agreed to a compensation in exchange for approving three investment projects funded by the disaster management agency, UNGRD. …
(2026-03-12). Australia commits to yet another perilous American military adventure. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-03-12). 66 UK MPs push for sanctions on Israel amid West Bank land grab. newarab.com 
More than 60 UK lawmakers are backing a parliamentary motion for widespread sanctions on Israel, as its government Labour MP The motion, tabled on 23 February, criticises the Israeli government's 15 February…
(2026-03-12). GB News Under Fire After Airing 'White Genocide' Conspiracy Theory From Former Boris Johnson Aide. bylinetimes.com The broadcasting regulator Ofcom is under pressure to investigate after the right-wing broadcaster GB News promoted a segment in which a former adviser to Boris Johnson and other senior Conservatives claimed that ethnic minorities are threatening a "white genocide" in the UK. | Thomas Corbett-Dillon, real name Craig Dillon, lives in the US according to his IMDB profile and regularly appears on Fox News. | He told GB News' The Late Show in the early hours of Monday morning: "I'd like to know where you're planning on going when they really turn on us. Because it has happened before and it will happen again," he…
(2026-03-12). Ant smuggling rises in Kenya as Chinese national caught with 2,238 insects at airport. scmp.com A man was arrested with more ‚Å than 2,200 live ‚Å garden ants in his ‚Å luggage at Nairobi's main airport this week amid a rise in cases of smuggling of the insects in Kenya. | Chinese national Zhang Kequn, 27, was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta ‚ÄåInternational Airport on Tuesday while he was trying to leave the country, court filings on Thursday showed. Immigration officials flagged a "stop order" on Zhang's passport after he evaded arrest in Kenya last year.
(2026-03-12). When religion becomes a political weapon, everyone loses. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-03-12). Preparing for the worst? US bunker maker claims big demand in Middle East. scmp.com Since the war in the Middle East began nearly two weeks ago, the phone at Ron Hubbard's bomb shelter company in Texas has not stopped ringing. | Foreign and US clients are rushing to buy his bunkers, seeking refuge in case of air raids, nuclear fallout or apocalypse.
(2026-03-12). Macron's aircraft carrier and warplanes to the Persian Gulf is a dangerous vanity project. thealtworld.com
(2026-03-12). US Escalation in the Caribbean and Latin America Live Updates. cepr.net
(2026-03-12). Proyecto de desarrollo local habanero amplía sus fronteras y apunta hacia las TIC y la inteligencia artificial. cubadebate.cu Festeja su aniversario 15 el proyecto de desarrollo local (PDL) La Moneda Cubana, dedicado a la formación integral de jóvenes en oficios vinculados a la gastronomía. El programa tiene también incidencia social con la realización de donaciones voluntarias de sangre y la incorporación a actividades productivas de interés del país, entre estas, la cosecha tabacalera.
(2026-03-12). Sobre la cancha: Caída del imperio británico. cubadebate.cu En el largo camino anual para levantar la Orejona, los ingleses aspiraban a levantar un imperio. El primer paso estaba conseguido. Entre los 16 clubes para disputar la ronda de los octavos de final, seis de ellos llegaban desde una Premier League sólida en la fase inicial. Con cuatro derrotas y solo dos empates, apenas marcaron seis goles y recibieron 16, lo que deja a varios de esos elencos con pie y medio fuera de la competición.
(2026-03-12). Cuba no es una amenaza: Asociación Italia-Cuba llama a protesta en Roma. cubadebate.cu La Asociación Nacional de Amistad Italia-Cuba se hace eco del llamamiento de la sociedad civil para una movilización extraordinaria de solidaridad con el pueblo de Cuba y convoca una manifestación nacional para el próximo 11 de abril 2026 en Roma.
(2026-03-12). Dos heridos a bordo del portaviones de EE.UU. USS Gerald R. Ford. cubadebate.cu Dos marineros han resultado heridos en un incendio que estalló a bordo del portaviones estadounidense USS Gerald R. Ford, desplegado en el mar Rojo en apoyo de la operación militar contra Irán.
(2026-03-12). Entregan en La Habana premios nacionales de periodismo y del Festival Virtual de la Prensa. cubadebate.cu En el acto por el Día de la Prensa Cubana, fueron entregados los premios Juan Gualberto Gómez por la Obra del Año. Tubal Páez recibió el Premio Nacional de Periodismo José Martí por la Obra de la Vida. IDEAS Multimedios recibió el Premio Especial por el centenario del natalicio del Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro, entregado por única vez, por el conjunto de obras audiovisuales "El Siglo de Fidel".
(2026-03-12). Posponen edición presencial de BioHabana 2026. cubadebate.cu El Comité Organizador del Congreso BioHabana informó hoy la posposición de su edición 2026, prevista inicialmente del 18 al 22 de mayo, debido a las condiciones nacionales e internacionales que afectan la logística y el aseguramiento del evento.
(2026-03-12). Presidente cubano, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, comparecerá ante los medios este viernes 13 de marzo. cubadebate.cu El Primer Secretario del Comité Central del Partido Comunista y Presidente de la República, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, comparecerá ante los medios este viernes 13 de marzo de 2026, a partir de las 7: 30 am, para abordar asuntos del acontecer nacional e internacional.
(2026-03-11). Markwayne Mullin Made Profitable Stock Purchases Days Before US Military Strikes. truthout.org New reporting indicates that Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin (Oklahoma) — who is President Donald Trump's pick to head the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — profited from stocks in oil and security companies that he invested in just days before U.S. military strikes in Venezuela and Iran. In a Truth Social post earlier this week, Trump said that he would be reassigning current DHS… |
(2026-03-11). Venezuela Advances Reform That Revokes State Control Over Mining Activities. truthout.org The Venezuelan National Assembly preliminarily approved a new mining law on Monday as part of continued efforts to attract foreign investment to the country. Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez had announced the new legislation last week during a visit from U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum alongside mining executives and urged parliament to act "swiftly. |
(2026-03-11). Headlines for March 11, 2026. democracynow.org U.S.-Israeli War on Iran Enters Its 12th Day, Pentagon Reportedly Considers Deployment of Special Forces into Iran to Capture Enriched Uranium, NYT: Missile Fragments Add to Mounting Evidence That U.S. Forces Struck Girls' School in Iran, Israel Continues Attacks on Lebanon, Killing 570 and Displacing 750,000, Iran Fires Retaliatory Missiles and Drones at Targets Across the Gulf, U.S.-Israeli War on Iran Causes Oil Prices to Surge, Reuters: Chevron and Shell Close to Finalizing Oil Production Deal with Venezuela, Anthropic Sues Trump Admin After Pentagon Designates It as a "Supply Chain Risk", W…
(2026-03-11). Trump Energy Secretary Accused of Manipulating Oil Markets With Deleted Post. truthout.org U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, a former fracking executive, was accused on Tuesday of manipulating global markets after he posted a striking claim on social media: The American Navy, he wrote, had "successfully escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure oil remains flowing."
(2026-03-11). Iran Turns Up The Heat Around The Strait Of Hormuz (Updated). twz.com 
As the