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1. Iran targets busiest international airport as strikes escalate
Iran has escalated its military actions by targeting the world’s busiest international airport and attacking commercial ships. This strategy aims to exert global economic pressure on the United States and Israel amidst ongoing conflict. A recent Iranian strike also ignited a major fire on Bahrain’s Muharraq Island, prompting authorities to issue warnings.
2. Oil hits $100 a barrel despite deal to release record amount of reserves
Oil prices have surged to $100 a barrel, coinciding with intensified Iranian attacks on vessels in the critical Strait of Hormuz. This spike comes despite efforts to release a record amount of oil reserves to stabilize the market.
3. Kyiv and Budapest are fighting over visits from Hungarian inspectors
A diplomatic rift is growing between Budapest and Kyiv over a proposed visit by Hungarian inspectors to Ukraine. The delegation aims to assess the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated he was unaware of the visit, leading to accusations from Hungary’s Foreign Minister.
4. Senegal is significantly increasing penalties for homosexuality
Senegal’s parliament has voted to tighten criminal laws against homosexual relationships, passing a bill that imposes longer prison sentences and higher fines for so-called “unnatural acts.” The legislation received overwhelming support, with 135 votes in favor and only three abstentions.
5. Putin’s envoy meets Trump confidants in Florida
Kremlin special envoy Kirill Dmitriev has reportedly met with representatives of former US President Donald Trump in Florida. This meeting, covered by Russian state media, underscores ongoing diplomatic interactions between Russia and the United States.
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6. Hungary and Slovakia are pushing back against the European Union’s plans to renew sanctions targeting over 2,700 individuals and entities linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The resistance comes just days before a crucial deadline on March 15, amid ongoing tensions related to a damaged oil pipeline.
7. In Hawaii, the Kilauea volcano has erupted, sending volcanic fragments soaring up to 1,300 feet into the air. The US Geological Survey reported that tephra, a mix of ash and other volcanic materials, has fallen within the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and nearby communities, prompting alerts for residents.
8. A French aid worker was among three individuals killed in drone strikes that targeted a residential building in Goma, a city in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Witnesses reported that the building was frequently occupied by expatriates and aid workers, raising concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in the region.
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EU and UK officials are calling for Israel to halt the escalating violence perpetrated by settlers in the West Bank, which has intensified since the onset of the conflict with Iran. According to the United Nations, six Palestinians have lost their lives in these settler attacks since the war began.
In a significant move, European leaders are preparing to approve a historic emergency release of oil reserves to counteract the rising energy crisis. Asian nations, particularly those heavily reliant on oil from the Persian Gulf, along with the United States, are backing this initiative. French President Emmanuel Macron has scheduled a virtual meeting with G7 leaders later today to discuss the details of this release.
Turning to the weather. In Riga, 3 to 9 degrees with patchy rain possible. In London, 7 to 13 degrees with moderate rain a slightly cool ambiance awaits london on today. In Paris, 6 to 14 degrees with partly cloudy a slightly cool ambiance awaits paris on today. In Brussels, 4 to 12 degrees with partly cloudy a slightly cool ambiance awaits brussels on today. In Berlin, 6 to 14 degrees with patchy rain possible a slightly cool ambiance awaits berlin on today. In Stockholm, 5 to 9 degrees with patchy rain possible. In Madrid, 6 to 17 degrees with sunny mild temperatures are expected in madrid.
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