Headline News

24, March 2026

Denmark votes in close election overshadowed by Trump’s Greenland bid ⁰

Danes vote Tuesday in general elections that opinion polls suggest will be close, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen seen as the favourite after standing up to US President Donald Trump over Greenland.

Frederiksen, a Social Democrat who has been in office since 2019, has been praised for her leadership after fending off Trump’s repeated demands to annex Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory he claims the United States needs for national security reasons.

The row over the vast Arctic island has however not been central in the campaign, which has focused more on such issues as the cost of living, immigration and the environment.

Recent opinion polls credit the centre-left bloc with a slight lead over the right, but neither were seen garnering a majority in the 179-seat parliament.

“The future composition of the (coalition) government is very uncertain, but it is likely that we will end up with (Frederiksen) as head of government,” said Elisabet Svane, political analyst at Danish newspaper Politiken.

“People may not really like her, but they see her as the right leader,” she said.

Frederiksen “is a unifying figure in a world full of insecurity, and Danes are quite anxious – there’s Greenland, Ukraine, (and mystery) drones” that flew over the Scandinavian country last year, Svane said.

In addition, “it’s hard to imagine a right-wing government because it would have to unite such a broad swath, from the far right to the more centrist parties, which are not on very good terms with the far right”, said Ole Waever, a political science professor at the University of Copenhagen.

Polling stations open at 8:00am (0700 GMT) and close at 8:00pm, when exit polls will be published, with final results expected around four hours later.

The four overseas seats held by Denmark’s two autonomous territories – two for Greenland and two for the Faroe Islands – could tip the balance if the election result is very close.

The centrist Moderate party, led by Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, a two-time former prime minister, could also prove decisive if things go down to the wire.

Interest in Greenland

In Greenland’s capital Nuuk, the campaign has generated more interest than usual, with more than 20 candidates standing.

“I think this election will kind of show us the direction going forward,” said Juno Berthelsen, a member of Greenland’s local parliament and leader of the Naleraq party, which wants to cut ties with Denmark as soon as possible.

Several of the party’s members have met with the Trump administration.

Greenland’s main political parties all want independence from Denmark, but Naleraq’s rivals favour a more measured process.

Greenland’s Business Minister Naaja Nathanielsen, a candidate for the left-wing IA party, said fear of the United States had been central to the campaign in Greenland.

“Due to the fact that the US has shown such aggression, you would find a bigger interest in really trying to push the Greenlandic narrative in the Danish parliament,” she said.

‘No place here’

In metropolitan Denmark, Greenland did not get much attention in the campaign.

“Greenland is part of Denmark and we need to take care of it, but it’s not something I think about when I go to vote,” 21-year-old voter Clemens Duval Thomsen said.

In the wealthy nation of six million people, the campaign has instead focused on domestic issues, including inflation, the welfare state and high nitrate levels in water from agriculture.

In a country where the far right has heavily influenced policy since the late 1990s, immigration has also been a hot topic, with the Social Democrats advocating even tighter regulations.

The far-right Danish People’s Party, which slumped in the 2022 election but has seen an upswing in opinion polls, is meanwhile in favour of ending permanent residence permits.

Frederiksen has also defended as “fair” a proposal to deny non-essential health care to people of foreign origin who threaten medical personnel.

“It has to be this way: in addition to the formal punishment in the judicial system, we’re saying, ‘You have no place here’,” she said.

Source: AFP

24, March 2026

Israeli Knesset session suspended as Iran launches massive missile barrage ⁰

Iranian missile strikes triggered widespread panic across occupied territories early Tuesday, forcing the suspension of a Knesset session as sirens sounded in hundreds of locations and a massive barrage targeted central areas, causing extensive damage in Tel Aviv and Beersheba.

A session of the Israeli parliament was abruptly suspended after the regime’s Home Front Command issued a warning, sending lawmakers rushing to shelters.

According to Israeli media reports, the latest Iranian missile barrage toward central Israel appears to have been the largest since the war began on February 28.

Haaretz reported that on the 25th day of the conflict, “unrelenting bombardment from Iran toward Israel continues”.

In Tel Aviv, a direct hit on a building caused significant destruction.

Seven additional locations were struck by shrapnel from Iranian missiles, with extensive damage reported.

A major road connecting Tel Aviv to the north was closed due to the strike.

The Tel Aviv Police Commander stated that extensive damage occurred at the sites where Iranian missile shrapnel fell in the city.

Israeli media also reported “massive explosions” in the Beersheba area and the western Negev, as well as in Arad.

An Iranian missile was reported to have landed in Beersheba, prompting search and rescue forces to be dispatched to damaged sites in the south.

In a separate incident, an Israeli reserve soldier was found dead in Bat Yam after allegedly shooting himself inside a shelter, according to Israeli media reports.

Iranian forces have so far launched around 80 waves of missiles and drones against Israeli targets in retaliation for the US-Israeli aggression against Iran that began on February 28.

Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that any further attacks on Iranian infrastructure would result in expanded retaliation, including the potential full closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iranian mighty retaliatory operations comes despite US and Israeli claims of destroying Iran’s military capabilities.

Source: Press TV

22, March 2026

Senegal’s President to visit Spain, migration among key issues ⁰

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will begin a three-day official visit to Spain on Tuesday, March 24, at the invitation of King Felipe VI. Details of the visit have not been made public, but at the last high-level meeting between Senegal and Spain, talks focused on agriculture, vocational and technical training, industrialization, digitalization and security.

Cooperation is expected to prioritize combating irregular migration, a key issue for both countries. Migratory flows from Senegal to Europe have increased in recent years. In 2023, nearly 12,833 migrants arrived in Spain, of whom 9,319 were identified as Senegalese nationals, according to official data.

The visit comes amid an intensification of diplomatic relations between Dakar and Madrid, highlighted by visits to Senegal by Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno in December 2023 and again in June 2024.

According to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spain provides development assistance to Senegal worth 27 million euros annually, focused on priority sectors such as agriculture, food access, health, and drinking water and sanitation.

Source: ecofin agency

22, March 2026

Iran will obliterate energy infrastructure in region if its power plants attacked ⁰

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says the Islamic Republic will “irreversibly” destroy vital energy and fuel infrastructure across the region if the United States attacks power plants inside Iran.

Qalibaf issued the stark warning in a post on his X account on Sunday in response to the latest threat by US President Donald Trump, who said Saturday night that the United States will “hit and obliterate” Iran’s “various power plants, starting with the biggest one first!” if the country does not “fully open, without threat”, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 hours from this exact point in time.”

“Immediately after our country’s power plants and infrastructure are hit, vital infrastructure and energy and fuel infrastructure across the region will be considered legitimate targets [for Iran] and will be destroyed in an irreversible manner,” Qalibaf said.

The top Iranian parliamentarian added that oil prices will also continue to rise for a long period of time.

Earlier on Sunday, spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari warned of retaliation if Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure are attacked in the US-Israeli aggression.

“If Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked by the enemy, all energy infrastructure, as well as information technology (IT) and water desalination facilities, belonging to the US and the regime in the region will be targeted pursuant to previous warnings,” he said.

Since February 28, when the US and Israel launched their unprovoked aggression, Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz to oil and gas tankers affiliated with the aggressor regimes and those cooperating with them.

The disruption of tanker traffic in the waterway, lying between the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, has triggered a major surge in energy prices.

In a desperate attempt to control the market, Trump said that the US Navy will escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. He even offered political risk insurance for tankers transiting there.

The US president also sought to form a coalition to secure the strait, asking NATO countries to contribute naval and air assets. However, most of Washington’s allies have declined to commit forces.

Handala hacktivists vow to release all maps of electricity, water infrastructure in region

Following Trump’s threat to target Iranian power plants, the pro-resistance hacktivist group Handala warned that it would release all the maps of electricity and water infrastructure across the region soon.

“We will release all the maps of the regime’s and the region’s electricity and water infrastructure in the coming hours. All of them have been registered in the target bank, and we are waiting for your foolish move,” it said on X.

Source: Press TV

22, March 2026

Football: Arsenal is keen to sign Cameroonian teenager ⁰

Arsenal has been linked with a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Christian Kofane, as the 19-year-old continues to impress at the German club.

He is regarded as one of several exciting players within their current squad and has established himself as an important figure in the group, prompting Arsenal to express strong interest in securing his signature. The club are aware that his development trajectory suggests he could soon attract wider attention, which would make any future transfer pursuit increasingly competitive.

Growing Interest in Kofane

Arsenal remain one of the world’s biggest clubs, and, as reported by Fichajes, they have been monitoring Kofane’s progress for some time. Their long-term interest reflects a strategic approach to identifying emerging talent before it reaches peak market value.

However, they are not alone in their pursuit. Several other leading clubs are also keen to strengthen their squads with the addition of the young forward, meaning Arsenal are likely to face significant competition. This level of interest could complicate negotiations and increase the difficulty of completing a deal.

Transfer Challenge for Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is expected to be eager to add Kofane to his squad, recognising the potential he could bring to the team’s attacking options. A move to London could appeal to the player, offering him the opportunity to develop further in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.

Nevertheless, the transfer does not depend solely on the player’s preference. Arsenal must also reach an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen, who may be reluctant to part with one of their promising talents. Securing such a deal would likely require a compelling offer and careful negotiation.

Kofane’s performances on the international stage have also contributed to Arsenal’s continued interest. He was one of the standout attackers for his country at the AFCON, providing the club with an opportunity to assess his abilities more closely. This exposure has reinforced their belief in his potential, ensuring that he remains firmly on their radar as they consider future additions to their squad.

Source: One Football

21, March 2026

Iran says 55 enemy targets go up in smoke as it unleashes 70th wave of Op. True Promise 4 ⁰

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced the execution of the 70th wave of its underway retaliatory Operation True Promise 4, saying the latest phase targeted more than 55 locations occupied by the US and the Israeli regime across the region.

In a statement on Saturday, the IRGC described the opening moments of the latest phase as marked by “loud explosions, bursts of fire, and columns of smoke” throughout the targeted areas.

It said the timing of the strikes, on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, reflects “a different dawn of a new regional order for Muslims.”

According to the statement, five US military installations were targeted during the operation, namely al-Kharj in Saudi Arabia, al-Dhafra in the United Arab Emirates, Ali al-Salem in Kuwait, Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, and the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

The Corps said the strikes were carried out using Qiam and Emad missile systems alongside attack drones, describing this stage of the reprisal as part of a broader strategy of “gradual attrition.”

Surprising enemy in occupied territories

The statement added that operations by the IRGC’s Aerospace Force concentrated on strategic zones in the occupied port of Haifa and the city of Tel Aviv. Among the locations mentioned were Hadera, Kiryat Ono, Savion, and Ben Ami.

It said Khorramshahr-4 and multi-warhead Qadr missile systems were deployed, resulting in impacts “beyond the enemy’s estimates,” and contributing to worsening conditions in the occupied territories.

Warning of intensified response

The Corps reiterated its stance on retaliatory escalation, stating, “It is necessary at this stage of the war to once again remind that the IRGC, in its offensive strategy, will target the origin of any aggression against the Islamic Republic’s territory and national sovereignty with strikes beyond previous ones.”

The statement concluded by emphasizing that Iran’s Armed Forces, including the Corps, have prepared for this stage of the confrontation.

Operation True Promise 4 was launched shortly after the latest round of unlawful attacks by Tel Aviv and Washington against the Islamic Republic late last month.

Source: Presstv

21, March 2026

CPDM Crime Syndicate: regime delays parliamentary elections, lawmakers to stay until end 2026 ⁰

Cameroonian lawmakers yet again voted on Thursday to extend their mandate, according to official media.

Originally set to be dissolved on March 10, 2025, the central African country’s current parliament will now sit until December 20, 2026, according to the Cameroon Tribune.

Lawmakers, elected in the January 2020 ballot for what was meant to be a five-year-long mandate, had already voted to prolong their stay on the parliament benches for a one-year period.

President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state at 93 years of age, had already hinted on February 10 at a “slight readjustment” of the timetable for parliamentary and local elections expected at the beginning of that month.

By law, the parliamentarians’ mandates can be extended for a maximum of 18 months.

Having held power with a firm grasp since 1982, Biya’s re-election last October for an eighth term sparked protests in several large cities, which the authorities brutally repressed.

Source: Africa News

20, March 2026

Iran debuts multi-warhead ‘Nasrallah’ missile to strike Israel’s oil refineries ⁰

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has launched the 65th wave of its ongoing retaliatory Operation True Promise 4 targeting Israel’s oil refineries, debuting multi-warhead “Nasrallah” ballistic missile.

In a statement on Thursday, the IRGC said that the fresh wave of retaliatory strikes targeted Ashdod and Haifa oil refineries, which are among the Israeli regime’s biggest refineries, using Nasrallah ballistic missile system for the first time.

Nasrallah is the upgraded and the guided version of Qadr missiles used in previous strikes against US military assets in the region and targets in the Israeli-occupied territories.

The 65th wave employed a variety of other domestically manufactured long-range precision missiles, the statement said.

The IRGC has so far employed a variety of powerful weaponry in the latest strikes, including multi-warhead Qadr missiles, Kheibar Shekan missiles, Emad missiles, and Haj Qassem missiles.

According the statement, the new retaliatory wave of strikes also employed medium-range missiles of Qiyam and Zolfaghar for hitting US military assets in Al Kharj Air Base in Saudi Arabia, which is the main logistics and refueling center for F-16 and F-35 fighter jets as well as AWACS surveillance aircraft.

Furthermore, the same missile targeted Fujairah Sheikh Isa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which serves as the headquarters and the data center control and the communication center of the US military in the region.

The US terrorist army forces at al-Zafra base in the UAE, which played a supporting and intelligence role in the attack on Iran, was also targeted by medium-range missiles of Qiyam and Zolfaghar and long-range ballistic missile of Kheibar Shekan, which carries multiple warheads.

Operation True Promise 4, a sequel to the IRGC’s previous instances of successful reprisal against adversaries, began late last month momentarily following the launch of Washington’s and Tel Aviv’s latest bout of unlawful aggression targeting the Islamic Republic.

The IRGC has pledged to sustain the reprisal until the enemies’ “complete defeat.”

Sources from Hebrew media reported strong and consecutive explosions heard in northern Israeli occupied territories, including Haifa, Kiryat, Carmel, and the Golan Heights. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu held his press briefing in a reinforced underground bunker.

The missile strike by Iran resulted in significant damage to aircraft and infrastructure at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.

The spokesperson for the Central Command of the Iranian Armed Forces, in a statement, emphasized that all US and Israeli assets would be targeted as part of Iran’s retaliatory actions, taking full responsibility for the attack.

“As previously stated, we will target all American and Zionist regime infrastructure, and we officially accept responsibility for this operation,” the spokesperson added.

As a result of the damage inflicted on its aviation sector, Israel’s airline industry has faced unprecedented disruption.

The Ben Gurion airport’s management announced a 50% reduction in international flight capacities, and several airlines, including El Al, were forced to cancel flights, with El Al halting all flights scheduled between March 21 and March 27.

According to Israel’s Channel 12 News, the Israir carrier also suspended all scheduled flights until March 31 and stopped selling tickets for the foreseeable future, citing new restrictions imposed by the so-called ministry of transport.

The airline also mentioned limited capacity on remaining flights, though it would attempt to accommodate some passengers.

The strike comes just days after a bombing campaign that targeted fuel depots in Iran.

In Israeli occupied territories, the attack has sparked widespread panic, with reports of long queues at airports, ticket offices, and even border crossings as settlers attempt to flee the occupied lands.

Concerns about further missile attacks have led to fears of being trapped in the event of additional strikes, especially after the announcement of the 50% flight capacity reduction.

Source: Press TV

20, March 2026

Smarter Water Use Could Feed 10 Billion and Create Nearly 250 Million Jobs ⁰

Rebalancing water use across the global food system is key to meeting future food demand sustainably and could generate 245 million long-term jobs, largely in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to a new World Bank Group report launched today.

The report – Nourish and Flourish: Water Solutions to Feed 10 Billion People on a Livable Planet – notes that current agricultural water management practices, marked by overuse in some countries and underuse in others, can only sustainably support food production for less than half the global population. By 2050, 10 billion people will need to be fed. Addressing both the overuse that depletes water in stressed regions and the underuse that leaves available water and productive capacity untapped in water-abundant regions will be essential to meet that demand sustainably.

It introduces a new framework for agricultural water management that links water availability with food production and trade. By categorizing countries based on water stress and their food import or export status, the framework helps identify where expanding rainfed agriculture can increase food production, where irrigation investments can unlock jobs and growth, where water use must be rebalanced to protect ecosystems and future productivity, and where trade offers a more sustainable path than local production.

“The way we manage water for food will have profound implications for jobs, livelihoods, and economic growth. By making smarter choices about where crops are grown, how water is allocated, and how trade supports food security, we can strengthen resilience, expand opportunity, and safeguard the resources which we all rely on,” said Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank Group.

Realizing these outcomes will require stronger private sector participation and financing alongside public investment, supported by effective policies, institutions, and regulations to boost food production, create jobs, and support sustainable growth. Public funding alone cannot deliver the sustained services, innovation, and scale needed to expand irrigation, improve performance, and maintain results. Farmers, who are the primary users of irrigation and its main investors, are already willing to co-invest when access to finance, quality equipment, markets, and digital tools reduces the risks and transaction costs they face.

“When investments in infrastructure and natural resources, business-enabling policies, and private capital mobilization come together, the impact can be greater than the sum of its parts,” said Guangzhe Chen, Vice President for Planet at the World Bank Group. “By linking global evidence with country realities, this framework can help policymakers navigate trade-offs and adapt food production to today’s water and climate realities—delivering food, jobs, and resilience together.”

Expanding irrigation where water is available, alongside modernizing existing systems, is estimated to require an additional $24–70 billion per year through 2050. Governments already spend roughly $490 billion annually on agricultural support, most of it on subsidies. Redirecting a portion of current spending—combined with regulatory reform, use of blended finance, and public-private partnerships—will crowd in private capital, including co-investment by farmers themselves, and support financially sustainable water and food security.

The World Bank Group works alongside countries, companies, partners and people to translate these insights into action by combining policy reform, public investment, and private capital to strengthen food systems, create jobs, and protect natural resources. It has committed to doubling annual agribusiness financing to $9 billion by 2030 and mobilizing an additional $5 billion per year under the AgriConnect initiative to help smallholders move from subsistence to surplus. Through the Water for Food and Water for the Planet pillars of its Water Strategy Implementation Plan, the World Bank Group addresses the twin challenge of water and food security by strengthening food production systems and improving farmer livelihoods.

Reported by the World Bank Group

20, March 2026

Yaoundé: Catholics invited to throng Pope Leo XIV’s procession ⁰

The Archbishop of Cameroon’s Archdiocese of Yaoundé has encouraged animated participation in the planned Apostolic Visit of Pope Leo XIV to the central African country, calling on Catholics in the country to turn out in large numbers along the routes of the papal procession.

In a pastoral letter on Monday, March 16, Archbishop Jean Mbarga said that to ensure a fitting welcome of the Holy Father, attention should be paid to three key areas of preparation: mobilisation, unity, and prayer.

Archbishop Mbarga described the papal visit scheduled for April 15–18 as “an event of grace,” emphasizing its spiritual significance for the local Church.

“This visit is, for all of us, an event of grace. The Pope comes, as Vicar of Christ and Successor of the Apostle Saint Peter, to strengthen us in the faith. But he also comes as a Father in the midst of his family,” Archbishop Mbarga said.

“I invite the faithful to gather along the various routes that the papal procession will take. May our streets vibrate to the rhythm of our songs and our joy!” he said.

The Catholic Church leader added, “At each movement of the Holy Father, we will form honor guards to show him our affection and our unity, following the routes that will be indicated.”

Archbishop Mbarga also underscored the importance of visible unity among Church groups during the visit.

“I strongly encourage all members of movements, associations, and choirs to wear their group attire or the various uniforms available. May this visual harmony reflect the unity of our hearts,” he said.

Archbishop Mbarga further called on groups responsible for liturgical animation to prepare vibrant performances.

“I would like all groups in charge of song and dance performances to prepare the most beautiful hymns, tune their musical instruments, and offer choreographies of great rejoicing,” he said.

He implored, “May the city of Yaoundé, the convergence point of our three Ecclesiastical Provinces, be in celebration, thus bearing witness to a living, joyful, and fraternal Church!”

A special prayer has been prepared for the Apostolic Journey, and members of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) have requested that it be recited daily at the end of every Eucharistic celebration in all parishes and religious communities.

Archbishop Mbarga emphasized that this be respected in all parishes and religious communities of his Metropolitan See.

He urged the faithful to participate actively in the liturgical highlight of the visit.

“In this spirit, let us all pray for this Apostolic Journey of the Supreme Pontiff in our country. Let us especially be numerous in attending the Pontifical Mass that the Holy Father will celebrate on April 18, 2026, at exactly 9:30 a.m. at Yaoundé Air Base 101, where our Communion around the Altar, supported by free and open public participation, will be even stronger,” the Catholic Archbishop said.

He invited the people of God to remain united in anticipation and prayer, saying, “In the Joy and Prayer of this anticipation, may God watch over us!”

On March 16, the Vatican released the official itinerary for the first Apostolic Journey of Pope Leo XIV to Africa, scheduled for April 13–23.

The visit is expected to take the Holy Father to four countries – Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea – marking his first pastoral journey to the continent since his election to the Papacy in May 2025.

The 11-day visit combines pastoral encounters with Catholic communities, meetings with political leaders and civil society, and symbolic gestures of interreligious dialogue and reconciliation.

Source: aciafrica