Russia and Ukraine have exchanged strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure, leaving widespread power outages and civilian hardship. In Russia’s Belgorod region, around 450,000 people were left without electricity, with heating and water supplies also disrupted amid freezing temperatures. Meanwhile, in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, about 150,000 residents lost power after damage to key facilities, with repairs delayed by ongoing security risks. Additional attacks in Odessa caused casualties and property damage, while a Ukrainian drone strike sparked a fire at a major Russian oil export terminal in Ust-Luga. These escalating attacks form part of a broader strategy to weaken energy capacity on both sides. As the conflict continues, concerns are growing over regional stability, especially after a Russian drone reportedly crashed in Latvia, raising fears of wider international escalation.
Danish voters headed to the polls in a snap election called by prime minister Mette Frederiksen, who is seeking a third term. Exit polls suggest her Social Democratic-led coalition won the most seats but may fall short of a clear majority, leaving the final outcome dependent on smaller parties. The centre-ground Moderates, led by Lars Løkke Rasmussen, are expected to play a key role in forming a government. Meanwhile, both the Danish People’s Party and the Liberal Alliance made notable gains, reflecting a shift in voter sentiment. Frederiksen is known for strong support of Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s invasion and for a restrictive approach to migration, and has been praised for standing her ground against Donald Trump’s claims that the USA should annex Greenland. However, the campaign largely focused on domestic concerns such as inflation, welfare, and environmental pressures. The close result highlights a fragmented political landscape and the need for cooperation in shaping Denmark’s next government.
In a landmark decision, a Los Angeles jury has found Meta and YouTube liable for designing addictive features which harmed a young user. The plaintiff, identified as KGM, testified that prolonged use from early childhood contributed to depression, self-harm, and diagnosed mental health conditions. Jurors concluded the companies were negligent and failed to provide adequate warnings, awarding $6m in damages. The case drew comparisons to past litigation against tobacco firms, focusing on product design and knowledge of harm. Both companies deny wrongdoing and plan to appeal, arguing that mental health issues are complex. This trial is the first in a consolidated group of cases brought in California against Meta, TikTok, YouTube and Snap on behalf of more than 1,600 plaintiffs, including more than 350 families and 250 school districts. TikTok and Snap settled the KGM lawsuit just before the trial began. See also
Iran has rejected claims by Donald Trump that negotiations are under way to end the conflict, with military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari accusing Washington of ‘negotiating with itself’ to mask failure. While US officials suggest progress and reports indicate a proposed plan involving limits on Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes, Iranian leaders insist no direct or indirect talks have taken place. Confusion persists as regional actors, including Pakistan and Turkey, reportedly act as intermediaries, passing messages in hopes of de-escalation. Meanwhile, hostilities continue, with Israel and Iran exchanging strikes and civilian casualties reported. The US is also increasing its military presence in the region, highlighting the tension between diplomatic signals and ongoing conflict, and underscoring the fragility of any potential path toward peace.
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has disrupted global energy supplies, sending oil prices higher and straining economies, especially across Asia. With nearly 90% of shipments through the strait destined for the region, countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and India are facing fuel shortages and rising costs. Governments have introduced emergency measures, including reduced working hours, remote work policies, and fuel rationing. The crisis has deeply affected everyday livelihoods, with drivers, farmers, factory workers, and small businesses struggling to cope. Industries have slowed or shut down, while long queues for fuel and rising living costs have increased uncertainty. Though the conflict is geographically distant, its economic impact is immediate, exposing the vulnerability of global energy systems and the fragile balance many communities depend on.
In 1977, Argentine teacher Taty Almeida began searching for her missing son Alejandro, one of thousands who disappeared during the military dictatorship. With nowhere else to turn, she joined other mothers in Buenos Aires’ Plaza de Mayo, publicly demanding answers about their children. Over five decades, the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo have become a powerful symbol of resistance, seeking truth and justice for up to 30,000 victims. Today, their mission continues despite political challenges, reduced government support, and concerns about weakening accountability under president Javier Milei. Meanwhile, other organisations have helped children taken from detained parents to discover their own identity, and younger generations are determined to continue the work. Though many original members are elderly, their persistence reflects enduring hope that truth will prevail and the missing will be found.
A landmark legal challenge to Quebec’s secularism law, Bill 21, is set to be heard by Canada’s supreme court, raising major questions about religious freedom, constitutional rights, and national unity. The 2019 law bars certain public-sector workers from wearing religious symbols and is protected by the ‘notwithstanding clause’, which allows governments to override specific Charter rights. Critics argue the law disproportionately affects religious minorities and risks setting a precedent for limiting fundamental freedoms, while supporters say it upholds state neutrality and democratic authority. The case has drawn widespread attention; many, including the federal government, have called for imposing limits on how the clause can be used. The court’s decision could redefine the balance between judicial oversight and parliamentary power, with implications extending far beyond Quebec.
Ghana’s UN representative, Samuel Yao Kumah, has called on member states to support a draft resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade as ‘the gravest crime against humanity’. The proposal, presented to a General Assembly session on 25 March, aims to strengthen ongoing reparations efforts, particularly those led by Caribbean nations. Kumah emphasised that the resolution does not diminish other historical tragedies but highlights the profound global impact of centuries of African enslavement, which helped shape enduring systems of inequality. He stressed that such resolutions are declaratory political instruments, not judicial rulings, and cannot create legally binding hierarchies of crime. By acknowledging this past, Ghana and its partners hope to lay a foundation for future reparative initiatives while challenging attempts to obscure or minimise the legacy of slavery and its continuing consequences.