Italians protest against Iran war and attack on judicial independenceThe March 22-23 referendum on changes to the judicial system has become a major political test for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right government, which faces an election next year. The debate over the legal shake-up has escalated into a broader confrontation between the prime minister and her political opponents.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/italians-protest-against-iran-war-and-attack-judicial-independenceOrbán and challenger Magyar summon rival rallies in show of strength before Hungary’s April electionIn power since 2010 and looking for his fifth consecutive election victory, Orbán, 62, faces a more competitive race than at any time in the past two decades as Magyar has shot to prominence and challenged what once seemed an unshakable grip on power by the pro-Russian populist.
https://apnews.com/article/hungary-orban-magyar-rival-rallies-election-d9802379bae4d314463d9b80dacea950Gains for the left and far right in French municipal electionsSunday’s first-round results showed a significant increase in votes for the LFI, which scored high in the north, in the town of Roubaix, where it could win the mayor’s position. It also saw significant vote increases in cities including Toulouse, Lille and Limoges, after succeeding in mobilising young voters. In France’s second biggest city, Marseille, the RN’s Franck Allisio was level after the first round with the incumbent left-wing mayor, Benoit Payan, at about 35.4 per cent, as they head into next weekend’s run off.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/gains-left-and-far-right-french-municipal-electionsProtest in Morón turns into attack on Communist Party office amid Cuba blackoutsA protest over blackouts and shortages in the Cuban city of Morón turned into a partial attack on the local Communist Party headquarters early on Saturday, in one of the most unusual recent expressions of public unrest on the island. Authorities reported at least five arrests and said an investigation had been opened into the incident.
https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/16/protest-in-moron-turns-into-attack-on-communist-party-office-amid-cuba-blackoutsEcuador Deploys Forces, Imposes Curfew in Four ProvincesThe measure, decreed by President Daniel Noboa, began on Sunday and restricts movement overnight in the provinces of Guayas, El Oro, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas and Los Ríos, territories authorities identify as key corridors for drug trafficking. The restrictions are part of a two-week security operation aimed at intensifying the government’s campaign against criminal organizations operating in the country.
https://www.telesurenglish.net/ecuador-deploys-forces-imposes-curfew/Argentine court probe finds alleged US$5 million deal tied to Milei’s promotion of $LIBRAArgentina’s judicial investigation into the collapse of the $LIBRA cryptocurrency has added a new and potentially damaging element for President Javier Milei. A draft recovered from businessman Mauricio Novelli’s phone describes an alleged US$5 million agreement in exchange for presidential backing for the project, based on forensic material incorporated into the case file. Investigators were able to restore the deleted note, although there is still no public proof that any such agreement was formally validated by the government.
https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/16/argentine-court-probe-finds-alleged-us-5-million-deal-tied-to-milei-s-promotion-of-libraRSF reportedly seizes Bara in North Kordofan advanceThe paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reportedly seized control of the strategic city of Bara in North Kordofan state, just ten days after the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) recaptured it, marking the paramilitary group’s third takeover of the city since the war erupted in April 2023.
https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/rsf-reportedly-seizes-bara-in-north-kordofan-advanceUgandan opposition leader Wine says he fled country fearing for his lifeUGANDA’S opposition leader Bobi Wine said at the weekend that he fled the country after January’s presidential election because he feared for his life. In an interview on the BBC’s Newshour programme, Mr Wine, real name Robert Kyagulanyi, said: “It was clear that the regime wanted to eliminate me.”
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/ugandan-opposition-leader-wine-says-he-fled-country-fearing-his-life Police and military arrest NDFP consultant, 11 others; 2 declared missing Police and military arrested 10 individuals in joint operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on March 11, including National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant for the Cordillera, Gabriel Kennedy Bangibang. State forces had already arrested two other individuals before this incident, according to the human rights group Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA).
https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/police-and-military-arrest-ndfp-consultant-11-others-2-declared-missing/Iraq's Kataeb Hezbollah says security commander killedThe group's leader Ahmad al-Hamidawi, also known as Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, said "we announce the martyrdom of Haj Abu Ali al-Askari", without providing any details on how and when he was killed. A security official said that "Abu Ali al-Askari is Abu Ali al-Amiri, the commander who was killed in a strike on Baghdad on Saturday".
https://www.newarab.com/news/iraqs-kataeb-hezbollah-says-security-commander-killedIsraeli military launches ‘ground operations’ in southern LebanonOn Monday morning, two Israeli air raids targeted the town of Yater, Al Jazeera Arabic reported. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Israel also launched raids on Burj Qalawiya, Sultaniya and Chaqra, also in southern Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. Two raids were also conducted on the towns of Qantara and as-Sawana.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/16/israeli-military-launches-limited-ground-operations-in-southern-lebanonhttps://archive.ph/uAxrh US told Turkey war on Iran would end in just four days, expert says “Turkey and some of its allies were told, through official channels, that this operation would take days and be completed in four days,” Aydintasbas, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, said in an interview with the Serbestiyet news site. “You cannot tell a Nato ally that you have made a four-day plan and then extend the operation to 14 days. In a sense, this was also a betrayal of the regional countries.”
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-told-turkey-war-iran-would-end-mere-four-days-expert-says