President Zelensky refuted claims by Putin and Trump that Ukrainian troops are encircled in Kursk, labeling them as false. Ukraine’s military and analysts, including the Institute for the Study of War, found no evidence of encirclement. Ukraine’s incursion aimed to divert Russian resources and potentially swap captured land. Despite setbacks, Ukraine maintains its forces have regrouped and are not surrounded. Zelensky emphasized this after a briefing with Ukraine’s commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi. Ava Sinclair 16/03/2025 2:00 pm
Military chiefs from around 30 Kyiv allies will meet in London to plan peacekeeping troop commitments for post-war Ukraine. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, is forming a “coalition of the willing” to protect Ukraine after a peace deal. However, questions remain about the absence of U.S. aerial intelligence and air cover. Starmer emphasized the need for allies to be ready to defend any peace deal independently and urged continued preparation for a lasting peace, anticipating eventual negotiations with Russia. Penelope Kingsley 16/03/2025 10:30 am
An American tourist, Sam Jones, apologized for taking a baby wombat in Australia, claiming concern for its safety. A viral video showed her running with the wombat, chased by its distressed mother, sparking outrage. Australians, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, condemned the act. Jones explained she acted out of fear the mother might attack and returned the joey after ensuring their safety. Following the incident, Jones made her Instagram private, later deleting posts. She left Australia voluntarily after the Home Affairs Minister warned her visa could be canceled for breaching conditions. Noah Prescott 16/03/2025 10:30 am
Cuba’s national electrical grid collapsed, causing widespread blackouts in Havana and across the country, affecting millions. An electrical substation failure in Havana led to the outage, impacting the national system. Reports indicated power loss across the island, including Guantánamo and Santiago de Cuba. The energy ministry is working on recovery. The grid failure follows previous blackouts due to fuel shortages and economic crisis. Rolling blackouts have been common, affecting essential services. Authorities are installing photovoltaic parks to address the issue. Ava Sinclair 16/03/2025 10:30 am
President Trump announced significant military strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, marking the most substantial action of his second term. The strikes in Sanaa resulted in nine civilian deaths and injuries. Trump warned the Houthis to cease attacks or face severe consequences, accusing them of threatening Red Sea shipping. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, had targeted the sea route in support of Palestinians. The strikes disrupted global trade, diverting maritime traffic from the Suez Canal. Trump also warned Iran against supporting the Houthis, threatening accountability. Penelope Kingsley 16/03/2025 10:30 am
Protesters from across Serbia marched in Belgrade, expressing outrage over the Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse. Diverse groups, including farmers and veterans, joined, with crowds estimated between 107,000 and 325,000, possibly the largest since 2000. An unexplained noise startled protesters during a silence for the tragedy’s victims, with claims it was an acoustic weapon. One person was severely injured in unclear circumstances. The protest is considered potentially the biggest in Belgrade’s history, with videos showing massive crowds. Ava Sinclair 16/03/2025 10:30 am
At least nine charity workers were killed and several injured in an Israeli strike in Beit Lahia, Gaza, marking the deadliest incident since January’s ceasefire. The Israeli military claimed they targeted “terrorists” operating a drone. Gaza’s health ministry confirmed the deaths, including three media team members documenting relief efforts. Hamas condemned the attack as a “horrific massacre” of humanitarian workers, violating international law. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes with no emergency services present. The Israel Defense Forces stated they targeted two “terrorists” posing a threat. Penelope Kingsley 16/03/2025 10:30 am
A nightclub fire in Kocani, North Macedonia, killed 51 and injured over 100 during a concert. The blaze, caused by pyrotechnics, led to chaos as attendees fled. Many injured were hospitalized with severe burns, and neighboring countries offered assistance. Health Minister Arben Taravari emphasized efforts to save lives, while Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed condolences, calling it a tragic day for the nation. Families gathered at hospitals seeking information. This incident is the worst tragedy in recent memory for the country. Penelope Kingsley 16/03/2025 10:30 am
Havana experienced a second night of darkness as Cuba’s power grid struggled to recover from a collapse caused by a substation failure. Efforts prioritized vital services, but major power plants remained offline, leaving most homes without electricity. Previous blackouts and ongoing shortages of food, medicine, and fuel have worsened living conditions. Despite some hotels using generators, most of Havana was dark, affecting daily life. The transportation ministry reported no disruptions to travel, but residents faced challenges preserving food without power. Penelope Kingsley 16/03/2025 7:00 am
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that military planning for a potential Ukraine ceasefire is advancing to an “operational phase” after a virtual meeting with global leaders. Military leaders will convene in the UK to develop plans supporting a peace deal and ensuring Ukraine’s security. This follows Ukraine’s agreement to a 30-day ceasefire, with Russia setting pre-conditions. President Zelensky emphasized the need for active pressure on Russia, urging European countries to produce weapons and collaborate with the US for stronger sanctions and pressure to achieve peace. Penelope Kingsley 16/03/2025 7:00 am
