Tump seeks role in iran leadership as war escalates

Donald Trump, United States president has said Washington should have a say in determining Iran’s next leader as the war between the US, Israel and Iran intensifies.
In an interview with Reuters, Trump said the United States wanted to be involved in choosing a leader who would guide Iran’s future, adding that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, was unlikely to emerge as the next leader.

Trump also expressed support for Iranian Kurdish forces launching an offensive against Tehran, saying he would welcome such a move, although he declined to confirm whether the US would provide air cover.
The comments came as US and Israeli air strikes continued across Iran, while Gulf states faced renewed missile and drone attacks from Tehran.

Ukraine says US seeks help against Iranian drones

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian president  has said the United States requested Kyiv’s assistance in countering Iranian drone attacks targeting Gulf allies.

Zelensky said Ukraine had been asked to provide technical expertise and specialists capable of helping defend against drone threats. He noted that any support would not weaken Ukraine’s own defences and suggested Kyiv could exchange its interceptor drones for additional US Patriot air defence systems.
The development highlights growing fears that the Middle East war could affect the balance of support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.

Iran launches missile and drone strikes across Gulf

Iran has fired multiplewaves of drones and missiles across the Gulf region in retaliation for continuing US and Israeli attacks on its territory.

Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates reported intercepting projectiles, with Qatari authorities saying the country faced 14 ballistic missiles and four drones.

Iran initially targeted US military installations but later expanded strikes to include civilian infrastructure. The attacks have reportedly killed at least six US service members, 11 people in Israel and three in the UAE.

Iranian state media say more than 1,200 people have been killed inside Iran since the conflict began.

Trump reshuffles cabinet, replaces homeland security chief

President Trump has removed Kristi Noem as secretary of homeland security and named Republican senator Markwayne Mullin as her replacement.
Trump said Noem would take on a new role as special envoy for a regional security initiative known as the “Shield of the Americas”. The change, due to take effect on 31 March, represents the first major cabinet reshuffle of Trump’s second term.
Noem had played a central role in several controversial immigration policies during her time leading the department.

Nepal votes in election after youth-led uprising

Nepalese voters have gone to the polls to elect a new parliament months after youth-led protests forced prime minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli to resign.
Election officials said turnout in the vote for the 275-member House of Representatives was about 60 percent, similar to the participation rate recorded in the country’s 2022 elections.
Observers reported that the vote was largely peaceful, though final results may take up to a week to be confirmed.

AFRICA

Landslide kills over 200 at rebel-held Congo mine

More than 200 people, including dozens of children, have died after a landslide at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The collapse followed heavy rains and struck an area controlled by M23 rebels, who the government accuses of allowing unsafe and illegal mining operations.

Rubaya produces roughly 15 percent of the world’s coltan, a mineral crucial for manufacturing electronic devices. Rescue efforts have been hampered by dangerous conditions and restrictions imposed by rebel forces.

Somalia parliament backs constitutional change

Somalia’s parliament has approved constitutional amendments that could extend the president’s term and delay planned elections.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed the move, saying the reform process had taken years and was necessary for political stability.
Analysts, however, say the decision could further complicate Somalia’s fragile political landscape as the country continues to battle the al-Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabaab.

Shipping giant imposes war surcharge on Africa routes

Global shipping company MSC has introduced a war surcharge on cargo shipments to African countries and Indian Ocean islands as tensions rise around key maritime routes.
The additional charges apply to shipments from the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent, with fees reaching up to $4,000 for refrigerated containers.
The company said the measure was necessary after disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb amid escalating regional conflict.
algerian military aircraft crash kills two crew
A small Algerian military transport aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Boufarik air base near Algiers, killing two crew members and injuring four others.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Russian tanker reroutes after attack in Mediterranean

A Russian liquefied natural gas tanker has diverted its route around Africa after another vessel carrying LNG sank in the Mediterranean earlier this week.
Moscow has accused Ukraine of attacking the Arctic Metagaz with naval drones launched from Libya, although Kyiv has not commented on the claim.
Following the incident, another tanker, the Buran, altered its route and is currently sailing off the northwest coast of Africa, according to ship-tracking data.