EU's Kaja Kallas:

We are allies with America, but we don’t really understand their moves recently.

NEW: Damascus authorities have banned the sale and serving of alcohol in restaurants and nightclubs, limiting consumption in public venues.

Retail sales are still permitted, but only in licensed shops located mainly in Christian-majority districts such as Bab Touma, Bab Sharqi, and Qassaa.

Additional rules require these businesses to be located away from mosques, schools, and government buildings, and existing vendors have been given a short grace period to comply.

EU's Kaja Kallas on Iran:

It is absolutely time to bring the Iran War to an end.

The problem with wars is that they are easier to start than to stop, and they always get out of hand.

Some ships are starting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz because Iran appears to be allowing limited, pre-approved voyages.

A few non-Iranian tankers, including ships carrying fuel to India, have made it through after negotiations, but overall traffic remains far below normal because the area is still considered dangerous.

Source: WSJ

Al Jazeera opinion piece argues the US–Israel war on Iran is not chaotic but a “methodical, phased” campaign that is successfully degrading Iran’s military power, even as costs rise:

Iranian attacks have sharply declined: missile launches down ~90% (350 → ~25) and drones from 800 → ~75.

Air defenses are so weakened the US is flying non-stealth bombers over Iran, signaling near-total air superiority.

The campaign is described as “systematic… degradation” targeting missiles, nuclear sites, navy, and command networks.

Iran is now “managing decline, not projecting strength”—forced to ration remaining weapons.

Strait of Hormuz closure is called a “wasting asset” that hurts Iran’s own economy and allies (like China).

Proxy attacks across the region are framed as “desperation” and **“predelegated responses,” not strength.

End goal: “strategic disarmament”—permanently limiting Iran’s ability to project power.

BREAKING: Israeli Defense Minister Katz says Ali Larijani has been killed.

Kenya, Russia Agree to End Recruitment of Kenyans in Ukraine War

Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi said Russia agreed to stop recruiting Kenyans for the Ukraine war after more than 1,000 were enlisted, amid domestic pressure over foreign fighter flows.

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Ali Larijani’s Telegram account has shared a handwritten note attributed to him, written in connection with the funeral of Iranian Navy personnel who were killed.

Netanyahu’s office shared a photo it says shows him ordering the killing of senior Iranian officials.

Iran launched missiles toward Israel.

Kremlin:

Cuba is an independent state facing economic difficulties amid the suffocating U.S. embargo.

Russia is ready to provide all possible assistance to Cuba amid the U.S. embargo.

Israel’s Minister of Defence Israel Katz confirmed that Ali Larijani, Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), has been killed in overnight Israeli strikes.

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Hundreds Missing in “Invisible Shipwrecks” in the Mediterranean

UN data shows 682 migrants missing in the Mediterranean by March 16/2026, the deadliest start to a year, as Italy, Tunisia & Malta restrict information on rescues & shipwrecks.

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IDF:

Ali Larijani is dead.

The IDF says Ali Larijani was the “de facto leader of the Iranian regime.”