THE TELEGRAPH: Deputy foreign minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío says it would be ‘naive’ to ignore the possibility of conflict
Cuba is preparing for possible military aggression from the US, one of the island’s leading diplomats has said.
The two countries have been in talks for weeks as an oil blockade of Cuba has caused one of the worst energy crises on the island in decades.
But in recent days, Donald Trump and senior administration officials have ramped up their rhetoric about hopes of seeing a change of government, with Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, saying on Tuesday that Cuba needed “new people in charge”.
Speaking to reporters this week, Mr Trump said he believed he would have “the honour of taking Cuba”.
Asked what he meant by “taking” the country, he said: “Whether I free it, take it - I think I can do anything I want with it.”
Carlos Fernández de Cossío, Cuba’s deputy foreign minister, told NBC in an interview aired on Sunday that it would be “naive” for the country’s leaders to ignore the possibility of conflict with the US.
“Our military is always prepared. And in fact it is preparing these days for the possibility of military aggression,” he said.
“Our military is always prepared. And in fact it is preparing these days for the possibility of military aggression,” he said. » | Ben Stockton | Sunday, March 22, 2026
Sunday, March 22, 2026
“Strait of Hormuz Will Be Closed Completely!” Iran Warns After US Threat | APT
Mar 22, 2026 | Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warned of severe retaliation if U.S. threats against Iran’s energy infrastructure are carried out.
He said Iran could fully close the Strait of Hormuz and target energy, power, and IT infrastructure linked to Israel and U.S. interests across the region.
Zolfaghari stated that facilities in countries hosting American bases could also become targets. Emphasising Iran’s readiness, he said any attack would trigger a broad response aimed at American economic interests. He added that Iran does not seek war but will act decisively to defend its national interests.
He said Iran could fully close the Strait of Hormuz and target energy, power, and IT infrastructure linked to Israel and U.S. interests across the region.
Zolfaghari stated that facilities in countries hosting American bases could also become targets. Emphasising Iran’s readiness, he said any attack would trigger a broad response aimed at American economic interests. He added that Iran does not seek war but will act decisively to defend its national interests.
Strait of Hormuz Open, Except for US and Its Allies
China Has a Ten-year Strategy; the US Has None amid Deep Political Division
Donald Trump Warned Against ‘Last Option’ of Iran Power Plant Strikes | Sir Robin Niblett
Mar 22, 2026 | “He does not want this to go as far as it would go if he were to obliterate Iran’s power plants.”
Trump threatening to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants may trigger severe retaliation across the Gulf and global economy - making it a step even Trump likely wants to avoid, says foreign affairs expert and former director of Chatham House Sir Robin Niblett.
Trump threatening to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants may trigger severe retaliation across the Gulf and global economy - making it a step even Trump likely wants to avoid, says foreign affairs expert and former director of Chatham House Sir Robin Niblett.
L’Iran fait peser une menace cataclysmique sur l’accès à l’eau douce des pays du Golfe
LE FIGARO : La mise hors service des sites de dessalement d’eau des pays du Golfe serait dramatique pour les habitants de la région désertique.
Les quelque 9 millions d’habitants de Riyad devront-ils abandonner en urgence la capitale saoudienne brusquement privée d’eau ? À Doha, au Qatar, la population doit-elle redouter la mort ou des maladies par manque d’eau potable ?
C’est la menace que brandit désormais Téhéran. Donald Trump a averti qu’il frapperait les centrales électriques iraniennes si le pays n’ouvrait pas le détroit d’Ormuz dans les 48 heures. L’Iran a riposté qu’il attaquerait alors les infrastructures énergétiques et « vitales » de la région, en particulier les installations de dessalement. Le président du Parlement iranien, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a averti sur X que ces infrastructures pourraient être « irrémédiablement détruites ».
Quelques installations de dessalement ont déjà été touchées, sur l’île iranienne de Qechm près du détroit d’Ormuz, où le site a été visé par les États-Unis, affirme Téhéran ; et dans l’État insulaire de Bahreïn. Les dommages sont restreints, pour l’instant. Mais, l’envoi par l’Iran de quelques missiles ou drones ciblant précisément les grands sites de fabrication d’eau potable de ses voisins, créerait une situation dramatique. » | Par Armelle Bohineust | dimanche 22 mars 2026
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Les quelque 9 millions d’habitants de Riyad devront-ils abandonner en urgence la capitale saoudienne brusquement privée d’eau ? À Doha, au Qatar, la population doit-elle redouter la mort ou des maladies par manque d’eau potable ?
C’est la menace que brandit désormais Téhéran. Donald Trump a averti qu’il frapperait les centrales électriques iraniennes si le pays n’ouvrait pas le détroit d’Ormuz dans les 48 heures. L’Iran a riposté qu’il attaquerait alors les infrastructures énergétiques et « vitales » de la région, en particulier les installations de dessalement. Le président du Parlement iranien, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a averti sur X que ces infrastructures pourraient être « irrémédiablement détruites ».
Quelques installations de dessalement ont déjà été touchées, sur l’île iranienne de Qechm près du détroit d’Ormuz, où le site a été visé par les États-Unis, affirme Téhéran ; et dans l’État insulaire de Bahreïn. Les dommages sont restreints, pour l’instant. Mais, l’envoi par l’Iran de quelques missiles ou drones ciblant précisément les grands sites de fabrication d’eau potable de ses voisins, créerait une situation dramatique. » | Par Armelle Bohineust | dimanche 22 mars 2026
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Tehran Is Defiant After Trump Threatens Power Plants
THE NEW YORK TIMES: President Trump said that he would “obliterate” Iran’s electricity plants if it did not open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Iran dismissed the ultimatum as its missiles hit southern Israel, including near the country’s main nuclear research center.
Fresh threats between Iran and the United States to attack critical civilian infrastructure risked imperiling millions of people across the Middle East, as President Trump warned that he could target Iranian power plants and Tehran vowed that such attacks would lead to retaliation against vital energy and water facilities.
Iran dismissed Mr. Trump’s ultimatum that if the Strait of Hormuz — the vital oil shipping route choked off by Iranian strikes — were not fully reopened by Monday night, the United States would strike Iranian power plants. Tehran said the strait would be “completely closed” if its energy infrastructure were attacked, as it launched new missile attacks on Israeli cities.
Iranian missiles hit Dimona, a city eight miles away from Israel’s main nuclear facility, and the nearby city of Arad on Saturday night. More than 10 people were seriously injured and dozens more sustained minor injuries, underscoring Tehran’s ability to inflict damage despite three weeks of devastating airstrikes by the United States and Israel. More than 2,000 people have been killed across the region, mostly in Iran.
The escalating threats to attack key infrastructure increased the potential for civilian danger as the war entered its fourth week.
Just days after he warned Israel against targeting Iranian energy sites to avoid an escalating cycle of counter-strikes, Mr. Trump said late Saturday that the United States would “obliterate” Iran’s power plants — which millions of Iranians depend on — within 48 hours if the strait were not reopened.
Ebrahim Zolfaghari, an Iranian military spokesman, vowed that his country would strike infrastructure used by Israel, the United States and American allies — including desalination plants that are a lifeline for much of the Middle East. Iran War Live Updates » | Aaron Boxerman and Pranav Baskar | Sunday, March 22, 2026
Fresh threats between Iran and the United States to attack critical civilian infrastructure risked imperiling millions of people across the Middle East, as President Trump warned that he could target Iranian power plants and Tehran vowed that such attacks would lead to retaliation against vital energy and water facilities.
Iran dismissed Mr. Trump’s ultimatum that if the Strait of Hormuz — the vital oil shipping route choked off by Iranian strikes — were not fully reopened by Monday night, the United States would strike Iranian power plants. Tehran said the strait would be “completely closed” if its energy infrastructure were attacked, as it launched new missile attacks on Israeli cities.
Iranian missiles hit Dimona, a city eight miles away from Israel’s main nuclear facility, and the nearby city of Arad on Saturday night. More than 10 people were seriously injured and dozens more sustained minor injuries, underscoring Tehran’s ability to inflict damage despite three weeks of devastating airstrikes by the United States and Israel. More than 2,000 people have been killed across the region, mostly in Iran.
The escalating threats to attack key infrastructure increased the potential for civilian danger as the war entered its fourth week.
Just days after he warned Israel against targeting Iranian energy sites to avoid an escalating cycle of counter-strikes, Mr. Trump said late Saturday that the United States would “obliterate” Iran’s power plants — which millions of Iranians depend on — within 48 hours if the strait were not reopened.
Ebrahim Zolfaghari, an Iranian military spokesman, vowed that his country would strike infrastructure used by Israel, the United States and American allies — including desalination plants that are a lifeline for much of the Middle East. Iran War Live Updates » | Aaron Boxerman and Pranav Baskar | Sunday, March 22, 2026
The Billionaire Funding France’s Far Right
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Pierre-Édouard Stérin is financing projects to make France less Muslim, more Catholic and more capitalist. He says his program has trained thousands running for municipal office on Sunday.
As France elects thousands of mayors this Sunday, one of the most influential players is not on the ballot.
His name is Pierre-Édouard Stérin. He is a billionaire entrepreneur who left France 14 years ago to pay less tax, but has since spent millions, he said in an interview, to “ensure France doesn’t disappear.”
Inspired, he said, by George Soros’s support for liberal causes, Mr. Stérin has steered money to right-wing think tanks, political training programs, social media influencers and nonprofit groups to shape the country according to his beliefs — anti-immigrant, free-market, less Islamic and more Catholic.
One program funded by Mr. Stérin has, by his count, trained at least 4,000 right-wing candidates in the municipal elections. With the far-right National Rally party projected to potentially win the presidency next year, Mr. Stérin is striving to accelerate France’s rightward shift.
“I dream of a France that is once again economically powerful and a France that rediscovers a sense of values, that embraces its Christian roots,” Mr. Stérin, 52, said.
The France of Mr. Stérin’s dreams would be more capitalistic, socially conservative and Trumpian — and to his critics, racist. It would tolerate little immigration, particularly from Muslim countries that France colonized. Undocumented immigrants who commit crimes or do not work would be deported. Muslim dress would be banned in public, and halal food no longer served in schools.
“I am even further to the right than the far right on immigration,” said Mr. Stérin, who also considers the National Rally’s economic program too “statist.”
Mr. Stérin wants to ban abortion, access to which was enshrined two years ago in the French Constitution; to swell Catholic church attendance; and to encourage more French couples to procreate. Since he funds Christian projects, he said, he hopes he might eventually be canonized as a saint. He disputes the idea that his views on migration clash with those of Pope Leo XIV.
Finally, he would slash the country’s taxes; dismantle the welfare system; privatize education and health care delivery; and end public funding for culture. “I am a fervent supporter of competition,” he said.
The ultimate goal, Mr. Stérin said, is to bring to power a right-wing government that fundamentally changes how the country looks and works. » | Catherine Porter | Catherine Porter, who has covered the French far right for years, interviewed Pierre-Édouard Stérin and several of his former and current employees and associates. | Sunday, March 22, 2026
As France elects thousands of mayors this Sunday, one of the most influential players is not on the ballot.
His name is Pierre-Édouard Stérin. He is a billionaire entrepreneur who left France 14 years ago to pay less tax, but has since spent millions, he said in an interview, to “ensure France doesn’t disappear.”
Inspired, he said, by George Soros’s support for liberal causes, Mr. Stérin has steered money to right-wing think tanks, political training programs, social media influencers and nonprofit groups to shape the country according to his beliefs — anti-immigrant, free-market, less Islamic and more Catholic.
One program funded by Mr. Stérin has, by his count, trained at least 4,000 right-wing candidates in the municipal elections. With the far-right National Rally party projected to potentially win the presidency next year, Mr. Stérin is striving to accelerate France’s rightward shift.
“I dream of a France that is once again economically powerful and a France that rediscovers a sense of values, that embraces its Christian roots,” Mr. Stérin, 52, said.
The France of Mr. Stérin’s dreams would be more capitalistic, socially conservative and Trumpian — and to his critics, racist. It would tolerate little immigration, particularly from Muslim countries that France colonized. Undocumented immigrants who commit crimes or do not work would be deported. Muslim dress would be banned in public, and halal food no longer served in schools.
“I am even further to the right than the far right on immigration,” said Mr. Stérin, who also considers the National Rally’s economic program too “statist.”
Mr. Stérin wants to ban abortion, access to which was enshrined two years ago in the French Constitution; to swell Catholic church attendance; and to encourage more French couples to procreate. Since he funds Christian projects, he said, he hopes he might eventually be canonized as a saint. He disputes the idea that his views on migration clash with those of Pope Leo XIV.
Finally, he would slash the country’s taxes; dismantle the welfare system; privatize education and health care delivery; and end public funding for culture. “I am a fervent supporter of competition,” he said.
The ultimate goal, Mr. Stérin said, is to bring to power a right-wing government that fundamentally changes how the country looks and works. » | Catherine Porter | Catherine Porter, who has covered the French far right for years, interviewed Pierre-Édouard Stérin and several of his former and current employees and associates. | Sunday, March 22, 2026
Secretive Tech Mogul Peter Thiel Brings His Antichrist Lectures to the Vatican's Doorstep | DW News
Iran erklärt: Straße von Hormus ist offen – außer für Schiffe von „Feinden“
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Die Straße von Hormus sei weiterhin passierbar, erklärt der iranische Vertreter bei der UN-Seefahrtsorganisation. „Feindliche“ Schiffe seien allerdings ausgenommen.
Eine Passage durch Straße von Hormus bleibt nach iranischen Angaben möglich, mit Ausnahme von Schiffen, die mit „Irans Feinden“ in Verbindung stehen, wie die iranische Nachrichtenagentur Mehr auf Telegram mitteilte. Das habe der Iran in einer Stellungnahme an die Internationale Seeschifffahrts-Organisation (IMO) erklärt, hieß es.
Der Schiffsverkehr durch die Straße von Hormus ist aufgrund des Iran-Kriegs stark eingeschränkt. Die strategisch wichtige Handelsroute ist für etwa ein Fünftel der weltweiten Öl- und LNG-Transporte von zentraler Bedeutung. Die weitgehende Blockade hat weltweit für steigende Energiepreise gesorgt. » | Anika Schlünz | Sonntag, 22. März 2026
Iran-Krieg: Spanien friert die Mieten ein: Spanien beschließt wegen des Iran-Kriegs einen Mietenstopp. Das milliardenschwere Entlastungspaket gegen die Kriegsfolgen führte zuvor zu massivem Streit in der Koalition. »
Eine Passage durch Straße von Hormus bleibt nach iranischen Angaben möglich, mit Ausnahme von Schiffen, die mit „Irans Feinden“ in Verbindung stehen, wie die iranische Nachrichtenagentur Mehr auf Telegram mitteilte. Das habe der Iran in einer Stellungnahme an die Internationale Seeschifffahrts-Organisation (IMO) erklärt, hieß es.
Der Schiffsverkehr durch die Straße von Hormus ist aufgrund des Iran-Kriegs stark eingeschränkt. Die strategisch wichtige Handelsroute ist für etwa ein Fünftel der weltweiten Öl- und LNG-Transporte von zentraler Bedeutung. Die weitgehende Blockade hat weltweit für steigende Energiepreise gesorgt. » | Anika Schlünz | Sonntag, 22. März 2026
Iran-Krieg: Spanien friert die Mieten ein: Spanien beschließt wegen des Iran-Kriegs einen Mietenstopp. Das milliardenschwere Entlastungspaket gegen die Kriegsfolgen führte zuvor zu massivem Streit in der Koalition. »
The Real Reason Trump Won (No One Wants to Admit It)
Strong language alert!
I have said it many times before, and I wil say it again: Trump is a DESPICABLE man. He is no PATRIOT. He has turned AMERICA into a SHITHOLE. And he is fast turning the WORLD into a SHITHOLE, too! — © Mark Alexander
Iran Warns of ‘Irreversible Damage’ to Regional Infrastructure If Power Plants Attacked
THE GUARDIAN: In a post on X, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that critical infrastructure and energy facilities in the Middle East could be “irreversibly destroyed” if Iranian power plants are attacked. He wrote:
"Immediately after the power plants and infrastructure in our country are targeted, the critical infrastructure, energy infrastructure, and oil facilities throughout the region will be considered legitimate targets and will be destroyed in an irreversible manner, and the price of oil will remain high for a long time.”Click here for more » | Sunday, March 2026
‘The Stakes Are Enormous’: How a Prolonged Iran War Could Shock the Global Economy
THE GUARDIAN: Donald Trump’s ‘little excursion’ is likely to have long-term effects, from oil prices to inflation to growth, say experts
In the days after the US and Israel first bombed Iran, financial markets bet the economic fallout from Donald Trump’s “little excursion” in the Middle East would be short-lived.
“There are risks from higher oil prices longer term. But this is a tail risk,” one US-based fund manger said after the airstrike killing Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “History has shown time and time again that geopolitical flare-ups like this tend to be short-lived. This one should prove to be no exception.’’
Goldman Sachs told clients it expected temporary disruption. “Oil prices to decline throughout the year. But risks are skewed to the upside,” its analysts wrote. UniCredit suggested crude would be capped at about $80 a barrel. “Given its struggle for survival, the Iranian regime has an incentive to keep its response measured”.
Three weeks later, the prospect of a drawn-out war is causing mounting economic problems. Oil prices have soared above $100 a barrel, European gas prices have doubled, volatility stalks financial markets, and consumers worldwide are bracing for a surge in living costs. Central banks, including the US Federal Reserve, Bank of England and European Central Bank, warn the war could have a material impact on inflation and dent global growth.
“Market wisdom still holds that the war will end quickly, with the strait of Hormuz soon to reopen,” said Albert Edwards, a senior analyst at Société Générale. “Maybe the market is right, but in my opinion the risks are asymmetric that stagflation bursts the complacency bubble.”
With each day, more problems are emerging. From the soaring price of petrol and diesel for motorists, to cancelled flights and the worst travel disruption since the Covid pandemic. » | Richard Partington | Sunday, March 22, 2026
In the days after the US and Israel first bombed Iran, financial markets bet the economic fallout from Donald Trump’s “little excursion” in the Middle East would be short-lived.
“There are risks from higher oil prices longer term. But this is a tail risk,” one US-based fund manger said after the airstrike killing Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “History has shown time and time again that geopolitical flare-ups like this tend to be short-lived. This one should prove to be no exception.’’
Goldman Sachs told clients it expected temporary disruption. “Oil prices to decline throughout the year. But risks are skewed to the upside,” its analysts wrote. UniCredit suggested crude would be capped at about $80 a barrel. “Given its struggle for survival, the Iranian regime has an incentive to keep its response measured”.
Three weeks later, the prospect of a drawn-out war is causing mounting economic problems. Oil prices have soared above $100 a barrel, European gas prices have doubled, volatility stalks financial markets, and consumers worldwide are bracing for a surge in living costs. Central banks, including the US Federal Reserve, Bank of England and European Central Bank, warn the war could have a material impact on inflation and dent global growth.
“Market wisdom still holds that the war will end quickly, with the strait of Hormuz soon to reopen,” said Albert Edwards, a senior analyst at Société Générale. “Maybe the market is right, but in my opinion the risks are asymmetric that stagflation bursts the complacency bubble.”
With each day, more problems are emerging. From the soaring price of petrol and diesel for motorists, to cancelled flights and the worst travel disruption since the Covid pandemic. » | Richard Partington | Sunday, March 22, 2026
On Beirut’s Waterfront, Loss Meets Life, and Luxury, Amid War
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Thousands displaced by Israeli strikes on Lebanon’s capital now shelter along the promenade hugging the Mediterranean Sea. They share it with joggers, cyclists and dog walkers, alongside dizzying displays of wealth.
The shirtless jogger, his headphones in and his back slick with sweat, ran past a row of tents pitched along the seafront in downtown Beirut, Lebanon’s capital. In one tent, a displaced family of four — uprooted by weeks of war that have convulsed the nation — watched him pass.
For a moment, the scene held its uneasy calm. The evening sun faded into the Mediterranean Sea, the steady rhythm of the waves softened the edges of the day, and the runner kept his pace, eyes forward. And then a deafening roar shattered it all: An Israeli airstrike had hit a nearby neighborhood, sending plumes of smoke into the sky.
“We chose the seaside because it is peaceful,” said Hussein Hame, 37, who, along with his wife and two children, was displaced this month from Dahiya, a collection of neighborhoods on the southern outskirts of Beirut where Hezbollah holds sway. “But this war finds you everywhere.”
War has returned to Lebanon, and the capital’s meandering seafront has become an unlikely front line. Here, a stark contrast has emerged: The displaced and destitute sit in the cold, while others live life as usual — jogging, cycling — amid the dizzying wealth and luxury that exist nearby. » | Abdi Latif Dahir | Photographs by Diego Ibarra Sanchez | Reporting from Beirut, Lebanon | Sunday, March 22, 2026
The shirtless jogger, his headphones in and his back slick with sweat, ran past a row of tents pitched along the seafront in downtown Beirut, Lebanon’s capital. In one tent, a displaced family of four — uprooted by weeks of war that have convulsed the nation — watched him pass.
For a moment, the scene held its uneasy calm. The evening sun faded into the Mediterranean Sea, the steady rhythm of the waves softened the edges of the day, and the runner kept his pace, eyes forward. And then a deafening roar shattered it all: An Israeli airstrike had hit a nearby neighborhood, sending plumes of smoke into the sky.
“We chose the seaside because it is peaceful,” said Hussein Hame, 37, who, along with his wife and two children, was displaced this month from Dahiya, a collection of neighborhoods on the southern outskirts of Beirut where Hezbollah holds sway. “But this war finds you everywhere.”
War has returned to Lebanon, and the capital’s meandering seafront has become an unlikely front line. Here, a stark contrast has emerged: The displaced and destitute sit in the cold, while others live life as usual — jogging, cycling — amid the dizzying wealth and luxury that exist nearby. » | Abdi Latif Dahir | Photographs by Diego Ibarra Sanchez | Reporting from Beirut, Lebanon | Sunday, March 22, 2026
Trump Threatens Iran with Huge Attack If Hormuz Does Not Reopen within 48 Hours
THE GUARDIAN: The United States of America will hit and obliterate Iran’s various power plants, starting with the biggest one first. Click here to read more | Sunday, March 22, 2026
Iran War: Why Political Assassinations Often Fail | Ben Macintyre
Mar 21, 2026 | “If you start knocking off the big fish, you may end up getting people even more fanatical”
Targeted assassinations may weaken leadership in the short term, but often fail to deliver lasting change and can even harden resistance, says The Times’s associate editor and columnist Ben Macintyre.
Targeted assassinations may weaken leadership in the short term, but often fail to deliver lasting change and can even harden resistance, says The Times’s associate editor and columnist Ben Macintyre.
How the Gulf Countries Are Responding to the Iran War Energy Shock
Mar 21, 2026 | As energy prices rise, the US is increasingly looking for ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping.
So what are the workarounds? And can any of them stave off an energy crisis?
So what are the workarounds? And can any of them stave off an energy crisis?
Iran Launches Attack on Israel’s Top Secret Nuclear Facility in Negev Desert | BBC News
Mar 21, 2026 | Iranian missiles have struck an Israeli town housing the country’s top secret nuclear facility, believed to be the site of its nuclear weapons arsenal. The Shimon Perez Negev Nuclear Research Centre contains a nuclear reactor and is close to the town of Dimona in the Negev desert in southern Israel.
Around 100 people are reported to have been injured in Dimona, when the missiles hit residential buildings. There are unconfirmed reports of multiple deaths. Injuries and deaths were also reported in the southern Israeli city of Arad. Iran said the strike on Dimona was in retaliation for an Israeli attack earlier in the day on its nuclear facilities at Natanz. Iran's nuclear agency said the site had come under attack but there had been no leakage of radioactivity.
Iran’s state news agency said: “The enemy has once again received an unforgettable lesson. The missile attack on the Dimona area has once again sent a clear message: No area is safe from Iranian missiles. The enemy must surrender before it is too late.”
The United Arab Emirates also reported many people injured there in the latest missile attacks by Iran. The UAE’s defence ministry said it had intercepted hundreds of missiles. Israel and the US have continued their airstrikes on Iran’s capital Tehran, while US Central Command said it had degraded Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
G7 foreign ministers have issued a statement calling for an “immediate end” to Iranian strikes in the Gulf region. They also said they were prepared to take measures to protect global energy supplies.
Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Joe Inwood, Esyllt Carr and Damian Grammaticas.
Around 100 people are reported to have been injured in Dimona, when the missiles hit residential buildings. There are unconfirmed reports of multiple deaths. Injuries and deaths were also reported in the southern Israeli city of Arad. Iran said the strike on Dimona was in retaliation for an Israeli attack earlier in the day on its nuclear facilities at Natanz. Iran's nuclear agency said the site had come under attack but there had been no leakage of radioactivity.
Iran’s state news agency said: “The enemy has once again received an unforgettable lesson. The missile attack on the Dimona area has once again sent a clear message: No area is safe from Iranian missiles. The enemy must surrender before it is too late.”
The United Arab Emirates also reported many people injured there in the latest missile attacks by Iran. The UAE’s defence ministry said it had intercepted hundreds of missiles. Israel and the US have continued their airstrikes on Iran’s capital Tehran, while US Central Command said it had degraded Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
G7 foreign ministers have issued a statement calling for an “immediate end” to Iranian strikes in the Gulf region. They also said they were prepared to take measures to protect global energy supplies.
Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Joe Inwood, Esyllt Carr and Damian Grammaticas.
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Aux États-Unis, la guerre en Iran et le retour de l’antisémitisme redessinent l’influence des lobbys pro-Israël
LE FIGARO : DÉCRYPTAGE - La question du soutien à Israël agit comme une ligne de fracture chez les Démocrates comme chez les Républicains et promet de peser sur les élections de mi-mandat de novembre prochain.
Les élections de mi-mandat, en novembre prochain, détermineront bien plus que la composition du Congrès : elles décideront de la marge de manœuvre de Donald Trump et de la portée réelle de son programme pour un second mandat. « Si nous perdons les élections de mi-mandat - Dieu nous en préserve - si nous perdons la majorité à la Chambre des représentants, ce serait la fin de la présidence Trump », a déclaré Mike Johnson.
D’ici là, quelques élections anticipées font office de prologues. Comme des baromètres politiques, elles révèlent un électorat fragmenté autour et à l’intérieur des deux grands partis sous tension. Surtout, elles font surgir un nouveau centre de gravité dans le débat, à droite comme à gauche : à l’économie et au social s’ajoute une question internationale, le soutien à Israël. » | Par Vincent Jolly, pour Le Figaro Magazine | samedi 21 mars 2026
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Russisch und schwul in Berlin...
Iran War Will End in US Strategic Failure: Why the UK Keeps ‘Well Clear’ of Conflict | Sean Bell
Mar 21, 2026 | “America will walk away having achieved a military victory but a strategic failure.”
The British government and military are trying to “keep well clear” of the conflict in Iran as it’s an “unwinnable war”, says former RAF Air Vice Marshall Sean Bell.
The British government and military are trying to “keep well clear” of the conflict in Iran as it’s an “unwinnable war”, says former RAF Air Vice Marshall Sean Bell.
Trump Has Underestimated Iran: They Are 'Shaping How This War Is Progressing' | Tobias Ellwood
Mar 21, 2026 | "Any expert would be able to tell you just how impregnable their regime would be."
Iran targeted Diego Garcia with weapons systems we didn't know they had which is just one example of "how long they have been preparing for a potential attack from America", says defence and security commentator, Tobias Ellwood.
Iran targeted Diego Garcia with weapons systems we didn't know they had which is just one example of "how long they have been preparing for a potential attack from America", says defence and security commentator, Tobias Ellwood.
Could the US Lose the War in Iran?
Mar 21, 2026 | Is the United States really winning the war against Iran—or is the situation more complicated than it seems? Despite massive airstrikes and thousands of Iranian targets destroyed, Iran continues to launch drone attacks, strike oil infrastructure, and disrupt global shipping.
How is a country with far fewer military resources still able to challenge the world’s most powerful military? Anthony Davis breaks down the strategy behind modern asymmetric warfare—where weaker nations use cheap drones, missiles, and strategic geography to impose huge costs on stronger opponents. He also explores how the Strait of Hormuz, global oil markets, and economic pressure could play a decisive role in the conflict, as Trump begs former allies for assistance.
ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.
How is a country with far fewer military resources still able to challenge the world’s most powerful military? Anthony Davis breaks down the strategy behind modern asymmetric warfare—where weaker nations use cheap drones, missiles, and strategic geography to impose huge costs on stronger opponents. He also explores how the Strait of Hormuz, global oil markets, and economic pressure could play a decisive role in the conflict, as Trump begs former allies for assistance.
ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.
Iran Strike Shock — Oil Markets in Total Panic | Prof Jeffrey Sachs
Professor Sachs’ voice is one of the few sane voices in the bedlam which has been caused by this illegal and quite unnecessary war on Iran. Would that he were not so alone. — © Mark Alexander
„Epstein lebt“: Doppelgänger aus Florida wird zum viralen Hit
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Ein Mann aus Palm Beach wird wegen seiner Ähnlichkeit mit Jeffrey Epstein zum Internet-Phänomen. Er nimmt es mit Humor – und stellt klar, wer er ist.
Ein Mann aus dem US-Bundesstaat Florida sorgt derzeit weltweit für Aufmerksamkeit, weil er dem 2019 gestorbenen Sexualstraftäter Jeffrey Epstein verblüffend ähnlich sieht. In sozialen Netzwerken wird er unter dem Namen „Palm Beach Pete“ gefeiert.
Auslöser war ein Video, das ihn mit Sonnenbrille und Baseballkappe am Steuer eines Cabriolets auf einer Autobahn in Südflorida zeigt. Eine Stimme ist darin zu hören mit den Worten: „Epstein lebt.“ Der Clip verbreitete sich rasend schnell und wurde hunderttausendfach angeklickt.
Der Mann selbst reagierte gelassen – und mit Humor. „Ich bin nicht Jeffrey Epstein. Ich bin Palm Beach Pete“, sagt er in einem Video, das er kurz darauf veröffentlichte. In einem Beitrag bei X schrieb er zudem: „Ich bin nicht Epstein, ich verspreche es.“ » | Alexander Schmalz | Samstag, 21. März 2026
Ein Mann aus dem US-Bundesstaat Florida sorgt derzeit weltweit für Aufmerksamkeit, weil er dem 2019 gestorbenen Sexualstraftäter Jeffrey Epstein verblüffend ähnlich sieht. In sozialen Netzwerken wird er unter dem Namen „Palm Beach Pete“ gefeiert.
Auslöser war ein Video, das ihn mit Sonnenbrille und Baseballkappe am Steuer eines Cabriolets auf einer Autobahn in Südflorida zeigt. Eine Stimme ist darin zu hören mit den Worten: „Epstein lebt.“ Der Clip verbreitete sich rasend schnell und wurde hunderttausendfach angeklickt.
Der Mann selbst reagierte gelassen – und mit Humor. „Ich bin nicht Jeffrey Epstein. Ich bin Palm Beach Pete“, sagt er in einem Video, das er kurz darauf veröffentlichte. In einem Beitrag bei X schrieb er zudem: „Ich bin nicht Epstein, ich verspreche es.“ » | Alexander Schmalz | Samstag, 21. März 2026
Tucker Carlson: The US Is Not Going to Defend Taiwan
UK Approves US Use of British Bases as Trump Considers 'Winding Down' War in Iran | BBC News
Mar 21, 2026 | The UK has agreed to allow the US to use British bases to launch strikes on Iranian sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump said the UK "should have acted a lot faster", while Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed Sir Keir was "putting British lives in danger”.
Trump also said the US is considering “winding down” operations against Iran, but that other nations must guard the Strait of Hormuz - a vital shipping lane for oil.
But Iran’s foreign minister has said "it does not appear that the United States is prepared to halt its aggression".
It was only a matter of time before the WEAK STARMER would bend to Trump's ridiculous demands and allow Britain to be dragged into this illegal and brutal war. Shame on Starmer!
Further, if Israel is allowed nuclear weapons, then why should Iran not be allowed them too? We have all seen how reckless Israel has been in recent years. A GENOCIDE has taken place in Gaza, and now in this BRUTAL Iran war, Iranians are being killed with gay abandon. Fact is, what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. — © Mark Alexander
US President Donald Trump said the UK "should have acted a lot faster", while Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed Sir Keir was "putting British lives in danger”.
Trump also said the US is considering “winding down” operations against Iran, but that other nations must guard the Strait of Hormuz - a vital shipping lane for oil.
But Iran’s foreign minister has said "it does not appear that the United States is prepared to halt its aggression".
It was only a matter of time before the WEAK STARMER would bend to Trump's ridiculous demands and allow Britain to be dragged into this illegal and brutal war. Shame on Starmer!
Further, if Israel is allowed nuclear weapons, then why should Iran not be allowed them too? We have all seen how reckless Israel has been in recent years. A GENOCIDE has taken place in Gaza, and now in this BRUTAL Iran war, Iranians are being killed with gay abandon. Fact is, what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. — © Mark Alexander
Iranian Strikes on Bases Used by US Caused $800m in Damage, New Analysis Shows
BBC: Iranian strikes on military bases used by the US in the Middle East caused about $800m (£600m) in damage in the first two weeks of the war, a new analysis shows.
Much of the damage was caused in initial retaliatory strikes by Iran in the week after the US and Israel launched the war, according to a report by the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) and an analysis by the BBC.
The full extent of the damage caused by Iranian strikes on US assets in the region is not clear.
But the $800m in estimated damage to US military infrastructure - a figure that's higher than has been previously reported - offers a picture of the steep costs to the US as the conflict drags on. » | Daniel Bush, Washington correspondent and Paul Brown & Alex Murray, BBC Verify | Friday, March 20, 2026
Much of the damage was caused in initial retaliatory strikes by Iran in the week after the US and Israel launched the war, according to a report by the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) and an analysis by the BBC.
The full extent of the damage caused by Iranian strikes on US assets in the region is not clear.
But the $800m in estimated damage to US military infrastructure - a figure that's higher than has been previously reported - offers a picture of the steep costs to the US as the conflict drags on. » | Daniel Bush, Washington correspondent and Paul Brown & Alex Murray, BBC Verify | Friday, March 20, 2026
OPINION: Trump’s Recklessness Will ‘Haunt Us for a Generation’
Jésus comparé à Gengis Khan : Netanyahou assure ne pas avoir voulu dénigrer le Christ
LE FIGARO : Jeudi soir le premier ministre israélien avait déclaré que « Jésus-Christ n’a aucun avantage sur Gengis Khan ». Ces propos ont provoqué une avalanche de critiques sur les réseaux sociaux, notamment de croyants s’offusquant de cette comparaison. Netanyahou s’est défendu sur le média X.
Benyamin Netanyahou s'est défendu vendredi d'avoir voulu blesser quiconque en déclarant la veille que Jésus ne faisait pas le poids face à Gengis Khan, assurant qu'il n'avait « pas dénigré » le Christ. « Encore des infox (cette fois-ci) à propos de mon attitude envers les chrétiens» alors que, «soyons clairs, je n'ai pas dénigré Jésus-Christ lors de ma conférence de presse », écrit le Premier ministre israélien sur X. « Au contraire, j'ai cité le grand historien américain Will Durant», ajoute Netanyahou, selon qui ce «fervent admirateur de Jésus-Christ (...) affirmait que la moralité, à elle seule, ne suffit pas à assurer la survie». «Je n'ai voulu offenser personne. » » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | vendredi 20 mars 2026
Benyamin Netanyahou s'est défendu vendredi d'avoir voulu blesser quiconque en déclarant la veille que Jésus ne faisait pas le poids face à Gengis Khan, assurant qu'il n'avait « pas dénigré » le Christ. « Encore des infox (cette fois-ci) à propos de mon attitude envers les chrétiens» alors que, «soyons clairs, je n'ai pas dénigré Jésus-Christ lors de ma conférence de presse », écrit le Premier ministre israélien sur X. « Au contraire, j'ai cité le grand historien américain Will Durant», ajoute Netanyahou, selon qui ce «fervent admirateur de Jésus-Christ (...) affirmait que la moralité, à elle seule, ne suffit pas à assurer la survie». «Je n'ai voulu offenser personne. » » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | vendredi 20 mars 2026
Corruption in the White House - Trump Officials Are Getting Richer
I have come to the conclusion that just about everyone at the top is bloody corrupt. The Epstein files show us that this is true. Today, virtuous behaviour is very thin on the ground.
I was raised on the notion—the naïve notion as it has turned out—that one went into politics ‘to give something back’ AFTER one had become successful. Being in politics was viewed as a service to the nation. That sounds so quaint these days. These days, people go into politics TO BECOME RICH, by fair means or foul!
As for politics in America, we all know it is rotten and corrupt at its core. Particularly in Trump’s administration/regime. — © Mark Alexander
Farage on Cameo, GB News Scandal & Ofcom Gone AWOL
Mar 21, 2026 | GB News has effectively become Reform UK's private television channel, and Ofcom is doing nothing about it.
This week, a team of 20 professional journalists reviewed 15 hours of GB News prime-time output and scored it an average of just 1.5 out of 5 for compliance with the broadcasting code.
Meanwhile, The Guardian has published a devastating investigation into Nigel Farage's Cameo videos, revealing he took money to support a convicted far-right rioter, promote a Canadian neo-Nazi group's event, and repeat extremist slogans more than twenty times.
This isn't left versus right anymore. It's truth versus lies.
This week, a team of 20 professional journalists reviewed 15 hours of GB News prime-time output and scored it an average of just 1.5 out of 5 for compliance with the broadcasting code.
Meanwhile, The Guardian has published a devastating investigation into Nigel Farage's Cameo videos, revealing he took money to support a convicted far-right rioter, promote a Canadian neo-Nazi group's event, and repeat extremist slogans more than twenty times.
This isn't left versus right anymore. It's truth versus lies.
Michael Lambert: Top Ten Brexit Lies and Starmer's Stupid Red Lines
Mar 21, 2026 | Is the "Brexit Omertà" finally over?
In this video, I break down why senior Labour politicians are suddenly finding their voices to criticize the economic damage of leaving the EU.
We look at the latest YouGov data showing a massive 82% of Labour voters now support rejoining the EU—leaving Keir Starmer in a nearly impossible political position. Why did he set "Red Lines" back in 2022 that ruled out the Single Market and Customs Union, and can he ever walk them back?
In this video, I break down why senior Labour politicians are suddenly finding their voices to criticize the economic damage of leaving the EU.
We look at the latest YouGov data showing a massive 82% of Labour voters now support rejoining the EU—leaving Keir Starmer in a nearly impossible political position. Why did he set "Red Lines" back in 2022 that ruled out the Single Market and Customs Union, and can he ever walk them back?
Bernie Sanders: We Are Living in Dangerous Times
Friday, March 20, 2026
Actor Luke Evans and Boyfriend Fran Tomas: Our Life Together
Hegseth Invokes Divine Purpose to Justify Military Might
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has imbued U.S. military actions with a Christian moral underpinning that suggests they are divinely sanctioned.
He spoke of “overwhelming force” and the U.S. military’s unmatched ability to rain “death and destruction from above” on its “apocalyptic” Iranian foes.
Then, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, standing in the Pentagon, issued a call to the American people for a specific kind of wartime prayer. He asked them to pray for victory in battle and the safety of their troops.
“Every day, on bended knee, with your family, in your schools, in your churches,” he said, “in the name of Jesus Christ.”
At a time when the U.S. and Israeli militaries are dropping thousands of bombs on a majority-Shiite Muslim nation, the explicitly Christian nature of Mr. Hegseth’s call stood out.
More than any top American military leader in recent history, Mr. Hegseth has framed U.S. military operations in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America as bigger than politics or foreign policy. Often he has imbued these actions with a Christian moral underpinning that suggests they are divinely sanctioned.
It is this view of a higher power, married to lethal American firepower, that Mr. Hegseth says gives him confidence that the United States will prevail in Iran.
“Our capabilities are better. Our will is better. Our troops are better,” he said in a recent interview with CBS News’s “60 Minutes.” “The providence of our almighty God is there protecting those troops, and we’re committed to this mission.” » | Greg Jaffe and Elizabeth Dias | Greg Jaffe writes about the expansion of the U.S. military under President Trump. Elizabeth Dias reports on the rise of a new Christian right in the Trump era. | Friday, March 20, 2026 | Friday, March 20, 2026
What Hegseth and the Trump regime are doing is unbelievably dangerous! By invoking divine purpose, they are turning this military misadventure into a holy war! Jesus Christ Almighty! How stupid is this? This will have grave consequences for the whole world. Where is this all going to end? How many innocent people will be killed as a result of this extremely dangerous nonsense? How many lives will be ruined? How much heartache, pain, and misery will be caused by this stupidity? — © Mark Alexander
He spoke of “overwhelming force” and the U.S. military’s unmatched ability to rain “death and destruction from above” on its “apocalyptic” Iranian foes.
Then, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, standing in the Pentagon, issued a call to the American people for a specific kind of wartime prayer. He asked them to pray for victory in battle and the safety of their troops.
“Every day, on bended knee, with your family, in your schools, in your churches,” he said, “in the name of Jesus Christ.”
At a time when the U.S. and Israeli militaries are dropping thousands of bombs on a majority-Shiite Muslim nation, the explicitly Christian nature of Mr. Hegseth’s call stood out.
More than any top American military leader in recent history, Mr. Hegseth has framed U.S. military operations in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America as bigger than politics or foreign policy. Often he has imbued these actions with a Christian moral underpinning that suggests they are divinely sanctioned.
It is this view of a higher power, married to lethal American firepower, that Mr. Hegseth says gives him confidence that the United States will prevail in Iran.
“Our capabilities are better. Our will is better. Our troops are better,” he said in a recent interview with CBS News’s “60 Minutes.” “The providence of our almighty God is there protecting those troops, and we’re committed to this mission.” » | Greg Jaffe and Elizabeth Dias | Greg Jaffe writes about the expansion of the U.S. military under President Trump. Elizabeth Dias reports on the rise of a new Christian right in the Trump era. | Friday, March 20, 2026 | Friday, March 20, 2026
What Hegseth and the Trump regime are doing is unbelievably dangerous! By invoking divine purpose, they are turning this military misadventure into a holy war! Jesus Christ Almighty! How stupid is this? This will have grave consequences for the whole world. Where is this all going to end? How many innocent people will be killed as a result of this extremely dangerous nonsense? How many lives will be ruined? How much heartache, pain, and misery will be caused by this stupidity? — © Mark Alexander
Ina Garten's Lamb Shanks & Orzo | Barefoot Contessa | Food Network
Trump Decries Nato Allies as ‘Cowards’ as Strait of Hormuz Impasse Goes On
THE GUARDIAN: Comments come amid reports US is preparing to send three more warships and thousands more troops to Middle East
Donald Trump has called Nato allies “cowards” for not wanting to “help open” the strait of Hormuz, with the US reportedly preparing to send three more warships and thousands more troops to the Middle East amid fears about the economic damage being caused by the war on Iran.
The US is reportedly considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran’s strategically crucial Kharg Island to pressure Tehran to reopen the strait.
The reports from US media organisations emerged as Iran’s military threatened it would “hunt down” officials and military commanders from the United States and Israel wherever it could find them in the world including at world tourist destinations.
“We are watching your cowardly officials and commanders, pilots and wicked soldiers,” the Iranian armed forces spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi said, quoted by state TV. “From now on, based on the information we have on you, the promenades, resorts and tourist and entertainment centres in the world will not be safe.”
The reports that Washington is considering plans to occupy or blockade Kharg Island come despite earlier suggestions by Trump that he was not leaning towards putting “boots on the ground”. » | Peter Beaumont | Senior international correspondent | Friday, March 20, 2026
The draft dodger must be about the most hated man on the planet! In this war, he’s up over his head. He is the cause of misery and suffering on an epic scale, but he seems neither to know it nor to understand the screw-up he has made. In any case, he is utterly insouciant about it all, expecting others to help him clean up the mess he himself has created. Surprisingly, he doesn’t seem to realize that he has brought the world to the brink of catastrophe. A deep depression and even a world war could well ensue from his reckless military excursions into the unknown. — © Mark Alexander
Donald Trump has called Nato allies “cowards” for not wanting to “help open” the strait of Hormuz, with the US reportedly preparing to send three more warships and thousands more troops to the Middle East amid fears about the economic damage being caused by the war on Iran.
The US is reportedly considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran’s strategically crucial Kharg Island to pressure Tehran to reopen the strait.
The reports from US media organisations emerged as Iran’s military threatened it would “hunt down” officials and military commanders from the United States and Israel wherever it could find them in the world including at world tourist destinations.
“We are watching your cowardly officials and commanders, pilots and wicked soldiers,” the Iranian armed forces spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi said, quoted by state TV. “From now on, based on the information we have on you, the promenades, resorts and tourist and entertainment centres in the world will not be safe.”
The reports that Washington is considering plans to occupy or blockade Kharg Island come despite earlier suggestions by Trump that he was not leaning towards putting “boots on the ground”. » | Peter Beaumont | Senior international correspondent | Friday, March 20, 2026
The draft dodger must be about the most hated man on the planet! In this war, he’s up over his head. He is the cause of misery and suffering on an epic scale, but he seems neither to know it nor to understand the screw-up he has made. In any case, he is utterly insouciant about it all, expecting others to help him clean up the mess he himself has created. Surprisingly, he doesn’t seem to realize that he has brought the world to the brink of catastrophe. A deep depression and even a world war could well ensue from his reckless military excursions into the unknown. — © Mark Alexander
Guerre en Iran : le guide suprême Mojtaba Khamenei affirme que «l’ennemi» est « vaincu » et nie les attaques contre Oman et la Turquie
LE FIGARO : Le conflit au Moyen-Orient, qui dure désormais depuis trois semaines, ne montre aucun signe d’apaisement et pèse déjà concrètement sur l’activité mondiale, suscitant les craintes d’une crise économique majeure. EN DIRECT » | Par Ségolène Forgar, Victor Mérat, Clara Hidalgo, Joséphine des Courtils, Amaury Coutansais-Pervinquière et Maxime Dubernet de Boscq | vendredi 20 mars 2026
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