Stories for 2026

Monday, March 9th 2026 - 00:30 UTC
Iran names Mojtaba Khamenei supreme leader as war widens to oil and water infrastructure

Iran on Sunday named Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader, cementing hardline continuity as the war with Israel and the United States deepens and cross-border strikes increasingly hit fuel depots, energy routes and desalination facilities across the region. The Assembly of Experts, the 88-member clerical body tasked with choosing the successor, said he had been appointed by a “decisive vote,” giving him ultimate authority over all matters of state.
Sunday, March 8th 2026 - 16:28 UTC
Falklands Legislative Assembly marks International Women’s Day with inclusive message

The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly marked International Women’s Day on March 8 with a message centered on broad recognition of women across the community, in a statement signed by MLAs Dot Gould and Cheryl Roberts. In the text, the lawmakers thanked “mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, colleagues, and neighbours” for bringing “strength, care, and inspiration” to life in the Islands.
Saturday, March 7th 2026 - 22:40 UTC
Trump launches anti-cartel coalition, says Cuba regime “in its final days”

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday opened the first Shield of the Americas summit in Doral, Florida, bringing together a group of like-minded Latin American and Caribbean leaders to unveil a new regional security alliance focused on fighting drug cartels. In his remarks, he said Cuba was “very much at the end of the line,” claimed Havana wanted to negotiate with Washington, and said his administration had formally recognized the interim government of Delcy Rodríguez in Venezuela as diplomatic ties between the two countries were being restored.
Saturday, March 7th 2026 - 07:50 UTC
Falklands’ conflict to be re-examined at University of Manchester conference

The University of Manchester is hosting a major conference about the Falklands conflict next April on Thursday 16 and Friday 17. 44 years have passed, but the conflict still resonates deeply in both the UK and Argentina.
Saturday, March 7th 2026 - 06:24 UTC
Japan’s Justice orders dissolution of the ‘Moonies’ Unification Church

A Japanese high court has upheld an order to dissolve the controversial Unification Church, popularly known as the “Moonies” local media report. Last year, a district court in Tokyo ordered the church to disband after Japan's education and culture ministry accused it of manipulating followers into making huge donations.
Saturday, March 7th 2026 - 02:43 UTC
Falklands, Commonwealth Day Youth Parliament Sitting; Monday 9 March

To mark Commonwealth Day, Monday 9 March, young people from the Falkland Islands will take their seats in the Chamber to question Members of the Legislative Assembly on the issues that matter to them.
Saturday, March 7th 2026 - 01:30 UTC
Trump deflects questions on reports of Russia sharing intelligence with Iran on U.S. Forces

President Donald Trump declined Friday to comment on media reports indicating that Russia has been supplying Iran with intelligence on the positions and movements of U.S. troops, ships and aircraft in the Middle East.
Saturday, March 7th 2026 - 01:24 UTC
Ecuador and U.S. Forces Destroy FARC Dissident Training Camp in Amazon Region

Ecuadorian and U.S. military forces bombed and destroyed a training camp belonging to the Comandos de la Frontera, a dissident faction of Colombia's former FARC guerrilla organization, in the Amazon border province of Sucumbíos on Tuesday, both governments confirmed Friday.
Friday, March 6th 2026 - 15:41 UTC
Oil posts its biggest weekly jump since 2020 as the Iran war disrupts Hormuz

Oil became this week’s clearest barometer of the Middle East crisis, with Brent hovering near US$90 a barrel and WTI around US$87.5, putting both contracts on track for their biggest weekly advance since 2020. The same factor sits behind the surge: the de facto blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil normally passes.
Friday, March 6th 2026 - 15:31 UTC
Trump says Cuba will “fall pretty soon,” but says Iran comes first

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Cuba is going to “fall pretty soon,” while making clear that his immediate priority remains the campaign against Iran, in remarks that widened the White House’s confrontational language toward both the Middle East and Latin America. Trump made the comments in a phone conversation with CNN anchor Dana Bash.