News from March 16, 2025 at 2 PM

On March 15, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed the 'next steps' to end the war in Ukraine in a phone call, following an agreement by Kyiv's allies to pressure Moscow. Despite recent tensions between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Kyiv has agreed in principle to a US-brokered 30-day unconditional ceasefire if Moscow halts its attacks in eastern Ukraine. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not agreed to any truce, setting conditions beyond the US-Ukraine agreement. The ceasefire proposal by Trump's team comes as Russia gains momentum in many areas of the Ukrainian front. Rubio and Lavrov agreed to continue efforts to restore US-Russia communication. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during a virtual summit on March 15, urged leaders to strengthen Ukraine, protect any ceasefire, and maintain pressure on Moscow. French President Emmanuel Macron called for unified action to ensure Russia accepts the ceasefire. Zelensky warned that Russia aims to achieve a stronger military position before any ceasefire. On March 16, Ukrainian drones struck the Belgorod region in Russia, injuring three civilians.

President Donald Trump announced that the US has launched a 'decisive and powerful' wave of air strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen, citing the group's attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Trump stated that the Iran-funded Houthis have fired missiles at US aircraft and targeted US troops and allies, causing billions of dollars in losses and risking lives. The Houthi-run health ministry reported at least 13 killed and nine injured in the strikes. The Houthis, who began targeting shipping in response to the Israel-Hamas war, vowed to retaliate. They blamed the US and UK for attacking residential areas in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, though the UK was not involved in Saturday's strikes. Since the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Houthis have launched hundreds of attacks on Red Sea vessels, forcing major shipping companies to reroute. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iran, and Trump urged Tehran to cease its support for the Houthis.

A fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, has resulted in at least 59 deaths and over 155 injuries. The blaze occurred around 02:30, with 1,500 people attending a concert by the popular hip-hop duo DNK. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski described it as a 'difficult and very sad day' for the country. Interior Minister Pance Toskovski announced arrest warrants for four individuals, with initial reports suggesting the fire was caused by pyrotechnic sparks. Witnesses reported chaos, and hospitals are struggling to identify the deceased, with 18 patients in critical condition. The government pledged a thorough investigation and full mobilization to address the tragedy.

On March 14, NASA and SpaceX launched the Crew-10 mission to bring back US astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 7:03pm Eastern Time from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, carrying four astronauts to replace Wilmore and Williams. Originally scheduled for an eight-day stay, their mission was extended due to safety issues with Boeing's spacecraft. The Crew-10 astronauts are expected to stay on the ISS for about six months. Wilmore and Williams are scheduled to return to Earth on March 19. The mission drew attention due to interventions by President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

The United States has expelled South Africa's ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating he is 'no longer welcome in our great country.' Rubio accused Rasool on X of hating America and President Donald Trump, labeling him a 'race-baiting politician.' South Africa's presidential office called the decision 'regrettable' but affirmed its commitment to a mutually beneficial relationship with the US. This rare move by the US marks the latest escalation in tensions between the two nations. Rubio cited a Breitbart article quoting Rasool's critical remarks about the Trump administration during an online lecture. Last month, Trump signed an executive order freezing aid to South Africa over alleged 'egregious actions' and 'unjust racial discrimination' against white Afrikaners. The South African government has denied these claims. The White House accused South Africa of 'blatantly discriminating against ethnic minority descendants of settler groups.' The expulsion of a senior diplomat like a foreign ambassador is highly unusual in the US.

Canada's newly sworn-in Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has identified countering President Donald Trump's tariff policies as a top priority. Trudeau called Trump's annexation remarks 'too crazy' and vowed that Canada will never become part of the US. The new government aims to protect workers' interests and reduce spending. Trudeau plans to visit France and the UK to strengthen alliances with European nations. A former Goldman Sachs executive and central bank governor, Trudeau has streamlined his cabinet to 24 members. Canada's general election, expected in a few weeks, sees the Liberal Party neck-and-neck with the Conservative Party in polls.

On March 15, 2025, President Donald Trump announced plans to deport members of the Venezuelan crime gang Tren de Aragua under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, claiming they were conducting 'irregular warfare' in the US. However, US District Judge James Boasberg ordered a 14-day halt to the deportations on March 16. Judge Boasberg stated that the law pertains to hostile acts by enemy nations and likely does not support Trump's proclamation. The American Civil Liberties Union and other rights groups had already filed lawsuits to block the use of the act. Trump's order intended to deport all Venezuelans aged 14 and older, members of Tren de Aragua, and not lawful permanent residents as 'Alien Enemies'. Experts argue Trump aimed to bypass standard immigration laws, avoiding the need to prove detainees' gang membership.

Cuba's Energy and Mines Ministry reported that the country's national electrical grid collapsed late on Friday, causing widespread blackouts in the capital Havana and across the nation. An electrical substation in Havana failed around 8:15 p.m., cutting power to a large area of western Cuba, including the capital. The entire waterfront skyline of Havana was dark, with only a few tourist hotels operating on fuel-fired generators. Social media reports from provinces east and west of the capital indicated that much of the country's 10 million population was without power. This grid failure follows a series of nationwide blackouts late last year that plunged Cuba's fragile and outdated power generation system into near-total disarray, exacerbated by fuel shortages, natural disasters, and economic crisis. Hours-long rolling blackouts have been common for months, and severe shortages of food, medicine, and water have made life increasingly unbearable for many Cubans, leading to record numbers fleeing the island in recent years.

A Palestinian official told the BBC that talks to extend the Gaza ceasefire have failed to reach an agreement, as the US accused Hamas of making 'entirely impractical' demands during meetings in Qatar. The US proposed extending the first phase of the truce until mid-April, including a further exchange of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. However, Israel and Hamas disagreed on key aspects of the deal proposed by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to receive a report from Israel's negotiating team. The White House accused Hamas of making impractical demands, delaying permanent peace negotiations. Hamas stated that negotiations had broken down, while Israel had accepted the US proposal. Both sides remain at odds over the number of hostages to be released and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, with Israel halting all aid and electricity to Gaza to pressure Hamas.

On March 14, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared before judges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, via video link. Duterte is represented by lawyer Salvador Medialdea, who is present in the courtroom. Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc stated that Duterte was authorized to follow the hearing remotely due to his long journey. Duterte, suspected of crimes against humanity, arrived in the Netherlands on March 12. The court argues it has reasonable grounds to believe that Duterte, who was in power from 2016 to 2022, is responsible for and indirectly complicit in numerous murders committed in the Philippines between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019, during the so-called war on drugs.

On March 15, the Vatican reported that 88-year-old Pope Francis, who is being treated for double pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli hospital, is showing slow improvement and has reduced the use of mechanical ventilation at night. Since being admitted on February 14, Francis has not appeared in public, marking his longest absence and missing weekly prayers for the fifth consecutive week. He continues to undergo medical treatments, respiratory physiotherapy, and physical therapy, with gradual improvements noted. The Vatican has not provided a discharge date, stating that his recovery is slow. Earlier this week, Francis approved a new three-year process for reforms in the global Catholic Church, indicating his intention to continue serving as pope despite health challenges.

According to sources familiar with the matter and an internal memo seen by Reuters, the Trump administration is considering imposing sweeping travel restrictions on citizens of dozens of countries as part of a new ban. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, cautioned that there could be changes to the list and that it has yet to be approved by the administration, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The memo lists a total of 41 countries divided into three groups: those facing full visa suspension, including Afghanistan, Cuba, and Iran; those facing partial visa suspension (affecting tourist, student, and some other visas), including Eritrea and Haiti; and countries recommended for partial suspension if they do not address deficiencies, including Angola and Antigua and Barbuda.

US influencer Sam Jones faced widespread criticism after being filmed taking a wild baby wombat from its mother in Australia. The video shows Jones picking up the joey by the roadside and running to a car, with the mother in pursuit. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strongly condemned the act. Jones apologized on Instagram, claiming she intended to keep the animals safe. She also criticized Australia's animal culling laws. The incident sparked outrage, leading Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to consider revoking her visa, though Jones reportedly left the country voluntarily. Jones, who goes by Samantha Strable, has nearly 95,000 Instagram followers and describes herself as an outdoor enthusiast and hunter.

Michael Abramowitz, director of the Voice of America, announced that nearly 1,300 journalists, producers, and assistants have been put on administrative leave, effectively silencing the media broadcaster that operates in nearly 50 languages. This marks the first time in 83 years that the Voice of America is being silenced. Earlier, ABC News reported that all full-time employees had been notified of the paid administrative leave. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to significantly reduce the scope of the US Agency for Global Media, which is responsible for foreign policy propaganda and coordinates the activities of government-funded radio stations like the Voice of America and Radio Liberty/Free Europe.

US President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to acquire Danish territory Greenland. On August 15, Greenland witnessed its largest protest, with about 1,000 people gathering in the capital Nuuk and the second-largest city Sisimiut to protest Trump's remarks. The protest was led by Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the chair of Greenland's Self-Rule Government Democratic Party. Following the autonomous parliament election on August 11, where the Democratic Party became the largest party, Nielsen emphasized unity against the island acquisition. Protesters chanted slogans like 'Yankees, go home!' Trump has frequently threatened to take Greenland since the beginning of the year, even hinting at the use of force. Greenland's Self-Rule Government Prime Minister Kim Kielsen criticized the US for being disrespectful and highly unpredictable.

61-year-old Peruvian fisherman Maximo Napa was rescued by an Ecuadorian vessel off the coast of Chimbote in northern Peru after 94 days adrift at sea on March 11. He was hospitalized and discharged on March 15. Napa recounted that he survived by eating cockroaches, birds, and turtles, and collecting rainwater after his food ran out and he went without water for the last 15 days. He said his determination to live was fueled by thoughts of his mother and his two-month-old granddaughter. Napa had set out from the port of San Juan de Marcona on December 7 with a two-week food supply but encountered bad weather 10 days later, which led him off course and eventually adrift in the open sea.