The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, has confirmed she will take part in a key House of Lords vote on proposed abortion law changes, following concern that a planned pilgrimage might prevent her attendance. The vote relates to an amendment that would decriminalise abortion at any stage of pregnancy in England and Wales, a proposal that has generated significant debate. Pro-life groups and Christian voices had urged bishops to be present, stressing the importance of the issue and its implications for the protection of unborn life. Lambeth Palace confirmed the Archbishop will attend the vote while continuing her pilgrimage, which forms part of her spiritual preparation for her installation. The outcome of the vote carries profound moral and legal significance, with many highlighting the need to uphold both the dignity of life and compassionate support for those in crisis. See and also
Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could weaken his country’s ability to defend itself against Russia. He expressed concern that global attention and military resources, particularly from the USA, are being redirected, potentially leading to shortages of key defence supplies such as air defence missiles. Rising energy prices linked to the wider conflict are also adding pressure to Ukraine’s situation. He suggested that prolonged instability elsewhere could benefit Russia by stretching international support and delaying peace efforts. At the same time, he called for greater unity among Western leaders, urging stronger cooperation to maintain focus on Ukraine’s ongoing struggle. Diplomatic tensions between allies risk complicating that effort, even though leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine. The challenge of sustaining attention, resources, and coordination has become increasingly complex, raising concerns about how long current levels of support for Ukraine can be maintained.
Donald Trump has warned NATO that it faces a ‘very bad future’ unless its member states help to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to global oil shipments. The waterway is a critical route for around 20% of the world’s oil, and disruption there has already heightened fears of economic instability. European nations now face a difficult choice between maintaining alliances and avoiding deeper involvement in the widening conflict, which Trump started without consulting his allies. Closing the strait was always seen as one of Iran’s main weapons, and Trump’s expectations that destroying the Iranian navy would prevent that from happening have proved unjustified: just by threatening drone strikes on tankers, Iran has effectively closed the strait and driven up oil prices. Trump wants NATO to send warships to escort convoys through the strait, which they are reluctant to do; he has now appealed to China, South Korea, Japan, and Australia to help. Other military options could further escalate the conflict, particularly if key infrastructure becomes a target.
Israel’s assassination of Ali Larijani, a central figure in Iran’s political and security establishment, will be a devastating body blow to the country, probably even more than the loss of the supreme leader Ali Khamenei at the outset of the war. Known for his ability to bridge factions within Iran’s complex system, he played a key role linking military and civilian authorities while maintaining influence with international partners. His loss removes a figure seen as capable of navigating both internal divisions and external pressures. He had supported diplomatic engagement alongside firm internal control, positioning himself as a pragmatic voice amid hardline elements. His absence could strengthen more hardline forces, complicating any path towards stability or ceasefire. News update: on 18 March Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, was killed in an air strike. See
After a nationwide blackout which left the entire population without electricity for 29 hours, Cuba has managed to restore power. The outage, one of several in recent months, reflects a deepening energy crisis caused by fuel shortages and an ageing power grid. Although the national system is now back online, officials warn that electricity supply remains unstable and unable to meet demand. The crisis has been intensified by Donald Trump’s decision to cut off the island’s oil supply from Venezuela and threats to slap tariffs on countries which ship fuel to the nation. He has also upped his rhetoric against Cuba, saying that he could do ‘anything he wanted’ to the country. Many households were already experiencing long daily outages before the collapse, disrupting food, water and essential services. Tensions between Cuba and the USA continue to escalate, although they are engaged in talks aimed at easing the situation. For ordinary citizens, the hardship continues despite partial recovery, as they face ongoing uncertainty and limited resources in daily life.
In parts of Johannesburg and surrounding areas, residents are protesting ongoing water shortages that have left some communities without reliable supply for weeks. Even in well-developed suburbs, taps have run dry, disrupting daily life and raising health concerns. In poorer areas, inconsistent access to clean water has persisted for years, forcing reliance on water tankers. Frustration has grown as people report having to pay for water that should be free, with allegations of corruption and exploitation worsening the crisis. Experts point to ageing infrastructure and a lack of investment as the root causes, while criminal activity may be compounding the problem. Government leaders, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, have announced plans for coordinated action. However, for many residents, daily hardship continues as they struggle to access one of life’s most basic necessities, highlighting deep inequalities and urgent need for lasting solutions.
On 16 March, coordinated bomb attacks by suspected suicide bombers struck the Nigerian city of Maiduguri, killing at least 23 people and injuring over a hundred. The explosions hit a crowded market, a hospital entrance and a nearby area just after people broke their Ramadan fast, and caused panic as survivors fled. The military have blamed the jehadist Boko Haram group, which originated in the town in 2009, and warned of increased threats during the final days of the holy month. The attacks shattered a period of relative calm in the city, long associated with insurgency but recently more stable than surrounding rural areas. Violence across northeastern Nigeria has persisted, with extremist groups continuing assaults which have killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. Officials have increased security presence and pledged stronger action, though concerns remain about ongoing vulnerability. The resurgence of attacks highlights the fragile security situation and the continued challenges facing efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.
There has been a surge of political activity ahead of Haiti’s first general election in a decade, with a record 280 parties registering by the deadline. New groups expressed hope that fresh leadership could help address the country’s deep crises, driven by gang violence and corruption. One party arrived for registration with a marching band and vuvuzelas; another, led by former prime minister Claude Joseph, was more sober, but equally committed to the need to break cycles of political instability. Despite this momentum, uncertainty remains over whether elections will proceed as planned. Ongoing insecurity continues to disrupt daily life, with widespread violence, thousands of deaths, and mass displacement. Armed groups control much of the capital, raising concerns about whether safe campaigning and voting are possible. Even so, some leaders insist that moving forward with elections is essential for the nation’s future and a step toward restoring order and public trust. The electoral council says it will post a list of parties authorised to participate in the election by 26 March.