Latest news for 24 March 2026

RUSSIA

Rough week?

Putin seems to be leveraging better weather to ramp up his ‘meat assaults’ on Ukraine’s frontline, though there are credible reports he’s taking staggering casualties as Ukraine keeps upping its drone game. Meanwhile in Angola, two alleged Wagner-linked Russian operatives go on trial today (Tuesday) on claims of trying to incite anti-Western protests ahead of next year’s elections. (Politico)

UNITED KINGDOM

Ambulances ablaze.

The little-known Iran-aligned Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand (named after a Quranic reference to righteous believers) has reportedly claimed yesterday’s torching of four Jewish community ambulances in north London. It also claimed a bomb explosion outside a synagogue in Belgium earlier this month, with various European authorities now boosting visible security in response. (CBS)

ISRAEL

Territory warning.

Building on previous comments by the defence minister, Israel’s hard-nationalist finance minister (Smotrich) has called for Israel to seize Lebanese territory up to the Litani River as a buffer to neutralise Hezbollah. The Israelis recently destroyed bridges in the area, amid speculation of another ground assault. (Reuters)

SINGAPORE

Bond, Singaporean bond.

Singapore’s bonds have outperformed developed-market peers this year as investors flock to safe-haven assets. Bonds from Canada and the Netherlands have also performed relatively well. (Bloomberg $)

Comment: Against that backdrop, it’s been interesting to see gold (the classic safe-haven) enter bear territory, ~22% off its peaks. It’s a mix of a) the stronger US dollar (making gold more expensive for non-US buyers), b) a hawkish Fed outlook (making non-yielding gold less appealing), and c) profit-taking after spiking 65% last year.

MEXICO

Foreign experts.

The government is now inviting back international experts to resume investigations into the notorious 2014 disappearance of 43 students in southern Mexico, three years after an earlier panel walked out citing official interference. (US News)

SLOVENIA

By the skin of his teeth.

Centre-left leader Robert Golob has declared (a narrow) victory over the populist-right opposition, in an election marred by claims Israeli spy-for-hire firm Black Cube leaked damaging corruption tapes aimed at the government. The small EU/NATO member (pop. 2 million) now enters coalition talks. (Balkan Insight)

PAKISTAN

Energy woes spread.

In South Asia, Pakistan has cancelled its big annual military parade citing the oil crisis, while Bangladesh is hustling to borrow $2B to cover its gas bills. In Europe, Slovenia just became the EU’s first to start rationing fuel, while Ireland is cutting fuel taxes. And in Southeast Asia, LNG-dependent Singapore seems to be doing a deal with LNG-rich Australia, in return for Singapore (a major refiner) prioritising Australia’s diesel and maybe jet fuel. Oh, and fuel shortages are forcing Vietnam to cut domestic routes, while Manila is warning it could follow suit. And… just moments ago, Russia (the world’s largest supplier) announced a one-month pause in ammonium nitrate fertiliser exports! (Times of India)