**Summary:** The US leadership warned European nations that supplies of weapons to Kyiv under the PURL program might face disruptions due to the war in the Middle East. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that if Ukraine refuses to make certain concessions, the war will continue.

**Key points:**
- Potential disruptions affect ammunition supplies, particularly interceptor missiles for Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Washington has conveyed Moscow's demands to Kyiv but cannot make the decision for Ukrainians.
- Rubio previously denied claims by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Washington demanded troop withdrawal from Donbas for security guarantees.
- The US prioritizes replenishing its own arsenals if necessary, as weapons sold under PURL are American-owned.

**Why it matters:** The potential disruption of military aid to Ukraine, linked to US resource allocation for the Middle East conflict, raises concerns about the continuity of support for Kyiv.

США предупредили Европу о возможных проблемах с поставками оружия для Украины

Рубио назвал последствия отказа Украины пойти на уступки

US Warns Europe of Potential Arms Supply Issues for Ukraine Due to Middle East Conflict

**Summary:** The African Union (AU) member states have refused to support the candidacy of former Senegalese President Macky Sall to replace António Guterres as UN Secretary-General. Twenty AU member states opposed the decision, leading to the non-adoption of the official support project.

**Key points:**
- The decision was announced via a verbal note dated March 27, 2026, confirmed by Nuur Mohamud Sheekh, spokesperson for the AU Commission President.
- The project for support was submitted under the 'tacit approval' procedure, which required objections from less than one-third of the 55 member countries.
- Macky Sall's candidacy was initially proposed by Burundi, whose president, Évariste Ndayishimiye, holds the rotating AU presidency.
- The next UN Secretary-General is set to begin their mandate on January 1, 2027.
- Other candidates for the position include Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan, and Virginia Gamba.

**Why it matters:** The failure to secure the AU's official backing significantly jeopardizes Macky Sall's bid for the top UN position, despite the post traditionally rotating to Latin America this cycle.

L’Union africaine ne soutient pas la candidature de Macky Sall à l’ONU - Jeune Afrique

UA : 20 États membres bloquent la candidature de Macky Sall pour le poste de Secrétaire Général de l'ONU - Leral.net

African Union rejects Macky Sall's bid for UN Secretary-General

**Summary:** The Handala Hack group, suspected of being linked to Iran, claimed responsibility for hacking the personal email account of FBI Director Kash Patel and subsequently published personal photos and documents online. The US Department of Justice confirmed the breach of Patel's personal email.

**Key points:**
- The group, Handala Hack Team, posted the materials on their website and Telegram channel.
- The breach targeted the personal email account of Kash Patel, the FBI Director.
- The Department of Justice confirmed the authenticity of the published materials.
- Handala Hack has previously targeted US defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and disrupted Stryker systems.
- The incident is viewed as a geopolitical influence operation due to the alleged link to Iran.
- Authorities have not yet specified if classified information was compromised.

**Why it matters:** This intrusion into the personal communications of a top US security official raises significant concerns about the vulnerability of high-ranking US personnel and escalates cyber tensions between Washington and Tehran.

متسللون مرتبطون بإيران يخترقون البريد الشخصي لمدير مكتب التحقيقات الأميركي

:: FBI : l’email du directeur Kash Patel piraté par un groupe lié à l’Iran, l’agence sous pression

Iran-linked Hackers Breach Personal Email of FBI Director Kash Patel

**Summary:** The Organization of Atomic Energy of Iran (IAEO) reported that a uranium processing plant in central Iran was targeted by attacks from US and Israeli forces on Friday. The IAEO stated that the attack on the Ardakan facility in Yazd province did not cause any release of radioactive materials.

**Key points:**
- The attack on the Ardakan plant in Yazd province occurred in two stages, according to an official from Markazi province, Hassan Ghamari.
- Iranian media also reported strikes against a heavy water nuclear reactor in Khondab.
- Reports indicated no casualties or radiation leaks at the targeted facilities.

**Why it matters:** This event represents a direct military escalation involving the US and Israel against Iran's nuclear infrastructure, raising international tensions.

الطاقة الذرية الايرانية : استهداف مصنع " الكعكة الصفراء " - jordanzad.com

США и Израиль атаковали ядерный комплекс с тяжеловодным реактором в Иране - Lenta.ru

Irano AE organizacija: pataikė į mūsų urano perdirbimo gamyklą - 15min.lt

US and Israel reportedly strike Iranian nuclear facilities

США и Израиль атаковали завод по производству уранового концентрата в Иране - Lenta.ru

**Summary:** Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah was sworn in as Nepal's Prime Minister on Friday, tasked with restoring political stability and addressing job creation in the nation. His Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured a sweeping majority in the March 5 election.

**Key points:**
- Shah, 35, is Nepal's youngest prime minister in decades and the first Madhesi leader.
- The RSP won 182 out of 275 seats in parliament following the first vote after deadly anti-corruption protests in September last year.
- Shah's early challenges include implementing the report investigating the protest violence, which recommended prosecuting former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
- The Nepali Congress party finished a distant second with 38 seats, while Oli's Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) secured 25 seats.

**Why it matters:** Shah's ascension marks the arrival of a new generation of leaders in Nepal, promising to tackle endemic corruption and unemployment that fuels emigration.

The Straits Times - Ex-rapper Shah sworn in as Nepal prime minister after sweeping election win

RTBF Actus - Népal : le rappeur devenu maire de Katmandou Balendra Shah officiellement Premier ministre

Balendra Shah, Ex-Rapper and Kathmandu Mayor, Sworn In as Nepal PM

**Summary:** According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), the Russian occupation army sustained losses of at least 1000 military personnel, 68 artillery systems, and 9 armored combat vehicles during the past day (March 26, 2026). The cumulative estimated combat losses for the enemy since February 24, 2022, reached approximately 1,293,170 personnel.

**Key points:**
- Total estimated personnel losses for Russia since 24.02.22 reached about 1,293,170 (+1,000 in the last day).
- Other reported daily losses include 1 tank (+1), 2 MLRS (+2), and 217 units of automotive equipment (+217).
- The AFU General Staff noted that the data is being clarified.
- Total estimated losses for UAVs (operational-tactical level) reached 200,611 (+2,222 in the last day).

**Why it matters:** These figures represent the reported daily combat attrition rates against Russian forces, providing an update on the ongoing military conflict.

Генштаб оновив дані про втрати ворога: мінус ще 1000 російських окупантів - Українська правда

Армія РФ за добу війни в Україні втратила 1000 військових, 68 артсистем і 9 бронемашин - Еспресо.TV

Russian Army Losses Update: 1000 Troops, 68 Artillery Systems Lost in One Day

**Summary:** Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores appeared for a second hearing in a New York federal court following their alleged kidnapping during a US military operation on January 3rd. The core legal issue revolves around presidential immunity and parliamentary immunity, which could lead to the case being dismissed.

**Key points:**
- Judge Alvin Hellerstein stated he would not drop the case based on the inability of Maduro and Flores to pay court costs due to US sanctions.
- Venezuelan jurist Hermann Escarrá argued the proceedings are an act of supremacy by force, violating international law regarding judging foreign presidents.
- The legal impasse involves the doctrine of estoppel, as recognizing interim President Delcy Rodríguez validates Maduro's power origin.
- The freezing of Venezuelan funds prevents Maduro from paying his lawyer, which is cited as a structural error invalidating the procedure.
- The outcome may be determined by discreet political negotiations in New York and Caracas rather than a substantive judicial decision.

**Why it matters:** The case presents a delicate legal precedent concerning the jurisdiction of US federal courts over foreign heads of state and could trigger a political crisis between the US executive and judicial branches.

Мадуро и его супруга предстали перед судом в Нью-Йорке во второй раз

Maduro à New York : l’immunité présidentielle au cœur du chaos judiciaire

Maduro's Immunity Debated in US Court After January Kidnapping

**Summary:** Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić addressed upcoming local elections, framing them as crucial for state unity amid separatist pressures, while also discussing Serbia's EU integration path and regional security concerns, including a perceived military alliance forming against Serbia.

**Key points:**
- Vučić expects the first robots produced in Serbia to be ready by Vidovdan (a Serbian national holiday).
- He stated that flying cars will be present in Belgrade during the EXPO specialized exhibition, based on an agreement with Americans.
- Vučić called for peaceful and democratic local elections on March 29th, despite incidents like attacks on activists in Kula and Aranđelovac.
- He mentioned that the government wants 1.6 billion euros from the Growth Plan but faces issues because the European Parliament demands justification for giving funds to a non-democratic country.
- Vučić characterized the formation of a military alliance between Pristina, Tirana, and Zagreb as the most dangerous move against Serbia in the last year.

**Why it matters:** The statements link domestic political events (local elections) with major foreign policy and economic goals (EU accession and technological development), highlighting perceived external pressures on Serbia's sovereignty.

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