**Summary:** The Guinean Ministry of Mines and Geology has immediately revoked 41 quarry exploitation permits, targeting local and international companies whose titles had mostly expired. This administrative purge aims to end the "passive occupation" of mining titles and open areas to new investors.

**Key points:**
- The decision was announced via a decree made public on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
- The legal basis for the revocation includes articles from the Mining Code, a 2014 decree on title management, and 2021/2022 laws on local content.
- Permits revoked cover the exploitation of dolerite, granite (the most affected substance), sand, and laterite.
- Specific companies affected include Simfer S.A., Guiter Mining / Guiter S.A. (five titles), and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

**Why it matters:** This action by the transitional authorities signals a strong intent to clean up the mining registry and ensure that mining concessions are actively managed according to legal requirements.

guineematin.com - Guinée : le gouvernement retire 41 permis d’exploitation de carrières

guineenews.org - Guinée : le gouvernement annule 41 permis d’exploitation des carrières (Liste)

Guinée : 41 career exploitation permits revoked by government

**Summary:** A bus fire in Chiètres, in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, resulted in the deaths of at least six people and injured five others. Cantonal police are investigating the possibility that the fire was deliberately set.

**Key points:**
- The incident occurred in the late afternoon in Chiètres, about 25 kilometers west of Bern.
- Police spokesperson Frédéric Papaux mentioned that a human cause, possibly a voluntary act, is being prioritized.
- Information suggests a person may have poured a flammable substance on themselves, causing the fire, but this is part of an ongoing investigation.
- The bus was operated by 'PostBus', which is linked to the national postal service.
- Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed shock and sadness over the tragedy.

**Why it matters:** This fatal bus fire has deeply shocked Switzerland, occurring shortly after another deadly incident in Crans-Montana, prompting a police investigation into whether the cause was intentional.

Suisse : six morts dans l’incendie d’un autocar à Fribourg - guineematin.com

"Le feu était tellement fort": bouleversés, les témoins de l’incendie de bus mortel en Suisse racontent l’horreur - lalibre.be

النيران تلتهم حافلة وتخلف 6 قتلى في سويسرا - hespress.com

Bus Fire in Switzerland Kills Six, Police Investigate Intentional Act

**Summary:** The celebrated Peruvian writer Alfredo Bryce Echenique, known for works like ‘Un mundo para Julius,’ has died at the age of 87. His death marks the close of an essential cycle for Latin American narrative, recognized for his ironic and sensitive portrayal of Lima's society.

**Key points:**
- He was a key figure in the post-boom generation of Latin American narrative.
- His debut novel, 'Un mundo para Julius' (1970), won Peru's National Literature Prize in 1972.
- His literary themes often explored identity, exile, memory, and family conflicts.
- He received distinctions including the Premio Nacional de Narrativa de España (1998) and the Premio Planeta (2002).

**Why it matters:** Bryce Echenique's work, characterized by humor, nostalgia, and introspection, left a significant and universal literary legacy in Peruvian and Latin American letters.

Infobae - Falleció el laureado escritor peruano Alfredo Bryce Echenique a los 87 años

EL PAÍS - Muere el escritor peruano Bryce Echenique a los 87 años

La Tercera - Fallece el destacado escritor peruano Alfredo Bryce Echenique a los 87 años

Diario Correo - Fallece Alfredo Bryce Echenique, autor de “Un mundo para Julius”, a los 87 años

Peruvian Writer Alfredo Bryce Echenique Dies at 87

**Summary:** Benchmark oil prices retreated toward $90 a barrel after US President Donald Trump suggested the conflict with Iran would end "very soon," following a surge past $100 on Monday. Analysts noted Trump provided little clarity on the timeline or details of the resolution.

**Key points:**
- Oil surged past $100 a barrel on Monday before Trump's comments, which described the conflict as "very far ahead of schedule."
- The conflict caused a historic disruption to oil production, stemming from a near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz and a slowdown in Middle East output.
- US crude settled at $94.77 a barrel, while Brent rose to $98.96 a barrel on Monday.
- Trump warned Iran of retaliation "twenty times harder" if it attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz.
- G7 finance ministers planned to meet to discuss a joint release of oil reserves to alleviate price pressure.

**Why it matters:** The conflict with Iran has caused the largest oil supply disruption in history, significantly raising gasoline prices, and market stability is contingent on the resolution of the Strait of Hormuz closure.

This is the biggest oil disruption in history - Egypt Independent

Oil prices fall after Trump signals end to Iran conflict - Eye Radio

Oil Prices Dip After Trump Signals Potential End to Iran Conflict

**Summary:** Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) during which Putin put forward proposals for a quick political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict around Iran. The leaders also discussed the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in Venezuela regarding global oil markets.

**Key points:**
- Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov described the discussion as "very substantial" and likely to have practical significance.
- Putin's proposals for ending the Iranian conflict included contacts made with leaders of Gulf states and Iran.
- Trump offered his assessment of developments in the U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran.
- Regarding Ukraine, Putin noted Russian troops are advancing successfully, which should prompt Kyiv's negotiators toward a settlement.
- Trump expressed that it is in the U.S. interest to see a rapid end to the Ukraine conflict with a ceasefire and long-term settlement.

**Why it matters:** The dialogue between the leaders of Russia and the US addresses major international conflicts, including the war in Iran and the war in Ukraine, while also touching upon the global energy crisis exacerbated by the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Kremlin: Putin, in a phone call with Trump, shares proposals to end Iran war quickly - The Straits Times

Putin Shares Proposals To End Iran War Quickly In Phone Call With Trump, Says Kremlin - News18

Putin Shares Proposals with Trump to End Iran War Quickly

**Summary:** Gabon's Minister of Communication and Media, Germain Biahodjow, denounced "untruths" from ex-First Lady Sylvia Bongo broadcast on France 24, threatening to suspend the channel's diffusion if insufficiently verified information continues. Bongo accused Gabonese authorities of torture against herself and her son, Nourredin Bongo Valentin, during their detention.

**Key points:**
- Bongo and her son, who currently reside in London, were previously convicted in absentia to 20 years in prison in November 2025 on charges including embezzlement and corruption.
- The government views Bongo's claims, aired on March 6, as part of a disinformation campaign amplified by Western media.
- Former presidential candidate Joseph Lapensée Essingone separately proposed a fiscal reform to boost public revenue, focusing on natural resource taxation.
- Essingone's proposal comes as Gabon faces budgetary tensions, highlighted by Fitch Ratings maintaining its sovereign rating at CCC.

**Why it matters:** The Gabonese government's strong reaction to international media coverage involving the family of the deposed president signals ongoing political sensitivity and a potential tightening of media freedom during the transition period.

Gabon : le gouvernement riposte aux accusations de Sylvia Bongo et hausse le ton contre certains médias internationaux - infosgabon.com

« Contre-vérités » de Sylvia Bongo sur France 24 : le Gabon pourrait bientôt suspendre la chaîne - Gabonactu

Gabon threatens to suspend France 24 over Sylvia Bongo's 'unverified' claims

**Summary:** Turkey's Ministry of National Defense announced the deployment of six F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) starting March 9, 2026, as part of phased planning to enhance security. This decision followed a recent drone attack on a British military base on the island.

**Key points:**
- The deployment is a security measure for the TRNC, which is recognized only by Turkey.
- The F-16s are expected to land at Ercan Airport on Monday, March 9.
- The deployment will not interfere with civilian flights.
- France has increased its military presence in the region by deploying three of its largest warships in solidarity with Cyprus.
- Turkey stated that additional measures will be taken if deemed necessary based on ongoing evaluations of regional developments.

**Why it matters:** The deployment signals Turkey's commitment to the security of the TRNC amidst recent regional tensions, including drone attacks in the area. This military move occurs in a context of broader regional security concerns involving Iran and Israel.

Туреччина відправить винищувачі F-16 до невизнаного Північного Кіпру – ЗМІ

MSB duyurdu! Türk F-16'ları KKTC'de

KKTC'ye F-16 kalkanı! 6 Türk jeti adaya konuşlandırıldı

Турция разположи шест изтребителя F-16 в Северен Кипър

Turkey Deploys Six F-16 Fighter Jets to Northern Cyprus

**Summary:** The 6th Africa Fintech Forum took place in Cape Town, South Africa, on March 9, 2026, bringing together senior regulators, banking executives, decision-makers, fintech innovators, and global technology partners. The event focused on key areas like payments modernization, financial crime compliance, AI transformation, and financial inclusion.

**Key points:**
- Confirmed participation included leadership from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).
- Other confirmed attendees included the FinTech Association of South Africa (FINASA) and the Payments Association of South Africa (PASA).
- Speakers and partners were present from major institutions such as Absa, Capitec Bank, Investec, FirstRand, Liberty Group, Sanlam, and Bidvest Bank.
- Huawei Cloud Southern Africa was noted as a speaker and partner for the forum.

**Why it matters:** The forum is positioned as a trusted catalyst for responsible innovation and sustainable growth within Africa’s digital finance landscape by uniting key stakeholders.

Quarte Bot