**Summary:** Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has strongly criticized a recent United Nations report that labeled disappearances in Mexico as systematic, arguing the document is politically motivated and ignores government efforts to address the crisis.

**Key points:**
- The UN Committee against Enforced Disappearance (CED) concluded that disappearances in Mexico constitute crimes against humanity.
- President Sheinbaum asserted that the majority of disappearances are committed by criminal organizations rather than the state.
- The government plans to present technical and legal arguments to challenge the findings of the CED report.
- Official data indicates over 133,000 reported disappearances, though the government claims only about one-third are verifiable.

**Why it matters:** The dispute highlights a significant diplomatic rift between the Mexican government and international human rights bodies regarding the state's responsibility for the country's ongoing security and humanitarian crisis.

24 Horas - Desaparecidos en México: Sheinbaum acusa a la ONU de 'criticar' sin fundamento

El Financiero - Sheinbaum ve ‘sesgo’ en reporte de la ONU sobre desaparición forzada: ‘Critica al gobierno de México’

EL PAÍS - Sheinbaum eleva el tono contra el informe de la ONU sobre las desapariciones: “El Estado mexicano no está rebasado”

Mexican President Sheinbaum Rejects UN Report on Systematic Disappearances

**Summary:** The Casablanca Stock Exchange has officially launched a futures market, marking a strategic expansion for the Moroccan financial hub to enhance liquidity and attract international investors.

**Key points:**
- The new market debuted on April 6, 2026, with four initial contracts generating 17 million dirhams in trading volume.
- The initiative aims to provide new investment strategies and improve the global competitiveness of the Moroccan financial sector.
- On April 7, 2026, the Casablanca Stock Exchange's main index, MASI, closed down by 1.18% at 17,391.2 points.

**Why it matters:** This development positions Morocco among the few African financial centers with a derivatives market, potentially increasing the market's attractiveness to foreign capital.

jeuneafrique.com - Pourquoi le lancement du marché à terme à la Bourse de Casablanca change la donne pour les investisseurs

hespress.com - بورصة الدار البيضاء تغلق على انخفاض

Casablanca Stock Exchange Launches Futures Market

**Summary:** U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iranian infrastructure if the country does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, while the UK has signaled it will not permit the use of its bases for such strikes.

**Key points:**
- President Donald Trump stated that a whole civilization could die if Iran fails to meet his deadline to reopen the vital waterway.
- Iran has rejected a temporary ceasefire proposal, insisting on a permanent end to hostilities and the lifting of sanctions.
- The UK government confirmed its military bases in England and the Indian Ocean are restricted to defensive missions only.
- Israel has issued warnings to Iranian citizens to avoid railways and trains as tensions escalate.

**Why it matters:** The potential for a major military escalation against Iranian infrastructure threatens to further disrupt global energy supplies and deepen the ongoing conflict.

globalnews.ca - Trump says ‘a whole civilization will die tonight’ as Iran deadline looms

cnbc.com - U.S. crude oil rises as Trump makes ominous threats against Iran ahead of deadline

financialpost.com - UK Signals It Won’t Let US Use Bases for Strikes on Iran Energy

deccanchronicle.com - Defiant Iran Rejects Ceasefire As Clock ticks Down On Trump Threat To Unleash 'Hell'

Trump Threatens Iran With Massive Infrastructure Strikes Ahead of Deadline

**Summary:** Iran has formally rejected a US-backed proposal for a temporary ceasefire, instead presenting a ten-point plan aimed at achieving a permanent end to the conflict.

**Key points:**
- The Iranian proposal includes demands for the cessation of regional hostilities, a secure passage protocol for the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of sanctions, and reconstruction support.
- Tehran dismissed a previous 15-point US peace document as unrealistic and excessive.
- The rejection follows threats from US President Donald Trump regarding an ultimatum for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, set to expire on April 8, 2026.

**Why it matters:** The rejection of a temporary truce and the introduction of a comprehensive counter-proposal signal a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the US and Iran, heightening the risk of further military conflict.

huffingtonpost.es - Irán rechaza la propuesta de alto el fuego y presenta un plan a EEUU para poner fin a la guerra

hespress.com - إيران ترفض وقف إطلاق النار المؤقت

Iran Rejects Temporary Ceasefire Proposal, Submits Ten-Point Peace Plan to US

**Summary:** The United States and Iran, with regional mediation, are discussing a two-stage plan for a 45-day ceasefire to potentially end their ongoing conflict. While negotiations are underway, officials report that a deal remains unlikely.

**Key points:**
- Negotiations involve messages between US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
- Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey are facilitating the talks.
- The proposed plan includes a 45-day initial pause followed by a permanent agreement.
- Iran maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz and its uranium enrichment as key leverage points.

**Why it matters:** A successful agreement could prevent a major escalation in the Middle East, where both sides have prepared for potential large-scale military strikes on critical infrastructure.

Interfax.ru - США, Иран и посредники обсуждают прекращение огня на 45 дней

Day.az - Иран готов воевать годами

Pravda.com.ua - Перемовникам Трампа не вдається домовитись з Іраном про припинення вогню – Axios

Tengrinews.kz - США, Иран и посредники обсуждают перемирие на 45 дней

US and Iran Negotiate Potential 45-Day Ceasefire

**Summary:** A Ukrainian drone strike on the Sheskharis oil terminal in the Russian city of Novorossiysk caused a significant fire and damaged port infrastructure. The attack resulted in at least five injuries, including two children.

**Key points:**
- The Sheskharis terminal is a major oil-loading complex operated by Transneft, critical for exporting oil and fuel to Russian military units.
- Local authorities reported that drone debris fell on two industrial sites and a residential building in the Southern district.
- Emergency services extinguished the fire at the industrial facility, while two children were hospitalized with shrapnel wounds.
- This incident follows a series of recent Ukrainian drone operations targeting Russian energy infrastructure.

**Why it matters:** The strike highlights the ongoing vulnerability of Russia's strategic energy infrastructure to long-range drone attacks, potentially impacting both military logistics and export capabilities.

pravda.com.ua - У Новоросійську БпЛА знову атакували нафтовий термінал "Шесхаріс"

lenta.ru - Число пострадавших при атаке ВСУ на Новороссийск выросло

tsn.ua - "Це якийсь караул": у Новоросійську горить порт — що сталося (відео)

Ukrainian Drone Attack Strikes Oil Terminal in Novorossiysk

**Summary:** Iran has launched a series of drone and missile attacks targeting petrochemical facilities and oil storage sites in Israel, describing the strikes as retaliation for recent bombings of Iranian infrastructure.

**Key points:**
- The Iranian military reported targeting industrial sites near Dimona, while Israeli media confirmed a direct hit on the Neot Hovaf industrial complex in Beersheba.
- Israel's internal security reported no risk of toxic chemical leaks following the strike on the industrial site.
- The escalation follows a series of regional attacks, with Iran also claiming strikes against energy infrastructure in the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
- Israeli defense systems intercepted some incoming missiles, while the military reported targeting over 120 Iranian air defense and missile systems in the past 24 hours.

**Why it matters:** The direct military exchange between Iran and Israel marks a significant escalation in regional hostilities, threatening critical energy infrastructure and security across the Middle East.

jordanzad.com - إصابة مباشرة لمجمع صناعات إسرائيلي بصاروخ إيراني

La Tercera - Irán anuncia ataques contra instalaciones petroquímicas de Israel

Iran Launches Drone and Missile Strikes Against Israeli Energy Infrastructure

**Summary:** The Hungarian government has ordered the military to secure its section of the TurkStream gas pipeline after Serbian authorities reported the discovery of explosives near the infrastructure.

**Key points:**
- Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that the military will guard the pipeline from the Serbian-Hungarian border to the Hungarian-Slovakian border.
- Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi denied any Ukrainian involvement, suggesting the incident may be a Russian false-flag operation to influence upcoming Hungarian elections.
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán convened an emergency national security council meeting in response to the discovery of the explosives.
- Opposition leader Péter Magyar characterized the incident as a staged operation intended to disrupt the political landscape ahead of the April 12 elections.

**Why it matters:** The incident has heightened regional security tensions and triggered political accusations between Ukraine and Hungary just days before the Hungarian parliamentary elections.

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