**Summary:** U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States intends to conclude its military operations in Iran within two to three weeks, citing the achievement of key objectives including preventing nuclear weapon development.

**Key points:**
- President Trump claimed that the U.S. has successfully facilitated regime change in Iran, describing the current leadership as more moderate.
- The U.S. military has been conducting airstrikes against Iran since February 28 following stalled nuclear negotiations.
- The conflict has resulted in significant regional instability, impacting energy infrastructure and maritime transport in the Strait of Hormuz.
- U.S. forces have reported casualties during the engagement, with eight personnel killed and over 140 wounded.

**Why it matters:** The potential withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iran marks a significant shift in the ongoing Middle East conflict, with major implications for regional security and global energy markets.

trend.az - U.S. could end military operations in Iran in “two to three weeks” - Trump - Trend.Az

jagonews24.com - ইরানে সামরিক অভিযান ২-৩ সপ্তাহের মধ্যে শেষ হবে: ট্রাম্প

inquirer.net - Trump says US to leave Iran ‘very soon’

star.com.tr - Trump'tan "rejimi değiştirdik" iddiası: Yakında İran'dan çekileceğiz

hespress.com - ترامب: حرب إيران قد "تنتهي قريبا"

U.S. President Donald Trump Announces Planned Withdrawal from Iran Operations

**Summary:** The Democratic Republic of the Congo secured a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Jamaica 1-0 in an intercontinental playoff match held in Guadalajara, Mexico.

**Key points:**
- Axel Tuanzebe scored the decisive goal during the extra time period to seal the victory for the Congolese team.
- The match was officiated by Argentine referee Facundo Tello, who was forced to leave the field in the 114th minute due to a muscle injury.
- With this win, the Democratic Republic of the Congo joins Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.
- This marks the nation's second appearance in the tournament, following their previous qualification as Zaire in 1974.

**Why it matters:** The qualification of the Democratic Republic of the Congo represents a significant milestone for the nation's football history, marking its return to the global stage after more than 50 years.

larazon.bo - RD Congo vence a Jamaica y se clasifica al Mundial de 2026

infobae.com - El árbitro del partido entre Jamaica y República Democrática del Congo se retiró por lesión: está en duda para el Mundial

google.com - DR Congo Becomes Africa’s 10th Rep at the 2026 World Cup After Defeating Jamaica

DR Congo Qualifies for 2026 World Cup After Defeating Jamaica

**Summary:** Italy's national football team failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing a playoff match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout.

**Key points:**
- The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Bosnia and Herzegovina winning the subsequent penalty shootout 4-1.
- Italy played with ten men for most of the match following a red card issued to defender Alessandro Bastoni in the 41st minute.
- This marks the third consecutive time Italy has failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup tournament.
- Other European teams, including Sweden, Turkey, and the Czech Republic, secured their spots in the 2026 World Cup during the same round of qualifiers.

**Why it matters:** The failure of a four-time World Cup champion to qualify for the third consecutive tournament is a significant event in international football history.

DIE ZEIT - WM-Qualifikation: Italien qualifiziert sich wieder nicht für die Fußball-WM

Lenta.ru - Сборная Италии в третий раз подряд осталась без чемпионата мира по футболу

FAZ - WM-Qualifikation: Italien verpasst Teilnahme bei Fußball-WM erneut

La Tercera - En el peor momento de su historia: Italia cae ante Bosnia y Herzegovina y se pierde su tercer Mundial consecutivo

Italy Fails to Qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup After Playoff Loss

**Summary:** A U.S. federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction temporarily halting the construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House, citing a lack of presidential authority for the project.

**Key points:**
- District Judge Richard Leon ruled that the National Trust for Historic Preservation is likely to succeed in its legal challenge against the project.
- The construction project involved the demolition of the White House East Wing, which began in late October.
- The court order includes a 14-day stay to address potential logistical issues, though construction related to security remains exempt.
- The White House had stated the project was funded by private donations and personal contributions from President Donald Trump.

**Why it matters:** The ruling challenges the extent of presidential authority over the management and modification of the White House, a historic federal property.

api.axios.com - Trump's White House ballroom project halted by judge

elfinanciero.com.mx - Trump se queda sin ‘Tiempo de Vals’: Juez para construcción de salón de baile en la Casa Blanca

ansa.it - Giudice federale blocca lavori Ballroom, 'Trump non ha l'autorità'

US Judge Halts Construction of Trump's White House Ballroom

**Summary:** A female American journalist, identified as Shelly Kittleson, was abducted by an armed group of unidentified men near her hotel in central Baghdad on Tuesday. Iraqi interior ministry confirmed the kidnapping of a 'foreign journalist' and stated that security forces arrested one suspect after intercepting a vehicle used by the kidnappers.

**Key points:**
- The journalist, Shelly Kittleson, is a freelance reporter based in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
- Kittleson was in Baghdad to cover the impact of the US-Israeli war on Iran.
- The abduction occurred near the Palestine Hotel on Al-Saadoun Street.
- No group has immediately claimed responsibility, amid fears Iran could be involved.
- The journalist was not in the vehicle that was intercepted by Iraqi security forces.

**Why it matters:** The kidnapping of a foreign journalist in Iraq raises immediate security concerns, particularly given fears that Iran or associated militias might be behind the abduction, especially as the journalist was covering sensitive regional conflict impacts.

Journalist holding US passport kidnapped in Baghdad, police sources say - The Straits Times

Una giornalista americana rapita a Baghdad - Notizie - Ansa.it

Female American journalist 'is kidnapped by armed group in Baghdad', Iraqi officials confirm - Daily Mail Online

Female American Journalist Kidnapped by Armed Group in Baghdad

**Summary:** Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced that starting April 1st, they will attack the facilities of major US companies operating in the Middle East as retaliation for what they deem terrorist operations carried out by the US and its Israeli allies. The threat specifically targets technology and intelligence-related institutions.

**Key points:**
- The threat is a response to repeated warnings ignored by the US regarding stopping terrorist operations that resulted in Iranian citizen deaths.
- Targeted tech companies include Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Cisco, HP, Intel, Oracle, and Google.
- Google's offices and data centers in the UAE (Dubai) and its hub in Riyadh and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) are specifically mentioned as potential targets.
- Microsoft's assets in the UAE and Israel, including R&D centers linked to defense, are also in the crosshairs.
- Amazon's critical assets, including data centers in the UAE and Bahrain, and a major project in Saudi Arabia, are named as possible targets.
- Meta's engineering and development centers in Israel, along with commercial offices in the UAE and Israel, are also threatened.

**Why it matters:** This announcement signals a significant escalation in regional conflict, moving beyond attacks on military bases to targeting major US corporate infrastructure in the Middle East.

Irán establece como blanco de sus ataques a empresas de EEUU en Medio Oriente: Apple, Nvidia y Microsoft figuran en la lista - Diario Financiero

Estas son las empresas estadounidenses que "deben esperar la destrucción" en Oriente Próximo tras la amenaza de Irán - El HuffPost

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Threatens to Attack US Companies in Middle East

**Summary:** Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans for the IDF to maintain security control over a zone in Southern Lebanon up to the Litani River after the current operation against Hezbollah concludes. This security zone, extending about 30 kilometers from the border, will involve demolishing border villages, similar to the model used in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza.

**Key points:**
- The security zone will be established along a defensive line against anti-tank missiles.
- Hundreds of thousands of evacuated Lebanese residents will be prohibited from returning south of the Litani River until Israeli northern residents' security is guaranteed.
- Katz stated that houses in Lebanese villages near the border will be destroyed, mirroring the approach in Rafah and Beit Hanoun, Gaza.
- The current Israeli operation involves entering villages with force to clear Hezbollah militants and destroy infrastructure.

**Why it matters:** This reiteration of a long-term military presence and demographic control measures in Southern Lebanon signifies a significant shift in Israeli security policy regarding its northern border post-conflict.

كاتس: إسرائيل ستحتل أجزاء من جنوب لبنان حتى بعد الحرب - زاد الاردن الاخباري - أخبار الأردن

Israel reiterates plan to control parts of Lebanon after war, invokes Gaza strategy - Egypt Independent

Israel's Defense Minister Katz: Control of South Lebanon to continue post-war

**Summary:** Jeune Afrique has released a new, 100% renewed list of the 20 future champions of African tech for 2026, noting a selective bright spot in 2025 funding. The total funding raised by African startups in 2025 reached $4.6 billion, showing a selective improvement.

**Key points:**
- The 2026 list of startups to watch is entirely renewed compared to previous years.
- The annual funding for African startups saw a jump of over 25% in 2025.
- The total amount of financing recorded in 2025 was $4.6 billion.
- The results confirm a consolidation of investments in the seed stage.
- A key question raised is whether the next generation of leaders can be secured.

**Why it matters:** This annual ranking highlights emerging leaders in the African technology ecosystem and assesses the sustainability of investment trends, particularly in early-stage funding.

Who are the 20 future champions of African tech in 2026?

Jeune Afrique names 20 future African tech champions for 2026

Qui sont les 20 futurs champions de la tech africaine en 2026 ?