Africa
Record number of ships pass through Suez Canal – Authorities at the Suez Canal said 107 ships passed through the canal in a day. That is the canal’s highest daily rate since it opened in 1869. The area links the Red Sea to the Mediterranean and is one of the world’s busiest waterways. The increase in traffic is attributed to an expansion project that was completed in 2016.
Nurses and teachers on strike in South Africa – Nurses and teachers are on strike in South Africa demanding better pay. Recently, a labor court in the country ordered the strike to stop. People who work for health care providers are considered essential workers and are prohibited from striking in the country. Since last week, thousands of workers of the National Education and Health Workers Union have been on strike because of a failed wage resolution with the government.
Asia
Myanmar army accused of killing dozens – According to an insurgent group, around 28 people were killed by the Myanmar army at a monastery. Over the past two years, there have been several deadly conflicts between Myanmar’s military and armed resistance groups since a coup occurred. For decades, Myanmar has been in a civil war. The United Nations estimates that 15 million people in the country are short of food, and eight million children are no longer in school. Over a million people have also been displaced.
Chinese city may turn to lockdown over flu – Officials in Xi’an in China floated the idea of turning to a lockdown when necessary to stop flu outbreaks, according to an emergency response plan. While COVID cases have dropped recently in the country, China has seen a rise in flu cases. There is a belief that a lockdown will not occur in the country, but the idea was welcomed with hostility because of China’s previous zero- COVID policy in which areas were repeatedly locked down.
Europe
UK awards France finances to stop migrant crossings – The United Kingdom announced at a Summit in Paris that it has struck a deal with France to provide the country with funds to stop migrants crossing the Channel in small boats. The funds will be used to pay an extra 500 officers and to establish a new detention center in France. French President Emanuel Macron praised the deal and said the money would help “put an end to this disgusting trade in human life.”
High death rate in Ukraine/Russia battle – Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said at least 1,100 Russian troops have died during the battle for the eastern Ukrainian city Bakhmut. Russia has been trying to control the city for months and said it killed more than 220 Ukrainian soldiers in a 24 hour period. Casualty numbers from both sides have yet to be confirmed. Russia is focused on capturing the city because it would bring the country closer to controlling the entire Donetsk region.
Latin America
Honduras legalizes morning after pill – Honduras overturned a 13-year bon on the emergency contraceptive pill on March 8, International Women’s Day. The ruling was signed by Honduran President Xiomara Castro, the country’s first woman leader. She posted on social media that the pill is part of women’s reproductive rights. Castro took office in 2022 and promised to ease Honduras’s reproductive rights laws.
Hospital closed in Haiti because of gang violence – Authorities in Haiti were forced to temporary close a hospital in Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital, because of gang violence. People seeking treatment at the hospital have become collateral victims of warfare, according to the medical charity Doctors Without Borders. Recently, heavily armed gangs expanded their territory to news areas in Port-au-Prince.
North America
Alaska oil and gas drilling project approved – U.S. President Joe Biden approved an $8 billion oil and gas drilling project in Alaska despite concerns over climate and wildlife impacts from activists. The project is expected to create local investment and thousands of jobs, according to ConocoPhillips, the company responsible for the project. The project could produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil a day. The Biden administration also recently imposed limits on oil and gas drilling in 16 million acres of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean.
Kamala Harris set to travel to Africa – U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Africa for the first time since she took office. She plans to visit Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia from March 25 to April 2. The purpose of the visits is to expand access to the digital economy, support climate adaption and resilience and to strengthen business ties and investment, according to a statement from her office.
