Tehran denies talks with US, launches new missile strikes against Israel

Today’s headlines: Hong Kong police have new powers to monitor phones and computers; South Korea launches a national energy-saving campaign; The Catholic Church in India criticises a proposed federal amendment on foreign funding: further controls on charitable NGOs; Indonesia places a former minister accused of corruption under house arrest.

IRAN - UNITED STATES

Iran has launched a new wave of missiles against Israel, just hours after Trump described the talks as ‘excellent’, a claim denied by Tehran. Trump’s surprise revelation prompted a positive reaction from the markets. The US president – who backtracked on the attack against power infrastructure, prompting relief among Gulf states – had stated that his administration is in dialogue with an unidentified “prominent figure”. Axios reports that US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner could meet an Iranian delegation for talks in Pakistan as early as this week.

HONG KONG

The Hong Kong police can now demand that people suspected of breaching the city’s national security law provide the passwords to their mobile phones or computers, as part of a further crackdown on dissent. Refusal to comply can result in up to one year’s imprisonment and a fine of up to HK0,000 (,773), whilst providing false or misleading information can result in up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to HK0,000.

SOUTH KOREA

President Lee Jae Myung has launched a national energy-saving campaign due to the risks the war in Iran poses to oil and gas supplies, stating that public institutions will reduce their use of cars. Restrictions on vehicle use in the private sector are voluntary for now. The government is urging citizens to adopt 12 energy-saving measures, such as taking shorter showers and charging phones and electric vehicles during the day. Seoul will restart five nuclear reactors by May, ease restrictions on coal-fired power stations and expand renewable energy.

INDIA

The Indian Catholic Church has criticised the Indian federal government’s proposed amendment to a law governing foreign funding, which would grant greater control over charitable organisations, many of which are run by Christian bodies working for the welfare of the poor and vulnerable. The draft bill amending the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), approved at a cabinet meeting on 18 March, would tighten control over the assets of NGOs.

INDONESIA

Human rights activists have criticised Indonesia’s State Commission for the Eradication of Corruption (KPK) for allegedly giving preferential treatment to a former government minister accused in a multi-million-dollar corruption case involving the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. The former Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, had been arrested and then placed under house arrest, raising fears of a weakening of law enforcement.

RUSSIA - UKRAINE

At the port of Primorsk in the Leningrad region, in north-western Russia, the largest Ukrainian attack since the start of the war took place, involving over 60 drones, which struck a fuel depot causing a massive fire, as confirmed by Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko. Although there were no casualties, the entire staff of the facility – one of the country’s main ones – had to be evacuated.

ARMENIA - TURKEY

Armenia’s Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan, stated that options are being considered to restore links with Turkey through the restoration of the Gyumri-Kars rail and road link, with a “fairly dynamic, positive and promising dialogue” that concerns not only infrastructure but also the cultural sphere, exploring mechanisms to restore Turkish-Armenian historical sites and landmarks.