War in the Middle East: Trump calls for Iran's ‘unconditional surrender’

Today's headlines: Israeli bombing continues in Lebanon; The United States is pressuring Sri Lanka to avoid repatriating the crew rescued from the sunken ship, Due to rising fuel prices, the Philippines will switch to a four-day working week; Hundreds of Russian soldiers who returned from the front with disabilities have been included in the Paralympic teams.

USA – ISRAEL – IRAN

US President Donald Trump has called for Iran's “unconditional surrender,” while Israel has continued its violent bombing of Tehran, including Mehrabad airport, and southern Lebanon, where at least 300,000 people have been displaced in the last four days. The attacks by the United States and Israel have killed at least 1,332 Iranian civilians and wounded thousands, according to Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, while Iranian attacks have killed 11 people in Israel and six American soldiers in the Gulf.

USA – IRAN – SRI LANKA

Washington is pressuring Sri Lanka to avoid repatriating the personnel of two Iranian ships that have reached its shores: the first was sunk by a US submarine, and a few dozen people were rescued by the Sri Lankan authorities, while the second ship was able to dock and in recent days the 208 crew members were allowed to disembark.

PHILIPPINES

President Ferdinand Marcos has announced that starting Monday, the Philippines will switch to a four-day work week due to rising fuel prices following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, which also threatens the safety of more than two million Filipinos working in the region. Marcos has asked all government agencies to reduce fuel use by 10-20% and to conduct as many activities as possible online to avoid travel.

MALAYSIA

Malaysian police have arrested six young men aged between 16 and 21 for their alleged involvement in extremist activities linked to Islamic State. The arrests took place in mid-February but the news was only made public yesterday. According to the police, the young men were radicalized online, where they had created and joined groups that spread extremist propaganda and discussed possible attacks.

INDONESIA

Starting March 28, Indonesian children under the age of 16 will be prohibited from accessing online platforms. Details of the initiative have not yet been released, but it is based on a reform of online safety for minors, launched last year by President Prabowo Subianto to reduce exposure to cyberbullying and online fraud. According to a survey by the Indonesian Internet Providers Association, Internet penetration in Indonesia reached 79.5% in 2024, while 48% of children under the age of 12 already have access to social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

KOREA

South Korea's Unification Minister yesterday expressed his willingness to reach a “peace declaration” with North Korea to facilitate the transition from the 1950-53 war armistice to a peace regime. The process is supported by President Lee Jae Myung and will be similar to the declarations promoted between 2017 and 2022 by former President Moon Jae In.

RUSSIA

The Russian Paralympic Committee is including an increasing number of men who took part in the war in Ukraine and returned from the front with varying degrees of disability in its sports teams, according to committee president Pavel Rožkov. There are at least 70 former soldiers in the national teams of various sports, while in the regional teams there are already more than 700. Their inclusion in competitions “is now our priority” for Russia's competitions, Rožkov said.

UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree providing for measures to encourage marriage among young people who are financially independent and willing to take this step, specifying that “the ideal age for marriage is 21.” Subsidies and exemptions are provided for young couples. Already today, 40% of marriages in the country are between people aged 18-19. The measure aims to “counteract premature unions and births” for young women.