Meridian Evening Brief — Mar 22
Editor’s note: A tense global security picture dominated the day, with energy chokepoints, regional conflict, and government dysfunction all competing for attention. There were still a few reminders that politics, markets, and ordinary life keep moving anyway, whether the headlines are in the mood or not.
The Guardian World • World • Iran vows to destroy Middle East water and energy facilities if US attacks power plants
Iran said it would treat regional energy, desalination, and information-technology infrastructure tied to the US and Israel as legitimate targets if Washington follows through on threats to strike Iranian power plants. Tehran also said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until damaged Iranian power infrastructure is rebuilt. The warning came as the conflict entered a fourth week and after overnight missile strikes hit southern Israel. Amnesty International has warned that attacks on essential civilian infrastructure could violate international law and, in some cases, amount to war crimes.
BBC World • Politics • France's Socialists hold onto power in major cities in election boost for mainstream
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crk14m7mjddo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
France’s mainstream parties emerged with a morale boost after municipal elections, with Socialists and allies holding Paris, Marseille, Lille, and other major cities. The results suggested that alliances between mainstream left parties and the far-left France Unbowed often underperformed, while centrist and traditional right candidates also notched important wins. Emmanuel Grégoire was elected mayor of Paris, and former prime minister Édouard Philippe won in Le Havre, strengthening his standing ahead of the 2027 presidential race. The far-right still made gains in some smaller towns and in Nice through ally Éric Ciotti, but it fell short in several marquee targets.
BBC World • Politics • Trump says ICE agents will assist TSA agents with airport security as DHS shutdown continues
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cede0qyvqz3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
The Trump administration said ICE agents will be sent to airports beginning Monday to help relieve pressure from long security lines during the Department of Homeland Security shutdown. Officials said the agents would not conduct passenger screening directly but would instead cover support roles so TSA officers can focus on checkpoint work. The shutdown has left TSA staff unpaid for more than a month, with rising absences and hundreds of resignations. The TSA union criticized the move, arguing that workers should be paid rather than effectively replaced by armed agents without the same training.
BBC World • World • Israeli settlers target Palestinian villages in occupied West Bank, attacking people and properties
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cew719w80g7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
Extremist Israeli settlers carried out a wave of attacks on Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank after the death of an 18-year-old settler in a vehicle incident that police said was still under investigation. Reports described homes, vehicles, and fields set on fire in multiple villages, while social media and messaging groups circulated calls for revenge. The Israeli military said troops and border police were deployed, and police later reported several arrests. The UN says settler violence has surged since the Iran war began, with Palestinians killed and more communities facing escalating attacks.
Al Jazeera • Sports • Vinicius strikes twice as Real Madrid edge Atletico 3-2 in pulsating derby
Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 in a high-tempo derby, with Vinicius Jr scoring twice to keep Real within four points of La Liga leaders Barcelona. Atletico took the lead through Ademola Lookman before Vinicius equalized from the penalty spot and Federico Valverde put Real ahead. Nahuel Molina made it 2-2 with a long-range strike, but Vinicius restored Real’s lead with a solo goal. Despite late pressure and a red card for Valverde, Real held on for the win.
The Guardian World • Politics • Ministers confirm locations for seven new towns in England
The UK government confirmed seven locations for major new-town developments in England as part of what ministers described as the biggest housebuilding push in half a century. Each site is planned to deliver roughly 15,000 to 40,000 homes, alongside schools, healthcare access, transport links, and walking and cycling infrastructure. The selected locations include sites in Bedfordshire, London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, and Milton Keynes. Officials said the plan is intended to build whole communities rather than housing estates in isolation.
The Guardian World • Politics • Slovenia goes to polls in election marked by claims of anti-Romany rhetoric
Slovenia’s parliamentary election ended with the centre-left Freedom Movement and the right-wing populist opposition running nearly level, pointing to a potentially unstable political outcome. Campaigners said the race had been shaped in part by anti-Romany rhetoric and by fears that Roma communities were being used as political scapegoats. Rights groups have warned for months about discriminatory policing powers and the poor living conditions still faced by many Roma in the country. Community advocates said the election left many Roma worried that their rights could erode further regardless of which bloc prevails.
AP News • Science • Iran war energy crisis is a renewable energy wake-up call
https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-wars-renewable-energy-asia-4b5fe0693ce5816472c905db85f7da6e
AP reports that the disruption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz is renewing attention on renewable energy as a buffer against fossil-fuel supply shocks. The article says more than 90 percent of new renewable projects worldwide in 2024 were cheaper than fossil-fuel alternatives, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. Analysts cited by AP argue that countries with larger renewable capacity and electrified sectors are better insulated from import disruptions and price spikes. China and India are both expanding clean energy, but AP says China’s far larger buildout has given it a stronger cushion against current market turmoil.
Al Jazeera • World • Emerging from latest blackout, Cuba says ready for any potential US attack
Cuba said it is prepared for any potential US attack as the island works to recover from another nationwide blackout and a deepening fuel crisis. Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said Havana does not view an attack as likely but would be naive not to prepare for one. Officials said only a fraction of Havana’s residents had power restored by early Sunday after the latest grid collapse, the second nationwide blackout in a week and the third in March. The Cuban government links the crisis to a US oil blockade, while Washington has also issued increasingly aggressive rhetoric toward the island.
BBC World • Other • Hawaii storms have caused $1bn in damage, governor says
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxrdxn6qwqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
Hawaii officials said back-to-back storms have already caused about $1bn in damage after dumping as much as 50 inches of rain on parts of the state. Flooding submerged parts of Oahu, stranded residents, triggered rescues, and prompted evacuations near aging infrastructure including the Wahiawa dam. Governor Josh Green said the flooding is the worst seen in the state since 2004 and warned that the full scope of damage is still being assessed. Some warnings were lifted on Oahu, but authorities said other islands remained at risk as the weather system continued moving through the state.
