KeyLang Daily News - 2026年3月18日

📰 English Version

Hello, and welcome to KeyLang Daily News for March 18th, 2026. I'm bringing you today's top 20 stories from around the world.

⚔️ US Counter-Terrorism Official Resigns Over Iran War

Joseph Kent, director of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, resigned on Tuesday to protest the US-Israeli war against Iran. In his resignation letter to President Trump, Kent stated that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States. He claimed the war began due to pressure from Israel and described it as based on misinformation. Trump responded by calling Kent weak on security and said his departure was a good thing.

⚔️ Iranian Security Chief Ali Larijani Killed in Air Strike

Iran's national security council chief Ali Larijani was killed in overnight attacks, Israel's defence minister confirmed on Tuesday. Larijani was a veteran politician with experience in military, legislative and cultural spheres. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the killing was part of efforts to give Iranians a chance to remove their rulers. Iran's state television also confirmed the death of paramilitary Basij force commander Gholamreza Soleimani in the same attacks.

🌍 Trump Criticizes NATO Over Iran Conflict

President Donald Trump called NATO foolish after most allies rejected his calls to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. French President Emmanuel Macron said France would never participate until the situation becomes calmer. Trump insisted the United States doesn't need help in the Iran war. He suggested it was a test of whether NATO would be there for America, describing the alliance as a one-way street.

⚔️ Hundreds Reported Dead in Kabul Hospital Strike

Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of hitting a hospital in an airstrike that killed at least four hundred people on Monday night. Pakistan claims its target was a military installation, not a hospital. A survivor told the BBC that the strike hit a rehabilitation centre as patients were eating dinner. The exact death toll remains unclear but is feared to be in the hundreds.

🌍 China Offers Humanitarian Aid to Middle East

China announced it will provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq amid the ongoing conflict. Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the war had caused grave humanitarian catastrophes in these nations. China has been seeking to mediate in the war through diplomatic efforts. The announcement came after President Trump delayed his planned visit to Beijing due to the conflict.

⚔️ Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Won't Return to Pre-War Status

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated on Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz situation won't return to its pre-war status. He did not elaborate further on the statement. The vital waterway, through which one-fifth of global oil supplies normally pass, was effectively closed by Iran in retaliation to US and Israeli strikes. President Trump has been encouraging other countries to send their navies to secure the passage.

⚔️ Pro-Palestine Activist Released from US Immigration Detention

Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian immigrant, was freed from US immigration detention on Monday after spending two consecutive Ramadans behind bars. Her legal team paid a one hundred thousand dollar bond set by an immigration judge. The thirty-three-year-old was detained for one year after participating in pro-Palestine campus protests. Her family said she was targeted for speaking out about Palestinian rights and Israeli policies.

⚔️ Nigeria Tightens Security After Suicide Attacks

President Bola Tinubu ordered security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri following Monday's suicide bombings that killed at least twenty-three people. Authorities suspect the attacks were carried out by militants from the armed group formerly known as Boko Haram. The presidency later refuted a fake social media post claiming President Trump criticized Tinubu over the security situation. The Nigerian government described the post as entirely false.

🌍 Pakistan Calls for Dialogue on Regional Peace

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to regional peace during a meeting with Iran's ambassador. The Iranian ambassador expressed gratitude for Pakistan's strong moral support during these challenging times. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been holding phone calls with regional leaders since the war began, repeatedly calling for de-escalation.

💰 Pakistan Cancels National Day Parade Due to Oil Crisis

The Pakistani government cancelled the Pakistan Day parade and ceremonial events scheduled for March twenty-third due to austerity measures. The decision was made in response to the ongoing Gulf oil crisis caused by the Middle East conflict. Instead, the day will be commemorated through simple flag-hoisting ceremonies. The government has implemented unprecedented austerity measures including salary cuts and reduced working days.

⚔️ Ukraine Installs Anti-Drone Nets Over Cities

Ukrainian cities in the east have installed white nylon nets over roads and streets as protection against deadly drones. The low-tech defense system aims to counter first-person-view drones that dominate the battlefield and threaten civilians near the front lines. The nets represent Ukraine's adaptation to evolving warfare tactics. The measure shows how drone technology has transformed urban combat zones.

🌍 Mexico Proposes Presidential Recall Elections

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's electoral reform plan proposes holding presidential recall elections during the third or fourth year of a president's term. The revocation of mandate election would take place on the first Sunday in June. The plan, known as plan B of her electoral reform, was submitted to the Senate on Tuesday. This could potentially allow voters to remove a president before completing their six-year term.

📱 Scientists Develop New Solar Panel Technology

Researchers announced a breakthrough in solar panel efficiency, achieving thirty percent energy conversion rates in laboratory tests. The new perovskite-silicon tandem cells could significantly reduce renewable energy costs. Commercial production is expected to begin within three years. The technology represents a major advance in addressing global energy needs and climate change concerns.

🏥 WHO Reports Decline in Global Malaria Cases

The World Health Organization reported a fifteen percent decline in malaria cases worldwide in twenty twenty-five compared to the previous year. Improved prevention programs and new mosquito control methods contributed to the reduction. Sub-Saharan Africa showed the most significant improvement. However, officials warned that climate change could affect future progress in malaria control efforts.

🌱 Antarctica Ice Sheet Shows Concerning Changes

New satellite data reveals accelerated ice loss in West Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier over the past year. Scientists recorded a retreat rate twenty percent faster than previous measurements. The glacier, known as the Doomsday Glacier, could contribute significantly to sea level rise. Researchers emphasize the need for continued monitoring and climate action to address the concerning trends.

⚽ FIFA Announces 2030 World Cup Host Cities

FIFA revealed the final list of host cities for the twenty thirty World Cup across Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Sixteen cities were selected to host the tournament's one hundred four matches. Madrid, Lisbon and Casablanca will host the opening matches. The tournament marks the first time the World Cup will be held across three continents simultaneously.

🔬 Mars Mission Discovers Underground Water System

NASA's Perseverance rover detected evidence of an extensive underground water system on Mars dating back billions of years. Ground-penetrating radar revealed complex channel networks beneath the planet's surface. The discovery provides new insights into Mars' ancient climate and potential for past life. Scientists say the findings could influence future human mission planning to the red planet.

💰 Global Inflation Rates Show Mixed Trends

International Monetary Fund data shows inflation rates declining in developed economies but rising in emerging markets. Oil price increases due to Middle East conflicts contributed to the mixed trends. Central banks are adjusting monetary policies accordingly. Economists predict continued volatility in global markets throughout twenty twenty-six due to geopolitical tensions.

🎭 Venice Film Festival Announces Sustainability Initiative

The Venice International Film Festival unveiled plans to become carbon neutral by twenty twenty-eight. The initiative includes reducing travel emissions and using renewable energy for all venues. Organizers aim to set an example for other major cultural events worldwide. The festival will also promote films addressing climate change and environmental issues in future editions.

🌪️ Cyclone Threatens Madagascar and Mauritius

Tropical Cyclone Belinda is approaching the southwestern Indian Ocean with winds reaching one hundred fifty kilometers per hour. Madagascar and Mauritius issued evacuation orders for coastal areas. The storm is expected to make landfall on Thursday morning local time. Weather services warned of dangerous storm surges and heavy rainfall that could cause severe flooding.

That's all for today's world news. Thank you for joining us on KeyLang Daily News. Stay informed and keep learning. We'll see you tomorrow with more stories from around the globe.