16.03.2025 ⇢ Day Military Phase Replaced Diplomacy
⌨Starmer's announcement that Ukraine support is entering an "operational phase" marked a significant shift from previous days' diplomatic efforts toward concrete military preparations. This development followed his virtual summit from March 15 where he warned Putin against "playing games" with peace negotiations.
Trump launched strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, killing at least 31 civilians according to later reports, demonstrating continued US military engagement in the Middle East despite ongoing Ukraine diplomacy. Meanwhile, a US judge blocked Trump from using an 18th-century wartime act for mass deportations, limiting his domestic policy options.
Natural disasters struck the southern US, with death tolls from tornadoes rising from 26 to 34 throughout the day. In North Macedonia, 51 people died in a nightclub fire. On a positive note, the International Space Station welcomed a new crew to replace astronauts stranded for nine months.