AnewZ Morning Brief -21 February, 2026
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 21st of February, covering the latest developments you need to...
Iran is now facing a near‑total internet blackout as anti-government protests sweep the country. Major cities including Tehran have seen connectivity drop sharply, leaving millions of residents isolated from online communication.
NetBlocks, a digital rights monitor, reported widespread loss of access to online services on Thursday, with connectivity falling sharply across multiple providers at the height of demonstrations that have entered their second week.
By Friday (9 January), latest independent reports claim, Iran’s internet has been down for 12 hours, with connectivity dropping to around 1% of normal levels.
The shutdown comes amid an escalation in unrest, with demonstrators clashing with security forces and targeting symbols of the Islamic Republic. Authorities appear to be restricting internet access to limit coordination among protesters and control the flow of information.
Human rights observers warn that internet blackouts during periods of unrest can conceal violent crackdowns and prevent independent reporting. With online communication cut, it is difficult to confirm events on the ground, raising concerns about civilian safety.
No official statement has been issued by Iranian authorities regarding the scope or duration of the outage. Residents report that access to social media, messaging apps, and other online services has been severely restricted, intensifying fears about what may be happening amid the ongoing demonstrations.
Quentin Griffiths, co-founder of online fashion retailer ASOS, has died in Pattaya, Thailand, after falling from the 17th floor of a condominium on 9 February, Thai police confirmed.
The Board of Peace will be "looking over the United Nations," said U.S. President Donald Trump at the inaugural Washington meeting, where representatives from over 20 countries gathered to unveil plans for Gaza’s reconstruction and coordinate international support.
At least four people have died and 17 others were injured after a liquid gas truck overturned and exploded in Santiago, Chile’s capital, authorities confirmed on Thursday. Police said the driver was among those killed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez in the Kremlin on Wednesday, telling him that new restrictions imposed on the communist-run island were unacceptable.
Kazakhstan has entered the world’s top 50 economies by GDP in 2026, ranking 50th with a projected nominal output of $320 billion. The result reflects sustained growth, structural reforms and the country’s rising role as a regional economic hub.
Iran's foreign minister is expected to have a draft counterproposal ready within days following this week's nuclear talks with the United States. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said he is considering limited military strikes.
Uzbekistan's president Shavkat Mirziyoyev has held a series of high-level meetings in the U.S. aimed at strengthening bilateral economic and strategic ties between the two countries.
Türkiye has signalled readiness to contribute to a proposed Gaza stabilisation force during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting on Thursday (19 February), but according to former Turkish diplomat Mehmet Öğütçü, the decisive factor will be whether Israel and the United States agree on Ankara’s role.
Türkiye is prepared to contribute troops to a proposed international stabilisation force for Gaza, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday.
Iran has warned it will respond “decisively” if subjected to military aggression, saying U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric signals “a real risk of military aggression”.
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