Pakistan announces school closures due to rising fuel costs
Schools across Pakistan are being forced to close for a fortnight from next week with government departments down to a four-day week, accordin...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 14th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump addressed troops at Fort Bragg on Friday, highlighting America’s military strength as leverage in stalled nuclear talks with Iran. Trump referenced the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford to the Middle East alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln, stating the carriers were “ready” should diplomacy fail. U.S. officials confirmed that the move signals both preparedness for military action and continued diplomatic intent.
Diplomatic negotiations on Iran and the Ukraine-Russia conflict are set for Tuesday in Geneva. The U.S. delegation, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will meet Iranian negotiators in the morning, with Oman mediating, before joining trilateral discussions with Russia and Ukraine in the afternoon.
A severe sandstorm sweeping Gaza has intensified suffering for displaced residents living in fragile shelters. Strong winds and dust from North Africa are hitting makeshift camps, raising health concerns for those with chronic respiratory conditions. Despite a ceasefire since October 2025, Palestinians continue to face shortages of basic supplies, medical equipment, and adequate shelter, with the storm adding another layer of hardship.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych the Medal of Freedom after the athlete was disqualified from the Winter Olympics for honouring fallen Ukrainian athletes on his helmet. Zelenskyy praised Heraskevych’s stance as the “correct Ukrainian position,” highlighting the athlete’s commitment to peace, humanity, and Ukraine’s values despite the Olympic controversy.
A state of emergency has been declared in Otorohanga after torrential rain caused severe flooding, power outages, and evacuations. A man was found dead in a submerged vehicle as forecasters warned the storm could worsen, threatening Wellington and other North Island areas. Authorities reported up to 300mm of rainfall in about an hour, overwhelming flood defences, with around 80 residents evacuated and emergency centres set up to assist affected communities.
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a hardline cleric with strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise signals continuity in Tehran's anti-Western policies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke by phone on Sunday as tensions between Washington and Westminster deepened over the conflict involving Iran. The call came less than a day after Trump criticised Britain’s response to U.S. strikes on Iranian targets.
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