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 25th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
In the longest State of the Union address in U.S. history, President Donald Trump declared that America is experiencing a "turnaround for the ages" during a marathon speech lasting more than 100 minutes. Addressing a polarised Congress, Trump touted economic recovery and a secure border while highlighting significant foreign policy shifts, including a U.S.-backed operation in Venezuela and a ceasefire in Gaza. The session was punctuated by partisan clashes, notably when a Democratic representative was ejected for holding a protest sign, underscoring the deep political divides persisting into the President's second term.
Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused the UK and France of covertly plotting to arm Ukraine with nuclear weapons to secure favourable peace terms, a claim vehemently rejected by both nations. The SVR alleged that London and Paris were considering transferring "wonder weapons" or components for a "dirty bomb", specifically citing French submarine-launched warheads as a potential option. Officials in the UK and France immediately dismissed the accusations as "outright lies" and baseless disinformation intended to deflect from the ongoing conflict, reaffirming their strict adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has embarked on his inaugural official visit to Beijing, asserting that "no one can ignore China anymore" as he seeks to balance economic cooperation with addressing geopolitical tensions. Merz is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping to discuss trade, climate action, and Beijing’s influence on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasising a strategy of dialogue rather than decoupling. The Chancellor stressed the need to reduce dependencies while maintaining commercial ties, viewing engagement as essential for resolving global crises despite systemic differences.
Ahead of renewed negotiations in Geneva, Iran has signalled its readiness to take "all necessary steps" to secure an agreement with the United States, with Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi pledging honesty and good faith. While the Trump administration has indicated a preference for diplomacy to curb Tehran’s nuclear programme, officials warned that military force remains an option should talks fail. The diplomatic push comes amidst heightened tensions, with Tehran promising retaliation against any aggression while simultaneously offering concessions on uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.
Laurence des Cars has resigned as director of the Louvre Museum following a brazen $102 million (£80m) daylight heist in which thieves utilised a vehicle-mounted lift to steal historic French Crown Jewels. President Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation, acknowledging the need for a "new strong impetus" to overhaul security after a parliamentary inquiry exposed systemic failures, including blind spots in surveillance coverage. As authorities continue to hunt for the perpetrators and the missing 19th-century gemstones, des Cars will transition to a role within the French G7 presidency focusing on international museum cooperation.
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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