Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 11th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United Nations Security Council is set to convene today to vote on two competing resolutions aimed at addressing the escalating crisis in the Middle East. A major draft, sponsored by over 90 nations, demands an immediate halt to all Iranian and proxy attacks against six Gulf states and Jordan, whilst explicitly condemning any threats to international shipping in the vital Strait of Hormuz. Conversely, a rival resolution tabled by Russia avoids naming specific countries entirely, instead offering a broad condemnation of violence against civilians and urging all parties to lay down their arms and return to the negotiating table.
Meteorological services across Central Asia have firmly dismissed widespread social media rumours suggesting that "acid clouds", formed by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure, are drifting towards the region. Following reports of dark, acidic precipitation in Tehran after approximately 30 oil storage tanks were targeted, experts from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan clarified that hazardous pollutants dissipate significantly over long distances through natural atmospheric mixing. With monitoring data showing no trace of harmful emissions approaching their borders, authorities are urging the public to rely exclusively on official environmental updates and disregard the unfounded speculation.
The United States has officially designated Taliban-led regime in Afghanistan as a "State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention", accusing the regime of utilising hostage diplomacy to extract political concessions from Washington. Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded the immediate release of multiple detained American citizens, warning that the U.S. will impose "harsh consequences" for the continued use of such terrorist tactics. In response, the Afghan foreign ministry expressed regret over the designation, denying that foreign nationals are being held for diplomatic leverage and insisting that ongoing talks with Washington remain constructive.
China's top economic planner has announced significant increases to the retail prices of petrol and diesel, raising costs by approximately 695 yuan and 670 yuan per metric tonne respectively in response to surging global crude oil prices. While the immediate adjustments are a direct result of the geopolitical volatility gripping international energy markets, the price hikes coincide with Beijing's aggressive, long-term strategy to reduce fossil fuel dependency. Under its 15th Five-Year Plan, the world's largest electric vehicle market is heavily investing in smarter, greener transport networks and expansive charging infrastructure to accelerate the transition away from combustion engines.
Iran has launched its "most intense and heaviest" missile barrage to date against U.S. and Israeli targets across the region, according to state media reports cited by AFP. The unprecedented overnight salvo comes just as Washington significantly escalates its own military campaign; the U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously warned that Tuesday would mark the absolute peak of 'Operation Epic Fury', featuring the highest volume of American bombers and fighter jets deployed against Tehran since the conflict began.
At least 11 people, including eight children, have been killed after a powerful explosion at a firecracker fact...
Recovery teams are continuing operations in Grand Canyon National Park after flash floods swept through parts of the canyon over the weekend, leavi...
Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have formalised their new defensive alliance at the grouping’s first high-level meeting held Monday i...
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have concluded talks in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, as leaders gather for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Iran has reached an understanding with Oman on transit arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz, but the waterway will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils its commitments, a senior Iranian diplomat said on Saturday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused U.S. government and Israel-aligned actors of manipulating energy markets to promote the war with Iran.
Russian strikes on the Kyiv region overnight killed 37 people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. Zelenskyy added that the Ukrainian capital was under "virtually nonstop attack" from drones.
U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, with Tehran responding by launching ballistic missiles at two U.S. bases in Jordan in the first direct U.S.-Iran military escalation in weeks.
Recovery teams are continuing operations in Grand Canyon National Park after flash floods swept through parts of the canyon over the weekend, leaving one person dead and leading to the discovery of a second body that has yet to be recovered.
Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have formalised their new defensive alliance at the grouping’s first high-level meeting held Monday in Istanbul.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Tehran is not pursuing a military conflict but promised a strong response to 'aggressors' while the Army and Revolutionary Guards said they carried out retaliatory attacks against U.S. bases in the region on Monday.
Kyrgyzstan is hosting the sixth World Nomad Games, bringing together thousands of athletes from around the world for a celebration of traditional sports, cultural heritage and nomadic traditions.
Pakistan is set to take over the rotating chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation after the bloc’s leaders meet in Bishkek. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived on Friday to attend the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and SCO Plus Summit, which run until 2 September.
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