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.
Russia published addresses of manufacturers allegedly producing drones or components for Ukraine on Wednesday (15 Apr...
U.S. President Donald Trump says Israeli and Lebanese leaders have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that includes Hezbollah, raising cautious hopes of ...
The U.S. House of Representatives has narrowly voted to block an effort to rein in Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations ag...
Georgia’s parliament has approved fast-tracked amendments to the Law on Grants, introducing new exemptions and ...
RRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Beijing is placing China’s diplomacy under closer scrutiny, as it balances its partn...
Russia published addresses of manufacturers allegedly producing drones or components for Ukraine on Wednesday (15 April), warning European countries against plans to step up UAV supplies to Kyiv.
The U.S. House of Representatives has narrowly voted to block an effort to rein in Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran.
Georgia’s parliament has approved fast-tracked amendments to the Law on Grants, introducing new exemptions and expanding the state’s role in defining and overseeing foreign funding.
RRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Beijing is placing China’s diplomacy under closer scrutiny, as it balances its partnership with Moscow against strained relations with the U.S.
Dubai’s most iconic hotel, the Burj Al Arab, is set to close for the first time since opening in 1999 as it begins an extensive 18-month refurbishment aimed at preserving its status as a global symbol of luxury.
The U.S. and Iran could resume peace talks over the next couple of days, U.S. President Donald Trump has said. Talks between Israel and Lebanon were held in Washington yesterday. Fuel prices have dropped below $100 a barrel. U.S. blockade on Iranian ports completes first day.
Azerbaijan and Russia have announced a formal settlement over the 2024 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer 190 near Aktau, confirming that all outstanding issues, including compensation, have been resolved.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that there was a "good chance" of a peace deal between Lebanon and Israel happening soon, after he announced a 10-day ceasefire between the two countries.
Türkiye is reeling after a second school shooting in as many days, after a 14-year-old student killed nine people - eight pupils and one teacher - and wounded 13 others at a middle school in the south-eastern province of Kahramanmaraş on Wednesday, officials said.
The U.S. House of Representatives has narrowly voted to block an effort to rein in Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran.
RRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Beijing is placing China’s diplomacy under closer scrutiny, as it balances its partnership with Moscow against strained relations with the U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Israeli and Lebanese leaders have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that includes Hezbollah, raising cautious hopes of a pause in hostilities after weeks of escalating tensions.
Russia published addresses of manufacturers allegedly producing drones or components for Ukraine on Wednesday (15 April), warning European countries against plans to step up UAV supplies to Kyiv.
Britain and France will co-host virtual talks on Friday (17 April) to ease tensions and restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.
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