live Iran expands attacks on Gulf states after U.S. strikes, says Strait of Hormuz is closed
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claim...
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.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed to have expanded attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Gulf.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has promised to avenge the killing of his father, while U.S. President Donald Trump said Tehran and Washington had agreed to continue talks despite an escalation of hostilities this week.
Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit the eastern coast of mainland China this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides after making landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday. More than 2.8 million people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm.
China has maintained its highest-level rainstorm warning after Typhoon Bavi made landfall on the country's eastern coast, urging large-scale evacuations and emergency preparations across several provinces amid fears of severe flooding and landslides
A 93-year-old British woman has died after being injured in wildfires that swept through southeastern Spain's Almeria province, regional authorities said, bringing the confirmed death toll to 13 people.
More than 10,000 excess deaths were recorded across 27 European countries during a record-breaking heatwave in late June, with older people accounting for the vast majority of the toll, according to official mortality data.
An overnight fire at a popular bar in Bangkok has killed at least 27 people and injured 63 others, making it one of the deadliest pub disasters in the Thai capital in recent years. Authorities say the venue quickly filled with thick smoke, trapping patrons inside.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 13th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claims it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
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