Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 16 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Kazakh voters have overwhelmingly approved a new constitution, with exit polls indicating 87 per cent backing for reforms that analysts warn will allow President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to bypass his current 2029 term limit. The overhaul, which comes into effect on 1 July following the dissolution of the current parliament, condenses the legislature into a single chamber and dramatically expands the president’s power to appoint key officials. Whilst the 72-year-old leader insists he will step down at the end of his current term, the reintroduction of the Vice President post has sparked widespread speculation that he is quietly orchestrating a controlled succession plan or preparing to extend his grip on the nation of 20 million.
Commercial flights at Dubai International Airport were temporarily halted on Monday morning following a drone strike in the vicinity of the transport hub, as the Middle East conflict enters its sixteenth day. The United Arab Emirates’ National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority confirmed it was actively responding to a missile threat, whilst the Defence Ministry announced on social media that air defences were actively intercepting incoming Iranian drones and missiles aimed at the emirate.
One Battle After Another swept the 2026 Academy Awards with six wins, including Best Picture, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn. The ceremony was marked by historic milestones, notably Autumn Durald Arkapaw becoming the first woman of colour to win Best Cinematography for Sinners, which secured four awards overall, including a surprise Best Actor win for Michael B. Jordan. The night also featured a rare tie in the Best Live Action Short category—the first since 2013—whilst Netflix's global phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters took home Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.
Twenty Thai crew members have safely returned to Bangkok after their cargo ship, the Mayuree Naree, was struck by projectiles whilst navigating the highly contested Strait of Hormuz last week. The Thai-flagged vessel was reportedly fired upon by Iranian forces, leaving three crew members still missing at sea. Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the rescued sailors are in good health but declined to provide further details regarding ongoing, high-level rescue negotiations with Omani and Iranian authorities due to the extreme sensitivity of the situation.
U.S. President Donald Trump is actively attempting to assemble an international naval coalition to force the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from Axios. The critical maritime chokepoint, which usually handles approximately 20 per cent of the world's oil supply, has been effectively shut down by Tehran since the Middle East conflict erupted on 28 February. With multiple commercial vessels having already fallen victim to Iranian attacks in the past week. The White House is reportedly hoping to formally announce the joint international task force later this week.
China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to di...
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while d...
International organisations, investors, environmental experts and business representatives gathered in Samarkand for the opening of Eco Expo Central A...
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international eff...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Yerevan remains committed to normalising relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, expressing confidenc...
China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to discuss the China-facilitated Urumqi Process and regional security concerns.
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying from stab wounds after his attacker falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist assault.
International organisations, investors, environmental experts and business representatives gathered in Samarkand for the opening of Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, one of the region's largest environmental events focused on green growth, climate resilience and sustainable development.
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international effort to contain the disease before it spreads further.
Okinawa lost transport links and suffered widespread power outages on Monday (1 June) as Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought destructive winds and heavy rain to Japan's south-western islands.
Competing narratives continue to shape perceptions of the war in Ukraine, with Russian leadership suggesting a possible end phase while Ukrainian officials warn of renewed large-scale attacks and ongoing escalation risks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held talks with Lebanese President and Israeli Prime Minister on efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Lebanon. According to a U.S. official, Washington has proposed a plan aimed at achieving a gradual de-escalation of hostilities.
When Armenians vote on 7 June, they will be voting in an election shaped by months of political change and a rapidly deepening relationship with the European Union. The result may not only determine who governs Armenia but also the future direction of the country's geopolitical alignment.
Dutch police have launched an investigation into the use of force against a pregnant woman at an asylum seekers' centre in Zeist after videos of the incident circulated widely on social media.
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying from stab wounds after his attacker falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist assault.
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international effort to contain the disease before it spreads further.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said they struck a cargo ship owned by the “American-Zionist enemy” with a cruise missile after an Iranian freighter was attacked in the Sea of Oman.
Dutch police have launched an investigation into the use of force against a pregnant woman at an asylum seekers' centre in Zeist after videos of the incident circulated widely on social media.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said on Monday that his government would begin legal proceedings to remove President Tamás Sulyok if he continues to reject calls to resign.
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