AnewZ Morning Brief - March 3rd, 2025

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for March 3rd, covering the latest developments you need to know.

1. Drone hits apartment building in Ukraine's Kharkiv

A Russian drone attacked a multi-storey apartment building in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, late on Sunday, causing a fire and injuring eight people, according to the city's mayor. Emergency crews were on site, with firefighters working to extinguish the blaze on the building's top floor, as shown in a video released by Ukraine's State Emergency Service. The mayor confirmed that none of the injured required hospital treatment.

2. Türkiye prepares military response if PKK rejects disarmament

Turkey is preparing a military plan if the PKK refuses to disarm despite Abdullah Öcalan's calls. The PKK had previously declared a ceasefire, but Erdogan warned that military operations would resume if the group stalls. Türkiye has set a timeline for disarmament, with plans for handling weapons and leaders in Turkey, Iraq, and Syria.

3. "Anora" wins Oscar for best picture

The 2025 Oscars: “Anora” won best picture at the 97th Academy Awards, closing out a fairy-tale night for Sean Baker's raw and irreverent tale of a Brooklyn sex worker. The film picked up five Oscars total, including for writing, editing and directing

4.  Keir Starmer Hosts European Summit on Ukraine, Unveils Peace Plan and $2 Billion Pledge for Air-Defense Missiles

The prime minister outlined four key priorities for the proposal. First, to strengthen Ukraine’s position for future negotiations, Starmer pledged an increase in UK support, including a £2.26 billion ($2.84 billion) loan, funded by frozen Russian assets. Ukraine will also access £1.6 billion ($2 billion) from UK export finance to purchase 5,000 air-defense missiles.

Second, Starmer emphasized European leaders’ commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and security. The third priority was ensuring Ukraine’s strong defense against potential future invasions.

5. Azerbaijan, Iran mull interparliamentary relations

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iran, Ali Alizada, held discussions with Sudayf Badri, head of the Iran-Azerbaijan interparliamentary friendship group, along with other group members, regarding bilateral relations. According to the embassy's post on X, they shared perspectives on strengthening ties and furthering mutually beneficial cooperation between the friendship groups.

6.  SpaceX prepares for expected eighth test flight

SpaceX's Super Heavy booster is positioned on the launch pad, with Starship set to be placed on top, ahead of its eighth test flight scheduled for March 3, 2025, at the company's Boca Chica complex near Brownsville, Texas

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