Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for March 9th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Panama to grant some temporary permits to migrants sent from the U.S.
A group of migrants, deported under an agreement between the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump and Panama, wait at a bus terminal in Panama City on March 8, 2025. The migrants are looking for a place to go after Panamanian authorities issued temporary permits, allowing some of them to remain in Panama for up to 90 days. The migrants had been recently sent from the United States.
Syria's Sharaa says developments within 'expected challenges' as clashes continue, Arab media say
In a video shared by Arab media outlets, including Saudi Arabia's Al-Arabiya TV, Sharaa urged for national unity while speaking at a mosque.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Saturday that clashes in the country's coastal region over the past two days have resulted in more than 1,000 deaths.
Russia downs 88 Ukrainian drones overnight, RIA reports
Russian air defense forces shot down 88 Ukrainian drones overnight, according to RIA state news agency on Sunday, citing information from the defense ministry.
A delegation from Taiwan attends a meeting at the National People's Congress in Beijing
A delegation from Taiwan participated in a meeting at the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing this week. The gathering, held as part of the annual NPC sessions, brought together representatives from various regions and sectors to discuss key issues affecting China.
The Taiwanese delegation's presence is seen as part of ongoing efforts to maintain communication between Taiwan and China despite ongoing political tensions. Both sides have expressed interest in fostering dialogue, although challenges remain in bridging differences on important matters, including cross-strait relations.
While the meeting did not lead to significant breakthroughs, it provided an opportunity for direct interaction between the two parties, highlighting the delicate nature of Taiwan-China relations.
Wildfire breaks out on in New York prompting calls to evacuate
Four wildfires erupted near the Hamptons on Long Island, New York, on Saturday, causing widespread panic and devastation. Dark clouds of smoke were seen engulfing the skies over Westhampton, one of the hardest-hit areas, as driving shots captured the massive smoke plumes moving across the horizon.
The fires have prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders for residents in several nearby towns. In response to the escalating situation, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in the affected areas on Saturday afternoon.
The fires, visible from miles away, have disrupted local communities, with large smoke clouds filling parking lots and roadside areas. A video taken by Claire Braun shows the thick smoke and the dramatic impact on the region as the fires continue to burn. The video, confirmed by road layouts, building facades, and satellite imagery, depicts intense scenes of smoke clouds overtaking the landscape.
As of now, authorities are working to contain the fires, with emergency services actively coordinating evacuation efforts to ensure public safety.
Israel, Hamas signal readiness for next ceasefire talks as mediators push for progress
Israel and Hamas signaled on Saturday that they were preparing for the next phase of ceasefire talks, aimed at extending the fragile 42-day truce that began in January. Hamas said there were positive signs for the second-phase negotiations but did not provide details. Israel confirmed it would send a delegation to Doha on Monday to advance talks.
A Hamas delegation is also in Cairo discussing with Egyptian and Qatari mediators about moving the deal forward, which could help end the war. Hamas has called for the lifting of the Gaza blockade and an administrative committee to govern Gaza until elections.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed two Palestinians on Saturday, following earlier strikes on Friday. The ceasefire deal from January included the release of the remaining 59 hostages in a second phase, which has yet to begin. Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza, demanding the release of hostages before further negotiations.
The conflict, which started after a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and displaced nearly the entire population.
Naval drills between Iran, Russia and China start on Monday, Iran media says
Annual joint naval drills between Iran, Russia, and China are set to begin on Monday in the southeastern Iranian port of Chabahar, according to Iran's Tasnim news agency. The exercises, which focus on enhancing maritime security and cooperation between the three nations, are part of ongoing military cooperation between the countries.
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuw...
The bodies of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and members of his household killed in Israeli–U.S. air raids were laid to...
At least 28 people have died after a fire tore through a shoe factory in southeastern China, trapping hundreds of workers inside the multi-storey buil...
At least 28 people have died after a fire tore through a shoe factory in southeastern China, trapping hundreds of workers inside the multi-storey building. Authorities said more than 200 people escaped, while others were unable to get out before the blaze spread.
Hundreds of Palestinians gathered in Gaza to mourn Mohammad al-Waheidi, an aid worker remembered for bringing rare moments of happiness to families displaced by war by organising public screenings of World Cup matches.
Azerbaijan should unlock the full potential of its tourism sector to drive long-term economic growth, diversify its economy and create jobs as reliance on hydrocarbons declines, the World Bank has said.
The South Caucasus is increasingly being viewed not only through the lens of past conflicts but also as a strategic bridge linking Europe, the Caspian region and Central Asia. One analyst says this presents an opportunity for a new Euro-Atlantic approach focused on long-term regional cooperation.
The U.S. says it has launched strikes on Iran after alleged attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington described the action as a response to threats against civilian shipping and a breach of the ceasefire.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran to end the conflict was "over", adding he did not want to engage with Tehran, calling the Iranian leadership "sick people".
The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes has risen to 3,811, according to figures released by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez on Wednesday.
Typhoon Bavi churned southeast of Taiwan in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, its winds easing overnight to just shy of 200 kph (124 mph), as authorities urged residents to stock up on supplies and brace for what could be the most powerful typhoon since 2024.
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain in the latest escalation to derail efforts to end the war.
China's technology sector is producing billion-dollar startups at its fastest pace in nearly five years, with artificial intelligence and robotics driving a new wave of investment that is reshaping the country's innovation economy.
At least 28 people have died after a fire tore through a shoe factory in southeastern China, trapping hundreds of workers inside the multi-storey building. Authorities said more than 200 people escaped, while others were unable to get out before the blaze spread.
It has been a punishing week for large parts of China, and forecasters warn the worst may not be over. After Typhoon Maysak left a trail of destruction and at least 23 people dead, Super Typhoon Bavi is now threatening the country's eastern coast.
Western Europe experienced its hottest June since records began in 2026, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The record-breaking month brought extreme heat, widespread disruption and thousands of excess deaths across parts of the continent.
South Korea's Supreme Court has upheld former President Yoon Suk Yeol's seven-year prison sentence in a case linked to his 2024 attempt to impose martial law.
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