World News
Latest world news and updates
Total: 3439
NATO Air-Defences Shoot Down Missile From Iran Direction Over Eastern Mediterranean, Debris Lands in Gaziantep
A missile launched from the direction of Iran toward Turkey was intercepted on March 9 by a NATO air and missile defence system in the eastern Mediterranean, with debris falling in Gaziantep and no casualties. Ankara emphasised its commitment to defend its territory while calling for others to heed its warnings, leaving attribution and motive unclear and raising the risk of miscalculation in an already tense region.
Beijing Signals It Will Shield Itself from Oil Shock as G7 Considers Reserve Release
China told reporters it will take necessary measures to protect its energy security amid a spike in oil prices, while deferring questions about participation in a G7/IEA-coordinated release of reserves to domestic agencies. Beijing’s stance highlights the limits of Western-led market interventions: China’s independent actions will be decisive for global supply and prices.
Beijing Sticks to Non‑Interference as Iran Names New Supreme Leader
China responded to Iran’s announcement of a new supreme leader by emphasizing that the decision was made under Iran’s constitution and framing it as a domestic matter. Beijing’s measured stance reflects its non‑interference policy and a desire to preserve strategic ties and stability amid a potentially consequential leadership transition in Iran.
An Escalation Over Iran: Claims of Widespread Strikes, Civilian Infrastructure Hit, and a Brewing Energy Shock
A Chinese report on March 9 alleges a sudden, large-scale Israeli-led air campaign against Iran focused on energy and civilian infrastructure, causing significant civilian casualties and threatening global energy flows. If accurate, strikes on refineries, desalination plants and the possibility of Iran contesting the Strait of Hormuz would mark a major escalation with wide geopolitical and humanitarian consequences.
China Flies Nearly 150 Citizens Home from Middle East in Emergency Evacuation Flight
China organised an emergency repatriation flight from Muscat to Beijing that landed at Daxing on March 8, carrying nearly 150 passengers—more than 90% of whom were Chinese citizens. The operation, coordinated by the foreign ministry and China Eastern Airlines, reflects Beijing's pragmatic use of consular diplomacy and logistical capacity to protect nationals amid Middle East tensions.
Explosion Outside Liège Synagogue Raises Fears of Renewed Anti‑Jewish Violence in Europe
An explosion occurred outside a synagogue in Liège, Belgium, on March 9, prompting a police cordon and an ongoing investigation; authorities have not yet disclosed the cause or reported casualties. The attack underscores persistent security concerns for Jewish communities in Europe and may spur heightened protections and political debate in Belgium and beyond.
France Urges UN Security Council Emergency Meeting as Lebanon Reels from Intense Israeli Strikes
France has requested an emergency UN Security Council session as Israel's intense strikes on Lebanon have killed nearly 400 people and forced roughly 517,000 to register as displaced. Paris is sending emergency aid and pressing both Beirut and Jerusalem to prevent further escalation while urging steps toward disarming Hezbollah. The move elevates international diplomatic attention on a conflict with real risks of broader regional spillover and a fast-growing humanitarian crisis.
Inside the Blast Radius: A Chinese Reporting Team’s Close Call in Tehran’s Latest Escalation
A China Media Group reporting team in Tehran experienced a blast roughly 500 metres from their office during a new wave of strikes, rapidly converting shock into verified live reporting. Their account underscores both the personal toll on journalists and the strategic role of frontline, cross-checked reporting amid a flood of misinformation.
Beirut Urges Ceasefire as Israeli Strikes and Hezbollah Rocket Fire Threaten Wider War
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said his government will spare no effort to secure a ceasefire as Israel renews airstrikes and Hezbollah launches rockets, but diplomatic assurances have repeatedly failed to hold. The fighting has displaced roughly 517,000 people and highlights Lebanon’s limited ability to prevent escalation amid regional rivalries involving Israel, Iran and other powers.
Global Streets Fill With Anger as Protests Erupt Over US–Israeli Strikes on Iran
Large anti-war demonstrations erupted on March 7 across more than 50 US cities and in London, Toronto and Johannesburg in response to US and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. The protests signal growing international public opposition that could raise political costs for further military action and complicate diplomatic and strategic calculations.
Iran’s Experts Assembly Names Mujtaba Khamenei Supreme Leader After Deadly US–Israel Strike
Iran’s Assembly of Experts has elected Mujtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei, as the country’s third Supreme Leader following a February 28 US–Israeli airstrike that Iranian authorities say killed the sitting leader. Mujtaba’s IRGC background and seminary training point to a likely continuity of hardline, security-first policies, but the rapid transition raises questions about legitimacy, elite cohesion and regional escalation risks.
China Urges Ceasefire as Saudi Foreign Minister Appeals for Beijing’s Mediation
China’s Middle East envoy met Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal in Riyadh as both sides voiced concern over a widening regional conflict. Saudi Arabia praised China’s role and urged Beijing to push for a ceasefire, while China reiterated calls for an immediate halt to hostilities and offered to play a constructive mediating role.