ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including China to provide humanitarian aid to Iran after the killing of schoolgirls in US-Israeli attacks; Türkiye says NATO neutralized ballistic munition fired from Iran into Turkish airspace; and Trump says all military targets on Iran’s strategic Kharg Island have been destroyed

TOP STORIES

• China to provide humanitarian aid to Iran after killing of schoolgirls amid US-Israeli attacks

China announced it would provide emergency humanitarian aid to Iran to “comfort” victims of a school attack in the US-Israel military campaign against the country.

Reiterating its condemnation of indiscriminate attacks on civilians and non-military targets, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said, “Attacking schools and harming civilians seriously violate international humanitarian law and cross the base line of humanity and human conscience.”

He added that the Red Cross Society of China has “decided to provide $200,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance to Iranian Red Crescent for comforting these bereaved families.”

• Türkiye says NATO neutralized ballistic munition fired from Iran into Turkish airspace

Türkiye said a ballistic munition launched from Iran and entering Turkish airspace was “neutralized by NATO air and missile defense assets deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean,” according to the defense ministry.

“All necessary measures are being taken decisively and without hesitation against any threat directed at our country's territory and airspace. Consultations are being conducted with the relevant country to clarify all aspects of the incident.

• Trump says all military targets on Iran’s strategic Kharg Island destroyed

​​​​​​​US President Donald Trump said all military targets on Iran’s strategic Kharg Island have been destroyed.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that he chose, “for the reason of decency,” not to target the island’s oil infrastructure.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Belgrade is closely monitoring military cooperation among Croatia, Albania and Kosovo, claiming Serbia is preparing for a potential attack.
• Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new supreme leader, is injured but well, the country told international media.
• Zambia reported two deaths and 17 new cases of Cholera in the past 24 hours, authorities said, urging citizens to take precautions to prevent further spread.
• At least four people were killed in fresh airstrikes by Pakistan targeting the Afghan capital Kabul, an Afghan government official said.
• The Israeli military targeted infrastructure linked to Iran’s government in coordinated airstrikes across Tehran as well as the cities of Shiraz and Ahvaz in the past 24 hours, the Israeli army said.
• Bahrain says it intercepted, destroyed 115 missiles, 191 drones since start of Iranian attacks
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow values the work of the international nuclear test ban organization amid rising global tensions.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized US President Donald Trump for temporarily easing sanctions on Russia amid rising oil prices due to the conflict in the Middle East.
• All six crew members aboard a refueling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq on Thursday were killed, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
• NASA said it is targeting early April for the launch of its Artemis II mission, which will send astronauts around the moon for the first time in more than five decades, media reports said.
• US President Donald Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin may be helping Iran "a little bit" amid the US-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic.
• The Pentagon is weighing sending additional warships to the Middle East in preparation to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal reported.
• More than 700 people have been killed in Israeli attacks across Lebanon since March 2, according to the Health Ministry.
• Nearly all humanitarian aid movements to Gaza through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom border crossing were denied in the past two days, sharply limiting the delivery of critical supplies into the enclave, the UN said.
• Iran said air defenses have destroyed 111 drones since the start of the war involving the US and Israel, according to a statement by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
• The US State Department announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of Iran's key leaders, including new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
• A total of 2,975 Israelis have been injured and taken to hospitals since the war with Iran began Feb. 28, Israel’s Health Ministry said.

ECONOMY & BUSSINESS

• US allows temporary purchase of Russian oil stranded at sea to stabilize energy markets

The US announced it has temporarily authorized the purchase of Russian oil stranded at sea to stabilize energy markets, according to media reports.

There are nearly 124 million barrels of Russia-origin oil at sea in 30 locations globally as of March 12, CNBC reported, enough crude oil to cover five to six days of supply.

• Brent crude tops $100 amid Strait of Hormuz tensions

Brent crude futures climbed above $100 per barrel, rising about 1% day-on-day, as geopolitical tensions escalated following statements by Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

Brent briefly traded above $100 during Asian and European trading hours as markets reacted to concerns about further disruptions to oil flows from the Persian Gulf, a vital energy corridor through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passes.