Australia condemns Israel over closure of Gaza aid worker case
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom ...
Ukraine has received a draft peace plan from the United States, which Washington believes could help re-energise diplomatic efforts.
According to a statement from the Office of the President of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received the U.S.-drafted “peace framework”. Zelenskyy outlined the key principles central to Ukraine’s position, and both sides agreed to continue working on the plan to achieve a just resolution.
The draft has been quietly developed over the past month by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, with input from both Ukraine and Russia, a senior U.S. official told Anadolu on Thursday. “Both sides will have to make concessions, not just Ukraine,” the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the proposal and supports it. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Trump “has been clear” that he wants the conflict to end, expressing frustration at both sides’ reluctance to commit to a peace agreement. She added that the administration remains committed to creating a “detailed and acceptable plan for both sides to stop the killing and establish a durable, lasting peace.”
Ukraine emphasises that it has sought peace “from the very first moments” of Russia’s invasion. Since the start of this year, Kyiv has publicly supported Trump’s initiatives aimed at ending the bloodshed and remains ready to work constructively with the United States, Europe, and other global partners.
In the coming days, Zelenskyy is expected to speak directly with Trump to discuss the diplomatic opportunities available and the key steps necessary to secure a lasting settlement.
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint military exercises with South Korea in an effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang.
Georgia’s foreign trade data for January-July 2026 shows Kyrgyzstan, China and Russia as its top three export markets, highlighting its Middle Corridor ambitions and complex economic ties with Moscow.
Kazakhstan will vote on 23 August in its first parliamentary election under the new Constitution, choosing 145 members of the new Kurultai under a fundamentally changed electoral system based entirely on party lists.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment