AnewZ Morning Brief - 23 February, 2026
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 23rd of February, covering the latest developments you need to...
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Tuesday, kicking off a Middle East tour focused on renewing Gaza ceasefire talks and discussing the region's future after the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Tuesday, marking the first stop of a broader Middle East tour aimed at restarting Gaza ceasefire talks and shaping discussions on the future of the region following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
His trip comes at a critical moment as the Israeli military ramps up its campaign in Gaza and Lebanon against Hezbollah. This is Blinken’s eleventh visit to the region since the October 7 Hamas attack that triggered the Gaza war, but hopes for a significant breakthrough ahead of the upcoming U.S. election remain slim.
In recent discussions, Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged Israeli officials to take concrete actions to ease the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, warning of possible implications for U.S. military aid if the situation worsens.
Apart from the Gaza situation, Blinken’s agenda also includes talks with Israeli and Arab officials on how to diplomatically resolve tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Experts believe that significant progress between Hamas and Israel is unlikely before the November 5 U.S. presidential election, as both sides remain entrenched in their positions. Aaron David Miller from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace doubts that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will achieve a breakthrough during his Middle East trip, especially with Netanyahu showing no urgency to end the conflict.
A seven-month-old Japanese macaque has drawn international attention after forming an unusual bond with a stuffed orangutan toy after being rejected by its mother.
Divers have recovered the bodies of seven Chinese tourists and a Russian driver after their minibus broke through the ice of on Lake Baikal in Russia, authorities said.
UK politicians have renewed calls for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, to be removed from the line of succession following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office and revelations over his links to convicted U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
President Donald Trump said on Saturday (21 February) that he will raise temporary tariffs on nearly all U.S. imports from 10% to 15%, the maximum allowed under the law, after the Supreme Court struck down his previous tariff program.
Pakistan said it carried out cross-border strikes on militant targets inside Afghanistan after blaming a series of recent suicide bombings, including attacks during the holy month of Ramadan, on fighters it said were operating from Afghan territory.
Syria has secured a $50 million financing package on Sunday from the World Bank to support transport infrastructure projects as the country advances its economic recovery efforts, Syrian media reported on Sunday.
Islamic State claimed two attacks on Syrian army personnel on Saturday (22 February), saying they marked the start of a new phase of operations against the country’s leadership under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Pakistan said it carried out cross-border strikes on militant targets inside Afghanistan after blaming a series of recent suicide bombings, including attacks during the holy month of Ramadan, on fighters it said were operating from Afghan territory.
Iran announced on Saturday (21 February) that it has designated the naval and air forces of European Union member states as “terrorist entities” in a reciprocal move after the EU blacklisted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
At least 10 people were killed and 50 wounded in Israeli strikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley on Friday (20 February), two security sources told Reuters, after the Israeli military said it had targeted Hezbollah sites in the Baalbek area.
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