Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 12th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. U.S. approves possible $2.6B helicopter sale to Norway
Norway could soon receive a major boost to its airborne defence, as Washington signals readiness to expand military cooperation through a new high-value arms deal.
The US State Department has approved a possible $2.6 billion sale of HH-60W helicopters and related equipment to Norway, the Pentagon announced on Friday.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed deal would enhance Norway’s combat and special operations capabilities and strengthen its role in defending NATO allies.
The primary contractor for the deal is Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, based in Stratford, Connecticut.
The DSCA said it delivered the required congressional notification of the potential sale on Friday.
2. Erdoğan meets Somali president to deepen bilateral ties
Turkish President Erdoğan and Somali President Mohamud met in Ankara to reaffirm strategic ties, with a focus on counterterrorism and regional cooperation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a closed-door meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Friday at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.
The talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing key regional issues. President Erdoğan expressed Türkiye’s continued support for Somalia in its fight against terrorism, underscoring the importance of achieving national unity to effectively counter threats.
He added that cooperation between the two nations will deepen further, with steps planned to enhance the strategic partnership.
3. China, ASEAN to submit upgraded trade pact to leaders in October
China and ASEAN will submit an upgraded free trade agreement—dubbed “version 3.0”—to their leaders for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced Saturday.
Finalised in May, the deal expands cooperation in digital and green sectors and strengthens supply chain links. Both sides also adopted a five-year action plan covering over 40 areas of collaboration.
Wang added that China and ASEAN aim to complete talks next year on a code of conduct for the South China Sea to manage ongoing maritime disputes.
4. Ukraine Recovery Conference concludes with focus on funding, not peace
The two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference concluded in Rome on Friday, with the vision of reconstruction remaining largely symbolic due to the lack of a ceasefire.
Co-hosted by Italy and Ukraine, the event gathered top European officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and delegates from Germany, Poland, Greece, Albania, and the U.S.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged tougher sanctions on Russia and greater support for Ukraine’s reconstruction, citing escalating drone and missile attacks on Kyiv. He also met with U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg to discuss military aid and air defence upgrades.
Although Zelenskyy confirmed the resumption of U.S. military support, uncertainty remains amid shifting American priorities and Ukraine’s stalled NATO aspirations.
A joint report estimates Ukraine will need $524 billion over the next decade for recovery. Italy announced €10 billion in pledges, while the EU unveiled a €2.3 billion aid package to boost investment.
Despite strong participation, concerns were raised about the potential exploitation of Ukraine’s energy, defence, and resource sectors under foreign investment deals.
5. Cameroon schedules presidential election for October 12
Cameroon prepares for presidential elections on October 12 amid rising political tensions and declared candidates challenging long-time leader Paul Biya’s rule.
Cameroon’s presidential election is set for October 12, following a decree signed by President Paul Biya on Friday.
Biya, 92, who has ruled since 1982, has not yet confirmed whether he will run again. Constitutional reforms in 2008 removed presidential term limits, allowing him to seek additional terms.
In the 2018 election, Biya secured 71.28% of the vote according to official results.
With the election date confirmed, political parties are mobilizing. Several candidates have already announced their intention to run, including former Communication Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who resigned last month.
6. South Korea, U.S. and Japan hold joint aerial drill against North Korea
Military chiefs from South Korea, the U.S., and Japan met in Seoul on Friday, urging North Korea to halt destabilising actions, as the three allies held a joint air drill near Jeju Island.
The meeting, involving South Korea’s Kim Myung-soo, the U.S.’s Dan Caine, and Japan’s Yoshida Yoshihide, came amid concerns over North Korea’s alleged troop deployment to aid Russia’s war in Ukraine and fears that Moscow could share advanced military technology in return.
The allied aerial drill, featuring U.S. B-52H bombers, aimed to bolster deterrence against North Korea’s growing missile and nuclear capabilities.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in North Korea for strategic talks, potentially paving the way for a future visit by Kim Jong Un to Russia.
Pakistan has offered to host talks between the U.S. and Iran to bring an end to the conflict, while Lebanon has ordered the Iranian Ambassador to l...
Traders placed more than $500 million in oil bets minutes before Donald Trump announced a delay to planned strikes on Iran, ...
Pakistan has offered to host talks between the U.S. and Iran to end the Gulf conflict, as tensions remain high des...
Hezbollah has pledged to defend the region against Israeli forces, warning it will resist any move to occupy southern Lebanon, as Israel sets out p...
Lebanon has expelled Iran’s ambassador and declared him persona non grata, ordering his departure by 29 March, as tensions surge across the M...
Pakistan has offered to host talks between the U.S. and Iran to bring an end to the conflict, while Lebanon has ordered the Iranian Ambassador to leave the country. Meanwhile, oil prices continue rising as the fallout from the Middle East conflict continues.
Traders placed more than $500 million in oil bets minutes before Donald Trump announced a delay to planned strikes on Iran, data shows, shortly before prices plunged.
Pakistan has offered to host talks between the U.S. and Iran to end the Gulf conflict, as tensions remain high despite reports of possible diplomacy and continued military strikes across the region.
Hezbollah has pledged to defend the region against Israeli forces, warning it will resist any move to occupy southern Lebanon, as Israel sets out plans to establish a buffer zone following its latest invasion.
The pilot and co-pilot of an Air Canada Express regional jet were killed after it collided with a fire truck while landing at New York's LaGuardia airport late on Sunday, in an incident that closed the airport, authorities and U.S. media said.
Trump says U.S. found “major points of agreement” with Iran and has paused strikes on Iranian power plants, but Tehran denies any direct talks or negotiations, contradicting U.S. claims - latest on Middle East conflict.
Pakistan has offered to host talks between the U.S. and Iran to bring an end to the conflict, while Lebanon has ordered the Iranian Ambassador to leave the country. Meanwhile, oil prices continue rising as the fallout from the Middle East conflict continues.
Violent clashes broke out between police and opposition protesters in Tirana on Sunday (22 March) as demonstrators were demanding the resignation of the Albanian government following corruption allegations against the deputy prime minister.
FinaFinal results from Slovenia’s parliamentary elections indicate a near tie between the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) and the liberal Freedom Movement Slovenia (GS), leaving neither side with a clear path to power.
Eurozone private sector growth almost stalled this month, a key survey showed on Tuesday, adding to evidence that the bloc is already feeling economic fallout from the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran, with inflation rising and growth slowing.
China is raising domestic petrol and diesel prices under temporary measures to manage a sharp surge in global oil costs, aiming to support fuel suppliers while maintaining market stability during a period of heightened volatility.
Russia launched drones and missiles overnight on Tuesday at Ukraine, killing at least three people, damaging houses and triggering fires, Ukrainian officials said.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday (23 March) that Britain must plan for the possibility that the Iran war could continue for some time, and added that he had no "meaningful concerns" about energy supply.
Australia and the European Union signed a trade deal on Tuesday that was eight years in the making, removing tariffs for almost all European goods and for nearly all exports of Australian critical minerals.
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