Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 16th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.

1. Trump confirms Patriot missile shipments to Ukraine, paid by NATO members

President Donald Trump announced that Patriot missile systems are already being sent to Ukraine from Germany as part of a NATO-backed agreement. Under the deal, the U.S. will be fully reimbursed by European allies, either through NATO or directly from EU members. 

Trump emphasized that the U.S. will not bear any additional financial burden. The deal was finalized during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who confirmed Europe would cover the full cost of supplying weapons to Ukraine.

2. Syria declares Latakia wildfires under control, warns of long-term damage

Syria has announced that the wildfires in Latakia province have been fully extinguished after 12 days of intense efforts. Minister Raed al-Saleh emphasized the need for stronger forest protection and an early warning system to prevent future disasters. 

More than16,000 hectares of forest and 2,200 hectares of farmland were destroyed, while 45 villages were affected and 1,200 families displaced. International support from Türkiye, Jordan, Lebanon, and others was praised as vital to the response.

3. EU imposes fresh sanctions on Iran, Russia, Moldova, and Haiti over rights abuses and hybrid threats

The EU has imposed new sanctions on individuals and entities in Iran, Russia, Moldova, and Haiti over human rights abuses, disinformation, and efforts to destabilize regions.

Targets include Iranian intelligence-linked groups, Russian judges, Moldovan political actors, and Haitian gang leaders. Russian media and military units were also blacklisted for interference and GNSS jamming. All face asset freezes and travel bans.

4. U.S. and EU set end-August deadline for new Iran nuclear deal

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the UK have agreed on an end-of-August deadline to revive the Iran nuclear deal, according to Axios. If no agreement is reached, the European powers may trigger the 'snapback' mechanism. 

Talks include calls for Iran to resume International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring and reduce its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium. Iran currently holds around 400 kilograms—well above limits set in the original deal. The U.S. exited the agreement in 2018 under President Donald Trump. Iran denies having a nuclear programme.

5. Azerbaijan and China officially end visa requirements for ordinary passport holders

The visa regime between Azerbaijan and China was abolished on 16 July, following an agreement signed during President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to China.

Citizens holding valid ordinary passports from both countries can now travel, enter, exit, and transit without a visa for up to 30 days per trip and a total of 90 days within any 180-day period. This development aims to strengthen bilateral relations and facilitate easier travel and cooperation.

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