live Iran, U.S. make competing claims over control of Strait of Hormuz
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over t...
Ukraine’s newly appointed Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced on Thursday that her government will initiate a comprehensive audit of public finances aimed at securing “real savings” and improving the efficiency of state spending.
In her first statement on X following her confirmation by parliament earlier in the day, Svyrydenko also emphasised the need to speed up large-scale privatisation efforts as part of broader economic reforms.
“Our government will launch a full audit of public finances to ensure transparency and real savings,” she wrote, underscoring fiscal discipline as a key objective.
Svyrydenko, who previously served as First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister, takes the helm during a critical phase of Ukraine’s wartime recovery and restructuring. She replaces Denys Shmyhal, who is expected to take over as Defence Minister.
Outlining her immediate priorities, Svyrydenko said her administration would focus on ensuring stable and sufficient supplies for the Ukrainian military, while also working to expand domestic arms production to reduce reliance on imports.
Her appointment comes as Ukraine continues to face significant economic and security challenges amid Russia’s ongoing invasion. With foreign aid expected to decline in the coming year, the government is under pressure to streamline expenditures and find alternative sources of revenue.
Observers say Svyrydenko’s leadership will be crucial in balancing urgent defence needs with long-term structural reforms needed to stabilise Ukraine’s economy and maintain international support.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 12th of August, covering the latest developments.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday for talks focused on Gaza, Palestinian statehood and regional security.
Taiwan staged military defence drills on Wednesday as China concluded joint naval exercises with Indonesia in waters east of the island.
Washington’s counter-narcotics push is expanding as Colombia’s new conservative government backs deeper security cooperation.
Meta said it had removed more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts suspected of belonging to Australians under 16, as the country’s internet regulator weighs enforcement action over its teen social media ban.
Russia has accused Ukraine of threatening global grain supplies after recent strikes on Black Sea agricultural infrastructure, while Moscow carried out a new overnight attack on Ukraine’s major Danube port of Izmail.
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