Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 30th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Trump gives Russia 10-day deadline to end Ukraine war or face tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump has given Russia a 10-day deadline to halt its war in Ukraine or face new tariffs and sanctions. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump warned that if Moscow fails to act by 8 August, his administration will introduce sweeping economic measures. The ultimatum reflects rising frustration with President Vladimir Putin following recent attacks on Ukrainian cities. The Kremlin has yet to respond.
2. Powerful 8.8 magnitude quake strikes off Russia’s Kamchatka, tsunami threat evaluated
3. Pakistan set to expand its shipping fleet by 600% with greener technology
Pakistan will expand its national shipping fleet by 600% over the next three years to cut freight costs, boost efficiency, and adopt cleaner maritime technologies, Maritime Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced on Tuesday. The move is part of a broader strategy to modernise maritime infrastructure, reduce sea freight bills, and promote climate-smart growth. Ports like Karachi and Gwadar are expected to play a key role as Pakistan seeks to reduce reliance on foreign shipping lines.
4. Russia expands EU entry ban over new sanctions, targets officials and academics
Russia has expanded its entry ban list targeting European Union officials, law enforcement, and academics in response to the EU’s latest sanctions over Ukraine. Citing the bloc’s 17th and 18th sanctions packages, Moscow said the blacklist includes those involved in military aid to Kyiv, sanctions enforcement, and efforts to prosecute Russian officials. The foreign ministry warned of further retaliatory steps if the EU continues its sanctions policy. The full list has not been disclosed.
5. UK sets September deadline to recognise Palestine
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said Britain will recognise Palestine as a state at the United Nations in September unless Israel takes clear steps to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The decision hinges on Israel allowing more aid, halting unilateral actions in the West Bank, and committing to two-state peace talks. Israel rejected the move, calling it a “reward for Hamas”. More than 60,000 people have died in Gaza since the conflict escalated, according to the UN.
6. Australia widens teen social media ban to YouTube, scraps exemption
Australia will include YouTube in its upcoming ban on social media use by under-16s, reversing an earlier exemption and potentially prompting legal action from the Alphabet-owned platform.
The move follows a regulator’s recommendation, citing a survey showing 37% of minors encountered harmful content on YouTube—the highest among platforms.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the decision was about protecting children, adding, “I want Australian parents to know we have their backs.”
YouTube, used by nearly three-quarters of Australians aged 13–15, argued it is a video-sharing platform, not social media. But critics point to features like content recommendations and user interactions as proof of its similarities to other platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok—all covered by the ban.
Set to take effect in December, the law prohibits children under 16 from having accounts, though parents and teachers may still use YouTube content for educational purposes.
The government says it won’t be swayed by legal threats, and enforcement will depend on the outcome of upcoming age-verification trials. Non-compliant platforms face fines of up to A$49.5 million.
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 wh...
Central Asia’s economy has surpassed $543 billion, driven by Kazakhstan’s economic weight, strong exports and foreign investment, while growing tr...
The United Nations refugee agency is planning a settlement and carpet-weaving workshop for Afghan returnees in Kabul as the country grapples with larg...
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.
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.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called for Iran to pay compensation for decades of deaths and damage, adding a new demand to peace talks as Tehran seeks compensation and sanctions relief before reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
A criminal court in Damascus has sentenced former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for premeditated murder, torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity, according to Syria’s state news agency SANA.
Millions of people across Spain and Iceland are preparing on Wednesday to witness a rare total solar eclipse, when the moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, briefly turning daylight into darkness along a narrow path.
Millions of people across Spain and Iceland are preparing on Wednesday to witness a rare total solar eclipse, when the moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, briefly turning daylight into darkness along a narrow path.
Ukraine has agreed to refrain from targeting certain tankers using Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk following a request from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, the Financial Times reported, although Kyiv has continued strikes on Russian targets at the port.
Taiwan has criticised a planned joint naval exercise involving China and Indonesia near its eastern waters, describing it as a politically charged move designed to strengthen Beijing's claims over areas surrounding the island.
An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk killed an eight-year-old child, injured others and damaged residential buildings, port infrastructure and grain facilities, Russian officials and industry sources said on Wednesday.
Romanian military divers have destroyed two Gerbera-type drones found drifting near the Neptun Deep offshore gas development in the country’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone.
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