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.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said. ...
On 1 July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Azerbaijan on a working visit....
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway this week in a landmark tour of the Nordic region that reflects Beiji...
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both...
German prosecutors have arrested a German-Rwandan national on suspicion of aiding genocide and 25 counts of murder during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, a...
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
On 1 July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Azerbaijan on a working visit.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway this week in a landmark tour of the Nordic region that reflects Beijing's efforts to strengthen ties with Europe at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
German prosecutors have arrested a German-Rwandan national on suspicion of aiding genocide and 25 counts of murder during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, authorities said on Wednesday (1 July).
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
The U.S. and Iran have agreed to 'stand down' and resume technical talks, allowing vessels allowed to move freely under the interim peace deal, a U.S. official said.
Mexico ended their 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout win, while Erling Haaland sent Norway through and Kylian Mbappé fired France into the last 16.
The wife and children of Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo were among around 1,700 people who died when two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela last week.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway this week in a landmark tour of the Nordic region that reflects Beijing's efforts to strengthen ties with Europe at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
South African police arrested more than 900 people during nationwide anti-migrant protests on Tuesday (30 June), as demonstrations across the country turned violent in some areas, although most remained peaceful.
German prosecutors have arrested a German-Rwandan national on suspicion of aiding genocide and 25 counts of murder during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, authorities said on Wednesday (1 July).
At least five people have died after a fire swept through a 10-storey apartment building in the Belgian city of Antwerp, authorities said on Wednesday.
Eight Kenyan schoolgirls have pleaded not guilty to murder charges over a dormitory fire that killed 16 fellow students and injured dozens more at a boarding school in the country's Rift Valley region.
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