Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 31st of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. U.S. imposes sweeping sanctions on 115 Iran-linked individuals, entities and vessels
The United States imposed major sanctions on more than 115 individuals, entities, and vessels linked to Iran on 30 July, marking its most extensive move since 2018.
The sanctions focus on Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of Supreme Leader adviser Ali Shamkhani, who allegedly runs a global shipping network exporting Iranian and Russian oil. His operations span 17 countries and are said to generate billions in revenue for Tehran.
The U.S. Treasury blacklisted 15 shipping firms, 52 vessels, 12 individuals, and 53 entities, aiming to disrupt sanctions evasion without destabilising global oil markets. The EU had already sanctioned Shamkhani earlier in July.
2. Canada joins UK and France in move to recognize Palestinian state
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September, joining the UK and France in increasing pressure on Israel.
The move drew sharp criticism from Israel and the U.S., both accusing Canada of rewarding Hamas. The announcement reflects growing international frustration over limited aid access to Gaza amid ongoing conflict.
3. U.S. to impose 15% reciprocal and auto tariffs on South Korean exports
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed South Korea will face a 15% auto tariff, avoiding a steeper 25% rate ahead of the 1 August deadline.
At a signing ceremony attended by Italian Ambassador Luca Di Gianfrancesco, AnewZ and Italpress formalised a memorandum to collaborate on staff training, media production, and fact-checking.
The agreement, effective upon signing, lasts one year with automatic renewal. Disputes will be resolved through negotiation, and amendments require mutual written consent.
The partnership aims to promote quality journalism and international media cooperation.
4. UK and Oman agree to strengthen energy, defence and tech ties
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq met in London on 31 July, agreeing to deepen cooperation in energy, defence, security, and technology. They also urged urgent humanitarian aid for Gaza and discussed progress on UK-Gulf trade talks.
Starmer reiterated the UK’s stance on recognising a Palestinian state by September unless Israel takes meaningful steps toward peace. He also thanked Oman for its diplomatic role in easing tensions with Iran. The meeting highlights growing UK-Gulf ties amid broader strategic engagement.
5. Azerbaijani gas to be delivered to Syria under new swap deal
Azerbaijan will start supplying 6 million cubic metres of gas to Syria this week via a swap deal with Türkiye, aiming to ease electricity shortages in the war-torn country.
Türkiye’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said the gas, transferred through Kilis to Damascus and beyond, could boost daily power availability from four to ten hours.
A ceremony marking the first delivery will be held in Kilis on Saturday, with officials from Azerbaijan, Syria and Qatar attending.
6. Trump says U.S. to impose 25% tariff on India from 1 August
President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian imports from 1 August, citing high Indian trade barriers and ties with Russia. An additional, unspecified penalty is also planned.
The move puts $87 billion in Indian exports at risk and threatens ongoing trade talks, including a proposed phase-one deal and efforts to boost trade to $500 billion by 2030. India may retaliate.
7. AnewZ and Italpress Sign Agreement to Strengthen Media Cooperation
AnewZ and Italpress have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost media cooperation, focusing on training, content sharing, and joint events.
Signed in July 2025 by AnewZ’s Rufat Hamzayev and Italpress’s Gaspare Borsellino, the agreement promotes mutual support and collaboration in digital journalism and media production.
The deal, witnessed by the Italian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, is valid for one year with automatic renewal and includes provisions for dispute resolution and amendments by mutual consent.
8. ‘Vibrant oasis’ of chemical-eating creatures found in Pacific depths
Chinese scientists have discovered the world’s deepest chemosynthetic animal communities at more than 9,500 metres in the Kuril-Kamchatka and Aleutian trenches.
Using the Fendouzhe submersible, researchers found tube worms, clams, and likely new species thriving on hydrogen sulfide and methane—without sunlight. The discovery expands our understanding of life in extreme conditions and hints at possibilities in alien oceans.
Kazakhstan is preparing to raise oil exports through the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline to 1.7 million tonnes next year, Interfax-Kazakhstan r...
US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell following the central bank’s decision to keep interest rates un...
A lightning strike measuring 829 kilometres observed in the United States in October 2017 has been confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization ...
In a sharp policy shift, Slovenia has suspended all arms-related trade with Israel, deepening its stance on the Gaza conflict and aligning with its ea...
Türkiye and Gabon have signed eight significant agreements. During an official ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Gabonese Pres...
Kazakhstan is preparing to raise oil exports through the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline to 1.7 million tonnes next year, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported on Thursday, citing Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov.
US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell following the central bank’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged.
A lightning strike measuring 829 kilometres observed in the United States in October 2017 has been confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as the longest recorded lightning event.
Türkiye and Gabon have signed eight significant agreements. During an official ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, joint cooperation documents between the two countries were formalised.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
'Superman' continued to dominate the summer box office, pulling in another $57.25 million in its second weekend, as theatres welcome a wave of blockbuster competition following a challenging few years for the film industry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, in a meeting held at Netanyahu’s office. Details of their discussions were not disclosed.
The United States has imposed sanctions on officials from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), accusing them of undermining peace efforts with Israel.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Thursday, July 31.
A lightning strike measuring 829 kilometres observed in the United States in October 2017 has been confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as the longest recorded lightning event.
In a sharp policy shift, Slovenia has suspended all arms-related trade with Israel, deepening its stance on the Gaza conflict and aligning with its earlier recognition of a Palestinian state.
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