Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 14th of August, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. North Korea says South Korea's peace overtures a 'pipedream'
The North Korean leader's powerful sister said on Thursday that the country has never taken down propaganda loudspeakers and will not do so, calling South Korea's belief that Pyongyang was responding to its peace overtures a "pipedream."
Kim Yo Jong, who is a senior official in the North's ruling Workers' Party, also said adjustments made to the plan for annual joint military drills by South Korea and the U.S. were a "futile" move that did not change the allies' hostile intent.
2. Spain calls on European allies for help amid worsening wildfires
Spain is seeking help from its European partners to tackle wildfires raging across the country, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Wednesday.
In particular, it requested two Canadair planes, he said in an interview with local media Cadena SER.
3. Türkiye, Syria sign military cooperation, training deal
The defence ministers of Türkiye and Syria signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on military training and consultancy after talks in Ankara on Wednesday, Daily Sabah reported citing the Defense Ministry.
The neighbours had been negotiating a comprehensive military cooperation agreement for months, after the ousting of Bashar Assad in December.
The new Syrian government has been working to reestablish order nationwide since taking power.
4. Bitcoin climbs to record $123,000 as investors eye U.S. policy boost
Bitcoin vaulted past $120,000 for the first time on Monday, the latest milestone for the world's largest cryptocurrency as investors bet on long-sought policy wins for the industry this week, which has been dubbed "crypto week" by U.S. Republicans.
Bitcoin rose more than 3% to register a record high of $123,153.22 before easing, and was last up 0.5% at $119,750.86. The cryptocurrency is now up more than 27% on the year.
5. Trump threatens 'severe consequences' if Putin blocks Ukraine peace
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened "severe consequences" if Russia's Vladimir Putin does not agree to peace in Ukraine but also said on Wednesday that a meeting between them could swiftly be followed by a second that would include the leader of Ukraine.
Trump did not specify what the consequences could be, but he has warned of economic sanctions if his meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday proves fruitless.
Hezbollah has pledged to defend the region against Israeli forces, warning it will resist any move to occupy southern Lebanon, as Israel sets out p...
Lebanon has expelled Iran’s ambassador and declared him persona non grata, ordering his departure by 29 March, as tensions surge across the M...
The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated Tehran’s stand on the latest developments in the I...
Afghan authorities say Pakistani jets entered northern Afghanistan, while Pakistan insists its actions target terrorism, highlighting continued str...
Eurozone private sector growth almost stalled this month, a key survey showed on Tuesday, adding to evidence that the bloc is already feeling econo...
Hezbollah has pledged to defend the region against Israeli forces, warning it will resist any move to occupy southern Lebanon, as Israel sets out plans to establish a buffer zone following its latest invasion.
Lebanon has expelled Iran’s ambassador and declared him persona non grata, ordering his departure by 29 March, as tensions surge across the Middle East following intensifying cross-border violence.
The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated Tehran’s stand on the latest developments in the Israel and the United States war in Iran following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to postpone bombing the country's energy infrastructure.
Eurozone private sector growth almost stalled this month, a key survey showed on Tuesday, adding to evidence that the bloc is already feeling economic fallout from the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran, with inflation rising and growth slowing.
The pilot and co-pilot of an Air Canada Express regional jet were killed after it collided with a fire truck while landing at New York's LaGuardia airport late on Sunday, in an incident that closed the airport, authorities and U.S. media said.
Trump says U.S. found “major points of agreement” with Iran and has paused strikes on Iranian power plants, but Tehran denies any direct talks or negotiations, contradicting U.S. claims - latest on Middle East conflict.
Pakistan has offered to host talks between the U.S. and Iran to bring an end to the conflict, while Lebanon has ordered the Iranian Ambassador to leave the country. Meanwhile, oil prices continue rising as the fallout from the Middle East conflict continues.
Violent clashes broke out between police and opposition protesters in Tirana on Sunday (22 March) as demonstrators were demanding the resignation of the Albanian government following corruption allegations against the deputy prime minister.
FinaFinal results from Slovenia’s parliamentary elections indicate a near tie between the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) and the liberal Freedom Movement Slovenia (GS), leaving neither side with a clear path to power.
Eurozone private sector growth almost stalled this month, a key survey showed on Tuesday, adding to evidence that the bloc is already feeling economic fallout from the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran, with inflation rising and growth slowing.
China is raising domestic petrol and diesel prices under temporary measures to manage a sharp surge in global oil costs, aiming to support fuel suppliers while maintaining market stability during a period of heightened volatility.
Russia launched drones and missiles overnight on Tuesday at Ukraine, killing at least three people, damaging houses and triggering fires, Ukrainian officials said.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday (23 March) that Britain must plan for the possibility that the Iran war could continue for some time, and added that he had no "meaningful concerns" about energy supply.
Australia and the European Union signed a trade deal on Tuesday that was eight years in the making, removing tariffs for almost all European goods and for nearly all exports of Australian critical minerals.
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