Kremlin rejects ceasefire for Ukraine referendum, calls it a 'deception'
The Kremlin on Friday dismissed proposals for a ceasefire to allow a territorial referendum in Ukraine, describing any pause in hostilities as a tacti...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 23rd of August, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Power, Culture Logistics at the heart of Azerbaijani -Turkmenistan- Uzbekistan talks
At trilateral talks in Turkmenbashi, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan agreed to deepen cooperation across power, logistics, culture and regional connectivity. Leaders hailed the meeting as a historic step, with President Aliyev stressing joint work on transport, energy and cultural ties, while partners pledged stronger multilateral interaction.
2. Zelenskyy names Türkiye for Maritime security, accuses Moscow of sabotage
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for Türkiye to be included in providing security guarantees, particularly maritime security, as part of any potential ceasefire deal. He also urged allies to tighten sanctions on Russia if it blocks peace efforts, while NATO and European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring Moscow respects Ukraine’s sovereignty.
3. Rubio meets South Korean minister ahead of bilateral summit
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in Washington on Friday to discuss burden sharing, trade, and strengthening the bilateral alliance. Their talks set the stage for Monday’s Trump–Lee summit, where the two leaders are expected to tackle major regional and economic challenges.
4. North Korea warns South Korea over border shots
North Korea accused South Korea of firing warning shots near the border this week, labelling it a deliberate provocation and vowing “corresponding countermeasures” if its fortification works are obstructed. The warning comes despite President Lee Jae Myung’s pledge to ease border tensions, as Pyongyang denounces joint U.S.–South Korea drills as “extremely provocative.”
5. Explosion at Louisiana industrial plant prompts mass evacuation
An explosion at Smitty’s Supply industrial plant in Roseland, Louisiana, forced mass evacuations within a one-mile radius, though no injuries were reported. Emergency crews are battling the blaze as authorities investigate the cause, with officials urging residents to stay clear of the area.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Kyiv has escalated its naval campaign against Moscow’s economic lifelines, claiming a successful strike on a vessel suspected of skirting international sanctions within the Black Sea.
An extratropical cyclone has caused widespread disruption across Brazil’s São Paulo state, with powerful winds toppling trees and power lines, blocking streets and leaving large parts of the region without electricity.
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Friday that discussions in Washington with U.S. officials have strengthened efforts to expand bilateral trade, moving closer to a $100 billion target.
Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif held talks on Friday during the International Peace and Trust Forum in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, focusing on bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues
China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday that it will introduce a licensing system for steel exports starting in 2026, covering around 300 steel products.
Venezuela’s oil shipments have plunged following the United States’ seizure of a tanker earlier this week.
The Kremlin on Friday dismissed proposals for a ceasefire to allow a territorial referendum in Ukraine, describing any pause in hostilities as a tactical ploy rather than a genuine step toward ending the conflict.
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