Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 24th of August, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. National Guard armed in Washington as Trump extends crime crackdown
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., to be armed as part of the Trump administration's controversial crime crackdown. Deployed earlier this month to address rising crime, the troops have not yet conducted law enforcement operations but are stationed near landmarks. Polls show strong opposition, with nearly 80% disapproving of the federal deployment. The operation has led to over 700 arrests and the seizure of 91 illegal firearms. Local officials express concern over federal intervention.
2. Overnight blasts in Gaza as enclave faces famine, warns global hunger monitor
Multiple blasts shook northern Gaza early on Sunday (August 24), as a global hunger monitor declared Gaza City and surrounding areas to be officially in famine. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported on Friday (August 22) that 514,000 people, nearly a quarter of Gaza’s population, are experiencing famine, with the number expected to rise to 641,000 by September's end. The northern Gaza region, including Gaza City, is most affected. This marks the first time famine has been recorded outside of Africa. The IPC also warned that famine could spread to central and southern areas by next month. Israel rejected the findings, claiming they were based on biased data from Hamas and failed to account for recent food aid.
3. Azerbaijani, Russian FMs hold phone talk
Azerbaijan and Russia’s foreign ministers held a phone conversation on 23 August, focusing on bilateral cooperation and key regional security issues.
The two officials reviewed the bilateral and multilateral agenda, touching on political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation, as well as regional and global security matters.
They also exchanged views on the outcomes of the Azerbaijan-Russia Intergovernmental State Commission on Economic Cooperation meeting, held on 2 August in Astrakhan, which both sides praised.
4. India says trade talks with the U.S. continue ahead of new tariffs
India’s foreign minister says trade talks with Washington are ongoing, but New Delhi must defend its key interests as U.S. tariffs loom.
Just days before additional U.S. tariffs take effect, India’s foreign minister confirmed that negotiations with Washington are still underway. Indian goods are set to face tariffs as high as 50% due to New Delhi’s increased purchases of Russian oil.
A 25% levy is already in place, with another 25% scheduled to be enforced on 27 August.
Hopes of easing tensions dimmed after U.S. trade negotiators canceled a planned visit to New Delhi from 25–29 August, leaving little room for compromise before the deadline.
5. Zelenskyy urges global south to “push Russia towards peace”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on nations in the global south to "send relevant signals" and push Russia towards peace. In a post on X, he shared details of a conversation with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, updating him on diplomatic efforts to end the war. Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia’s invasion was an unnecessary war, and reiterated his call for direct talks with President Putin. He also mentioned future collaboration with South Africa and African nations to address food security and foster dialogue. Zelenskyy visited South Africa in April for a state visit.
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near...
The United Nations' top human rights official has called for independent investigations into deaths in U.S. immigration detention facilities, citing a...
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead a...
An aircraft roughly the size of a car crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper on Friday evening, triggering a major emergency response and a heavy p...
Montenegrin police, working alongside the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation, have arrested an Iranian national accused of carrying out a ...
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near Oman, with two U.S. officials accusing Iran of the attack.
The United Nations' top human rights official has called for independent investigations into deaths in U.S. immigration detention facilities, citing a rise in fatalities among people held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are believed to be trapped under rubble, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
An aircraft roughly the size of a car crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper on Friday evening, triggering a major emergency response and a heavy police presence as authorities sealed off the area and gave no immediate explanation for the incident.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Japan's northeast coast on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, no injuries were immediately reported and no irregularities were found at nuclear facilities, the authorities said.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
The Kremlin has denied a Wall Street Journal report claiming Moscow is pressuring Belarus to support an expanded Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are believed to be trapped under rubble, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
The United Nations' top human rights official has called for independent investigations into deaths in U.S. immigration detention facilities, citing a rise in fatalities among people held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
An aircraft roughly the size of a car crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper on Friday evening, triggering a major emergency response and a heavy police presence as authorities sealed off the area and gave no immediate explanation for the incident.
Montenegrin police, working alongside the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation, have arrested an Iranian national accused of carrying out a series of cyberattacks that allegedly caused an estimated $3.4 billion in damage to U.S. infrastructure.
South Korea is set to dramatically expand its unmanned warfare capabilities, with plans to integrate drones across all branches of its military as tensions with North Korea continue to shape the country's defence strategy.
Fertiliser shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have begun to recover following an interim U.S.–Iran agreement aimed at stabilising the waterway after months of disruption during conflict, industry data shows.
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