Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 31th of August, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. President Xi meets global leaders at SCO Summit in Tianjin
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a series of high-level meetings in Tianjin ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, engaging with leaders from the UN, Cambodia, Myanmar, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Nepal. Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to multilateralism, the Belt and Road Initiative, and closer cooperation on trade, energy, connectivity and global governance. UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised China as a cornerstone of multilateralism, while other leaders reiterated support for the one-China principle and signed agreements deepening economic, political and security ties. The meetings underscored China’s growing role as a central partner for both regional neighbours and the wider Global South.
2. Albares Urges EU to Defend Palestinian Representation at UN
Spain condemned the U.S. decision to revoke visas for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 officials, calling it “unacceptable” and urging the EU to defend Palestinian representation at the UN. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said the EU must move from words to action in addressing the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, linking engagement with Israel to respect for human rights. Madrid has proposed an action plan including an arms embargo on Israel, sanctions against those undermining a two-state solution, increased funding for the Palestinian Authority, and a halt to trade with illegal settlements. Spain said these measures would be pursued in line with EU law and international obligations.
3. Pakistan floods leave thousads homeless
Floods in Pakistan’s Chiniot district have destroyed villages, homes and crops after the Chenab River overflowed due to heavy monsoon rains. Thousands of families have been forced into makeshift roadside camps, with residents reporting little government aid as livestock starve and food supplies run out. Authorities recorded water flow at nearly 393,000 cusecs, while nationwide the monsoon has killed 820 people and displaced over a million. The devastation in Punjab, Pakistan’s breadbasket, is fuelling fears of a looming food crisis.
4. Ukrainian former parliamentary speaker Andriy Parubiy shot dead in Lviv
Former Ukrainian parliamentary speaker Andriy Parubiy was shot dead in Lviv on Saturday, prompting a manhunt, prosecutors said. Parubiy, 54, a former parliament leader and key figure in the 2013–2014 Euromaidan protests, also served as secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council during Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Tributes poured in from Ukrainian leaders, with former President Petro Poroshenko calling the killing “a shot fired at the heart of Ukraine,” while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to bring the perpetrator to justice. Authorities launched a special operation, codenamed “Siren,” to track down the shooter.
5. Xi Jinping says China will remain a trustworthy UN partner
Chinese President Xi Jinping told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Tianjin that China would remain a reliable partner of the United Nations, pledging stronger cooperation and support for its global role. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Nikol Pashinyan also attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, underscoring its high-level participation. Xi stressed the need to restore the UN’s authority, while Guterres urged urgent reform of global governance and hailed China as a pillar of multilateralism.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Ho...
A Russian couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner urging world peace before, in an apparent elaborate marriage p...
Israeli lawmakers have approved a bill that would ban the Muslim call to prayer (adhan) from being broadcast through mosque loudspeakers, according to...
England captain Harry Kane scored twice and Belgium beat Senegal with a last-minute penalty as both sides joined the United States in the last 16 of t...
A breakaway Catholic group dedicated to preserving the traditional Latin Mass has ordained four new bishops in Switzerland, despite a direct appeal fr...
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A Russian couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner urging world peace before, in an apparent elaborate marriage proposal that ended with their arrests.
Israeli lawmakers have approved a bill that would ban the Muslim call to prayer (adhan) from being broadcast through mosque loudspeakers, according to local media.
England captain Harry Kane scored twice and Belgium beat Senegal with a last-minute penalty as both sides joined the United States in the last 16 of the World Cup.
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.
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.
The latest AnewZ investigative documentary examines how Emmanuel Macron’s promise to break with France’s old political habits collided with diplomatic setbacks in Africa and legal fallout surrounding figures once close to the Élysée.
A Russian couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner urging world peace before, in an apparent elaborate marriage proposal that ended with their arrests.
A breakaway Catholic group dedicated to preserving the traditional Latin Mass has ordained four new bishops in Switzerland, despite a direct appeal from Pope Leo XIV to halt the ceremony.
A California man has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its Chief Executive, Sam Altman, alleging that conversations with the company's ChatGPT chatbot worsened his bipolar disorder and contributed to a suicide attempt.
The United States has designated the Ecuadorian criminal group Chone Killers as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), imposing sanctions on a gang Washington says is responsible for attacks on civilians, police officers and public officials.
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.
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