Australia condemns Israel over closure of Gaza aid worker case
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom ...
Life in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, returned to normal on Sunday (September 14), just days after deadly protests left at least 51 people dead and blanketed the city in smoke.
Visitors flocked back to popular attractions like Swayambhunath Temple and the Narayanhiti Museum, while the streets, once deserted due to unrest, were once again filled with traffic. The return of calm brought relief to residents, with many expressing gratitude for the quick recovery of daily life.
One intercity bus driver, who travelled over 8 hours from the southeastern Rajbiraj municipality, shared his appreciation: "The road was in good condition. There were no obstacles, and we reached our destination two hours earlier than usual. I want to express my thanks for that."
The protests, which had intensified over the past week, culminated in a violent clash that shook the country. In response to the unrest, Nepal's President Ramchandra Paudel announced on Friday (September 12) that the parliament would be dissolved, and fresh elections would be held on March 5.
The recent turbulence also saw the appointment of Nepal's first female prime minister, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. The decision was made following intense political negotiations and pressure from various factions, marking a significant shift in Nepal’s political landscape.
As the country begins to heal from the turmoil, the focus now turns to rebuilding trust and ensuring a peaceful and democratic transition in the upcoming months.
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint military exercises with South Korea in an effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang.
Georgia’s foreign trade data for January-July 2026 shows Kyrgyzstan, China and Russia as its top three export markets, highlighting its Middle Corridor ambitions and complex economic ties with Moscow.
Kazakhstan will vote on 23 August in its first parliamentary election under the new Constitution, choosing 145 members of the new Kurultai under a fundamentally changed electoral system based entirely on party lists.
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