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 ...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 15th of September, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. U.S., China talks in Madrid on trade, TikTok carry over into second day
U.S. and Chinese delegations extended trade talks in Madrid into a second day on Monday, focusing on TikTok, tariffs, and rare earth exports, though no breakthrough was expected. Led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, the negotiations followed a fragile truce agreed in July, with analysts predicting only a likely extension of the 17 September deadline for TikTok’s divestment unless a direct Trump–Xi meeting is secured.
2. Hollywood celebrates 'The Pitt' and 'The Studio' at TV's Emmy Awards
HBO’s The Pitt scored a surprise win for best drama at the Emmy Awards, with star Noah Wyle earning his first Emmy after five previous nominations, while Seth Rogen’s The Studio was named best comedy, with Rogen also taking home awards for best comedy actor and directing.
3. Greek vessels depart Syros to join Global Sumud flotilla to aid famine-hit Gaza
Two Greek-flagged ships, the Oxygen and Ilektra, departed Syros on Sunday to join the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international mission carrying aid to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s blockade. Supported by activists such as Greta Thunberg, the flotilla aims to highlight the humanitarian crisis, with crew members stressing solidarity with Palestinians and condemning Israel’s restrictions, despite facing risks including suspected drone attacks.
4. Pope Leo XIV celebrates 70th birthday, receives blessings and global greetings
5. Arab-Islamic summit backs Qatar after Israeli strike
Arab and Islamic leaders convene in Doha on Monday for an emergency summit after Israel’s strike on Hamas officials in Qatar killed six, including a Qatari officer. A draft resolution condemns the attack as destabilising but avoids sanctions, while Qatar vows to continue mediation, Israel demands Hamas expulsions, and the U.S. and UAE voice concern, stressing Gulf stability.
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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