Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 17th of November, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Ukraine secures gas imports from Greece, as Zelenskyy meets Greek Prime Minister
Ukraine has secured U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Greece to help cover its winter energy needs from December until March 2026. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made the announcement on Sunday (16 November).
The deal, signed between Greek gas company DEPA and Ukraine’s Naftogaz during Zelenskyy’s visit to Athens, marks a key step in Kyiv’s efforts to stabilise energy supplies after Russian strikes damaged domestic production facilities.
2. China warns citizens against travel to Japan after Takaichi's Taiwan comments
China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan, citing “significant risks” to their safety and worsening bilateral ties following recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan.
State broadcaster CCTV reported on Monday (November 17) that the advisory comes after Takaichi said in parliament that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could pose a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan — comments that prompted a strong diplomatic protest from Beijing.
3. Trump urges U.S. House Republicans to vote to release Epstein files
U.S. President Donald Trump has called on congressional Republicans to vote for the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying the party has “nothing to hide.” In a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday (November 16), Trump wrote, “House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide. And it’s time to move on from this Democrat hoax perpetrated by radical left lunatics.”
His comments followed House Speaker Mike Johnson’s statement that releasing Justice Department documents could help dispel allegations linking Trump to Epstein’s crimes.
4. More than 70 schools in Australia closed over asbestos fears
More than 70 schools in Australia were shut on Monday (November 17) after asbestos was detected in children’s play sand, prompting nationwide recalls and urgent clean-ups. Tremolite and chrysotile asbestos were found in colourful sand products supplied by Educational Colours, triggering an ACCC recall. Kmart and Target later recalled sandcastle kits and “magic sand” sets.
Dozens of ACT schools and preschools, along with one in Brisbane, closed for assessment and removal of the contaminated products. Authorities said the sand was “widespread across ACT public schools.” Asbestos is banned in Australia and New Zealand due to its links to several cancers. Cleanup efforts are ongoing.
The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said...
Georgia could gain a direct electricity link to Europe under plans for a new overland energy corridor connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye ...
Türkiye has unveiled plans for joint military exercises and defence production with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan under a new security pact that i...
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or rerouted at Catania Airport over the past week as ash from Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption continues to disrupt air travel in Sicily.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said.
Iran and Afghanistan are seeking closer cooperation in agriculture, livestock and irrigation during a three-day Iranian ministerial visit to Kabul, as both sides look to strengthen trade and rural economies.
At least 437 civilians were killed and 2,610 injured in Ukraine in July, according to UN investigators, marking the highest monthly civilian casualty toll since March 2022.
Record rainfall in Japan killed eight people and stranded thousands of travellers at Tokyo's Narita Airport on Friday, as flooding disrupted transport and cut power to 20,000 homes.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 14th of August, covering the latest developments.
Ukraine’s attacks on Russian ports, refineries and shipping infrastructure are putting Moscow’s energy exports under growing pressure and disrupting key trade routes, raising concerns over commercial shipping and global food supplies.
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