Iran plunged into nationwide internet blackout as protests intensify
Iran is now facing a near‑total internet blackout as anti-government protests sweep the country. Major cities including Tehran have seen connectivit...
The number of repeat asylum applications rose in the European Union in August this year, with 13,780 submitted – a 117% increase compared with August 2024 and a 20% rise from July 2025, according to the latest figures.
Afghan nationals were the largest group of first-time applicants, with 5,260 claims, followed by Venezuelans (5,180), Syrians (2,825) and Bangladeshis (2,785).
France (9,735), Italy (9,075), Spain (8,470) and Germany (7,800) accounted for 68% of all first-time applications.
Across the EU, there were 11.4 first-time applicants per 100,000 people, with the highest rate in Greece (65.2), followed by the Greek Cypriot Administration (23.9) and Belgium (20.2).
In August, 1,840 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum for the first time.
The largest numbers came from Egypt (385), Afghanistan (200), Somalia (195) and Eritrea (190), with Greece (515), the Netherlands (335) and Germany (240) being the main destinations for these children.
However, the number of first-time asylum applicants in the European Union fell by 27% in August 2025, Eurostat data shows. A total of 51,465 people applied for international protection for the first time, down from 70,290 in August 2024 and 55,390 in July 2025.
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources reported a significant movement of U.S. military aircraft towards the Middle East in recent hours. Dozens of U.S. Air Force aerial refuelling tankers and heavy transport aircraft were observed heading eastwards, presumably to staging points in the region.
Snow and ice stalled travellers in northwest Europe on Wednesday, forcing around a thousand to spend the night in Amsterdam's Schiphol airport but delighting others who set out to explore a snow-blanketed Paris on sledges and skis.
Diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing escalated as Japan slams China's export ban on dual-use goods. Markets have wobbled as fears grow over a potential rare earth embargo affecting global supply chains.
Two people have been killed after a private helicopter crashed at a recreation centre in Russia’s Perm region, Russian authorities and local media have said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face a strong response from the United States if its authorities kill protesters amid ongoing unrest.
Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv early on Friday (9 January) killed at least 4 people, injured at least 19, and caused significant damage to residential buildings and critical infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.
Venezuela has released prominent Venezuelan-Spanish rights activist Rocío San Miguel and four other Spanish citizens, Spanish authorities said on Thursday (8 January). Local rights groups report that promised releases of Venezuelan political prisoners are yet to materialise.
Türkiye’s United Nations envoy called on the international community on Thursday to maintain strong support for the elimination of Syria’s remaining chemical weapons, stressing that the task is both a legal obligation and a critical priority for regional security and humanitarian protection.
Georgia has said it will clarify the circumstances surrounding the U.S. seizure of a Russian‑flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic and is seeking information on its Georgian crew members.
President Donald J. Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organisations, including both non-United Nations entities and several UN-related bodies.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment