live U.S.-Iran standoff continues as Hormuz shipping and diplomacy remain uncertain
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to res...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 23th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Exclusive: NATO reinforces unity as Trump pauses tariff threats
In an exclusive interview, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska has hailed a new era of alliance unity following the 5% GDP defence pledge, noting that the recent Davos meeting between Secretary General Mark Rutte and U.S. President Donald Trump resulted in "thoughtful diplomacy" rather than conflict. Amidst discussions on Arctic security and a temporary halt to new U.S. tariffs on European allies, Shekerinska emphasised that the alliance remains "razor-focused" on collective defence against increased Russian and Chinese activity, while also formalising a tailored partnership programme with Azerbaijan.
Trump rescinds Canada’s ‘Board of Peace’ invite following Carney speech
Diplomatic tensions between Ottawa and Washington have escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a defiant speech at Davos regarding the decline of the rules-based order, prompting President Trump to formally withdraw Canada’s invitation to his U.S.-backed "Board of Peace" initiative. While Trump retaliated by mocking Canada’s dependence on American support, Carney’s refusal to acquiesce to U.S. pressure has bolstered his domestic approval ratings, with politicians across the spectrum praising his defence of Canadian sovereignty.
Historic trilateral talks on Ukraine set for Abu Dhabi
In a significant step towards resolving the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to join U.S. and Russian officials in Abu Dhabi for historic trilateral talks for the first time, aimed at finalising security guarantees and post-war economic recovery plans. Following "constructive" preparatory meetings in Moscow and Davos, the summit will address critical territorial disputes. However, the Kremlin has warned that military operations will persist until its core demands are met, even as Kyiv faces its harshest winter of the conflict.
TikTok avoids U.S. ban with new joint venture deal
ByteDance has successfully circumvented a looming U.S. ban by finalising a joint venture that places 80.1% of TikTok’s ownership in the hands of American and global investors, including Oracle and Silver Lake. President Trump, who credited the app with aiding his recent election victory, endorsed the agreement and thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for his cooperation, noting that the new structure will safeguard American user data while allowing the Chinese tech giant to retain a minority stake.
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.
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.
Five years after Evergrande's debt crisis rattled global markets, founder Hui Ka Yan has been sentenced to life in prison, marking a dramatic new chapter in the downfall of China's former property giant.
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