Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 17th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Donald Trump said he will be involved "indirectly" in Tuesday’s resumption of nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Geneva this week, emphasising that the talks are critical and implying that Iran is motivated to strike a deal to avoid further consequences. Against a backdrop of recent conflict and a significant American military buildup in the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Switzerland seeking a "fair and equitable" agreement, though deep mistrust remains over uranium enrichment levels and sanctions relief.
In a major day for international diplomacy, Geneva is set to host two separate tracks of negotiations on Tuesday. The Iran-U.S. nuclear discussions and a trilateral meeting involving U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian officials aimed at brokering peace in Eastern Europe. A U.S. delegation featuring Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will facilitate the talks, though prospects for a breakthrough in the Ukraine conflict remain uncertain as Kyiv and Moscow hold fast to opposing demands regarding territorial control and troop withdrawals.
On the eve of renewed nuclear negotiations with the West, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy has conducted live military exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz to demonstrate readiness against "potential threats". The drills in the vital global oil shipping lane underscore the tension accompanying the diplomatic efforts in Geneva, serving as a signal of Tehran’s capability to disrupt maritime traffic should the political situation deteriorate further.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared that his government will not provide assistance to repatriate Australian families of suspected Islamic State militants from detention camps in Syria, asserting that they must face the legal consequences of their actions if they manage to return. The hardline stance follows a failed attempt by 34 Australians to leave the Roj camp due to technical issues, according to sources, and coincides with a surge in domestic support for the right-wing One Nation party, placing pressure on the government’s approach to national security.
Robert Duvall, the acclaimed American actor known for his powerful performances in The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and his Academy Award-winning role in Tender Mercies, has died peacefully at his home in Virginia at the age of 95. His wife, Luciana, paid tribute to his seven-decade career and dedication to storytelling, marking the passing of one of Hollywood’s most respected figures whose understated authority and emotional depth left an indelible mark on cinema history.
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are m...
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday...
Uzbekistan’s grape exports have grown rapidly. In January-August 2025, the country exported 86,200 tonnes of fresh grapes worth $78.3 million...
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said a Togo-flagged oil tanker was struck while attempting to make an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said early on Friday.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
The European Union will disburse €3.3 billion ($3.8 billion) to Ukraine for missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
Three students were killed in a school shooting in the southern Philippines on Friday, including a 16-year-old suspected gunman who turned the gun on himself, provincial officials said.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
A small container of lunar soil travelled more than 380,000 kilometres from the far side of the Moon to Earth two years ago. It recently made one more journey - from Beijing to Vienna, where China officially handed it over to the United Nations.
Russian authorities have reported attacks on voting systems and communication lines as the country’s parliamentary election entered its second day on Saturday (19 September).
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has launched a new eight-nation grouping aimed at boosting trade, energy and security cooperation across central and eastern Europe. Here's what you need to know.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
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