AnewZ Morning Brief - 17 February, 2026
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...
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.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said the United States could evaluate its own interests separately from those of Israel in ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday (15 February) called it “troubling” a report by five European allies blaming Russia for killing late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny using a toxin from poison dart frogs.
Cuba’s fuel crisis has turned into a waste crisis, with rubbish piling up on most street corners in Havana as many collection trucks lack enough petrol to operate.
Norway is holding a commanding lead in the medal standings with 12 golds and a total of 26, with Italy having an historic performance on home soil on the ninth day of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics on Sunday (15 February).
Iran is pursuing a nuclear agreement with the U.S. that delivers economic benefits for both sides, an Iranian diplomat was reported as saying on Sunday (15 February), days before a second round of talks between Tehran and Washington.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama said aliens are “real,” but emphasised that he never encountered any indication of extraterrestrial contact while in office.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government would not assist Australian families of suspected Islamic State (IS) militants return home from a Syrian camp.
The Pentagon has threatened to designate artificial intelligence firm Anthropic as a “supply chain risk” amid a dispute over the military use of its Claude AI model, according to a report published Monday.
Representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the United States are set to meet in Geneva for a third round of trilateral negotiations aimed at ending the nearly four-year war, even as both sides intensify military pressure on the ground.
Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced on 16 February that the Honourable Janice Charette has been appointed as the next Chief Trade Negotiator to the United States. She's been tasked with overseeing the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
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