Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 19th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United Nations Security Council has expressed deep concern regarding Israel’s "de facto annexation" of the West Bank, warning that recent expansionist moves threaten the viability of a future two-state solution. While Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed the criticism, backed by a joint statement from 85 nations, as an "anti-Israeli obsession", the UK says it remains committed to a multilateral approach, planning a separate peace-building conference in March rather than joining the U.S.-led initiative.
U.S. President Donald Trump is set to convene the first leaders’ meeting of his controversial "Board of Peace" in Washington today, aiming to secure more than $5 billion for Gaza’s reconstruction. Whilst the initiative has secured participation from Israel and several regional powers, key Western allies including the UK and France have declined full membership, citing concerns over the Board’s governance structure, with Trump as chair for life, and concerns it could undermine the United Nations.
The top U.S. military commander for Latin America has made an unannounced visit to Caracas for security talks with Venezuela's interim government. General Francis Donovan’s arrival marks the first such high-level engagement since the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, signalling Washington’s intent to align the country with U.S. interests and oversee its vast oil sector. The delegation met with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and senior ministers, who both currently face U.S. indictments, to discuss cooperation on counter-narcotics and regional stability as part of President Donald Trump’s wider three-phase stabilisation strategy.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has faced intense scrutiny in a Los Angeles courtroom, denying allegations that Instagram deliberately targets children despite internal documents suggesting strategies to recruit "tweens". In a landmark trial concerning youth social media addiction, the tech mogul was pressed on inconsistent age enforcement and engagement tactics, a case that could set a significant legal precedent for widespread litigation against major tech platforms.
Escalating an energy dispute, Hungary and Slovakia have suspended diesel fuel exports to Ukraine with immediate effect, declaring that shipments will not resume until Russian crude oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline is restored. The Slovak government has declared a state of emergency regarding oil supplies and threatened to cut electricity to Kyiv, whilst Hungary insists it cannot jeopardise its own energy security to aid a neighbour.
Three people have been killed in a shooting at the Islamic Centre of San Diego, including a security guard while the two suspects were later found ...
At least four people have been killed in protests across Kenya over sharp fuel price rises, as a nationwide transport strike brought parts of the c...
Pakistan has deployed around 8,000 troops, fighter jets and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence agreement, according to secu...
Global leaders gathered in Baku this week for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, where heads of state and senior officials warned that rapi...
Gunmen killed at least 10 people, including women and children, in an attack on a rural community in Nigeria’s northwestern Katsina State, re...
Pakistan has deployed around 8,000 troops, fighter jets and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence agreement, according to security officials and government sources familiar with the arrangement.
Global leaders gathered in Baku this week for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, where heads of state and senior officials warned that rapid urban growth is placing increasing pressure on housing, infrastructure and climate resilience.
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) has opened in Baku, bringing together governments, international organisations, city leaders and civil society to address mounting global urban challenges.
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are negotiating summer water allocations as rising temperatures, agricultural demand and pressure on shared rivers intensify water security concerns across Central Asia.
Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, taking victory in a final overshadowed by a boycott over Israel’s participation and the war in Gaza.
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack on Iran after appeals from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, allowing negotiations to continue over a possible deal to end the conflict.
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Guangxi region early on Monday, killing two people and forcing more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou to evacuate as rescue efforts continued.
U.S. President Donald Trump says China's Xi Jinping agreed Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran prepares a new shipping mechanism. Tensions over the U.S. blockade and stalled nuclear talks continue to disrupt global oil supplies.
Three people have been killed in a shooting at the Islamic Centre of San Diego, including a security guard while the two suspects were later found dead after the attack, authorities have confirmed.
At least four people have been killed in protests across Kenya over sharp fuel price rises, as a nationwide transport strike brought parts of the country to a standstill.
Gunmen killed at least 10 people, including women and children, in an attack on a rural community in Nigeria’s northwestern Katsina State, residents said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to China is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties, particularly through expanded trade and economic cooperation.
Israeli military strikes across Gaza killed at least eight Palestinians on Sunday, according to local health officials, as the Israel Defense Forces intensified operations targeting Hamas commanders and infrastructure across the enclave.
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