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 20th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump has declared the war in Gaza "over" during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington on Thursday, unveiling a massive reconstruction initiative supported by a $7 billion relief package from Gulf and Central Asian nations and a proposed $10 billion contribution from the United States. While the plan includes a stabilisation force of more than 30,000 personnel, the initiative has faced scepticism from key European allies who fear it undermines the United Nations, a sentiment further complicated after Azerbaijan denied participating in the financial pledge despite Trump’s claims.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated after President Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, demanding a nuclear deal be reached within 15 days or the nation would face "really bad things" following talks in Geneva that brought no breakthrough. Both Washington and Tehran have increased their military presence in the region as the Iranian government vows a decisive response to any aggression, prompting countries such as Poland to urge their citizens to leave the country immediately.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released under investigation after being arrested by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, relating to allegations that he shared sensitive government information with Jeffrey Epstein. His brother, King Charles III issued a statement emphasising that "the law must take its course," whilst the family of Virginia Giuffre welcomed the arrest as evidence that no individual is above the law.
A court in Austria has convicted a 37-year-old mountaineer of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend died of hypothermia during a severe storm on the Grossglockner mountain. The judge ruled that the climber, who received a suspended sentence, failed to take essential safety precautions before leaving his exhausted partner alone to seek help, highlighting a breach of the duty of care in extreme alpine conditions.
Eric Dane, the American actor celebrated for his roles as Dr Mark Sloan in 'Grey’s Anatomy' and Cal Jacobs in 'Euphoria', has died at the age of 53 following a year-long battle with ALS, said his family. Dane, who publicly revealed his diagnosis in 2025, continued to work and advocate for awareness of the neurodegenerative disease during his final year, earning praise from colleagues and fans alike for his courage and enduring contribution to television.
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.
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.
South Korea estimates North Korea possesses between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, its defence minister said on Thursday, citing a range significantly higher than U.S. President Donald Trump's recent assertion that Pyongyang has 57 nuclear weapons.
Russian ballistic missile strikes on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv has killed at least sixteen people and injured more than forty others, Ukrainian officials said, with fires reported across the city and Poland activating defensive air operations.
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