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 4-person crew in the Orion capsule on NASA's Artemis II space shuttle carried out a key thruster firing on Thursday, sending the ship ...
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz by tele...
The United Nations Security Council is to vote on a Bahraini resolution to protect commercial shipping in ...
Iran has rejected claims it has been weakened, vowing instead “more crushing” attacks against the United States and ...
Fears of wider escalation grow despite President Donald Trump saying U.S. strikes on Iran could end within weeks. Meanwhile ...
The 4-person crew in the Orion capsule on NASA's Artemis II space shuttle carried out a key thruster firing on Thursday, sending the ship past the main orbit of the Earth towards the moon, in the hope of beating Apollo 13's distance in 1970, as they took pictures using phones and cameras.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz by telephone with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday, the Russian foreign ministry said. A statement on the ministry website said the call had taken place at the initiative of Iran.
The United Nations Security Council is to vote on a Bahraini resolution to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, diplomats said on Friday, but veto-wielding China made clear its opposition to authorising any use of force.
Iran has rejected claims it has been weakened, vowing instead “more crushing” attacks against the United States and Israel. President Masoud Pezeshkian also warned that Israel is fabricating threats about Iran, as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed affecting the global energy market.
Fears of wider escalation grow despite President Donald Trump saying U.S. strikes on Iran could end within weeks. Meanwhile missile attacks, tanker incidents and rising casualties across Israel, Lebanon and the Gulf heighten risks to regional stability and energy routes.
There are fears of an oil spill after a drone strike hit a Kuwaiti oil tanker near Dubai on Tuesday, while U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran reportedly killed at least two people. A loud explosion was heard in Beirut in southern Lebanon early Wednesday, as oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel.
Russian-flagged tanker carrying approximately 700,000 barrels of crude oil docked at Cuba's Matanzas oil terminal on Tuesday, shipping data confirmed, marking a vital and controversial delivery to an island paralysed by severe energy shortages and a suffocating U.S. blockade.
Four astronauts blasted off from Florida on Wednesday on NASA's Artemis II mission, a high-stakes voyage around the moon that marks the United States' boldest step yet toward returning humans to the lunar surface later this decade in a race with China.
An earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck in Indonesia's Northern Molucca Sea on Thursday, killing one person, damaging some buildings and triggering tsunami waves, authorities and witnesses said.
In a dramatic shake-up at the top of the U.S. Justice Department, President Donald Trump has removed Attorney General Pam Bondi from her post, a White House official confirmed on Thursday.
American President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday to pull the United States out of NATO after European nations refused to join a U.S.-led naval mission to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
France has unveiled a delayed wave of renewable energy tenders to boost energy independence and strengthen domestic and European industry.
China is emerging as one of the more stable economies amid the latest global oil shock, thanks to years of planning, diversified energy sources and a steady shift towards renewable power.
In a major policy reversal, the U.S. Treasury has removed Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, from its sanctions list, signalling a sharp shift in Washington’s approach to Caracas.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment