AnewZ Morning Brief – 4 July, 2026
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 4 July, covering the latest developments you need to know....
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday (14 March) that many countries are interested in purchasing Russian oil after the United States temporarily eased sanctions on certain exports.
Peskov told Russia’s state news agency TASS that global energy markets “cannot afford to lose large volumes of Russian oil”, adding that demand for supplies from Moscow remains strong.
“Markets are indeed wide, and there are many willing to purchase Russian oil,” Peskov said, arguing that renewed flows of Russian crude could help stabilise global energy markets.
Thailand and Sri Lanka have signalled interest in buying Russian oil, according to earlier reports, while U.S. broadcaster CNBC said several other countries, including Japan, could also resume purchases.
The comments came after the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump issued a temporary licence allowing countries to buy certain Russian oil products loaded onto vessels before 12 March. Officials in Washington suggested the measure, introduced as energy markets tighten, could be extended.
Oil prices have surged as the war involving Iran disrupts regional energy supplies. Brent crude rose above $100 per barrel this week for the first time since August 2022.
The conflict has effectively halted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies normally pass.
Peskov said easing sanctions on Russian oil exports was in the interest of both Moscow and Washington as they seek to stabilise global energy markets.
However, the move has drawn criticism in Europe. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the decision “wrong”, saying it risked allowing Russia to exploit the Middle East conflict to weaken Ukraine.
Analysts say that even if the conflict in the Gulf ends quickly, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz may not resume immediately, prolonging pressure on global oil markets.
India is investigating a data breach at Tata Electronics that exposed sensitive documents linked to Apple's unreleased iPhone 18 Pro, marking the government's first public comments on the incident.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has raised its forecast for the rapid emergence of a strong El Niño, warning the climate pattern is likely to drive higher global temperatures and intensify extreme weather in the months ahead.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Eight Buddhist monks were killed and more than 20 others injured after an 11-year-old boy driving his parents' pickup truck ploughed into a religious procession in north-eastern Thailand, police said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump on the 250th anniversary of American independence, saying Russia and the United States share a special responsibility for maintaining global security as the world's two largest nuclear powers.
China said on Saturday it had launched a coast guard patrol east of Taiwan, prompting a strong protest from Taipei, which accused Beijing of illegally expanding its authority and undermining regional stability.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 4 July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russian attacks killed at least six people across three Ukrainian regions on Friday, regional officials said, as Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure continued to add pressure to fuel supplies inside Russia.
World Athletics has reaffirmed its decision to keep Russian and Belarusian athletes excluded from international competition, saying there has been no meaningful progress towards peace in Ukraine.
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