Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 22 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. and Iranian officials ended the first round of talks in Switzerland with mediators saying both sides agreed on a 60-day roadmap toward a final deal despite tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and wider regional conflicts. Qatar and Pakistan, acting as mediators, said the agreement includes continued technical talks, a mechanism to reduce hostilities in Lebanon, and steps to secure commercial shipping through the strait. The negotiations were held amid renewed threats from U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran’s announcement that it had again closed the strategic waterway.
Russia said it downed nearly 60 drones targeting Moscow overnight, briefly forcing the suspension of flights at several airports before operations resumed. Ukrainian authorities reported that Russian drone and missile strikes killed civilians, including a family of three in the Sumy region and a woman in Zaporizhzhia, while also hitting civilian vessels at sea and killing an Egyptian crew member. In total, Russian defence systems claimed to have intercepted over 300 drones, including in occupied Ukrainian territories, amid intensified cross-border attacks. Ukraine also reported continued Russian strikes on its southern regions.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a timetable for his departure, less than two years after winning a landslide election victory. The move follows growing pressure from senior Labour ministers and the rising popularity of Andy Burnham after his by-election win in Makerfield. Burnham's victory over Reform UK has fuelled hopes he could revive Labour's fortunes amid declining poll numbers and losses among traditional supporters. However, if he succeeds Starmer, Burnham would inherit significant economic challenges, including high borrowing costs, weak growth and pressure from financial markets.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded more than 1,000 confirmed Ebola cases and 254 deaths, raising fears the outbreak could worsen without stronger intervention. The virus is spreading mainly in the eastern provinces, with Ituri accounting for the vast majority of infections. Health officials report improving recovery rates but warn that declining contact tracing and shortages of protective equipment are hampering containment efforts. Healthcare workers have been heavily affected, with 75 infections and 17 deaths recorded since the outbreak began in May.
At least 54 people were injured and 18 remain missing after an explosion at Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG processing hub during the start-up of operations at the Barzan gas facility. The blast triggered a fire that was later brought under control by emergency response teams. Authorities said the incident was caused by a technical accident and stressed there was no gas leak threatening public safety. Search and rescue operations are ongoing as teams continue looking for the missing individuals.
Iran said on Monday (3 August) it is not negotiating with the U.S. over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying current talks with Oman are focused sol...
The Pacific island nation formerly known internationally as Nauru has officially adopted the name Republic of Naoero, restoring the traditional name u...
Georgia has unveiled a new funding model for public universities, highlighting the different ways higher education is financed across the South Caucas...
A tourist aircraft crashed near Peru's UNESCO-listed Nazca Lines on Saturday (1 August), killing all 13 people on board, authorities said.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has said Tehran is not currently involved in direct talks with Washington about reopening the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran were to begin on Monday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Saturday he would hold off on a fresh attack on Iran as long as a deal could be reached quickly to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Two firefighting helicopters collided while battling a major wildfire in Greece on Sunday, killing two crew members as emergency services continued efforts to contain fires fuelled by extreme heat and dry conditions across Europe.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said wildfires that swept across France were now under control. Authorities warned that risks remained as Greece and Spain continued battling active blazes across parts of Europe.
The Pacific island nation formerly known internationally as Nauru has officially adopted the name Republic of Naoero, restoring the traditional name used by its people in a move to reaffirm the country's cultural identity and heritage.
France’s worst wildfire season since 1949 is stretching emergency services, raising questions about the country’s preparedness and increasing political pressure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Police have arrested six people on suspicion of arson as prosecutors investigate dozens of wildfires that have broken out across Türkiye in recent days.
Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant may continue operating at reduced capacity until Tuesday, temporarily easing pressure on the country’s electricity grid during an intense heatwave.
Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Monday, after years of questions over the health and well-being of the 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner.
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