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.
At least 68 people have been killed after two high-speed trains collided in Spain on Wednesday, in the second deadly rail disaster in less tha...
Baku is set to host the second “Fly to Baku” Art Weekend from 30 October to 1 November, bringing together Azerbaijani and international...
Kazakhstan could begin building its first nuclear power plant in 2027, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on 28 October, according to Azertac. Bu...
Despite losing his bloc's majority in Israel's 120-seat Knesset in a hotly contested election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has managed to remain in the lead after 70 per cent of votes were tallied on Wednesday. Figures are subject to change as counting continues.
Russia and Ukraine have begun a regional ceasefire to allow the start of a humanitarian effort in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, both sides said on Tuesday, but they continue strikes elsewhere, including the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
Russian strikes hit several parts of Ukraine overnight, injuring at least six people and targeting energy and port infrastructure, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said U.S. warnings about imminent Russian ballistic missile attacks had resumed.
The Pentagon is prepared to launch potentially major military operations against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from U.S. President Donald Trump, with sufficient forces already deployed in the Middle East, according to a CNN report.
Jordan said its air force killed more than 20 Islamic State militants in strikes on southern Syria on Monday night.
At least 68 people have been killed after two high-speed trains collided in Spain on Wednesday, in the second deadly rail disaster in less than a year on a major route linking Madrid with the southern Andalusia region.
U.S. President Donald Trump said early Wednesday that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would be arranged soon, while leaving the door open to further U.S. strikes on Iran following next week's midterm elections.
Azerbaijan has called for stronger international cooperation against corruption and cross-border financial crime as senior officials from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) gathered in Baku on Wednesday, 28 October.
Qatari mediators have presented Iran with a new proposal to end the war with the U.S. and Israel, with Tehran expected to respond by the end of the week, according to an official briefed on the negotiations.
Despite losing his bloc's majority in Israel's 120-seat Knesset in a hotly contested election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has managed to remain in the lead after 70 per cent of votes were tallied on Wednesday. Figures are subject to change as counting continues.
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