live Iran targets Gulf countries, closes Strait of Hormuz as U.S. launches fresh strikes
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claime...
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.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has agreed to resume talks with Iran after Tehran requested further negotiations, but declared that last month's ceasefire between the two countries was "over".
What began as a fan-created chant just months ago has become one of the defining images of this year's FIFA World Cup, with Norway's "Viking Row" sweeping through stadiums, city streets and social media.
British police have arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe, a former government minister whose death was announced on Friday.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has promised to avenge the killing of his father, while U.S. President Donald Trump said Tehran and Washington had agreed to continue talks despite an escalation of hostilities this week.
Typhoon Bavi pummelled Japan's southern Sakishima island chain with heavy rain and violent winds on Saturday as it headed towards Taiwan, prompting authorities to warn of the risks of floods and landslides.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 12 July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent allies in Congress, has died following a brief and sudden illness. He was 71-years-old.
Five major carmakers have largely won the first stage of a major legal battle at a High Court case brought by around 1.6 million claimants in the UK over allegations that their diesel vehicles were fitted with unlawful "defeat devices" that led to higher emissions.
Firefighters in Spain's southeastern province of Almería have begun efforts to contain one of the country's deadliest wildfires in recent years. The blaze killed at least 12 people and forced more communities to evacuate from their homes.
Russian missile and drone attacks killed at least eight people and wounded dozens across Ukraine on Saturday (11 July). President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for faster implementation of international agreements on military assistance.
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