Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 4th of August, covering the latest developments.
Wildfires in Spokane, Washington, have destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced about 64,000 people to evacuate, officials said. The three fires have burned more than 8,000 acres and are among the highest-priority wildfires in the United States. Authorities warned the death toll could rise as search teams reach affected areas, with some people reported missing. Around 1,100 firefighters are battling the blazes as the Pacific Northwest faces one of its worst wildfire seasons.
A coalition of 25 U.S. states has sued the Trump administration over proposed tariffs on global imports, arguing they exceed presidential authority. The lawsuit seeks to block tariffs of 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent, claiming the measures could increase costs for American consumers. The states challenged the administration’s use of a fast-tracked Section 301 investigation into forced labour to justify the tariffs.
The U.S. and Iran gave conflicting statements over talks aimed at ending their five-month war, increasing uncertainty over a possible deal.
President Donald Trump said negotiations were underway, while Tehran denied that any talks were taking place. A shipping incident near the Strait of Hormuz raised concerns over security risks to global energy routes. Traffic through the key waterway remained limited, with only six vessels transiting on Monday.
South Korea boosts heatwave response as death toll hits 16
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged authorities to step up support as a record heatwave pushed the death toll to 16. Lee warned extreme weather was becoming more frequent and called for stronger crisis response measures. The country recorded its highest-ever temperature in 122 years of observations, with Yangsan reaching 42.5°C.
A warehouse facility near Russia’s St. Petersburg was hit in a drone attack, regional governor Alexander Drozdenko said. He did not disclose the name of the facility or provide further details on the strike. Neighbouring Finland introduced a temporary aviation restriction zone in the eastern Gulf of Finland following the incident.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed surprise after Donald Trump mediated the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement in 2025, the U.S. President ...
The United Nations has condemned a sharp rise in attacks on civilians in Ukraine, reporting that more than 100 people were killed and at least 429 ...
Air quality in Singapore plunged to “very unhealthy” levels on Friday, 9 October, as thick haze engulfed the city-state ahead of Sunday...
Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took the decision at the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Friday, media reported.
Britain and Israel have reached a temporary compromise over the future of the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, easing a diplomatic dispute that had threatened to further strain relations between the two countries.
The Nobel Peace Prize 2026 will be announced on Friday, 9 October, bringing one of the world's most closely watched awards back into focus.
South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday (9 October) escalating tensions with European allies and potentially targeting companies that provide services to the tribunal. The move came hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed surprise after Donald Trump mediated the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement in 2025, the U.S. President said at a rally in New York state on Friday.
The United Nations has condemned a sharp rise in attacks on civilians in Ukraine, reporting that more than 100 people were killed and at least 429 injured in a single week as Russian strikes hit residential areas, passenger buses and critical infrastructure.
Air quality in Singapore plunged to “very unhealthy” levels on Friday, 9 October, as thick haze engulfed the city-state ahead of Sunday's Formula One Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen claimed pole position for Saturday's Sprint race.
Ukrainian drone strikes have hit two Yandex data centres in Russia on consecutive days, disrupting digital services as Kyiv intensifies attacks on Russia's digital infrastructure.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday (9 October) escalating tensions with European allies and potentially targeting companies that provide services to the tribunal. The move came hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment