Russia pulls staff, attacks stopped, Trump says Iran wants ceasefire - Middle East conflict on 1 Apri
There are fears of an oil spill after a drone strike hit a Kuwaiti oil tanker near Dubai on Tuesday, while U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran report...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for February 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Netanyahu vows to "open the gates of hell" if all hostages in Gaza not returned
Benjamin Netanyahu, in a joint statement with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said the United States and Israel have a "common strategy" when it comes to Gaza.
2. DeepSeek AI app temporarily removed from South Korean app stores for privacy review
The Chinese AI app DeepSeek has been removed from South Korean app stores pending a review of its data privacy practices, authorities announced on Monday
3. At least 10 dead in Southeast as extreme weather sweeps nation
At least 10 people have died this weekend after a powerful storm battered the much of the Southeast, bring strong winds, heavy rains and devastating flooding.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed that nine people were killed after floodwaters started sweeping across the state. Emergency responders also conducted more than 1,000 rescues, Beshear said.
4. US plane with 3rd batch of illegal Indian immigrants lands in India's Amritsar
A plane with 112 Indians, who were deported from the United States for illegally residing in the country, landed in India's Amritsar on February 16 night, the third such arrival in a span of 10 days as part of the Donald Trump administration's crackdown on such immigrants
The flight C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the US Air Force landed at the Amritsar International Airport at around 10.03 pm, according to sources.
5. Meta Unveils 50,000 Km Waterworth Subsea Cable Project to Boost AI and Global Connectivity
Meta has announced Project Waterworth, which the American company calls its most ambitious subsea cable endeavour.
Once completed, the cable, using the highest-capacity technology available, is set to become the world's longest, spanning over 50,000 kmlonger than the Earth's circumference.
6. Europe to be excluded from Russia-Ukraine peace talks, US envoy confirms
Europe will be excluded from talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, the United States lead Ukraine envoy said.
General Keith Kellogg made the announcement on Saturday after the US sent a questionnaire to European capitals to ask what they could contribute to security guarantees for Kyiv.
7. US, Russian envoys on Ukraine to meet in Saudi Arabia on February 18
A meeting of the US and Russian delegations on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis will be held in Saudi Arabia on February 18.
According to the news outlet, high-ranking representatives of the US and Russia will also discuss preparations for the meeting between the presidents of the two countries, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
8. Türkiye begins renovation of Damascus International Airport
Türkiye has sent a 25-member technical team to Syria to begin work on restoring Damascus International Airport, which was severely damaged during the country’s 13-year civil war, the country’s transportation and infrastructure minister said on Sunday.
In a written statement, Abdulkadir Uraloglu said the Turkish team, made up of personnel from the State Airports Directorate, is working to make the airport operational again.
9. Caspian Sea turns red: Test results announced
The water samples taken from the Caspian Sea contain no dangerous substances.
The specialists of the regional ecology department took water samples on February 12, 2025, to check for the presence of chemicals and petroleum products following the red discoloration of the Caspian Sea.
The Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict is intensifying, with fresh strikes near Tehran, European calls for restraint, and Iran threatening to target U.S. firms in the region, raising fears of a broader escalation across the Middle East.
There are fears of an oil spill after a drone strike hit a Kuwaiti oil tanker near Dubai on Tuesday, while U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran reportedly killed at least two people. A loud explosion was heard in Beirut in southern Lebanon early Wednesday, as oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel.
China's three largest state-owned airlines have issued warnings regarding their financial outlook for the current year, acknowledging that the eruption of war involving Iran has driven jet fuel prices to unsustainable highs.
At least 70 people have been killed and more than 30 wounded in a gang attack in Haiti’s Artibonite region, according to two rights organisations, as thousands of residents fled the violence in the towns of Jean Denis and Pont Sondé.
Australia’s move to ban social media access for children under 16 has intensified a global debate, as governments around the world weigh tougher rules amid growing concerns over mental health, safety and screen addiction.
Türkiye secured their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 1–0 away victory over Kosovo in the European qualifying play-off final, ending a 24-year absence from the tournament.
With Donald Trump in attendance, the Supreme Court of the United States on Wednesday heard arguments over the legality of his directive to restrict birthright citizenship.
Drones detected in Estonia appear to have strayed from Ukraine while headed for Russia, the Baltic country's armed forces said late on Tuesday. Estonia had earlier said it detected drones inside and outside its airspace overnight, with broadcaster ERR reporting that drone debris was found.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have called for urgent action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as escalating conflict continues to choke one of the world’s most critical energy routes.
A U.S. judge has blocked President Donald Trump from moving ahead with plans to build a $400 million ballroom on the site of the demolished East Wing of the White House, pausing one of the most high-profile efforts to reshape the presidential complex.
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