Afghanistan, Belarus agree to deepen industrial cooperation
Afghanistan and Belarus have agreed to advance joint industrial projects, investment and technical cooperation following talks in Minsk, as Kabul s...
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Meets Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to Strengthen Defense Cooperation
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to the State Department in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday for high-level talks aimed at reinforcing defense ties between the two nations. This meeting came just a day after the Saudi minister's visit to the Pentagon, where he engaged in discussions with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to further solidify military and security cooperation.
The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral defense strategies and addressing key security challenges in the Middle East and beyond. Both leaders emphasized the importance of a strong partnership in countering emerging threats and maintaining stability in the region.
Earlier on Monday, Prince Khalid bin Salman also met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, where they explored pressing regional and international security developments, including the ongoing instability in the Middle East. The talks came at a critical time, as the U.S. and Saudi Arabia continue to strengthen their security relationship in the face of growing geopolitical tensions.
This visit underscores Saudi Arabia's increasing role in shaping global diplomatic and security frameworks. The kingdom recently hosted high-level officials from both the United States and Russia in an effort to facilitate discussions on the ongoing war in Ukraine. These meetings were part of Saudi Arabia’s broader initiative to restore and strengthen relations between the U.S. and Russia, signaling the kingdom's influential position as a key mediator in global diplomacy.
As a strategic partner of the U.S. in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia continues to play a central role in addressing global security challenges. This latest round of talks between U.S. and Saudi leaders highlights the importance of continued collaboration between the two nations in tackling pressing issues on the international stage.
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint military exercises with South Korea in an effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang.
Georgia’s foreign trade data for January-July 2026 shows Kyrgyzstan, China and Russia as its top three export markets, highlighting its Middle Corridor ambitions and complex economic ties with Moscow.
Kazakhstan will vote on 23 August in its first parliamentary election under the new Constitution, choosing 145 members of the new Kurultai under a fundamentally changed electoral system based entirely on party lists.
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