Japan condemns China's dual-use export ban as rare earth fears mount
Diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing escalated as Japan slams China's export ban on dual-use goods. Markets have wobbled as fears grow over a...
US envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut as Hezbollah and Lebanon approved a US-brokered ceasefire draft. While aligned with UN Resolution 1701, unresolved details and ongoing violence may delay a final deal.
US envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Tuesday for discussions with Lebanese officials regarding a US-brokered ceasefire proposal between Hezbollah and Israel. The visit follows Hezbollah’s approval of a draft ceasefire agreement facilitated by Washington, according to Lebanon’s state news agency.
This development marks significant progress in US-led diplomatic efforts to end the conflict that escalated into full-scale war in late September, after Israel launched a major offensive against Hezbollah.
Ali Hassan Khalil, an aide to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, confirmed that both the Lebanese government and Hezbollah had agreed to the US proposal and provided comments on its content. Khalil refrained from detailing these comments but described the response as positive and aligned with the principles of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. The resolution mandates that Hezbollah must not maintain an armed presence in the area between the Israeli-Lebanese border and the Litani River.
Whilst Hezbollah has entrusted Berri with leading negotiations, both sides have intensified military actions during the ongoing political talks. Khalil criticised Israel for attempting to 'negotiate under fire', referencing an escalation in Israeli bombardments targeting Beirut and Hezbollah-controlled regions in southern Lebanon. He emphasised that these actions would not alter Lebanon’s stance.
A diplomat familiar with the discussions noted that some details of the agreement still need to be finalised, warning that unresolved issues could delay a formal deal.
Israel has not issued an official statement on the proposed ceasefire. However, the continuing dialogue signals a potential breakthrough in efforts to halt the violence and restore stability to the region.
Germany’s foreign intelligence service secretly monitored the telephone communications of former U.S. President Barack Obama for several years, including calls made aboard Air Force One, according to an investigation by the German newspaper Die Zeit.
Israeli media report that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chaired a lengthy security meeting that reportedly focused on the country’s regional threats, including Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
At the end of last year, U.S. President Donald Trump was reported to have raised the Azerbaijan–Armenia peace agenda during a conversation with Israel’s prime minister, warning that if peace were not achieved, Washington could raise tariffs on both countries by 100 percent.
President Ilham Aliyev said 2025 has politically closed the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, as a Trump-era reset in U.S. ties, new transport corridors and a push into AI, renewables and defence production reshape Azerbaijan’s priorities.
Protests continued into another day in Iran, with crowds returning to the streets despite mounting pressure from the authorities. By scale and spread, the unrest has entered its most significant phase so far.
Diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing escalated as Japan slams China's export ban on dual-use goods. Markets have wobbled as fears grow over a potential rare earth embargo affecting global supply chains.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 7th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
European countries and the United States presented a united front in support of Ukraine, unveiling security guarantees backed by Washington and a detailed plan for long-term assistance contingent on a ceasefire with Russia.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday (7 January), that significant progress has been made in restoring trust with China. He also reiterated that relations with Japan are equally important for Seoul’s diplomacy amid shifting regional dynamics.
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake has struck off the southern Philippines, with no immediate reports of damage or injuries, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment