Australia condemns Israel over closure of Gaza aid worker case
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom ...
Nepal's government investigates violence during a rally by former king's supporters, resulting in two deaths and over 100 injuries. The protest in Kathmandu led to vandalism and clashes with security forces.
Nepal’s government has launched an investigation into the violence that broke out during a rally in Kathmandu by supporters advocating for the restoration of the constitutional monarchy, a minister said on Saturday.
Authorities reported that two people lost their lives on Friday, while at least 112 others were injured, including 77 security personnel. The violence erupted as police intervened to prevent demonstrators from marching towards the parliament building.
According to officials, some protesters caused damage to homes, shops, a hospital, a political party office, vehicles, and a shopping centre, while also seizing a police weapon.
“This is not a protest but an act of vandalism, arson, and disorder,” said cabinet spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung, who also serves as the minister of communication and information technology.
Kathmandu’s chief district officer, Rishiram Tiwari, stated that 105 demonstrators, including several pro-monarchy leaders, were taken into custody.
Nepal’s monarchy, which had lasted for 239 years, was abolished in 2008 following a decision by a specially elected assembly as part of a political agreement. This followed a decade-long conflict that resulted in significant loss of life.
The country’s last monarch, 77-year-old Gyanendra, now resides with his family in a private home in Kathmandu.
Since the transition to a republic, Nepal has experienced political instability, with 14 different governments formed over the years. This has posed challenges for economic development and investment in the country, which is strategically located between China and India.
Public dissatisfaction has grown due to the repeated inability of successive governments to fulfil commitments related to economic development and governance.
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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