live U.S.-Iran standoff continues as Hormuz shipping and diplomacy remain uncertain
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to res...
Russia and Ukraine faced intense overnight drone bombardments, with both Moscow and Kyiv reporting waves of unmanned aerial vehicles targeting major cities and critical regions.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said early Sunday that air defence units intercepted and destroyed 95 Ukrainian drones across central and southern regions of the country, including the outskirts of Moscow.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed six drones were downed as they approached the capital. There were no reports of damage or injuries in Moscow.
Meanwhile, Kyiv was targeted in a large-scale Russian UAV assault. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said dozens of drones entered the city's airspace. He warned of a possible use of additional drones and missiles from strategic bombers.
Air raid sirens rang throughout the city and surrounding areas. Defence units reportedly shot down several drones, but the threat persisted for hours.
One Russian drone caused significant damage in the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv. According to Tkachenko, debris hit a residential building, causing a fire and partial structural collapse. Emergency crews are on the scene.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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