Kazakhstan vows to fast-track AZAL crash investigation amid rising diplomatic tensions
Kazakhstan has vowed to speed up its investigation into the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) crash near Aktau, as mounti...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. USS Nimitz and Iran: A historical pattern of engagement
As tensions between Iran and Israel escalate, the USS Nimitz is once again heading to the Middle East. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a long history in the region—from the 1979 hostage crisis to the Soleimani strike in 2020. U.S. officials say the current deployment is a precaution, aimed at protecting regional forces and ensuring safe navigation in international waters. The Nimitz’s presence signals readiness without direct involvement—yet its arrival adds pressure in an already volatile theatre.
2. Israel strikes IRIB headquarters during live broadcast in Tehran
Iran’s state broadcaster Iranian state broadcaster was struck during live programming on Monday in Tehran, briefly interrupting coverage. Footage shows a news anchor continuing moments after impact. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strike, calling IRIB a “tool for incitement and psychological warfare.” The attack is part of Israel’s broader campaign against Iranian state infrastructure. No official casualty figures have been released.
3. Russian drones pound Kyiv as civilian casualties rise
A wave of Russian drones and missiles hit Kyiv early Tuesday, damaging an apartment building, a kindergarten, and several non-residential sites. At least 16 people were injured, and fires broke out in five districts. A 62-year-old U.S. citizen was among the dead. Power cuts were reported across the capital. Zaporizhzhia was also targeted, as both sides continue drone attacks while peace talks show little progress.
4. UK and U.S. sign landmark trade deal at G7 summit
The UK and U.S. signed a major trade agreement at the G7 Leaders' Summit in Canada, reducing tariffs on autos, steel, aluminum, beef, and ethanol. President Trump called the partnership “fantastic,” while Prime Minister Starmer hailed the deal as “a very good day.” The UK becomes the first country to secure such reductions under the Trump administration. The agreement averts steep tariffs set for July and boosts market access on both sides, including quotas on steel and reciprocal beef trade. UK officials say work continues to protect sectors like pharmaceuticals from future U.S. measures.
5. Trump urges Tehran evacuation amid fifth day of strikes
Israel and Iran continued to trade attacks for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, with both capitals under missile fire. U.S. President Donald Trump urged civilians to evacuate Tehran, blaming Iran for rejecting a nuclear deal. Trump is leaving the G7 Summit in Canada early to convene the National Security Council. Meanwhile, Iranian media reported explosions in Tehran and Natanz, while Israel reported new missile strikes on Tel Aviv. Iran says 224 civilians have died, while Israel reports 24 fatalities and over 3,000 evacuations.
The Kremlin is utilising the recent United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran to validate its ongoing war in Ukraine. Russian officials are pointing to the escalation in the Middle East as evidence that Western nations do not adhere to international rules.
Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Saudi Aramco closed its Ras Tanura refinery on Monday following an Iranian drone strike, an industry source told Reuters as Tehran retaliated across the Gulf after a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iranian targets over the weekend.
The Middle East crisis intensifies after the deadly attack on the compound of the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei on Saturday that killed him, other family members and senior figures. Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. targets in the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. military has enough stockpiled weapons to fight wars "forever"; in a social media post late on Monday. The remarks came hours before conflict in Iran and the Middle East entered its fourth day.
Türkiye raised its security level for Turkish-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz to Level 3 on Sunday (2 March). The development follows Iranian restrictions on shipping after U.S. and Israeli strikes and confirmation of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death.
Strikes across the Middle East are intensifying, fuelling travel disruption, driving up global energy prices and forcing diplomatic missions to shut their doors as tensions continue to rise.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said the United States has a “virtually unlimited supply” of munitions and is capable of sustaining military action indefinitely, as the conflict with Iran entered its fourth day.
The United Nations has called for an investigation into a deadly attack on a girls’ primary school in Iran, which Iranian officials say has killed more than 100 children. The U.S. has said its forces “would not” deliberately target a school.
U.S. first lady, Melania Trump chaired a UN Security Council meeting on children and education in conflict on Monday (2 March), a move criticised by Iran as hypocritical following U.S. and Israeli strikes that triggered a UN warning about risks to children.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 3rd of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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