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...
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned that the ongoing conflict involving the U.S., Iran, and Israel could dismantle the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, calling for an urgent return to diplomacy and inspections.
Speaking at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Grossi said the ongoing attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, all involving IAEA member states, could risk the collapse of a system that has safeguarded global security for over 50 years.
Grossi urged the international community to pursue diplomatic solutions, warning that the alternative could lead to "violence and destruction reaching unimaginable levels." He emphasized that the path to de-escalation begins with renewed negotiations and the re-entry of IAEA inspectors into Iran’s nuclear sites.
Grossi also confirmed that U.S. strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear facilities involved ground-penetrating munitions and cruise missiles. He said initial assessments suggest significant damage, particularly due to the sensitivity of the centrifuges. Despite the strikes, Iran informed the agency that radiation levels at all three sites remain within safe limits.
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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