Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 29th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Over 1 million Afghan refugees return home amid UN warnings
More than 1 million Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan since January, with around 600,000 coming from Iran and nearly 282,000 from Pakistan. The Afghan interim government is urging returnees to help rebuild the war-damaged country, but the UN warns of urgent humanitarian needs for food, shelter, and employment.
2. Uzbekistan’s gold exports surge by 54.8 percent
Uzbekistan’s gold exports rose by 54.8 percent in the first five months of 2025, reaching 6.49 billion U.S. dollars. The precious metal now accounts for 43.8 percent of the country’s total exports. Officials say the growth reflects strong international demand, even as Uzbekistan works to diversify its export portfolio.
3. Pakistan operation kills 14 militants following deadly convoy blast
A suicide bombing targeting a military convoy in Pakistan’s North Waziristan killed 13 soldiers and injured three civilians. Following the attack, security forces launched an operation that killed 14 militants. The military said sanitisation operations are ongoing to eliminate remaining threats in the region.
4. UK Business Secretary to hold talks with Lotus over factory future
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will meet with Lotus after concerns emerged about the future of its Hethel plant in Norfolk. Lotus, owned by China’s Geely, denied plans to close the factory, calling the UK its largest European market. The company said it is exploring options to enhance efficiency and global competitiveness.
5. Russia-North Korea cultural ties reach "unprecedented heights"
Russia’s Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova arrived in North Korea on Saturday with a 125-member delegation, declaring cultural ties between Moscow and Pyongyang stronger than ever. The visit includes concerts and lectures, and comes amid deepening political and military cooperation between the two countries.
Türkiye has banned children under 15 from using social media under new regulations published on Saturday. ...
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed surprise after Donald Trump mediated the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement in 2025, the U.S. President ...
The United Nations has condemned a sharp rise in attacks on civilians in Ukraine, reporting that more than 100 people were killed and at least 429 ...
Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took the decision at the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Friday, media reported.
Britain and Israel have reached a temporary compromise over the future of the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, easing a diplomatic dispute that had threatened to further strain relations between the two countries.
South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.
The Nobel Peace Prize 2026 will be announced on Friday, 9 October, bringing one of the world's most closely watched awards back into focus.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday (9 October) escalating tensions with European allies and potentially targeting companies that provide services to the tribunal. The move came hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed surprise after Donald Trump mediated the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement in 2025, the U.S. President said at a rally in New York state on Friday.
The United Nations has condemned a sharp rise in attacks on civilians in Ukraine, reporting that more than 100 people were killed and at least 429 injured in a single week as Russian strikes hit residential areas, passenger buses and critical infrastructure.
Air quality in Singapore plunged to “very unhealthy” levels on Friday, 9 October, as thick haze engulfed the city-state ahead of Sunday's Formula One Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen claimed pole position for Saturday's Sprint race.
Ukrainian drone strikes have hit two Yandex data centres in Russia on consecutive days, disrupting digital services as Kyiv intensifies attacks on Russia's digital infrastructure.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday (9 October) escalating tensions with European allies and potentially targeting companies that provide services to the tribunal. The move came hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
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