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.
The U.S. military announced that it has completed a new wave of strikes against Iranian military targets under U.S. President Donald Trump's orders. T...
The German broadcaster says energy, trade, transport and regional stability are transforming relations between Baku and Berlin....
Aid organisations in Afghanistan are struggling to keep women in work as Taliban restrictions force them to spend more on male guardians, transport an...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 30 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has met Norway’s newly appointed special envoy for Afghanistan, Bjørn Hansen, to discuss political and regional issues, the Foreign Ministry said.
Representatives from the diplomatic community, the United Nations and international organisations gathered in Kabul on Wednesday ahead of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), set to take place in Baku from 17 to 22 May.
Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation remained severe throughout 2025, with millions still struggling to meet basic needs, according to a new report by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the reimposition of a U.S. naval blockade on all Iranian ports and warned that power plants and bridges could be targeted next week unless Tehran returns to negotiations.
The U.S. military announced that it has completed a new wave of strikes against Iranian military targets under U.S. President Donald Trump's orders. The operation targeted command centres, air defence systems, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance sites across multiple locations.
The death toll from the fire at a live music pub in Bangkok has climbed to 32 after two more victims died from their injuries, according to Thailand's Police Hospital.
Ukraine and Russia exchanged fresh attacks on Tuesday, with Kyiv targeting shipping and energy infrastructure inside Russia while Moscow launched another large-scale missile and drone assault on Ukrainian cities.
India's investigation into last year's Air India crash that killed 260 people has entered its final stages, with investigators completing a transcript of the cockpit voice recorder and carrying out a psychological autopsy as they work towards a final report.
The Trump administration is pressing ahead with new immigration rules that will impose fixed time limits on visas for foreign students, cultural exchange visitors and journalists, tightening requirements for thousands of people who study and work in the U.S.
Keir Starmer has reaffirmed that the UK's "unwavering" support for Ukraine will continue, during his final visit to the country as Prime Minister.
Two British hackers who carried out a cyberattack on Transport for London (TfL) that cost the transport authority £29 million to remediate have been jailed for a total of 11 years.
At least 11 people have been killed and 19 injured in a fire at an orphanage on the outskirts of the Algerian capital, state media reported. The blaze broke out early on Thursday at the institution in the eastern suburbs of Algiers.
A woman whose husband was sucked out of the window of a plane during a Ryanair flight has recounted pulling her husband to safety. Serbian couple Svetlana Maksimovic and Ljubisa Karovic had just settled into a flight with the airline last week, when a loud bang pierced the hum of engines.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment