live Middle East tensions simmer as U.S.–Iran talks loom and strike kills 13- Friday, 10 April
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's Pres...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 1st July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Trump to host Netanyahu at The White House on 7 July
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit The White House next week for talks with President Donald Trump, a U.S. official said on 30 June.
The 7 July visit – Mr Netanyahu’s third since Mr Trump returned to power in January.
A Trump administration official confirmed the visit to AFP on condition of anonymity.
2. IMF approves $500 million for Ukraine, warns of 'exceptionally high' risks
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday approved the disbursement of an additional $500 million to Ukraine, following the completion of its eighth review under the country’s $15.5 billion Extended Fund Facility.
The move brings total IMF disbursements to Ukraine under the four-year programme to $10.6 billion.
The IMF Board's approval comes amid ongoing war-related challenges, with the Fund reiterating its warning that Ukraine continues to face "exceptionally high" risks to its economic outlook due to Russia's ongoing invasion.
3. At least 12 dead in pharmaceutical factory blast in India
At least 12 people have been killed and dozens more injured following an explosion and fire at a pharmaceutical factory in the southern Indian state of Telangana, officials said on Monday.
The blast occurred at a Sigachi Industries facility in Sangareddy district, around 60 kilometres from Hyderabad. Local media showed black smoke rising from the ruins of the factory, which was reduced to rubble.
4. Saudi Arabia may raise August oil prices to Asia to 4-month high
Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, may raise its August crude oil prices for buyers in Asia to the highest in four months, after spot prices surged during the Iran-Israel conflict and on robust summer fuel demand, trade sources said.
The August official selling price (OSP) for flagship Arab Light crude may increase by 50-80 cents to between $1.70 and $2 a barrel from the previous month, five sources from four refineries said in a Reuters survey.
5. China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project launched
The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway construction has officially begun in Kyrgyzstan, a major step in regional infrastructure development. The project was announced by the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, according to Trend.
Deputy Prime Minister Bakyt Torobaev convened a meeting with key stakeholders to review the project's progress.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given an instruction for Israel to begin peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue dialogue and avoid steps that could worsen tensions after China-hosted talks in Urumqi, with Kabul and Beijing saying the meetings focused on easing differences and improving relations.
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.
Memorial events were held in Tehran’s main squares on Wednesday (8 April) to mark the 40th day since the killing of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died during U.S.-Israeli attacks on 28 February.
Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.
A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, is suing him for libel at the High Court in London, according to a court record published on Friday (10 April).
The European Union and Washington are nearing an agreement to coordinate the production and security of critical minerals, Bloomberg News reported on Friday (10 April).
In a forceful rebuke to Washington’s foreign policy in the Americas, a senior Russian diplomat has declared that Moscow will never abandon Cuba, pledging ongoing support to help the Communist-run island overcome a severe energy crisis linked to the United States embargo.
Hungary votes on Sunday in a parliamentary election that could loosen Viktor Orbán’s 16-year hold on power. His ruling Fidesz faces a strong challenge from Péter Magyar’s Tisza party, which has led some polls, though many voters remain undecided.
While a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war may deliver badly needed relief to economies battered by the world’s worst-ever energy crisis, hopes it will quickly restore normal oil and gas flows from the Middle East are almost certainly misplaced.
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