AnewZ Morning Brief – 31 May 2026
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 31 May, covering the latest developments you need to know....
The Azerbaijani State Security Service has said it has stopped Iran committing terror attacks against four targets in the country: Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, the Israeli Embassy in Azerbaijan, a leader of the Mountain Jews religious community and the "Ashkenazi" synagogue.
The report said three explosive devices were smuggled into the country and disposed of. It also said they prevented terrorist intelligence-gathering activities planned in Azerbaijan by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
It comes days after four drones were directed towards Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan region on Thursday (5 March). One of the drones was intercepted by air defence systems, two struck the terminal of the international airport, and one landed near an educational institution in the village of Shekerabad, in the western Babek district.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev blamed Iran for the strikes, labelling them “a terrorist act.”
“The Azerbaijani state strongly condemns this ugly terrorist act, and those who committed it must be immediately held accountable. The Azerbaijani side must be given an explanation by Iranian officials, an apology must be made, and those who committed this terrorist act must be held criminally liable,” Aliyev demanded.
Four people were injured during the airport strike: three staff on duty and one passenger waiting to board a plane. They were taken to hospital for treatment and observation. Initial reports from investigators say the drones were equipped with remotely controlled explosive warheads.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the longtime allies ahead of Armenia's parliamentary election on 7 June.
Donald Trump said he is “in no hurry” to reach a deal with Iran, insisting the U.S. is slowly getting what it wants. He warned military action remains an option if talks fail. Meanwhile, U.S. forces said they fired a missile at a vessel trying to breach Washington’s blockade of Iran.
On 28 May, the EU's foreign policy chief called for Russian troops to leave Georgia and Moldova. By the end of the same day, both Tbilisi and Moscow had dismissed her. The symmetry tells a story of its own.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the longtime allies ahead of Armenia's parliamentary election on 7 June.
At least 22 people have been killed - including children - and 35 others injured after a truck carrying Afghan returnees overturned in eastern Afghanistan, local officials say.
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