Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 16th of August, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Trump holds phone calls with Zelenskyy, NATO leaders after summit with Putin
The White House said U.S. President Donald Trump spoke at length with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and later held talks with NATO leaders following his Friday summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
2. Alaska talks showed Putin is not looking for peace, says Czech minister
Czech defence minister Jana Cernochova said on Saturday that the Alaska talks between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin made little headway on ending the conflict in Ukraine, instead revealing that Putin seeks to undermine Western unity. Writing on X, she argued the meeting confirmed the Russian leader’s interest in spreading propaganda rather than pursuing peace, stressing the need for continued Western support for Ukraine.
3. Kyrgyzstan's GDP grows 11.5 pct in first 7 months of 2025
Kyrgyzstan’s National Statistical Committee reported Friday that the service sector was the largest contributor to the economy, accounting for 51.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Commodity production sectors made up 32.8 percent, while taxes on products contributed 16.1 percent.
4. Lula welcomes foreign firms as Brazil faces U.S. tariffs
Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said foreign companies are welcome in Brazil as he opened Chinese automaker GWM’s new plant in São Paulo state on Friday. Lula criticised U.S. president Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods as “unnecessary turbulence” and vowed to raise the issue at BRICS. The new factory, with capacity for 50,000 vehicles a year and over 2,000 jobs, comes as Brazil’s auto exports are projected to rise 38% in 2025.
5. Trump says he may have to think about tariffs on Russian oil buyers 'in two or three weeks'
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he does not need to consider retaliatory tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil “right now,” though he may revisit the issue in the coming weeks. Speaking to Fox News’ Sean Hannity after his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said: “Because of what happened today, I don’t have to think about that. Maybe in two or three weeks, but not at this moment. The meeting went very well.”
6. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi to visit India from Monday, China's foreign ministry says
China’s foreign ministry announced on Saturday that Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India from Monday to Wednesday.
Ukraine has presented the U.S. with a revised 20-point framework to end its war with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday, adding th...
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as...
Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump later in the day, as border clashes b...
The White House has confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump intends to maintain both a “good working relationship” with China and a “very str...
Pakistan has indicated its openness to forming a regional bloc with Bangladesh without including India. The statement from Islamabad follows comments ...
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
Pakistan has indicated its openness to forming a regional bloc with Bangladesh without including India. The statement from Islamabad follows comments by Bangladesh’s top foreign affairs adviser, Md Touhid Hossain, that such an arrangement is strategically possible without India.
The global centre of political gravity is increasingly moving from the Atlantic to the Pacific, a development with significant implications for the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will visit Turkmenistan on 11–12 December to attend the International Peace and Security Forum in Ashgabat.
In a dramatic Champions League clash at Baku’s Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, Qarabağ grabbed an early lead, but Ajax staged a thrilling comeback to win 4-2.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
At least 19 people were killed and 16 injured as two buildings collapased in Morocco's Fes city according to the state news agency.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their tensions through dialogue and engagement, as it pledged to work with the international community to help improve relations between the two countries.
Iran's President Massoud Pezeshkian has begun a two day visit to Kazakhstan, with officials from both sides describing the trip as an opportunity to advance cooperation in trade, transport, industry, mining and cultural exchanges.
Ukraine has presented the U.S. with a revised 20-point framework to end its war with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday, adding that the issue of ceding territory remains a major sticking point in negotiations.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump later in the day, as border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand continued for a fifth day, he said on Friday.
The White House has confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump intends to maintain both a “good working relationship” with China and a “very strong alliance” with Japan, even as tensions between the two countries continue to rise.
Pakistan has indicated its openness to forming a regional bloc with Bangladesh without including India. The statement from Islamabad follows comments by Bangladesh’s top foreign affairs adviser, Md Touhid Hossain, that such an arrangement is strategically possible without India.
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