AnewZ Morning Brief - 22 August, 2025

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 22nd of August, covering the latest developments you need to know.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in Turkmenistan on a working visit

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in Turkmenistan on a working visit on 22 August, at the invitation of Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

A guard of honour was lined up at the Turkmenbashi International Airport in honour of the Head of State.

President Ilham Aliyev was welcomed by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan for Trade Nokerguly Atagulyev and other officials.

Xi to host Putin and Guterres at Shanghai Cooperation summit in Tianjin

Chinese President Xi Jinping will host Russia’s Vladimir Putin, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and more than 20 heads of government at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin from 31 August to 1 September.

Beijing said on Friday that the gathering would focus on deepening political and security cooperation across a bloc representing about a quarter of the world’s population. Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin told reporters the meeting would produce a “Tianjin Declaration” outlining fresh commitments.

The summit comes just days before China stages one of its largest military parades in years, and amid tensions over U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign and trade policies. Analysts say disagreements on issues including Israel, Gaza and tariffs are drawing regional leaders closer to Beijing.

National Guard deployed in Washington, D.C. after Trump declares emergency

The U.S. National Guard has been deployed across Washington, D.C. following President Donald Trump’s declaration of a public safety emergency, as federal authorities continue efforts to reduce crime and secure the capital.

The announcement follows his earlier declaration of a 'crime emergency' in the city, which placed the Metropolitan Police Department under federal oversight and led to the deployment of 800 National Guard troops.

Since the initiative began on 7 August, federal authorities have reported more than 550 arrests, citing notable declines in violent crime and robberies.

Netanyahu says Israel to begin Gaza ceasefire negotiations to end war

Israel will begin immediate negotiations for the release of all hostages held in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday, while maintaining military pressure on Gaza City.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed soldiers in Gaza, saying he was meeting with commanders to approve operations to capture Gaza City and dismantle Hamas.

"At the same time I have issued instructions to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all our hostages and an end to the war on terms acceptable to Israel," he said, adding: "We are in the decision-making phase."

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