AnewZ Morning Brief - 18 November, 2025

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 18th of November, covering the latest developments you need to know.

UN backs Trump Gaza plan and authorises stabilisation force

The UN Security Council voted to adopt a U.S.-drafted resolution endorsing President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza and authorising an international stabilisation force for the Palestinian territory on Monday. The vote gives formal backing to a framework that includes a ceasefire, a hostage-release deal and the creation of a transitional governing structure.

Israel and Hamas agreed last month to the first phase of the 20-point plan, but the resolution is viewed as essential for countries assessing whether to send troops. The text allows member states to participate in the Trump-chaired Board of Peace, which would oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and economic recovery.

U.S. supports escalated efforts to target cartels in Mexico, Colombia

President Donald Trump said he supports action against drug cartels and narcotics production in Mexico and Colombia. Trump has intensified his campaign against maritime drug trafficking, authorising more forceful interdiction operations and giving U.S. forces expanded authority to disable.

Asked at an event in the Oval Office whether he backed similar ground strikes in Mexico to stem drug trafficking, Trump said, “OK with me, whatever we have to do to stop drugs.”

Rasht hosts Caspian meeting

On 18–19 November, Iran’s Gilan Province, in the city of Rasht, will bring together the leaders of the Caspian littoral regions. The two-day meeting will gather delegations from all five Caspian states – Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

Discussions will focus on expanding mutual trade ties, strengthening transport and transit cooperation, fisheries and environmental issues, investment opportunities, as well as the development of infrastructure along the North–South International Transport Corridor.

Türkiye says black box analysis, initial findings on cargo plane crash to take at least two months

Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler stated on Monday that it would take at least two months to reach initial conclusions and analyse the black box of a Turkish cargo plane that crashed in Georgia last week, resulting in the deaths of 20 soldiers.

The C-130 cargo aircraft had departed from Azerbaijan for Türkiye when it crashed in Georgia, marking the highest military death toll for NATO member Türkiye since 2020. Ankara has announced an investigation into the cause of the crash.

COP30 delegates dig into toughest issues as climate talks enter final week

Government ministers from around the world are preparing for a final few days of talks at the United Nations climate summit as they bid to secure a deal that demonstrates global resolve amid increasing assertiveness from developing nations. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is expected to arrive on Wednesday to help rally consensus among parties at the summit in the Amazon city of Belem ahead of Friday's final scheduled session. 

New dynamics in climate diplomacy have seen China, India and other developing nations flex more muscle this year, while the European Union is hobbled by weakening support back home and the once-dominant United States has skipped out altogether.

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