AnewZ Morning Brief – 16 May 2026

AnewZ Morning Brief – 16 May 2026
Reuters

Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 16th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.

Hezbollah reports new attacks in Lebanon as U.S. and Iran exchange warnings

Hezbollah said it carried out 33 attacks targeting Israeli forces, military positions, and vehicles in southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours. U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure within days, while Iran’s foreign minister warned that the U.S. would face rising economic costs from the conflict.

Trump says ISIS deputy Abu-Bilal al-Minuki killed in operation

President Trump said that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, was killed in an operation conducted by U.S. and Nigerian forces. "Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield," Trump said on Truth Social. He did not disclose in his post the exact location of the operation.

U.S. announces 45-day extension of Israel-Lebanon ceasefire

The U.S. announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by 45 days following "highly productive" talks at the State Department, with political negotiations set to reconvene 2-3 June. A State Department spokesman said the extension aims to advance lasting peace between the two countries, including full recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also seeks to establish genuine security along their shared border.

OTS leaders prioritise trade and connectivity at Turkistan summit

Leaders of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) gathered in the Kazakh city of Turkistan on Friday for an informal summit focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, transport, energy and regional connectivity. The meeting brought together member states including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan. A key focus of the summit was the development of the Middle Corridor, a trade and transport route linking China to Europe through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus and Türkiye.

Eurovision finalists to take the stage amid boycott

The Eurovision Song Contest final takes place in Vienna on Saturday, with organisers hoping the annual show of glitz and Europop will be a success despite five countries’ withdrawal over Israel’s participation. Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland are boycotting this year’s event, marking one of the biggest crises in the contest’s 70-year history. The countries are protesting Israel’s participation in light of its military actions in Gaza. 

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