G20 talks overshadowed by tensions over Russia as ministers clash over Ukraine
Deep divisions over Russia's war in Ukraine overshadowed a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta on Friday, as European officials criti...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 18th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The 13th Session of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13) continued in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 18 May, focusing on global housing challenges and sustainable urban development. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the Urban Expo launch, and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration aimed at advancing Africa’s urban agenda.
A drone strike caused a fire at the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE, with officials confirming no injuries or radiation leaks. Saudi Arabia also reported intercepting three drones entering its airspace from Iraq, while investigations into the incidents are ongoing. U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran to act quickly, saying time was running out as diplomatic efforts remain stalled.
At least four people were killed in a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on Russian territory, including the Moscow region, which authorities described as the biggest aerial assault in over a year. Russian officials said air defences intercepted dozens of drones, with 81 targeting the capital area alone. Residential buildings and infrastructure were damaged, including in Khimki and Mytishchi.
The Eurovision Song Contest highlighted the unpredictable nature of the competition, with Bulgaria’s Dara securing a dominant win. Her performance of 'Bangaranga' stood out for its K-pop-inspired choreography, precision, and unified visual identity. The result marked Bulgaria’s first Eurovision victory and reflected a shift toward performances that combine strong concept, clarity, and global pop trends. In contrast, entries from the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia) failed to reach the final for the first time since 2018.
The Middle East conflict remains tense as diplomatic efforts continue alongside renewed Houthi attacks. Iran says it remains open to mediation, while the Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards the kingdom.
Evacuations and the provision of humanitarian aid in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian town of Oleshky have begun, a senior Ukrainian official said on Friday. In a statement on Telegram, David Arakhamia said a six-day ceasefire was holding, and that more details would follow.
Rescuers searched the wreckage of two high-speed trains in central Spain on Thursday as the death toll rose to a provisional 74, making it the country's second fatal high-speed rail disaster this year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia remains willing to rebuild relations with European countries but warned that any wider conflict on the continent would leave no winners, as he commented on recent diplomatic contacts with Nordic leaders and growing security concerns in the Baltic region.
Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday as part of efforts to reach a deal between the U.S. and Iran, according to an official briefed on the talks.
Deep divisions over Russia's war in Ukraine overshadowed a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta on Friday, as European officials criticised Moscow's participation and refused to join a traditional group photograph with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The U.S. has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine in a deal worth an estimated $2.1 billion, but Kyiv could face years of delays before receiving the weapons it urgently needs to defend against intensifying Russian attacks.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global body responsible for monitoring money laundering and terrorist financing risks, has removed four countries from its so-called “grey list” after determining they had made sufficient progress in addressing weaknesses in their financial cr
The death toll from the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 5,000, according to government figures released on Friday, as health authorities continue to struggle to contain the country's worst-ever Ebola epidemic.
A hacking group linked to North Korea is widely believed to be behind the theft of $6.3 billion from cryptocurrency giant Binance, a cyberattack that experts describe as the largest cryptocurrency heist on record.
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