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AnewZ Morning Brief – 21 May 2026
Attendees at the World Urban Forum 13 at Baku Olympic Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan on 20 May, 2026
WUF13
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 21st May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Penultimate day of WUF13 in Baku
Day five of the World Urban Forum 13 kicks off in Baku with another full day of events on sustainable housing and urban development. Azerbaijan’s Pavilion will showcase post-conflict reconstruction in Garabagh and East Zangezur. Elsewhere at the conference, there will be sessions on how urban development can include disabled people and the impact of cities on mental wellbeing, as well as countless other events.
European leaders criticise Israeli treatment of Gaza flotilla activists
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas have condemned Israel's treatment of activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla. A video shared on X by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir showed dozens of activists kneeling in rows outdoors with their hands restrained by zip ties. The activists were aboard a flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces on Tuesday (19 May).
Trump waiting for ‘right answers’ from Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (20 May) that he was preparing to wait a few days to “get the right answers” from Tehran for a peace deal to bring about an end to the conflict between the two countries. But Trump warned that the situation was “on the borderline” and threatened further attacks on Iran if it rejected a peace deal. Iran says it's reviewing the latest response from Washington.
UK and Gulf states trade deal worth $5 billion
Britain has struck a trade deal with six Arab states worth £3.7 billion ($4.96 billion) per year. The agreement was signed between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Putin and Xi signal close ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping confirmed the strong relationship between the two countries during a meeting in Beijing on Wednesday (20 May). Putin said ties were at an “unprecedentedly high level,” while Xi described relations as “unyielding.” The two leaders criticised U.S. security policy and signalled no shift in position on Ukraine.
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