Morning Brief - 18 August 2026
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 18th of August, covering the latest developments....
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are "very well advanced" and credited Russia for its role in the negotiations. The statement came as he met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House.
President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about the ongoing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, stating that negotiations are progressing well, though no final deal has been reached.
During a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the Oval Office, Trump said he believed a peace agreement with Russia would hold and dismissed concerns about further conflict. "I think Russia has been acting very well," Trump said. "I think we're very well advanced on the deal, but we have not made a deal yet."
Starmer, in turn, urged the U.S. to provide a security "backstop" for any European forces involved in a potential peacekeeping role in Ukraine once talks conclude. He praised Trump for "changing the conversation" to bring a peace deal closer.
When asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin could be trusted, Trump replied: "Trust and verify."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit the White House on Friday, where he is expected to sign an agreement with Trump concerning Ukraine's critical minerals. Trump said this agreement would serve as a "backstop" for Ukraine.
At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, among the deadliest since a June ceasefire. Meanwhile, Qatar denied holding Iranian pilots. It said it had found the remains of one pilot after an airspace violation and had contacted Iran to coordinate a handover.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is not seeking an extension of its memorandum of understanding with Iran, claiming the U.S. already controls the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade.
A wildfire in Croatia driven by strong winds descended on the tourist town of Omis overnight, engulfing houses, forcing about 1,000 people to evacuate to safety and injuring dozens, fire brigade and health officials said on Friday.
South Korea's presidential Blue House said on Monday it was reviewing U.S. President Donald Trump's comments on scaling back joint military drills. It added that it hoped a favourable relationship between Washington and Pyongyang could lead to meaningful talks.
Residents of villages in eastern Indonesia hit by a deadly earthquake that killed at least 54 people were awaiting aid on Monday as rescuers prepared to comb through collapsed buildings in search of people trapped beneath the rubble.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 18th of August, covering the latest developments.
At least two people were killed, including the alleged shooter, and a number were injured in a shooting at a high school in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is considering a scheme to help local police officers cover the legal and financial risks of making immigration arrests under President Donald Trump’s crackdown.
Russia said its air defences downed 180 drones over the Moscow region overnight, with 620 drones reportedly targeting the area, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
The economic losses from a powerful earthquake that struck Colombia last week are expected to reach 30 trillion pesos ($9.58 billion), Colombia's President Abelardo De La Espriella said on Monday.
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