AnewZ Morning Brief - April 25th, 2025

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 25th, covering the latest developments you need to know.

Trump tells Putin to 'STOP' after Russian attack kills 12 in Kyiv

Russia launched a significant missile and drone strike on Kyiv, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people, according to Ukrainian officials. Authorities described it as the most extensive attack on the capital so far this year.

In response, U.S. President Donald Trump urged an end to the hostilities, saying during remarks at the White House, “Vladimir, STOP.” He emphasized that efforts toward a negotiated peace are progressing, adding, “The next few days are going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now... I think we’re getting very close.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that diplomatic talks are moving in a constructive direction, though some details remain to be resolved.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that further discussions are planned over the weekend and said both parties are being encouraged to engage fully in order to move closer to a resolution.

China, Russia and Iran hold nuclear talks with IAEA

The session came shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi visited Beijing earlier in the week. According to China's state news agency Xinhua, the talks were described as an "in-depth exchange" with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

China expressed support for continued dialogue between Iran and all parties involved, including the United States, as part of a broader push for a diplomatic solution to the long-running nuclear standoff.

The meeting also underlined Beijing’s position that the IAEA should play a constructive role in facilitating political and diplomatic efforts rather than escalating tensions.

No formal statement was issued about the outcome or next steps following the trilateral discussions.

U.S. prepares $100B arms deal with Saudi Arabia as Trump visit nears

The proposed deal includes advanced weapons systems from major U.S. defence contractors such as Lockheed Martin, RTX, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics. The package may feature C-130 transport aircraft, missiles, radars, and possibly MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones, sources said.

A $20 billion drone deal with General Atomics has gained momentum over the past year, one source added.

It remains unclear how many components of the package are new. Several have reportedly been under discussion since 2018. Three sources said defence executives are expected to travel to Riyadh as part of the U.S. delegation.

The Biden administration previously attempted to seal a defence pact with Saudi Arabia tied to normalising relations with Israel. That plan included limiting Chinese arms purchases and investment, but ultimately stalled.

Trump, who previously touted arms sales to Riyadh as job-creating, first proposed $110 billion in deals during his 2017 visit. By 2018, only $14.5 billion had been initiated, and congressional opposition intensified following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Under U.S. law, major weapons sales must be reviewed by Congress. In 2021, President Biden imposed a ban on offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, citing the Yemen war and Khashoggi’s killing. That ban was lifted in 2024, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the October 7 Hamas attack led Washington to re-engage with Riyadh on regional security.

A potential sale of F-35 fighter jets—long sought by Saudi Arabia—could also be discussed, though sources downplayed the chances of a deal being finalised during the visit.

U.S. law mandates that Israel maintain a Qualitative Military Edge (QME), receiving more advanced American weapons than its neighbours. Israel has operated F-35s since 2016.

The White House, Pentagon, and defence firms declined to comment. The Saudi government has not responded to inquiries.

Alper Gezeravcı: Azerbaijan poised to become key player in space ecosystem

Azercosmos’ SPACE Academy welcomed Türkiye’s first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, for a youth-focused session on careers in space science. Lauding Azerbaijan’s rapid rise as a regional space leader—underscored by its successful hosting of IAC 2023—Gezeravcı outlined Ankara’s new Spaceport project, now moving from planning to construction. He recounted his own 14-day mission, from intensive training to living in microgravity, and spoke about the physical and psychological demands of orbit. Joint Turkish-Azerbaijani initiatives in science and technology, he said, are crucial for advancing the region’s space ambitions. Urging students to stay curious and committed, he concluded, “If you keep pursuing that dream, one day it can become your reality.”

Israel warns of wider Gaza offensive as latest air strikes kill 55

Israel’s military warned on Thursday that it will launch a broader, more intense campaign in Gaza unless Hamas releases the remaining hostages, as airstrikes killed at least 55 people, according to local rescue workers.

Visiting Israeli forces in the enclave, IDF Chief of Staff Lt-Gen. Eyal Zamir said Israel would keep ratcheting up military pressure and tighten control over Hamas if the captives are not freed soon.

Israel restarted its offensive on March 18 after a two-month ceasefire collapsed. On Thursday, Gaza medics reported an airstrike on a residential building in Gaza City that killed 11 people, including a child, and another strike on a police station in Jabalia that left nine dead.

Gaza’s health ministry says 1,978 Palestinians have been killed since operations resumed, bringing the death toll in the territory to 51,355 since the war erupted.

Russia shoots down scores of Ukrainian drones

Russia said its air-defence network intercepted a major Ukrainian drone barrage in the early hours of Thursday, downing 87 UAVs over Belgorod, Kursk, Bryansk and Moscow regions, according to the Defence Ministry. Moscow added that its forces later struck Ukrainian military airports, drone-production sites and other targets in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia.

Kyiv, meanwhile, reported heavy missile-and-drone attacks across the country, including the capital, where blasts shook the city around 01:00 and rubble-clearance continued through the day. Ukrainian officials said they shot down more than 100 incoming targets but confirmed at least 12 dead and over 100 injured in Kyiv.

Ukraine’s General Staff counted 168 frontline engagements in the previous 24 hours and said its own strikes hit 10 Russian troop-and-equipment concentrations, drone control points and an electronic-warfare site, as well as a UAV plant in Russia’s Tatarstan region.

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