Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 16th , covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Albania hosts sixth Summit of the European Political Community
The Albanian capital welcomes the leaders of the 47 participating nations, which include the 27 EU member states, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Türkiye and the Western Balkans.
Leaders from across the continent will come together, under the theme of this edition: ‘New Europe in a new world: unity – cooperation – joint action’.
The summit will open with a plenary session, which will focus on security and fostering a shared vision for the future of Europe.
Looking ahead to the summit’s agenda, three high-level roundtables will take place, covering Europe’s security and democratic resilience, competitiveness and economic security, and mobility challenges and youth empowerment.
Leaders from the South Caucasus have also been gathering in Albania. President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, arrived in Tirana on Thursday in order to participate in the summit.
Also in attendance is the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, who met with his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama earlier today.
The two Prime Ministers discussed regional issues during their meeting, in particular the process of normalising relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The European Political Community summit has previously been a platform for highly significant diplomatic milestones to take place. At the inaugural conference, held in Prague in October 2022, Azerbaijan and Armenia reached an agreement which included mutual recognition of each other’s territorial integrity.
Our own Katie Wilson is in Tirana to cover all the latest news of the Sixth Summit of the European Political Community.
2. Ukraine and Russia Commence Peace Talks in Istanbul Without Zelenskyy and Putin
Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are set to commence in Istanbul on Friday, marking the first direct negotiations between the two nations in over three years. However, the absence of Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin, who have opted not to attend, casts doubt on the potential for significant progress.
Ukraine's delegation will be led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, while Russia is sending a team headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. President Zelenskyy criticized Russia's decision to send a lower-level delegation, labeling it as a lack of seriousness towards achieving peace.
International observers, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have expressed skepticism about the talks yielding substantial outcomes without the direct involvement of both presidents. Rubio emphasized that a breakthrough is unlikely without face-to-face discussions between President Trump and President Putin.
3. Syria signs $800M deal with Dubai World for Tartous Port Development
The agreement, announced by Syria's Land and Sea Ports General Authority, signifies a move towards diversifying foreign partnerships and revitalizing the country's port facilities. This development follows the recent cancellation of a 2019 contract with Russian firm STG Stroytransgaz, which was terminated due to the company's failure to fulfill its investment commitments, including necessary infrastructure upgrades.
The new collaboration with Dubai World is expected to enhance Tartous Port's operational capacity, improve logistics services, and boost trade activities, contributing to Syria's broader economic recovery efforts. By engaging with international partners, Syria aims to modernize its port infrastructure and reestablish its position in regional maritime commerce.
4. China's ambassador visits Milli Majlis
Speaker Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis, today received China’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Lu Mei, to review the breadth and depth of bilateral ties.
Ms Gafarova underscored that, alongside robust political relations, Azerbaijan and China enjoy active cooperation across multiple sectors—economic, cultural and beyond—and have now elevated their partnership to a comprehensive strategic level.
They hailed President Ilham Aliyev’s recent state visit to Beijing and the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between their two nations. During that visit, President Aliyev met with Zhao Leji, Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, to explore new avenues for inter-parliamentary collaboration.
Recalling her own discussion with Chairman Zhao, Speaker Gafarova stressed that enhanced parliamentary exchanges—through friendship groups, standing committees and liaison visits—are a vital pillar of the overall relationship. Both sides also reaffirmed their mutual support for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on the international stage.
Ambassador Lu Mei thanked Mrs Gafarova for the hospitality and pledged to work closely with Azerbaijan’s legislature—alongside other branches of government—to further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership during his tenure.
5. 13 injured as car hits crowd before Espanyol vs. Barcelona match
The incident occurred approximately 90 minutes before kickoff when a white Peugeot 208, driven by a woman aged between 45 and 55, lost control and accelerated into a crowd of fans gathered to welcome the teams. Reports indicate that the driver initially struck a girl, prompting the surrounding crowd to react by shouting and throwing objects at the vehicle. In a state of panic, the driver unintentionally accelerated, causing the car to surge forward and injure additional bystanders.
Emergency services responded promptly, with ten ambulances dispatched to the scene. Thirteen individuals sustained injuries; four were transported to hospitals, while others received on-site treatment. Fortunately, all injuries were classified as minor, with no fatalities reported.
6. Trump announces $200B in U.S.-UAE deals
President Donald Trump has announced a series of agreements between the United States and the United Arab Emirates totaling over $200 billion. A significant component of these deals is a $14.5 billion commitment involving Boeing, GE Aerospace, and Etihad Airways, focusing on the acquisition of American-made aircraft.
The $14.5 billion agreement centers on Etihad Airways' investment in 28 Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft, powered by GE Aerospace engines. This deal underscores the strengthening collaboration in the aerospace sector between the two nations.
Beyond aviation, the comprehensive $200 billion package encompasses various sectors, aiming to enhance bilateral trade and investment. These agreements are expected to generate substantial economic activity and job creation in both countries.
These developments mark a pivotal step in U.S.-UAE relations, reflecting a shared commitment to economic growth and strategic partnership. The focus on aerospace and other industries signifies a forward-looking approach to mutual prosperity.
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Iran and Pakistan reviewed bilateral ties and the latest developments in the stalled Iran-U.S. peace negotiations mediated by Islamabad, as Tehran and Washington continue to refuse tangible concessions amid a fragile ceasefire and escalating verbal threats.
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are negotiating summer water allocations as rising temperatures, agricultural demand and pressure on shared rivers intensify water security concerns across Central Asia.
Spain’s High Court has cleared Colombian pop star Shakira of tax fraud and annulled a €55 million ($64 million) penalty imposed by Spanish tax authorities in 2021, according to a court document.
Israeli military strikes across Gaza killed at least eight Palestinians on Sunday, according to local health officials, as the Israel Defense Forces intensified operations targeting Hamas commanders and infrastructure across the enclave.
Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, taking victory in a final overshadowed by a boycott over Israel’s participation and the war in Gaza.
At least eight people were injured after a driver rammed a car into pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena, authorities said on Saturday. Four of the victims were reported to be in serious condition.
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
Jeffrey D. Sachs, an economist, public policy analyst, Columbia University professor, and UN advisor, said Azerbaijan and the wider South Caucasus could become one of the world’s key strategic connectors in an emerging multipolar order.
U.S. President Donald Trump says China's Xi Jinping agreed Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran prepares a new shipping mechanism. Tensions over the U.S. blockade and stalled nuclear talks continue to disrupt global oil supplies.
Israeli military strikes across Gaza killed at least eight Palestinians on Sunday, according to local health officials, as the Israel Defense Forces intensified operations targeting Hamas commanders and infrastructure across the enclave.
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Guangxi region early on Monday, killing two people and forcing more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou to evacuate as rescue efforts continued.
Russia carried out overnight drone strikes, air raids and shelling across Ukraine, hitting cities including Odesa and Dnipro, killing one person and injuring more than 30, according to Ukrainian officials on Monday (18 May).
Iran and Pakistan reviewed bilateral ties and the latest developments in the stalled Iran-U.S. peace negotiations mediated by Islamabad, as Tehran and Washington continue to refuse tangible concessions amid a fragile ceasefire and escalating verbal threats.
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