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.
Vietnam has approved a $1.5 billion project by the Trump Organization and Kinhbac City to build golf courses, resorts, and homes. Work is set to begin this quarter and finish by mid-2029.
Richemont, owner of brands like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, posted better-than-expected quarterly sales, despite global economic uncertainty.
European envoys arrived at the Iranian Consulate in Istanbul on May 16, entering in a convoy to kick off high-stakes nuclear talks with Tehran—aimed at reviewing Iran’s compliance with the 2015 JCPOA and charting a path toward reviving the landmark agreement.
Delegations from the United States, Ukraine and Türkiye convened Friday at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace to chart a coordinated roadmap for ending the Russia-Ukraine war, focusing on ceasefire frameworks, humanitarian corridors and verification mechanisms.
America pledged 90 trade deals in 90 days. So far, it has delivered just two. The race to reshape global trade was launched with urgency. But halfway through, promises have outpaced progress, and the rest of the world is still waiting.
Vietnam has approved a $1.5 billion project by the Trump Organization and Kinhbac City to build golf courses, resorts, and homes. Work is set to begin this quarter and finish by mid-2029.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations have commenced talks in Istanbul, with Turkish officials overseeing the meeting as both sides sit across from each other at a U-shaped table, marking the first face-to-face discussions in years.
S&P says easing tariff tensions between the US and China has improved macroeconomic conditions by lowering uncertainty, boosting markets, and reducing risks, though global trade challenges still weigh on credit conditions.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in partnership with the European Union (EU), is enhancing access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises across Central Asia and Mongolia.
A trilateral meeting between delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Türkiye ended in Istanbul on Friday. The one-hour session, led by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, focused on a peaceful resolution to the Russia–Ukraine war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
A trilateral meeting between delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Türkiye ended in Istanbul on Friday. The one-hour session, led by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, focused on a peaceful resolution to the Russia–Ukraine war.
European envoys arrived at the Iranian Consulate in Istanbul on May 16, entering in a convoy to kick off high-stakes nuclear talks with Tehran—aimed at reviewing Iran’s compliance with the 2015 JCPOA and charting a path toward reviving the landmark agreement.
Delegations from the United States, Ukraine and Türkiye convened Friday at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace to chart a coordinated roadmap for ending the Russia-Ukraine war, focusing on ceasefire frameworks, humanitarian corridors and verification mechanisms.
America pledged 90 trade deals in 90 days. So far, it has delivered just two. The race to reshape global trade was launched with urgency. But halfway through, promises have outpaced progress, and the rest of the world is still waiting.
The EU is preparing new sanctions to increase pressure on Russia. The package targets Nord Stream pipelines, expands sanctions on shadow fleet vessels, lowers the oil price cap, and tightens restrictions on Russia’s financial sector, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
Vietnam has approved a $1.5 billion project by the Trump Organization and Kinhbac City to build golf courses, resorts, and homes. Work is set to begin this quarter and finish by mid-2029.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations have commenced talks in Istanbul, with Turkish officials overseeing the meeting as both sides sit across from each other at a U-shaped table, marking the first face-to-face discussions in years.
S&P says easing tariff tensions between the US and China has improved macroeconomic conditions by lowering uncertainty, boosting markets, and reducing risks, though global trade challenges still weigh on credit conditions.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in partnership with the European Union (EU), is enhancing access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises across Central Asia and Mongolia.
A trilateral meeting between delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Türkiye ended in Istanbul on Friday. The one-hour session, led by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, focused on a peaceful resolution to the Russia–Ukraine war.
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