German government IT spending topped 1.2 billion euros in 2024
Germany’s federal government spent over 1.2 billion euros on software, licenses and IT services in 2024, more than 25% higher than the previous year.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 20th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Trump says Russia, Ukraine agree to immediate ceasefire talks, Kremlin offers no timeframe
Donald Trump said after his call on Monday with President Vladimir Putin that Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations for a ceasefire, but the Kremlin said the process would take time and the U.S. president indicated he was not ready to join Europe with fresh sanctions to pressure Moscow.
In a social media post, Trump said he relayed the plan to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as well as the leaders of the European Union, France, Italy, Germany and Finland in a group call following his session with the Russian leader.
"Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War," Trump said, adding later at the White House that he thought "some progress is being made."
2. Budapest to host Informal Summit of Organization of Turkic States
The Informal Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) will take place on 20–21 May 2025 in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, according to the Secretariat of the Organization of Turkic States.
Hosted by Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, the Summit will bring together the Presidents of the member states of the OTS: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan. The representatives of the OTS Observers, the Secretary General of the Organization, will also participate in the event.
This will mark the first time that an OTS Summit is being held in an Observer State, highlighting Hungary’s growing role in the comprehensive cooperation deepening with resolute steps of the Turkic countries.
3. Brazil rules out three of seven suspected bird flu cases
The government had been investigating seven cases after the first outbreak was confirmed on a commercial farm in Brazil last week, according to updated information on the agriculture ministry's website.
Two of the cases still under investigation concern poultry raised on commercial farms and five involved backyard flocks in Brazil, which sold some $10 billion worth of chicken products globally last year, supplying more than 5 million metric tons.
4. Iran and Britain summon envoys over alleged spying in UK
Britain and Iran have summoned each other's envoys after three Iranians were charged with spying in the UK.
Three Iranian men were arrested on 3 May and appeared in court in London on Saturday on charges of spying for the Islamic republic.
Iran's IRNA news agency said the British charge d'affaire was asked on Sunday to give an explanation for what it said was "unjustified" and "politically motivated" arrests. The UK Foreign Office then responded on Monday by summoning Tehran's ambassador to the UK.
5. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK would "not tolerate growing state-backed threats on UK soil".
Indonesia raises alert to highest level after multiple eruptions at Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
The volcano, located on Flores island in eastern Indonesia, sent ash clouds soaring between 1.9 and 3.4 miles high on Sunday, according to agency chief Muhammad Wafid.
“Our analysis shows that activity remains high, so the alert level was raised Sunday evening,” Wafid said.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
The USS Nimitz is heading to the Middle East amid tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a decades-long history in the region, from the 1979 hostage crisis to modern deployments, often serving as a key asset during periods of rising friction with Iran.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Afghanistan’s Taliban-led interim government has dismissed a recent United Nations report on the country’s security, human rights, and economic situation, calling it inaccurate and misleading.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia handed over 21 bodies in a recent exchange—20 of them were Russian soldiers, and one a foreign mercenary.
India’s Home Minister Amit Shah says the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan "will never be restored," accusing Islamabad of violating the agreement.
Israeli fighter jets have destroyed three Iranian F-14s in the latest wave of airstrikes targeting central Iran, according to the IDF.
UFC Fight Night in Baku is underway at Baku Crystal Hall, with the main card scheduled to begin at 11:00 PM.
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