Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 12th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan expand economic ties
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan discussed deepening economic cooperation at the IV Tashkent International Investment Forum, led by Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov. A key panel titled “Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan: Vector of Economic Partnership” focused on expanding bilateral trade, joint investments, and collaboration in energy, transport, agriculture, industry, and digital technologies.
Elnur Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Minister of Economy, highlighted the significant growth in trade turnover with Uzbekistan, which has more than tripled in 2025. Both nations are strengthening ties through mechanisms like the Joint Intergovernmental Commission and the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Company.
Aliyev also met with Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry to explore further opportunities for joint investments and infrastructure development. The forum reflects a growing commitment to strengthening Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan economic relations and regional cooperation.
2. German defence minister visits Ukraine for talks on weapons support
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has arrived in Kyiv to discuss further military support for Ukraine, focusing on additional weapons aid as pressure on Russia increases. Pistorius is set to meet Ukrainian officials to negotiate further assistance, emphasizing Germany's commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defense and positioning it for future negotiations with Russia.
Germany remains Ukraine’s second-largest military backer after the U.S. The conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022, continues despite peace talks earlier this month in Istanbul.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently approved the supply of "long-range fire" weapons to Ukraine, further escalating tensions with Moscow.
3. Eastern Cape Floods: death toll rises to 49 people
The death toll from floods in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province has risen to 49, including schoolchildren and the driver of a minibus. Heavy rains and snowstorms caused severe flooding near Mthatha, where a school minibus carrying 13 students and two adults was swept away. Six bodies have been recovered, and four students remain missing.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane expressed deep sorrow and highlighted ongoing search and rescue efforts. The most affected areas include the O.R. Tambo district municipality.
Residents shared harrowing accounts of survival, with one family crediting a baby’s cries for saving their lives. Floods have become more frequent and severe, with experts linking the rise to climate change.
4. North Korea will always stand with Russia, leader Kim tells Putin
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as his "dearest friend" in a message on June 12, marking Russia Day. Kim reaffirmed North Korea's unwavering support for Russia, describing their relationship as a "genuine partnership between comrades-in-arms." He expressed the "unshakable will" to strengthen ties between the two nations. Kim also conveyed his congratulations to Putin on Russia Day and earlier confirmed that North Korea had sent troops to support Russia in the Ukraine war.
6. Russia hits Ukraine's Kharkiv with nighttime barrage of drones
A Russian drone attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, on Wednesday killed six people and injured 64, including nine children. This attack followed Russia’s two largest air assaults on Ukraine this week, which Moscow claims are retaliations for Kyiv’s recent attacks in Russia.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported another wave of drone strikes on Thursday, targeting four districts, including one that landed in a school courtyard. No additional casualties were reported. Meanwhile, Russian attacks on energy facilities left the southern regions of Mykolaiv and Kherson without power.
The recent drone strikes in Kharkiv caused fires in a five-storey apartment block, with several buildings and public areas damaged. President Zelenskyy condemned Russia's continued attacks, calling for increased pressure. The Ukrainian military reported 85 drones launched overnight, 40 of which were shot down.
Kherson and Mykolaiv are dealing with power outages after Russian forces targeted key energy infrastructure. No immediate comment was made by Russia regarding the attacks.
The world has already entered an era of global water bankruptcy, with irreversible damage to rivers, aquifers, lakes and glaciers pushing billions of ...
U.S. forces have seized another oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Caribbean, marking the seventh such detention in recent weeks as Washington inte...
President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev outlined Azerbaijan’s economic priorities, investment strategy and regional connectivity role while speaking a...
U.S. President Donald Trump joined a White House briefing on Tuesday, using the appearance to defend his approach to NATO and claim credit for increas...
Türkiye is closely monitoring developments in Syria and considers the country’s unity and territorial integrity vital for regional stability, Presi...
The world has already entered an era of global water bankruptcy, with irreversible damage to rivers, aquifers, lakes and glaciers pushing billions of people into long-term water insecurity, according to a major United Nations report released on Tuesday.
U.S. forces have seized another oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Caribbean, marking the seventh such detention in recent weeks as Washington intensifies enforcement of sanctions on illicit oil shipments.
President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev outlined Azerbaijan’s economic priorities, investment strategy and regional connectivity role while speaking at the Euronews Davos Azerbaijan Executive Breakfast on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.
U.S. President Donald Trump joined a White House briefing on Tuesday, using the appearance to defend his approach to NATO and claim credit for increased defence spending by alliance members, as disputes with European partners over security and Greenland continue.
Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani has died at the age of 93, his foundation said on Monday.
More than 100 vehicles were involved in a massive pileup on Interstate 96 in western Michigan on Monday (19 January), forcing the highway to shut in both directions amid severe winter weather.
The European Parliament has frozen the ratification of a trade agreement with the United States after fresh tariff threats from Donald Trump, escalating tensions between Washington and Brussels.
A fresh consignment of precision-guided munitions has departed from the Indian city of Nagpur bound for Yerevan, marking the latest phase in the rapidly expanding defence partnership between India and Armenia.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 19 January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. forces have seized another oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Caribbean, marking the seventh such detention in recent weeks as Washington intensifies enforcement of sanctions on illicit oil shipments.
Türkiye is closely monitoring developments in Syria and considers the country’s unity and territorial integrity vital for regional stability, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Donald Trump during a phone call on Tuesday, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.
Poland will begin phasing out the special residence and welfare rules granted to Ukrainians who fled the war with Russia, shifting them onto the country’s standard legal framework for foreign nationals from March, the government said on Tuesday.
U.S. President Donald Trump joined a White House briefing on Tuesday, using the appearance to defend his approach to NATO and claim credit for increased defence spending by alliance members, as disputes with European partners over security and Greenland continue.
The European Union has proposed new restrictions on exports of drone and missile-related technology to Iran, while preparing additional sanctions in response to what it described as Tehran’s ‘brutal suppression’ of protesters.
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