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.
An Air India flight en route from Thailand’s Phuket to New Delhi made an emergency landing on Friday following a bomb threat, prompting a full-scale evacuation of 156 passengers.
Iran has announced it will not participate in the upcoming round of nuclear negotiations with the United States, citing Washington’s support for Israel as a key reason.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 13th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
With Iranian, Iraqi and Israeli skies abruptly restricted, Heydar Aliyev International Airport stepped in as a regional lifeline on Friday morning, safely receiving a stream of diverted jets from six international carriers and underscoring Baku’s capacity to reroute air traffic in a crisis.
Republican Senator Roger Wicker has warned Iran against targeting American troops amid rising tensions in the Middle East, saying the U.S. military is prepared for any retaliatory strikes.
An Air India flight en route from Thailand’s Phuket to New Delhi made an emergency landing on Friday following a bomb threat, prompting a full-scale evacuation of 156 passengers.
Foreign ministers from major European nations expressed readiness to increase pressure on Russia, including potential new sanctions targeting the energy and banking sectors, to undermine its war efforts in Ukraine.
Iran has announced it will not participate in the upcoming round of nuclear negotiations with the United States, citing Washington’s support for Israel as a key reason.
The U.S. dollar advanced on Friday as investors rushed back into the currency and other safe-haven assets including U.S. Treasury bonds and gold after Israel launched widescale strikes against Iran, sparking Iranian retaliation.
A USAID official and three business owners pleaded guilty to a 10-year bribery scheme involving at least 14 prime contracts worth over $550 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 8th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is in critical condition after being shot three times — including twice in the head — during a campaign event in Bogotá.
Pakistan will begin its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22. The route is part of the INSTC and aims to connect Pakistan's rail network with Central Asia, establishing a new trade corridor via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan and the UK are strengthening defense ties with a new Military Cooperation Plan, focusing on peacekeeping and military education.
A 30-year-old woman was shot by police in Munich on Saturday evening after stabbing two people at Theresienwiese, a central park best known for hosting Oktoberfest.
An Air India flight en route from Thailand’s Phuket to New Delhi made an emergency landing on Friday following a bomb threat, prompting a full-scale evacuation of 156 passengers.
Foreign ministers from major European nations expressed readiness to increase pressure on Russia, including potential new sanctions targeting the energy and banking sectors, to undermine its war efforts in Ukraine.
Iran has announced it will not participate in the upcoming round of nuclear negotiations with the United States, citing Washington’s support for Israel as a key reason.
A USAID official and three business owners pleaded guilty to a 10-year bribery scheme involving at least 14 prime contracts worth over $550 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 13th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
An Air India flight en route from Thailand’s Phuket to New Delhi made an emergency landing on Friday following a bomb threat, prompting a full-scale evacuation of 156 passengers.
Foreign ministers from major European nations expressed readiness to increase pressure on Russia, including potential new sanctions targeting the energy and banking sectors, to undermine its war efforts in Ukraine.
Iran has announced it will not participate in the upcoming round of nuclear negotiations with the United States, citing Washington’s support for Israel as a key reason.
The U.S. dollar advanced on Friday as investors rushed back into the currency and other safe-haven assets including U.S. Treasury bonds and gold after Israel launched widescale strikes against Iran, sparking Iranian retaliation.
A USAID official and three business owners pleaded guilty to a 10-year bribery scheme involving at least 14 prime contracts worth over $550 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars.
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