Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 18th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. G7 concludes with no Japan-U.S. trade breakthrough
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced on Tuesday that Japan and the United States have not reached a comprehensive tariff agreement, with key disagreements persisting between the two economic powers.
Speaking to reporters in Calgary, Ishiba emphasized Japan's commitment to securing a trade deal that is mutually beneficial while staunchly safeguarding its national interests. A central point of contention remains the 25% tariff imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Japanese auto imports, a measure Ishiba stated is significantly impacting Japanese companies, particularly in the automotive sector, and has broader implications for the global economy.
2. Trump speaks with Netanyahu after crucial meeting on Israel-Iran conflict
President Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening after meeting with his national security team about the escalating war between Israel and Iran, an Israeli official told Axios.
3. China's Xi signs treaty to elevate ties with Central Asia
China President Xi Jinping signed a treaty to elevate ties with Central Asian nations on Tuesday, as Beijing looks to further deepen cooperation on trade, energy and infrastructure with the resource-rich region.
Since Russia-Ukraine war, Beijing has been stepping up efforts to boost economic links with Central Asian nations traditionally within Russia's sphere of influence, drawn by their strategic location and energy resources.
4. In Bonn, parties fail to reach agreement on Global Stocktake’s call to transition away from fossil fuels
The climate community met in Bonn for the June Climate Meetings, preparing for COP30. On the first day, civil society protests highlighted urgent climate action. Disagreements over agenda items, including trade restrictions and climate finance, delayed the meeting. The EU advocated for broader finance discussions. The meeting resumed on June 17.
A workshop on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) featured 490 indicators, focusing on vulnerable groups and avoiding increased reporting burdens. Delegates discussed a new gender action plan, economic diversification, workforce transition, and a pilot project converting a disused mine into a hydroponic farm. Fossil fuel transitions elicited mixed intentions.
5. Ukraine war latest: Massive Russian attack kills 22, injures 134 in Kyiv
At least 22 people have been killed and at least 134 others injured after a mass Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight on June 17.
Ukraine's National Police initially reported 15 dead and 124 injured in the attack, but Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko later revised the death toll to 10. The State Emergency Service subsequently updated the figure to 16 as of 11 p.m. on July 17.
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The 7th International Music Festival “World of Mugham” opened with a grand ceremony at the Heydar Aliyev Palace in Baku on June 17, uniting artists and scholars from over 25 countries.
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The second day of the annual June Climate Meetings in Bonn focused on preparations for the upcoming COP30 conference.
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China–Central Asia summit
Leaders from China and five Central Asian nations convene in Astana, Kazakhstan, for the Second China–Central Asia Summit (June 16–18, 2025).
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South Korea and Japan
South Korea and Japan have agreed to deepen their cooperation with the United States in addressing regional security challenges, including North Korea, during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, according to local media reports.
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