Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 19th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iran and Israel exchange fresh air-strikes while Washington weighs military support
Iran and Israel traded further air attacks on Thursday as President Donald Trump kept the world guessing about whether the United States would join Israel's bombardment of Iranian nuclear facilities.
A week of Israeli air and missile strikes against its major rival has wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command, damaged its nuclear capabilities and killed hundreds of people, while Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed two dozen civilians in Israel.
Iran would accept Trump's offer to meet soon
Iran would accept U.S. President Donald Trump's offer to meet soon, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing a senior Iranian official.
The newspaper, citing the official, added that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi would accept such a meeting to discuss a cease-fire with Israel.
Trump, who has indicated he wants talks to focus on the Iranian nuclear program, said on Monday that he might send U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance to meet Iranian officials.
Rwanda and DRC's initial peace agreement ahead of signing next week
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have initialed a draft peace agreement, marking a significant step toward ending years of conflict in eastern Congo.
The agreement is expected to be officially signed by ministers from both countries on June 27, according to a joint statement released by the parties and the United States.
The deal follows three days of intensive negotiations and is viewed as a breakthrough in diplomacy facilitated by President Donald Trump’s administration. It outlines key commitments from both sides, including respect for territorial integrity, cessation of hostilities, and a structured plan for the disengagement, disarmament, and conditional integration of non-state armed groups.
Putin speaks on Ukraine, Iran, NATO, and U.S. relations at SPIEF 2025
At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, President Vladimir Putin outlined Russia’s stance on the Ukraine war, NATO expansion, the Iran-Israel conflict, and future ties with the U.S., signalling openness to dialogue but firmly on Moscow’s terms.
In a wide-ranging exchange with foreign media at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russian President Vladimir Putin laid out Moscow’s stance on some of the world’s most pressing geopolitical issues. His remarks covered the ongoing war in Ukraine, the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, NATO’s military posture, and Russia’s relations with the United States.
Azerbaijan’s “Climate and Peace” diplomacy gains broad international support
Within the framework of the 62nd Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies held in Bonn, a High-Level Panel: “Baku Hub Partnership – Advancing Peace-Positive Climate Action in Vulnerable Contexts” was organized by the COP29 Presidency.
The event was attended by high-level representatives from various countries, international organizations, multilateral development banks, climate funds, civil society representatives, and young leaders.
European ministers to hold nuclear talks with Iran on Friday in Geneva
The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain plan to hold nuclear talks with their Iranian counterpart on Friday in Geneva, a German diplomatic source told Reuters.
The ministers will first meet with the European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, at Germany's permanent mission in Geneva before holding a joint meeting with the Iranian foreign minister, the source said.
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are negotiating summer water allocations as rising temperatures, agricultural demand and pressure on shared r...
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the of...
A drone strike caused a fire at the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE, officials said on Sunday, with ...
Medical teams are being rushed to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following a fast-moving Ebola outbreak that has already caused dozens ...
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) has opened in Baku, bringing together governments, international organisations, city leader...
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are negotiating summer water allocations as rising temperatures, agricultural demand and pressure on shared rivers intensify water security concerns across Central Asia.
A new trilateral energy partnership involving Uzbekneftegaz, Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR and BP has been announced during Uzbekistan Energy Week 2026 in Tashkent.
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) has opened in Baku, bringing together governments, international organisations, city leaders and civil society to address mounting global urban challenges.
Iran and Pakistan reviewed bilateral ties and the latest developments in the stalled Iran-U.S. peace negotiations mediated by Islamabad, as Tehran and Washington continue to refuse tangible concessions amid a fragile ceasefire and escalating verbal threats.
Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, taking victory in a final overshadowed by a boycott over Israel’s participation and the war in Gaza.
At least eight people were injured after a driver rammed a car into pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena, authorities said on Saturday. Four of the victims were reported to be in serious condition.
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
Jeffrey D. Sachs, an economist, public policy analyst, Columbia University professor, and UN advisor, said Azerbaijan and the wider South Caucasus could become one of the world’s key strategic connectors in an emerging multipolar order.
U.S. President Donald Trump says China's Xi Jinping agreed Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran prepares a new shipping mechanism. Tensions over the U.S. blockade and stalled nuclear talks continue to disrupt global oil supplies.
Israeli military strikes across Gaza killed at least eight Palestinians on Sunday, according to local health officials, as the Israel Defense Forces intensified operations targeting Hamas commanders and infrastructure across the enclave.
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Guangxi region early on Monday, killing two people and forcing more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou to evacuate as rescue efforts continued.
Russia carried out overnight drone strikes, air raids and shelling across Ukraine, hitting cities including Odesa and Dnipro, killing one person and injuring more than 30, according to Ukrainian officials on Monday (18 May).
Iran and Pakistan reviewed bilateral ties and the latest developments in the stalled Iran-U.S. peace negotiations mediated by Islamabad, as Tehran and Washington continue to refuse tangible concessions amid a fragile ceasefire and escalating verbal threats.
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