Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 20th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Opening of "Azerbaijan Quarter" to take place in Kahramanmaraş
The official opening ceremony of the 'Azerbaijan' residential complex, constructed by Azerbaijan in the Turkish city of Kahramanmaraş, was held on Thursday and was attended by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The complex was built after the devastating earthquake of the 6 February 2023. Azerbaijan sent more than a thousand personnel to help with rescue efforts as well as doctors, to the affected regions.
Iran appoints new IRGC intelligence chief
Brig. Gen. Majid Khademi was appointed as the new head of the intelligence organization of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the official Press TV reported.
On June 15, the IRGC announced that Brig. Gen. Mohammad Kazemi, the organization's then intelligence chief, had been killed in an Israeli attack.
Trump says he will decide whether to strike Iran within 2 weeks
US President Donald Trump said he will make a decision on whether or not to carry out strikes on Iran within two weeks.
"Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks," Trump said in a statement read aloud by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
"Nobody should be surprised by the president's position that Iran absolutely cannot obtain a nuclear weapon. He's been unequivocally clear about this for decades," Leavitt told reporters at the White House. "It's why he has given great latitude and given a lot of effort to achieving a diplomatic solution, but he's been very clear."
14 cargo planes from US, Germany arrive in Israel with military equipment
Fourteen military cargo planes from the US and Germany loaded with equipment and supplies to support the army arrived in Israel amid its conflict with Iran, the Israeli Defense Ministry said.
The ministry said in a statement that the planes are part of the air and sea bridges it has been operating since the start of the Israeli attack against Iran on June 13.
China warns of extensive flooding after heavy rains
Chinese authorities have warned of flash floods and swift currents in mountainous areas in the eastern, central, southern and southwestern regions of the country after heavy rains there.
The red alerts, the first for this year, were issued late on Thursday covering areas in the provinces of Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou and Guangxi region, state news agency Xinhua reported, citing the water resources ministry and national weather forecaster China Meteorological Administration.
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Norway intends to increase its total spending on defence and broader security to 5% of its GDP, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere announced on Friday, aligning with a proposed NATO-wide target.
16:00
Spain has refused to endorse a proposed NATO target requiring member states to spend 5% of their GDP on defense, risking friction ahead of next week’s alliance summit in The Hague.
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Azerbaijan and China
President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving the 'Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the People's Republic of China on International Multimodal Transportation.'
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Diplomatic representatives accredited in Azerbaijan have arrived in the East Zangezur and Karabakh regions for a multiday visit showcasing post-conflict reconstruction and cultural development.
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Russia and Kazakhstan have signed a formal agreement to move forward with the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, marking a key step in their energy cooperation.
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