Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 26th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Zelenskyy and Council of Europe sign agreement on tribunal for Ukraine war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an agreement with the Council of Europe to establish a special tribunal to address the "crime of aggression" related to the 2022 conflict involving Russia. The tribunal aims to hold senior officials accountable and complement the International Criminal Court, which lacks jurisdiction over this crime. The court is expected to begin operations around 2026 with broader international participation.
2. Ceasefire holds as U.S. and Iran prepare for possible talks
The fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel held for a second day on Wednesday, with U.S. President Donald Trump confirming that American and Iranian officials are expected to hold talks next week. Trump said the U.S. had achieved its military goals in Iran, claiming that strikes had “completely and fully obliterated” Tehran’s nuclear program. While Iran has not officially confirmed any talks, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said backchannel communications are ongoing. A planned sixth round of formal U.S.-Iran negotiations was cancelled after Israel’s attacks on 13 June.
3. Türkiye to host NATO summit in 2026
Türkiye will host the next NATO summit in 2026, followed by Albania in 2027, according to the final declaration from the alliance’s meeting in The Hague.
Leaders also agreed to raise defence spending targets to 5% of GDP, highlighting a shift toward greater burden-sharing. While support for Ukraine was reaffirmed, the summit’s main focus was on strengthening NATO’s future strategy and unity amid rising global tensions.
4. IAEA says Iran legally bound to cooperate on nuclear program
IAEA head Rafael Grossi reminded Iran that its cooperation with the agency is a legal obligation under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, not a choice. He expressed concern over Iran’s threats to limit inspections after Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities.
Iran’s parliament has passed a bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, pending final approval.
5. China hosts SCO Defence Summit in Qingdao
China hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's defence ministers' meeting in Qingdao, calling for stronger multilateral cooperation amid rising global tensions. Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun criticized unilateralism and urged SCO members to uphold international stability following the Iran-Israel ceasefire. All 10 SCO member states, including India for the first time in five years, attended the summit.
6. Kenya faces deadly nationwide protests
At least 16 people were killed during nationwide anti-government protests in Kenya, marking one year since deadly tax protests in 2024. Rights groups, including Amnesty Kenya and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, accused police of using lethal force, with many victims shot by security forces. The unrest involved thousands of demonstrators, clashes with police, and disruptions in multiple cities, amid ongoing demands for justice and police accountability.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin reaffirmed the strength of bilateral relations during the 30th regular meeting b...
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says that Tehran will not cooperate with Washington as it continues to support Israel, maintain military bases and interfere in...
A conference marking the 80th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences was held on 3 November, where President Ilham Aliyev highligh...
A 32-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a stabbing on a U.K. train injured 11 people, including a railway worker now in critica...
Ukraine’s military said on Monday it struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov region overnight, causing a fire at one of the refining units, and...
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin reaffirmed the strength of bilateral relations during the 30th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government, held on Monday in Hangzhou, eastern China’s Zhejiang Province.
New York City’s mayoral election on 4 November 2025 has become one of the most closely watched local races in the United States.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says that Tehran will not cooperate with Washington as it continues to support Israel, maintain military bases and interfere in the Middle East Region.
A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near Mazar-e Sharif early Monday, killing at least 20 people, injuring hundreds, and damaging the city’s historic Blue Mosque, with officials warning that the toll could rise.
Ukraine’s top military commander has confirmed that troops are facing “difficult conditions” defending the strategic eastern town of Pokrovsk against a multi-thousand Russian force.
Russia has launched its new nuclear-powered submarine, the Khabarovsk, at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, the Defence Ministry said Saturday.
Armenia will offer Azerbaijani as an optional subject for 10-12th grade students in three schools from the 2025/2026 academic year as part of a state programme to develop foreign and regional languages.
A man and a woman were killed and several others injured in a shooting on the Greek island of Crete on Saturday, in what police officials described as a family vendetta, reviving memories of the island’s long and complex history of inter-family violence.
Two men accused of stealing €88 million worth of jewels from Paris’ Louvre Museum have been charged and remanded in custody, as investigators continue to search for the missing treasures.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin reaffirmed the strength of bilateral relations during the 30th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government, held on Monday in Hangzhou, eastern China’s Zhejiang Province.
A 32-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a stabbing on a U.K. train injured 11 people, including a railway worker now in critical condition.
Ukraine’s military said on Monday it struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov region overnight, causing a fire at one of the refining units, and separately targeted Russian logistical sites in the occupied Luhansk region.
An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 struck the south-east coast of Russia's Kamchatka region on Monday (3 November), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.
Carlos Mazon, the leader of Spain's eastern Valencia region, said on Monday he was stepping down over his administration's handling of catastrophic floods that swept over the region a year ago.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment