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.
U.S. President Donald Trump told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that he ended seven long-running conflicts in just seven months and insisted “ev...
U.S. President Donald Trump rejected growing international recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, accusing members ...
Indonesia and the European Union concluded a free trade agreement on Tuesday after nine years of talks, with both aiming to boost exports and investme...
The Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev reviewed bilateral relations between the two neighbour...
Beijing is in talks with Boeing over a potential order of up to 500 aircrafts, a deal that could reshape the U.S. manufacturer’s fortunes in China a...
U.S. President Donald Trump told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that he ended seven long-running conflicts in just seven months and insisted “everyone says” he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize.
U.S. President Donald Trump rejected growing international recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, accusing members of “rewarding Hamas” and attacking allies over energy and immigration policies.
Indonesia and the European Union concluded a free trade agreement on Tuesday after nine years of talks, with both aiming to boost exports and investment and to offset the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.
The Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev reviewed bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries official sources said on Tuesday.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Video from the USGS (United States Geological Survey) showed on Friday (19 September) the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii erupting and spewing lava.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
U.S. President Donald Trump told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that he ended seven long-running conflicts in just seven months and insisted “everyone says” he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize.
U.S. President Donald Trump rejected growing international recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, accusing members of “rewarding Hamas” and attacking allies over energy and immigration policies.
Indonesia and the European Union concluded a free trade agreement on Tuesday after nine years of talks, with both aiming to boost exports and investment and to offset the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Beijing is in talks with Boeing over a potential order of up to 500 aircrafts, a deal that could reshape the U.S. manufacturer’s fortunes in China after years of stalled sales.
Norway has joined in the condemnation of recent incidents of Russian violation of allied airspaces with the latest being Denmark and at the same time revealed that its airspace was violated three times by Russia over spring and summer this year.
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