AnewZ Morning Brief - 15 March, 2026

AnewZ Morning Brief - 15 March, 2026
AnewZ/Reuters

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 15 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.

U.S. and Chinese economic chiefs to meet in Paris amid Middle East crisis

Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials are set to launch a new round of talks in Paris on Sunday (15 March) to iron out remaining issues in their trade truce and pave the way for a trip by U.S. President Donald Trump to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March.The talks, led by Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, will focus on adjusting U.S. tariffs and the supply of Chinese rare earth minerals and magnets to American buyers. They will also address U.S. high-tech export controls and China’s purchases of U.S. agricultural products. The two sides  will meet at the Paris headquarters of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, a source familiar with the plans said. 

Trump threatens more strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, urges allies on Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub and called on allies to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran vowed to intensify its response and the conflict showed no sign of ending. Trump claimed the U.S. strikes had "totally demolished" most of Kharg Island and indicated that more could follow. He also expressed hope that China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain, and other nations would deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz, though none immediately confirmed such plans.

North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward East Sea

North Korea fired around 10 ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, South Korea's military said. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the missiles launched from the Sunan area in North Korea at around 1:20 pm (0420 GMT), according to Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency. "Our military maintains a firm readiness posture while closely sharing North Korean ballistic missile information with the U.S. and Japan amid a heightened surveillance posture against additional launches," the military said in a statement.

Israel warns it may strike medical facilities and ambulances in Lebanon

The Israeli army threatened to target medical facilities and ambulances in Lebanon, claiming they are being used for military purposes by the Lebanese group Hezbollah. The warning came hours after an Israeli strike reportedly hit a healthcare centre in southern Lebanon, killing 12 medical personnel, including doctors, paramedics and nurses. Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed Hezbollah is making “extensive military use of ambulances” as part of its activities.

French mayoral elections test far-right support ahead of presidential vote

French voters head to the polls on Sunday (15 March) to elect their mayors in a closely watched ballot seen as a test of the strength of the far-right and the resilience of mainstream parties. Heading nearly 35,000 municipalities, from major cities to villages with only a few dozen residents, mayors are France's most trusted elected officials. A second round will be held on 22 March in all cities where no single list wins more than 50% of the vote.

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