Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 21 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United States said it was getting very close to meeting its goals in the war with Iran and was considering winding down its military efforts. President Donald Trump also urged countries that rely on the Strait of Hormuz to guard and police the waterway themselves, if needed. "The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other nations who use it - The United States does not!," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
The UK has approved an expansion of U.S. access to British bases for operations targeting Iranian missile capabilities threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Downing Street. A statement said in a meeting, Cabinet ministers “confirmed that the agreement for the U.S. to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes U.S. defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz."
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators will hold talks in Miami on Saturday (21 March) that a source familiar with the matter said could lay the groundwork for another meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy told reporters on Friday that the U.S. and Ukrainian working groups would focus on bilateral documents and discuss a wide-ranging drone deal during the weekend meeting.
Iceland's Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir told Reuters on Wednesday (18 March) she is optimistic her country could join the European Union as early as 2028. The Icelandic government has proposed holding a referendum on 29 August on resuming EU membership negotiations, a process Reykjavik froze in 2013 when a more Eurosceptic government took power. "We have seen that it's beneficial to have a voice at the table," Gunnarsdóttir said in an interview in Brussels.
Merz faces key second state election test in Germany
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives face their second electoral test this month on Sunday (22 March) when they hope to unseat the centre-left Social Democrats, their coalition partner at the national level, in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. For Merz, however, battling to shore up Western support for Ukraine and facing the looming threat of an energy shock caused by the Iran war, an election he once counted on to boost his domestic support has become uncomfortably tight.
President Donald Trump says the U.S. may start winding down operations against Iran but insists other nations must secure the Strait of Hormuz. Ove...
Slovenia heads to the polls on Sunday (22 March) in a closely contested race between incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob and right-w...
Iceland could reopen talks on joining the European Union after a 13-year pause, as shifting security concerns and renewed economic debate bring ...
Italy will vote on 22 and 23 March in a judicial reform referendum that could reshape the justice system and test Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni&rsq...
Uzbekistan has outlined plans to select its first astronaut and launch two Earth observation satellites, as it steps up efforts to build a national...
Slovenia heads to the polls on Sunday (22 March) in a closely contested race between incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob and right-wing former Prime Minister Janez Janša.
Iceland could reopen talks on joining the European Union after a 13-year pause, as shifting security concerns and renewed economic debate bring EU membership back to the centre of national politics.
Italy will vote on 22 and 23 March in a judicial reform referendum that could reshape the justice system and test Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s political strength ahead of the 2027 general election.
The trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day has officially become the most-watched trailer of all time, racking up 718.6 million views in its first 24 hours and surpassing the previous record set by Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024.
Israel reportedly launched a fresh wave of attacks on Iran on Friday (20 March), a day after U.S. President Donald Trump told it not to repeat its strikes on Iranian natural gas infrastructure, which sharply escalated the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Carlos Ray “Chuck” Norris, the martial artist, actor and cultural icon best known for his roles in action films and the long-running CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger, has died at the age of 86.
Transport groups across the Philippines launched a nationwide strike on Thursday in protest against rising oil prices. The action affected 15 to 20 protest centres in Metro Manila, with similar demonstrations taking place across several major provinces.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has refused to lift his opposition to a €90 billion ($104 billion) European Union loan to help Ukraine keep up its fight against Russia’s invasion, following a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday (19 March).
As Afghans celebrate Eid, there is at least some relief, with Afghanistan and Pakistan pausing military operations following mediation by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye after weeks of tension.
Slovenia heads to the polls on Sunday (22 March) in a closely contested race between incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob and right-wing former Prime Minister Janez Janša.
Iceland could reopen talks on joining the European Union after a 13-year pause, as shifting security concerns and renewed economic debate bring EU membership back to the centre of national politics.
Italy will vote on 22 and 23 March in a judicial reform referendum that could reshape the justice system and test Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s political strength ahead of the 2027 general election.
The British government gave authorisation on Friday (20 March) for the U.S. to use military bases in Britain to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites that are attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
A U.S. federal arts body has approved the design of a 24-karat gold commemorative coin featuring President Donald Trump, on Thursday (19 March) paving the way for its release as part of celebrations marking the country’s 250th anniversary on 4 July.
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