AnewZ Morning Brief - May 5th, 2025

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 5th , covering the latest developments you need to know.

1. Azerbaijan delegation visits Syria.

Azerbaijan has taken a significant step in strengthening ties with Syria, as Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov led a high-level delegation to Damascus.

The visit focused on supporting Syria’s reconstruction efforts, enhancing bilateral cooperation, and delivering a personal message from President Ilham Aliyev to the Syrian leadership.

2. Zelenskyy urges more pressure on Russia for a ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that a ceasefire with Russia is possible at any moment, urging Ukraine’s allies to increase pressure on Moscow to make this a reality.

Speaking in Prague alongside Czech President Petr Pavel, Zelenskyy emphasised that without more pressure, Russian President Vladimir Putin would not take concrete steps to end the war. He called for a 30-day ceasefire, which he believes would allow diplomacy a real chance, in contrast to Russia’s recent proposal for a brief three-day ceasefire.

Zelenskyy also urged stronger sanctions and continued military support for Ukraine.

3. Trump prioritises fair trade deals with China, emphasises high tariffs’ financial benefits.

U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his commitment to securing fair trade deals, particularly with China, while highlighting that high tariffs have effectively halted trade with Beijing, resulting in significant financial gains for the United States.

Trump noted that while the U.S. is in discussions with several countries, his primary goal remains to establish a fair agreement with China, which he claims has been taking advantage of the U.S. for years.

4. George Simion leads in Romania’s presidential election re-run.

George Simion, a hard-right eurosceptic, secured a commanding lead in the first round of Romania's presidential election re-run on Sunday, claiming 40.6% of the vote, according to nearly final results. He will face Bucharest Mayor Nicuşor Dan, who garnered 21%, in a runoff on May 18.

Simion, who aligns with the U.S. "Make America Great Again" movement, has advocated for a stronger Romania outside of EU influence and opposed military aid to Ukraine. His victory marks a potential shift towards increased nationalism and euroscepticism in Romania and could have significant geopolitical ramifications, especially regarding Romania's role within NATO and its relationship with the EU.

 5. Piastri wins Miami GP for third consecutive victory.

Oscar Piastri continued his stunning run in Formula One by securing a dominant win at the Miami Grand Prix, marking his third consecutive victory.

Leading a McLaren one-two finish, Piastri extended his championship lead over teammate Lando Norris to 16 points. The Australian’s victory, which follows wins in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, highlights McLaren's impressive form, having won five of the first six races this season.

6. Brazilian authorities foil bomb plot at Lady Gaga’s concert.

Brazilian authorities have successfully foiled a bomb plot targeting Lady Gaga’s record-breaking concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, attended by over 2 million fans.

The planned attack was orchestrated by a group promoting hate speech and the radicalisation of teenagers, encouraging violence and self-harm. Authorities revealed that the group was attempting to recruit minors to carry out coordinated attacks using improvised explosives.

Swift action by police and intelligence services prevented a potential tragedy.

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