AnewZ Morning Brief - May 17th, 2025
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 17th , covering the latest developments you need to know.
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.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
EU approves 17th Russia sanctions, blacklisting almost 200 shadow‑fleet ships, 30 evasion firms and 75 defence figures, banning missile chemicals and arming Brussels to strike Kremlin hybrid and operations.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed President Donald Trump's administration to move forward with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for around 350,000 Venezuelans living in the U.S. Trump has also aimed to end TPS protections for Haitians, Afghans, and others.
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a request from the Trump administration to lift protections under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans, potentially opening the door to future deportations while litigation continues.
Lithuania has taken legal action against Belarus at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Minsk of organizing irregular migrant crossings and violating international obligations.
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
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