Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 21st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Drought-hit Syrian farmers hope sanctions lift will revive agriculture
FAO’s Toni Ettel told Reuters that Syria faces a wheat shortfall of 2.7 million tonnes this year—enough to feed 16.3 million people. Years of war, drought, and lost Russian imports after President Assad’s ouster have devastated agriculture.
Farmers like Asaad Ezzeldin in Aleppo struggle with crop failures due to poor irrigation. But a turning point may be near: U.S. President Trump announced the lifting of all sanctions on Syria, with the EU following suit.
The move is expected to boost Syria’s recovery, allowing access to irrigation, fuel, and investment. While some targeted sanctions remain, the broader easing signals growing international support for Syria’s reconstruction and political transition.
2. Foreign ministers of Turkic states gather in Budapest ahead of informal OTS summit
The opening event, organized prior to the main gathering, provided an opportunity for diplomatic discussions and coordination among the participating countries.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, the meeting brought together OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev and the foreign ministers of member states: Murat Nurtleu (Kazakhstan), Hakan Fidan (Türkiye), Jeenbek Kulubaev (Kyrgyzstan), Jeyhun Bayramov (Azerbaijan), and Bakhtiyor Saidov (Uzbekistan), along with Péter Szijjártó, representing observer state Hungary.
The summit reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen regional cooperation among Turkic states and strategic partners.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is on a working visit to Hungary. On May 20, he met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. President Aliyev is expected to attend the informal summit on May 21.
3. Elon Musk says he will remain Tesla CEO and plans to cut back on political spending
Musk also announced he will reduce his political spending after heavily backing Trump last year, including spending at least $250 million on the campaign and holding his own rallies. “I think I’ve done enough,” Musk said, adding he might spend in the future only if there is a clear reason.
The billionaire faced backlash over his work with Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, but defended his involvement, saying, “I did what needed to be done.” Musk also warned critics, “Don’t worry: we’re coming for you.”
This comes as a judge in Delaware blocked a $56 billion Tesla pay package for Musk, calling the chancellor an “activist who is cosplaying a judge.”
4. Israel recalls negotiators from Doha as hostage talks stall over Hamas refusal
“After about a week of intensive talks in Doha, the senior negotiation team will return to Israel for consultations, while working-level representatives will remain in Doha for the time being,” the statement read.
Israel said it had accepted a U.S.-backed proposal based on the framework put forward by presidential envoy Steven Witkoff. However, Hamas has so far refused to engage with the terms, prompting Israel to reassess its strategy.
“Israel agrees to the American proposal for the return of the hostages… but so far, Hamas continues to cling to its refusal,” the statement said.
The collapse in progress puts fresh strain on ongoing efforts by international mediators to reach a breakthrough and secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.
5. Vatican willing to host Ukraine peace talks
This follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier statement that the Vatican could serve as a neutral venue for the negotiations.
European and U.S. leaders welcomed Trump’s remarks on Monday, seeing the Vatican as a possible trusted ground for talks. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also mentioned the Vatican as a potential neutral location acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine.
Pope Leo, who became pope in May 2025, has consistently called for peace and dialogue, including recent meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Vatican’s potential role is seen as a hopeful sign toward reviving stalled negotiations, though concrete plans remain pending official confirmation.
6. Russian artillery strikes hit Kherson, killing one and injuring 10 civilians
According to the Kherson Regional Military Administration, Russian forces carried out multiple strikes on residential neighborhoods in the city’s Central, Dniprovskyi, and Korabelnyi districts between May 18 and 20. The attacks caused significant damage and casualties among civilians.
These recent attacks add to a series of escalations in Kherson, including a deadly artillery strike on May 15 that killed a woman and injured nine others .
The ongoing assaults have significantly impacted Kherson's infrastructure, with damage to residential buildings, transportation hubs, and utilities.
The European Union aims to introduce a €2 handling fee on low-value online shopping packages entering the bloc, targeting billions of cheap goods from platforms like Shein and Temu. The move seeks to cover the high costs of customs compliance and safety checks.
AnewZ and Kazakhstan’s Jibek Joly/Silk Way TV channel co-hosted a special AnewZ Talks in Astana at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU), uniting global experts and young leaders at Silk Road Media Group’s journalism school to explore the growing intersection of media and diplomacy.
The U.S. faces a dangerous mix of rising tornadoes and fewer meteorologists, straining weather warning systems. Tornado counts are 35% above average this year, testing an understaffed National Weather Service amid growing climate-driven severe weather.
The German Council of Economic Experts has lowered its forecast for Germany’s economy, now expecting stagnation in 2025 amid industrial challenges and ongoing impacts from U.S. tariffs, while modest growth is anticipated to resume in 2026 thanks to a major fiscal stimulus plan.
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
The European Union aims to introduce a €2 handling fee on low-value online shopping packages entering the bloc, targeting billions of cheap goods from platforms like Shein and Temu. The move seeks to cover the high costs of customs compliance and safety checks.
The U.S. faces a dangerous mix of rising tornadoes and fewer meteorologists, straining weather warning systems. Tornado counts are 35% above average this year, testing an understaffed National Weather Service amid growing climate-driven severe weather.
The German Council of Economic Experts has lowered its forecast for Germany’s economy, now expecting stagnation in 2025 amid industrial challenges and ongoing impacts from U.S. tariffs, while modest growth is anticipated to resume in 2026 thanks to a major fiscal stimulus plan.
AnewZ and Kazakhstan’s Jibek Joly/Silk Way TV channel co-hosted a special AnewZ Talks in Astana at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU), uniting global experts and young leaders at Silk Road Media Group’s journalism school to explore the growing intersection of media and diplomacy.
The World Health Organization has sounded the alarm over a deepening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, as Pakistan’s mass deportation of Afghan migrants overwhelms the country's already crippled health system and pushes it closer to total collapse.
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.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
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.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
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.
The World Health Organization has sounded the alarm over a deepening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, as Pakistan’s mass deportation of Afghan migrants overwhelms the country's already crippled health system and pushes it closer to total collapse.
Ukraine will urge the EU next week to take stronger independent steps to isolate Moscow, including seizing Russian assets and imposing sanctions on some buyers of Russian oil, amid uncertainty over Washington’s support.
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
The Budapest Declaration was adopted at the Informal Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Hungary, outlining a strategic roadmap for economic integration, digital transformation, and regional cooperation.
In a high-stakes diplomatic move, China hosted a trilateral meeting with Afghanistan and Pakistan, signaling its growing role as a power broker in the region.
The European Union aims to introduce a €2 handling fee on low-value online shopping packages entering the bloc, targeting billions of cheap goods from platforms like Shein and Temu. The move seeks to cover the high costs of customs compliance and safety checks.
The U.S. faces a dangerous mix of rising tornadoes and fewer meteorologists, straining weather warning systems. Tornado counts are 35% above average this year, testing an understaffed National Weather Service amid growing climate-driven severe weather.
The German Council of Economic Experts has lowered its forecast for Germany’s economy, now expecting stagnation in 2025 amid industrial challenges and ongoing impacts from U.S. tariffs, while modest growth is anticipated to resume in 2026 thanks to a major fiscal stimulus plan.
AnewZ and Kazakhstan’s Jibek Joly/Silk Way TV channel co-hosted a special AnewZ Talks in Astana at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU), uniting global experts and young leaders at Silk Road Media Group’s journalism school to explore the growing intersection of media and diplomacy.
The World Health Organization has sounded the alarm over a deepening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, as Pakistan’s mass deportation of Afghan migrants overwhelms the country's already crippled health system and pushes it closer to total collapse.
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