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.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday (25 May) that there have been 200 suspected deaths linked to the rare Bundibugo strain ...
A peace agreement between Washington and Tehran is yet to materialise, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying that negotiations are incomplete and a...
The Kremlin warned on Monday that Armenia could lose the “very attractive” price it pays for Russian gas if it moved away from integration with Ru...
Uzbekistan has unveiled its final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the country’s first appearance at football’s biggest tournament. The ...
Nearly half of Afghanistan’s population - more than 21 million people - needed humanitarian assistance in the first three months of 2026, accordin...
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday (25 May) that there have been 200 suspected deaths linked to the rare Bundibugo strain of Ebola that have been recorded in eastern DRC.
A peace agreement between Washington and Tehran is yet to materialise, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying that negotiations are incomplete and an Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman saying that a deal isn't imminent.
Uzbekistan has unveiled its final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the country’s first appearance at football’s biggest tournament. The national team, led by Italian head coach Fabio Cannavaro, will compete at the tournament hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Nearly half of Afghanistan’s population - more than 21 million people - needed humanitarian assistance in the first three months of 2026, according to the United Nations, yet aid agencies reached only 4.7 million people.
The inaugural Enhanced Games began in Las Vegas on Sunday (24 May), launching one of the most controversial experiments in modern sport, in which athletes openly compete using performance-enhancing drugs banned under traditional anti-doping rules.
A peace agreement between Washington and Tehran is yet to materialise, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying that negotiations are incomplete and an Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman saying that a deal isn't imminent.
A "largely negotiated" memorandum of understanding on an Iran peace deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday, though the Iranian Fars news agency disputed that claim.
Police fired tear gas and clashed with protesters in central Belgrade on Saturday, as tens of thousands gathered to demand early elections and an end to the more than decade-long rule of Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday (25 May) that there have been 200 suspected deaths linked to the rare Bundibugo strain of Ebola that have been recorded in eastern DRC.
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the “unbreakable friendship” between China and Pakistan as he met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Monday, a day after companies from both countries signed cooperation agreements worth $1.22 billion.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday (25 May) that there have been 200 suspected deaths linked to the rare Bundibugo strain of Ebola that have been recorded in eastern DRC.
A second group of Australian women and children linked to the Islamic State group has departed a refugee camp in north-east Syria and may return to Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Friday.
Pope Leo XIV has issued a historic apology for the Catholic Church’s past role in legitimising slavery, describing it as a “wound in Christian memory,” as he released a landmark encyclical addressing human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence.
Rescuers pulled two people from the rubble of a collapsed building under construction in the Philippines, raising the death toll to three. Search and rescue operations continued after scans detected signs of life beneath the debris.
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