Iran-U.S.-Israel tensions rise after strikes and threats of retaliation- 31 March
The Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict is intensifying, with fresh strikes near Tehran, European calls for restraint, and Iran threatening to target U.S. fi...
European Union leaders renewed economic sanctions on Russia for another six months on Thursday and reviewed the latest U.S. trade proposals during a summit in Brussels.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU remains open to a swift and pragmatic trade deal with Washington but called for fair terms. “Our goodwill should not be seen as a weakness,” he told reporters. “If the U.S. maintains its baseline tariff of 10%, Europe’s response must carry equal weight.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that the EU had received a new document from Washington. “We are ready for a deal,” she said, adding: “At the same time, we are preparing for the possibility that no satisfactory agreement is reached. All options remain on the table.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz echoed the call for a streamlined process, saying the EU should pursue a “quick and simple” agreement. He noted that von der Leyen had also proposed exploring a new trade body led by European nations, as the World Trade Organization faces challenges.
The renewed push for a U.S.-EU trade agreement comes as President Donald Trump promotes updated tariff policies with global partners. Trump announced Wednesday that the U.S. had signed a trade deal with China and suggested a similar agreement with India may follow.
Separately, EU officials confirmed the extension of sanctions on Russia, citing the ongoing war in Ukraine. The measures will remain in place for another six months.
Leaders are expected to return to the trade agenda in July, with talks set to intensify in the coming weeks.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the U.S is in talks with the new Iranian regime. He said this in a post on his Truth Social account but warned that the U.S. will "Obliterate" Iran's electric and oil facilities if no deal is reached, especially regarding the Strait of Hormuz closure.
NASA is aiming to launch its Artemis 2 mission on Wednesday (1 April), sending astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon, officials confirmed. According to the Space Administration, the launch window is due to open at 23:24 GMT, with additional opportunities to 6 April if delays occur.
The Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict is intensifying, with fresh strikes near Tehran, European calls for restraint, and Iran threatening to target U.S. firms in the region, raising fears of a broader escalation across the Middle East.
The war in Iran has rapidly upended regional security, triggering spillover across the Middle East and raising fears of wider economic disruption that could threaten globalisation.
The Israeli military said on Monday that Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at Israel, and an attack had also been launched from Yemen for the second time since the U.S.-Israeli war began on Tehran. It said two drones from Yemen were intercepted early 30 March but gave no further details.
A Russia-flagged tanker carrying about 700,000 barrels of crude has arrived in Cuba’s Matanzas Bay, marking the first major oil delivery to the island since the Trump administration cut off its fuel supplies.
China and Kenya have agreed to revive a long-delayed railway project, signalling renewed momentum in infrastructure cooperation and a shift towards more sustainable financing models across Africa.
HHungary’s foreign minister has been drawn into controversy after an audio recording, released by an investigative outlet, appeared to show him discussing EU sanctions with his Russian counterpart days before an election that could shape Budapest’s relationship with Moscow, Reuters reports.
The European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas and several EU foreign ministers arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of the Bucha massacre and to voice their support for Ukraine, amid tensions within the bloc over blocked EU aid.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 31 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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