11:52

Middle East conflict

live Trump cancels U.S. envoys for peace talks as Iran's Foreign Minister leaves Islamabad - Sunday 26 April

U.S. President Donald Trump says it was "too expensive" for Witkoff and Kushner to go to Islamabad as Iran says they are waiting to see if America is "truly serious about diplomacy". Israel's armed forces has launched a missle attack into Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets into north Israel.

00:08

Middle East Conflict

U.S. expands Iran diplomacy effort with envoy mission to Pakistan - Friday, 24 April

Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war are intensifying, with the White House confirming that U.S. President Donald Trump will send special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Iran under Pakistani mediation.

21:43

Middle East

Trump envoys to visit Pakistan for Iran talks as cautious progress reported

Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner will travel to Islamabad on Saturday for Pakistan-mediated talks with Iran, the White House said.

09:52

Insider Trading

U.S. Army soldier charged with making $400,000 in bets on Maduro's removal

A United States Army soldier has been charged with making more than $400,000 by betting on the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, according to the Department of Justice.

08:49

Business

Trump threatens 'big' tariffs if UK keeps digital tax on U.S. tech firms

President Donald Trump has warned that the U.S. could impose "big" tariffs on British goods if the UK does not remove its digital services tax. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump said Washington was ready to act in response to the levy on major American technology firms.

08:19

Middle East conflict

White House seeks 'best deal' to end Iran war, Trump wants peace to be 'everlasting'

U.S. President Donald Trump said he was prepared to wait for "the best deal" to end his conflict with Iran and said he was in no rush to reach a peace agreement and wanted it to be "everlasting," while continuing to assert that the U.S. had a clear upper hand in the naval stand-off in the Strait.

07:40

Middle East conflict

Leaders of Israel and Lebanon could be hosted at White House for future talks

Lebanon and Israel have agreed to extend their ceasefire by three weeks following talks at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday (23 April).

00:31

Middle East conflict

Trump says Hormuz under 'total control', closed until Iran agrees to deal - Thursday, 23 April

The U.S. military is redirecting at least three Iranian-flagged tankers after intercepting them in Asian waters near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tehran said U.S. breaches, blockades and threats are undermining “genuine negotiations.”

21:00

Security concerns

EU leaders debate mutual assistance clause amid Trump NATO concerns

European Union leaders were set to discuss the bloc’s mutual assistance clause at a summit in southern Cyprus on Thursday, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of traditional allies raises concerns over his commitment to NATO.

12:30

Middle East conflict

Prolonged U.S.-Iran standoff likely as both sides avoid escalation

The current standoff between the U.S. and Iran is likely to continue in the near term, with both sides seeking to outlast the other rather than escalate into a wider conflict, according to political analyst Orkhan Nabiyev.

22:55

Middle East conflict

Iran targets three vessels, seizes two over maritime violations as U.S. ceasefire holds – Wednesday, 22 April

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards targeted three vessels, seizing two of them for alleged maritime violations and transferring them to Iranian shores, as U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington is extending its ceasefire with Iran until Tehran submits a proposal.

10:03

Morning Brief

AnewZ Morning Brief - 22 April, 2026

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 22nd of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.

07:42

Middle East conflict

Pakistan peace talks in doubt despite Trump declaring Iran ceasefire extension

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran to allow for further peace talks, although it was not clear on Wednesday (22 April) if Iran or Israel, the U.S. ally in the two-month war, would agree.

20:12

Middle East tension

Strait of Hormuz tensions reshape geopolitics and global shipping

Rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are reshaping geopolitical calculations and global shipping, with analysts warning of prolonged disruption even if a ceasefire is reached. Experts say the crisis is driven as much by strategic messaging as by economic risks.

16:15

Papal visits to Africa

Pope visits Equatorial Guinea after condemning authoritarian leaders

Pope Leo arrived on Tuesday in Equatorial Guinea, led by the world’s longest-serving president, marking the final leg of a four-nation Africa tour during which he has issued sharp denunciations of despotism and inequality.

11:44

Reconstruction

Trump's Board of Peace holds Gaza reconstruction talks with logistics giant DP World

Representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” have held discussions with Dubai‑based logistics giant DP World over potential roles in managing supply chains and infrastructure projects in Gaza, Reuters reports, citing the Financial Times, which reported on Tuesday.

08:06

Middle East conflict

Fate of Iran peace talks uncertain as deadline approaches for end of ceasefire

Iran is considering attending peace talks with the United States in Pakistan, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday, following moves by Islamabad to end a U.S. blockade of Iran's ports, a significant obstacle to Tehran rejoining peace efforts as the end of a two-week ceasefire approaches

22:36

Middle East conflict

Iran accuses U.S. of breach, vows retaliation; Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid areas - Monday 20 April

Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid restricted areas.

12:18

View from Iran

Iran vows response after U.S. Navy fires on cargo ship in Gulf of Oman

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned on Monday it would “soon respond” to what it described as “armed maritime piracy” after the U.S. Navy fired on an Iranian cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday, according to local media.

11:16

Middle East conflict

Middle East situation between Iran and U.S. is changing 'hour by hour' says analyst

Efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran continue as a fragile ceasefire risks collapsing after the U.S. seized a boat bound for Iran at the weekend and Tehran closes the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile Tehran has refused to attend a new round of peace talks in Pakistan.

09:27

Middle East conflict

'We are not afraid of war' - pro-government rally in Tehran as Iran rejects U.S. peace talks

Thousands of people gathered in Tehran on Sunday night to show support for the government, with many voicing strong distrust of the United States. Many said they were bracing for more hardship, but remained defiant.

08:00

Middle East Conflict

U.S.-Iran ceasefire at risk as Tehran threatens to 'retaliate' after American Navy seizes ship

Concerns grew on Monday (20 April) that the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, due to expire on Tuesday, might not hold after Washington’s Navy seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade of Iranian ports, with Tehran vowing to retaliate.   

13:45

Middle East Conflict

Ships attacked as Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again - Middle East conflict on 18 April

Two Indian-flagged ships were shot at in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, India's Foreign Ministry said, as Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again, less than 24 hours after reopening the 167km long sea passage, which is essential for global trade. 

09:59

Oil sanctions

Trump administration extends Russian oil sanctions exemption amid surging prices

The Trump administration extended a sanctions exemption on some Russian oil as prices continue to skyrocket in the wake of the U.S.- Israeli war against Iran on Friday (17 April).