Pakistan

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.

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.   

16:24

Expert View

Strait of Hormuz tensions rise after tanker incidents, expert warns of oil shock and escalation

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are rising as a ceasefire nears expiry with no agreement in place, amid reported attacks on vessels that have heightened fears of renewed conflict and disruption to global oil supplies.

10:24

Morning Brief

AnewZ Morning Brief - 17 April, 2026

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 17th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.

21:12

Opinion

Diplomacy as Ultimatum? From Islamabad to Hormuz reconsidered

The collapse of the Islamabad meeting now appears less definitive than initially reported. New information suggests what was widely framed as failure may instead have been a premature political interpretation of an ongoing negotiation process.

18:50

View from Afghanistan

UN says millions in Afghanistan received support despite aid decline

The United Nations says it reached millions of Afghans with healthcare, education and livelihoods support in 2025, despite declining global humanitarian aid and mounting pressures from displacement, climate shocks and operational constraints.

15:34

Business

Middle East crisis fuels global shift towards electric transport

The Middle East crisis is reshaping transport choices worldwide, turning electric vehicles from a long-term climate goal into an immediate economic calculation.

16:40

Opinion

Pakistan steps up as diplomatic bridge amid Iran crisis and rising regional tensions

At a time of deepening global polarisation, rising conflict and shrinking space for dialogue, Pakistan is stepping into a historic role. Diplomatic engagements in Islamabad, bringing together regional powers amid the Iran crisis, signal both urgency and opportunity.

15:09

View from Afghanistan

Afghanistan says talks with Pakistan positive as Türkiye backs improved ties

Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that talks with Pakistan had been positive, while Türkiye stressed the importance of stronger ties between Kabul and Islamabad.

14:04

View from Iran

Iran’s president: Deal in sight if U.S. stops hegemonic behaviour

The Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, said that the U.S. hegemonic approach has been the main obstacle to reaching a fair agreement, his office announced on Monday.

23:51

Middle East conflict

U.S. and Iran hold direct talks in Pakistan aimed at ending the Middle East conflict - Saturday, 11 April

U.S. and Iranian negotiators held their highest-level talks in half a century in Pakistan on Saturday in an effort to end their six-week war, as President Donald Trump said the U.S. military had begun the process of clearing the Strait of Hormuz.

15:32

Peace Talks

U.S.-Iran talks open in Pakistan as Lebanon ceasefire and sanctions tensions persist

Talks between the United States and Iran opened in Islamabad on Saturday (11 April) as the two sides sought to turn a fragile temporary ceasefire into a lasting agreement, amid disputes over Lebanon and sanctions relief.

04:10

Middle East Conflict

Middle East tensions simmer as U.S.–Iran talks loom and strike kills 13- Friday, 10 April

Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.

13:09

Middle East conflict

Fragile hopes as Islamabad hosts U.S.-Iran talks amid rising regional tensions

As Islamabad prepares to host crucial talks between the U.S. and Iran this Sunday, hopes for a sustained peace remain fragile, with fresh Israeli strikes in Lebanon casting doubt over already delicate negotiations.

11:58

Travel Restrictions

Dubai caps flights, raising pressure on Indian airlines and travel sector

Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.

11:41

Explainer

Fragile ceasefire strains U.S., Iran and Israel talks in Pakistan

The U.S. and Iran are meeting in Pakistan under a fragile ceasefire but remain deeply divided over Tehran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and regional security. With fighting in Lebanon escalating, the talks face mounting pressure.

07:47

Middle East conflict

U.S.-Iran ceasefire deal shows strain ahead of talks with oil flows squeezed

A fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran showed further strain on Friday, a day before they are to negotiate in Pakistan, as Washington accused Tehran of breaching promises on the Strait of Hormuz and Israel struck Lebanon with attacks that Iran has claimed violate the ceasefire.

21:55

Pakistan Afghanistan

Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to ease tensions after China-hosted Urumqi talks

Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue dialogue and avoid steps that could worsen tensions after China-hosted talks in Urumqi, with Kabul and Beijing saying the meetings focused on easing differences and improving relations.

16:16

View from Afghanistan

Cross-border fighting displaces more than 94,000 in Afghanistan, OCHA says

More than 94,000 people have been displaced in Afghanistan since late February due to cross-border fighting, the UN humanitarian agency OCHA said, while nearly 100,000 in Nuristan remain cut off from aid due to insecurity.

16:02

Middle East conflict

Trump agreed to two-week ceasefire with Iran just hours before deadline

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he had agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face U.S. attacks on its civilian infrastructure.

07:16

Middle East Crisis

Trump threatens Iran's 'whole civilisation,' while UN fails to agree on reopening Strait of Hormuz - Tuesday, 7 April

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran's "whole civilisation" on Tuesday in a post on social media. Meanwhile, the UN failed to reach an agreemement on a resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, after China and Russia used their vetoes. 

21:52

View from Iran

Iran warns U.S. threats to civilian infrastructure risk dragging region into ‘endless war’

Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York has warned that U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to attack civilian infrastructure risks dragging the region into an “endless war,” calling for immediate action by the world body.

17:30

View from Afghanistan

Afghanistan and Pakistan hold talks in China as Beijing seeks to ease rising tensions

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has sent a mid-level delegation to China for formal talks with Pakistan, as both sides meet in Urumqi amid efforts by Beijing to ease tensions between the neighbours.

08:26

Middle East conflict

Fuel price hikes in Pakistan forces residents to 'go without food'

Residents in Pakistan say they are feeling "crushed" and have to put filling up the tank before putting food on the table. Diesel is set to rise by 55% and petrol 43% as the government hike prices for the second time in a month.