Latest News and Breaking Stories

live Democrats press Trump to seek Congress approval for Iran war - Friday, 01 May

A senior U.S. administration official says a ceasefire agreed with Iran in early April has effectively ended hostilities for an imminent congressional war powers 1 May deadline, arguing that the absence of any military exchanges for more than three weeks removes the need for further authorisation.

Iran threatens a painful response if the U.S. resumes attacks

01:32

Middle East conflict

Iran threatens a painful response if the U.S. resumes attacks

Iran said on Thursday it would respond with “long and painful strikes” against U.S. positions if Washington resumed attacks, while also reasserting its claim over the Strait of Hormuz, complicating U.S. plans to form a coalition to reopen the waterway.

Iran asserts Hormuz Strait control as Tehran marks Persian Gulf Day

11:53

View from Iran

Iran asserts Hormuz Strait control as Tehran marks Persian Gulf Day

The Iranian leaders have commemorated the National Day of Persian Gulf stressing Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S. maritime blockade of Iran’s southern ports, a fragile ceasefire, and stalled negotiations.

EU resolution on Armenia raises concerns amid fragile South Caucasus peace process

18:28

Politics

EU resolution on Armenia raises concerns amid fragile South Caucasus peace process

A European Parliament resolution on Armenia is stirring debate beyond Brussels, with its wording raising concerns in Azerbaijan as peace talks gather momentum.

Detained Myanmar ex-leader Suu Kyi to meet legal team this weekend

08:34

Politics

Detained Myanmar ex-leader Suu Kyi to meet legal team this weekend

The legal team of Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi plans to meet the detained former leader this weekend after she was transferred to house arrest in the capital by the military-backed government, a representative said on Friday.

Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

18:14

Azerbaijan-Armenia

Latest Azerbaijan-Armenia border talks result in 'very important' progress' but 'domestic challenges' remain

Azerbaijan–Armenia border talks that have produced a draft text on delimitation are “very important”, an ex-diplomat and international energy leader has said, urging leaders to resist ultranationalist pressure and negotiate fairly.

Youth forum in İstanbul concludes with focus on innovation and SDGs

03:35

Climate Action

Youth forum in İstanbul concludes with focus on innovation and SDGs

The final day of the Youth Forum on United Nations Global Goals 2026 in Istanbul focused on innovation, cooperation and global impact, with young participants and experts underlining the role of youth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

22:15

Wrestling

'Number one in Europe:' Azerbaijan's victorious wrestling teams praised by country's President

Azerbaijan’s golden double at the 2026 European Wrestling Championship in Tirana, Albania brought “joy” to the entire country, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev told the victorious athletes at a reception on Thursday (30 April).

'This is piracy' say flotilla organisers as Israel intercepts Gaza aid boats in international waters near Greece

07:20

Gaza flotilla

'This is piracy' say flotilla organisers as Israel intercepts Gaza aid boats in international waters near Greece

Israel has intercepted aid ships for Gaza in international waters near Greece, flotilla organisers said on Thursday (30 April), decrying the move as an "escalation of Israel's impunity".

Democrats press Trump to seek Congress approval for Iran war - Friday, 01 May

42min ago

Middle East Conflict

live Democrats press Trump to seek Congress approval for Iran war - Friday, 01 May

A senior U.S. administration official says a ceasefire agreed with Iran in early April has effectively ended hostilities for an imminent congressio...

U.S. passenger flights resume to Venezuela after seven-year suspension

1h ago

U.S.-Venezuela

U.S. passenger flights resume to Venezuela after seven-year suspension

U.S. passenger air services to Venezuela resumed on Thursday (30 April), as an American Airlines flight landed in Caracas, restoring a commercial l...

Hungary’s new leader moves to mend ties with EU and unlock funds

2h ago

Bulgaria EU Funds

Hungary’s new leader moves to mend ties with EU and unlock funds

Hungary’s prime minister-elect Péter Magyar has made his first high-level visit to Brussels after a landslide victory, signalling a sh...

2h ago

Tourism

Dubai's tourism, revenues and restaurants shrink as Iran war impacts travel

Dubai chef Shaw Lash at Mexican restaurant Lila Molino flies in her avocados and tomatillos, small, tart green fruits...

3h ago

View from Iran

Iran asserts Hormuz Strait control as Tehran marks Persian Gulf Day

The Iranian leaders have commemorated the National Day of Persian Gulf stressing Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S. mar...

Russian grain and fertiliser train departs Azerbaijan for Armenia

21:09

Politics

Russian grain and fertiliser train departs Azerbaijan for Armenia

A freight train carrying Russian grain and fertiliser has departed Azerbaijan for Armenia, continuing transit flows across the South Caucasus.

World

World News

Britain’s King Charles concludes U.S. state visit with farewell to Trump

22:08

White House visit

Britain’s King Charles concludes U.S. state visit with farewell to Trump

Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla began wrapping up their four-day state visit to the U.S. with a very quick stop at the White House to bid farewell to U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, having already charmed him at a formal dinner two days prior.

09:47

Morning Brief

AnewZ Morning Brief – 1 May 2026

Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 1st of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.

U.S. targets former DR Congo leader Joseph Kabila with sanctions

01:11

DRC Conflict

U.S. targets former DR Congo leader Joseph Kabila with sanctions

The United States imposed sanctions on former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila on Thursday, accusing him of supporting Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and fuelling political instability in the country’s troubled east.

13:53

Taiwan

Xi puts Taiwan at centre of agenda before Trump’s Beijing summit

China has warned the U.S. that Taiwan will dominate next month’s summit in Beijing, raising pressure on Washington and concern in Taipei over any shift in long-standing American policy.

Business

Business Economy Markets

Renewables in focus as Iran war pushes up Europe’s power prices

01:47

Renewable energy

Renewables in focus as Iran war pushes up Europe’s power prices

As the Iran war disrupts global flows of oil and gas and energy prices skyrocket, the Drin River, which descends through the mountains of northern Albania, is acting as a kind of shield.

China orders Meta to unwind $2bn Manus acquisition

18:40

Artificial Intelligence

China orders Meta to unwind $2bn Manus acquisition

China has ordered Meta to unwind its more than $2 billion acquisition of artificial intelligence start-up Manus, marking a major escalation in Beijing’s scrutiny of foreign investment in sensitive technology sectors. The order was issued on Monday by the National Development and Reform Commission.

Meta to cut 10% of workforce in first round of layoffs as AI investment drives major restructuring

10:26

Technology

Meta to cut 10% of workforce in first round of layoffs as AI investment drives major restructuring

Meta Platforms will cut about 10% of its global workforce from 20 May, marking the start of a wider restructuring as the company increases spending on artificial intelligence (AI) and plans further layoffs later this year, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Apple CEO Tim Cook to step down after 15 years

07:53

Technology

Apple CEO Tim Cook to step down after 15 years

Tim Cook, the tech boss who led Apple to become a $4 trillion company in its post-Steve Jobs era, is stepping down after 15 years in the top job. John Ternus, an Apple veteran of 25 years, who is currently the U.S. company’s Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will take over from September.

Chinese automakers take aim at Europe's premium brands at Beijing car show

12:17

Business

Chinese automakers take aim at Europe's premium brands at Beijing car show

China's domestic automakers have a message for the boardrooms of premium German brands such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW: We are coming for your customers, and we are armed with superior technology at a fraction of the cost.

Culture

Culture News Lifestyle Art

Taylor Swift Vienna terror plot suspect pleads guilty in part

18:09

Court Hearing

Taylor Swift Vienna terror plot suspect pleads guilty in part

A 21-year-old man accused of planning a terrorist attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in 2024 has pleaded guilty in part, as his trial opened on Tuesday (28 April) in Austria.

Disney+ debuts animated songs in American Sign Language for Deaf History Month

13:22

Signed cinema

Disney+ debuts animated songs in American Sign Language for Deaf History Month

Disney+ has debuted Disney Animation’s Songs in Sign Language, a new collection of animated musical sequences reimagined in American Sign Language (ASL), released on 27 April to mark National Deaf History Month.

16:08

Eurovision

Slovenia joins Eurovision boycott as broadcasters protest Israel’s participation

Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over Israel’s participation.

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders back Paramount merger, creating Hollywood mega studio

20:23

Hollywood Merger

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders back Paramount merger, creating Hollywood mega studio

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders have approved Paramount Skydance’s proposed takeover of the media group, advancing a deal valued at roughly $110 billion including debt in a move that could reshape Hollywood and the global entertainment industry.

Most viewed

10:48

Politics

Minval Politika alleges Ocampo campaign targeted Azerbaijan and Armenia’s internal politics

A report published by Minval Politika has raised new questions over alleged efforts by Luis Moreno Ocampo to shape international pressure against Azerbaijan and influence political dynamics around Armenia.

Pentagon official says U.S. war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far

06:49

Middle East conflict

Pentagon official says U.S. war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far

A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warns 'foreigners' as Iran enters new phase in Gulf

07:02

Middle East Crisis

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warns 'foreigners' as Iran enters new phase in Gulf

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned “foreigners who commit evil” have no place in the Gulf, outlining a “new phase” for the Strait of Hormuz, while a senior adviser said U.S. blockade efforts would fail and could trigger confrontation.

13:48

Meta shares

Meta shares tumble as AI spending surge alarms investors

Shares in Meta Platforms fell sharply in extended trading on Wednesday after the tech giant raised its annual capital spending forecast by billions of dollars.

14:20

Middle East Conflict

live Democrats press Trump to seek Congress approval for Iran war - Friday, 01 May

Health

Health news Healthcare

WFP urges urgent funding as 5.8 million Haitians face acute food insecurity

21:02

Haiti Hunger Crisis

WFP urges urgent funding as 5.8 million Haitians face acute food insecurity

More than half of Haiti’s population is facing acute food insecurity, prompting the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to warn that recent progress in tackling hunger remains fragile and could quickly be reversed without urgent support.

Six new meningitis cases reported in UK bringing total to 27

20:46

meningitis Outbreak

Six new meningitis cases reported in UK bringing total to 27

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that as of Wednesday evening, it has identified six new cases of meningococcal disease in Kent, bringing the total of confirmed or suspected cases to at least 27.

WHO maps out $2m for Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, warns of health crisis as conflict escalates

10:40

Middle East Conflict

WHO maps out $2m for Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, warns of health crisis as conflict escalates

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released $2m in emergency funding to support health responses in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria as escalating regional conflict strains hospitals, raises displacement and increases pressure on already fragile health systems.

Police warn one poisoned HiPP baby food jar could still be in circulation in Austria

13:06

Health

Police warn one poisoned HiPP baby food jar could still be in circulation in Austria

Jars of baby food deliberately tampered with rat poison and discovered in Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia were part of an attempted extortion plot targeting manufacturer HiPP, German police said on Monday.

China turns to AI and IVF tech as falling birth rates raise alarm

10:54

View from China

China turns to AI and IVF tech as falling birth rates raise alarm

A Chinese biotechnology company is stepping up efforts to combine artificial intelligence (AI) with advanced genetic testing in a bid to improve the success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF), while also tapping into growing demand for fertility services.

Austria moves to ban social media for children under 14

11:54

Europe tech rules

Austria moves to ban social media for children under 14

Austria’s government on Friday approved plans to introduce a nationwide ban on social media use for children under the age of 14, alongside reforms to upper secondary school curricula aimed at boosting media literacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) education from the 2027/28 academic year.

Travel

Travel News Destinations

12:14

Tourism

Dubai's tourism, revenues and restaurants shrink as Iran war impacts travel

Dubai chef Shaw Lash at Mexican restaurant Lila Molino flies in her avocados and tomatillos, small, tart green fruits native to Central America that are a staple of Mexican cuisine and key for her colourful and spicy dishes.

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

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.

Middle East crisis disrupts travel flows, $56B loss and millions of trips at risk

20:52

Tourism Impact

Middle East crisis disrupts travel flows, $56B loss and millions of trips at risk

The ongoing conflict involving Iran is set to disrupt global travel on a massive scale, with nearly 28 million outbound trips from the Middle East at risk this year, according to Oxford Economics.

Rome opens Colosseum’s southern walkways as public square for tourists

15:45

Historic Reopening

Rome opens Colosseum’s southern walkways as public square for tourists

The Colosseum in Rome has reopened its southern corridors as a public square following a four-year restoration, giving visitors free access to a long-lost part of the ancient monument. The newly restored area was unveiled on Tuesday (17 March).

Green

Green News Climate Nature

Tropical forest loss declines in 2025 from record high, report finds

01:28

Climate change

Tropical forest loss declines in 2025 from record high, report finds

Destruction of the world's tropical forests eased in 2025 from a record high, a report showed on Wednesday, underscoring how decisive policy can help keep trees standing despite pressures from a warmer climate and expanding agricultural frontiers.

Kazakhstan ratifies green energy partnership with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan

11:41

View from Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan ratifies green energy partnership with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan

Kazakhstan has ratified a regional green energy agreement with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, signalling Central Asia’s ambition to become a key supplier of renewable energy to international markets.

Beijing Auto Show 2026 highlights China’s eco-friendly vehicle push

23:33

Green Transport

Beijing Auto Show 2026 highlights China’s eco-friendly vehicle push

China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 24 April, highlighting the country’s expanding clean transport ambitions.

Mexicans protest as activists say Gulf of Mexico oil spill has killed wildlife and destroyed reefs

09:45

Climate

Mexicans protest as activists say Gulf of Mexico oil spill has killed wildlife and destroyed reefs

Communities in Mexico have taken to the streets to protest against an ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that has killed wildlife and damaged coral reefs over several weeks.

16:15

Climate risks

Central Asia steps up action on rapid glacier melt and climate risks

Central Asia is stepping up efforts to address rapid glacier melt, following United Nations warnings of unprecedented climate pressure on mountain ecosystems.

Browse today's tags

News Politics Azerbaijan Iran war Trump Armenia Strait of Hormuz Oil