Latest News and Breaking Stories

live Trump: Israel-Lebanon talks 'today', and China is 'very happy' he is opening Hormuz - Thursday 16 April

U.S. President Donald Trump says more talks between Israel and Lebanon will take place "today", as more strikes occur in Lebanon. He wrote on Truth Social that the Chinese President Xi will give him a "big, fat, hug" for opening the Strait of Hormuz, when he sees Trump next month.

Pakistan’s top general visits Tehran ahead of renewed mediations between Iran-U.S. in Islamabad

11:25

View from Iran

Pakistan’s top general visits Tehran ahead of renewed mediations between Iran-U.S. in Islamabad

Commander of Pakistan’s Army Field Marshal Asim Munir is visiting Tehran for high-level talks as Islamabad steps up mediation efforts to host renewed de-escalation talks between Iran and the U.S.

Hopes for Middle East peace grow as Israel discusses Lebanon ceasefire

07:27

Middle East conflict

Hopes for Middle East peace grow as Israel discusses Lebanon ceasefire

Optimism grew on Thursday that the war in the Middle East may be near an end, with a key Pakistani mediator in Tehran and the administration of President Donald Trump talking up hopes for a deal that would open the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

15:50

arms exports

German opposition accuses Merz government of fuelling Iran war via Israel arms exports

Germany’s opposition party, The Left, on Thursday accused Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government of fuelling the war in Iran by exporting arms to Israel, as new figures revealed millions of euros in approved military sales.

U.S. warns of sanctions on Iranian oil buyers as China urged to halt imports

13:19

Middle East Conflict

U.S. warns of sanctions on Iranian oil buyers as China urged to halt imports

The U.S. has warned it could impose sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil and expects China to halt purchases as Washington intensifies enforcement of a maritime blockade on Iran.

Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

18:21

Trade

Azerbaijan-U.S. trade more than doubles to $296.2m in first quarter of 2026

Trade between Azerbaijan and the U.S. reached $296.2 million in the first quarter of 2026, more than doubling compared with the same period last year, according to Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee.

16:57

Armenia elections

Armenia elections: 14 arrested over links to pro-Russian party and alleged vote buying

Anti-corruption authorities in Armenia have arrested 14 people linked to a pro-Russian opposition party on suspicion of vote buying, just weeks before June’s parliamentary elections.

12:52

Trade

Azerbaijan starts importing goods from Armenia as U.S.-backed TRIPP initiative boosts regional trade

Azerbaijan has recorded its first-ever imports from Armenia, signalling a tentative shift in economic ties between the two neighbours.

Russia and Azerbaijan reach settlement over 2024 AZAL crash

16:20

Agreement Reached

Russia and Azerbaijan reach settlement over 2024 AZAL crash

Azerbaijan and Russia have announced a formal settlement over the 2024 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer 190 near Aktau, confirming that all outstanding issues, including compensation, have been resolved.

41min ago

Trade

Azerbaijan-U.S. trade more than doubles to $296.2m in first quarter of 2026

Trade between Azerbaijan and the U.S. reached $296.2 million in the first quarter of 2026, more than doubling compare...

U.S. expands Iran blockade on Iran, warns combat could resume

47min ago

Middle East Conflict

U.S. expands Iran blockade on Iran, warns combat could resume

The United States has expanded its naval blockade on Iran, allowing forces to stop, search and seize vessels suspected of carrying “contraban...

1h ago

Pope Leo

Pope Leo XIV greeted by jubilant crowds on landmark Cameroon visit

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Cameroon on Wednesday to an outpouring of joy, marking the start of an emotional visit for the country’s Catholic fai...

2h ago

Armenia elections

Armenia elections: 14 arrested over links to pro-Russian party and alleged vote buying

Anti-corruption authorities in Armenia have arrested 14 people linked to a pro-Russian opposition party on suspicion of vote buying, just weeks bef...

Armenia faces tense election as Pashinyan warns of conflict risk

2h ago

Armenia election

Armenia faces tense election as Pashinyan warns of conflict risk

Armenia is entering a tense election period, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warning that rivals risk pushing the country back towards conflict...

Armenia says Azerbaijan rail links shield economy from regional instability

18:43

South Caucasus

Armenia says Azerbaijan rail links shield economy from regional instability

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that the opening of railway transit routes through Azerbaijan has helped shield Armenia’s economy from the wider impact of regional instability linked to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

World

World News

U.S. Senate blocks measures to halt $450m arms sales to Israel amid growing Democrat divide

13:03

Trump military

U.S. Senate blocks measures to halt $450m arms sales to Israel amid growing Democrat divide

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday rejected two legislative resolutions aimed at stopping the sale of heavy bombs and military bulldozers to Israel.

U.S. judge dismisses Trump bid to block Hawaii climate lawsuit against oil giants

12:55

Hawaii Lawsuit

U.S. judge dismisses Trump bid to block Hawaii climate lawsuit against oil giants

A federal judge has dismissed a high-profile lawsuit brought by the Trump administration that sought to pre-emptively stop the state of Hawaii from suing major fossil fuel companies over the local impacts of climate change.

09:49

Morning Brief

AnewZ Morning Brief - 16 April, 2026

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 16th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.

U.S. military strike kills three in escalating anti-narcotics campaign

11:31

Security

U.S. military strike kills three in escalating anti-narcotics campaign

The U.S. military said it carried out a lethal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific on Wednesday, killing three people.

Business

Business Economy Markets

China's trade slows as Middle East conflict drives up global costs

11:41

Energy

China's trade slows as Middle East conflict drives up global costs

China’s export growth slowed sharply in March, as the fallout from the Middle East conflict pushed up energy and shipping costs, weakening global demand and exposing risks in Beijing’s reliance on manufacturing to drive growth.

11:37

View from China

French fashion brand Maison Margiela bets on China with global debut in Shanghai

A French fashion label is placing China at the heart of its global ambitions, choosing Shanghai for its worldwide debut in a move that shows growing confidence in the country’s consumer market and cultural influence.

Disney plans up to 1,000 job cuts in latest cost‑cutting move, report says

08:33

Entertainment

Disney plans up to 1,000 job cuts in latest cost‑cutting move, report says

Walt Disney is planning to cut up to 1,000 jobs in the coming weeks, with many of the reductions expected to affect its marketing division, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the plans.

07:34

EV Transition

EV transition slows as U.S.-China competition impacts regional markets

Major automakers showcased new electric vehicles at the New York Auto Show this week, under the slogan “electrification is the future." However, weakening demand in the United States and intense competition with China are raising questions for markets across the globe, including the South Caucasus.

U.S. petrol prices top $4 a gallon amid Iran conflict and energy market turmoil

14:48

Energy supply

U.S. petrol prices top $4 a gallon amid Iran conflict and energy market turmoil

The U.S. national average retail price of petrol rose above $4 a gallon for the first time in over three years on Monday (30 March), according to GasBuddy data, as the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran continued to roil global energy markets.

Culture

Culture News Lifestyle Art

Kanye West postpones Marseille concert amid political backlash

12:43

Gig Cancelled

Kanye West postpones Marseille concert amid political backlash

Grammy-winning hip-hop artist Kanye West has postponed his upcoming concert in Marseille, France, “until further notice”, amid mounting political opposition and renewed controversy over his past remarks.

Ancient 4,000-year-old water channel system discovered in China

21:27

View from China

Ancient 4,000-year-old water channel system discovered in China

Archaeologists in China have uncovered a vast ancient water channel system believed to be around 4,000 years old, offering new insight into early engineering and the development of Chinese civilisation.

11:44

Olivier Awards

Paddington musical wins big at London’s Olivier Awards

Paddington Bear was the big winner at the Olivier Awards in London on Sunday (12 April), with a stage adaptation of the beloved children's books picking up seven prizes at Britain's top theatre honours.

Bollywood icon Asha Bhosle dies at 92 after eight-decade career

16:14

Obituary

Bollywood icon Asha Bhosle dies at 92 after eight-decade career

Asha Bhosle, the legendary Indian playback singer whose voice defined generations of Bollywood music, has died at the age of 92 in Mumbai, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across India and beyond.

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Spain’s migrant amnesty plan faces strike threat from immigration officers