Latest News and Breaking Stories

live Pentagon official says U.S. war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far - Wednesday, 29 April

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.

TotalEnergies profits jump 41% as global energy crisis deepens

15:28

Energy profits

TotalEnergies profits jump 41% as global energy crisis deepens

Profits for worldwide energy company TotalEnergies have risen 41% in three months, as global energy supplies are disrupted after two months of war and oil prices have increased by 3%.

13:57

gas exploration

Australian state opens first new gas exploration areas in a decade

Reversing a decade of restrictions, New South Wales has opened new areas for gas exploration in its remote west. The move reflects growing concern over future energy supply across Australia’s east coast.

Two men stabbed in Golders Green, UK police treat incident as suspected terror attack

19:24

Terrorism

Two men stabbed in Golders Green, UK police treat incident as suspected terror attack

Two Jewish men have been stabbed in London in an incident that British police are treating as a terrorist attack.

What is OPEC+ and how will the UAE's exit affect oil prices?

10:20

Explainer

What is OPEC+ and how will the UAE's exit affect oil prices?

The decision by the United Arab Emirates to leave OPEC+ on 1 May has put renewed focus on one of the most influential groups in global energy - and how its decisions can shape oil prices worldwide.

Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

Armenia and Georgia to co-host 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup

18:25

Football

Armenia and Georgia to co-host 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Armenia and Georgia will co-host the 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the sport’s global governing body announced on Wednesday (29 April), bringing the youth tournament to the South Caucasus for the second consecutive edition after the 2027 event.

New Georgian-language broadcaster backed by TVP sparks debate over influence and trust

18:38

View from Georgia

New Georgian-language broadcaster backed by TVP sparks debate over influence and trust

A new Georgian-language broadcaster backed by Poland’s public media has launched with promises of objectivity - but it is already fuelling debate over influence, trust, and politics.

Türkiye-Armenia railway talks mark 'historic progress' in regional ties

14:57

Expert view

Türkiye-Armenia railway talks mark 'historic progress' in regional ties

The renewed discussions on reopening the Kars-Gyumri railway between Türkiye and Armenia have been described as “historic progress” and “a positive step” within a complex regional landscape.

Kyrgyzstan plans programme to boost jobs and reduce poverty by 2030

15:34

View from Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan plans programme to boost jobs and reduce poverty by 2030

Kyrgyzstan is preparing a new national programme aimed at increasing employment, reducing poverty and improving the coordination of labour, social protection and migration policies through 2030.

Pentagon official says U.S. war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far - Wednesday, 29 April

51min ago

Middle East conflict

live Pentagon official says U.S. war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far - Wednesday, 29 April

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 bi...

2h ago

President Cup 2026

Grand parade celebrates President Cup 2026 regatta in Azerbaijan

The President Cup 2026 continued with a dynamic programme, as the second day marked the official start of the international regatta....

4h ago

Terrorism

Two men stabbed in Golders Green, UK police treat incident as suspected terror attack

Two Jewish men have been stabbed in London in an incident that British police are treating as a terrorist attack.&nbs...

5h ago

View from Georgia

New Georgian-language broadcaster backed by TVP sparks debate over influence and trust

A new Georgian-language broadcaster backed by Poland’s public media has launched with promises of objectivity - but it is already fuelli...

5h ago

Football

Armenia and Georgia to co-host 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Armenia and Georgia will co-host the 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the sport’s global governing body announced on Wednesday (29 April), bringing ...

19:17

Border delimitation

Armenia–Georgia border delimitation seen as key step for South Caucasus stability

Border delimitation between Armenia and Georgia is being viewed as more than a technical process, with experts saying it carries broader geopolitical significance for the South Caucasus.

World

World News

Mali leader Goita says situation ‘under control’ after deadly attacks in first public appearance

09:00

Security

Mali leader Goita says situation ‘under control’ after deadly attacks in first public appearance

Mali’s military leader, Assimi Goita, has said the situation is “under control” in his first public remarks since a wave of coordinated attacks shook the country last weekend.

Five million children face extreme deprivation in Darfur, UNICEF warns

20:16

Darfur crisis

Five million children face extreme deprivation in Darfur, UNICEF warns

Five million children across Sudan’s Darfur region are facing extreme deprivation, the United Nations children’s agency said on Tuesday, issuing an emergency warning as the civil war in the country enters its fourth year.

Five injured in Athens shootings, 89-year-old suspect arrested

02:20

Greece Shooting

Five injured in Athens shootings, 89-year-old suspect arrested

Police arrested an 89-year-old suspected of wounding five people in two separate gun attacks in Athens on Tuesday, the Greek Citizens' Protection Ministry said on Tuesday (28 April).

10:12

Morning Brief

AnewZ Morning Brief - 29 April, 2026

Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 29th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.

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

Iran-U.S. peace talks stalled as Iranian FM Araghchi arrives in St Petersburg for talks with Putin

03:46

Middle East conflict

Iran-U.S. peace talks stalled as Iranian FM Araghchi arrives in St Petersburg for talks with Putin

President Donald Trump said on Sunday Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war. Tehran said the U.S. should remove obstacles to a deal, including its blockade of Iran's ports. Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives in St Petersburg for talks.

23:21

Middle East conflict

live Pentagon official says U.S. war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far - Wednesday, 29 April

Trump unhappy with Iran proposal as Tehran praises Russia ties after Moscow visit

02:57

Middle East Conflict

Trump unhappy with Iran proposal as Tehran praises Russia ties after Moscow visit

Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high after a U.S. official said President Donald Trump was unhappy with a proposal from Tehran that does not deal with its nuclear programme. Washington is insisting that any talks must address Iran’s nuclear activities.

Indonesia train collision near Jakarta leaves 14 women dead, dozens injured

08:14

Train crash

Indonesia train collision near Jakarta leaves 14 women dead, dozens injured

The death toll from a train collision near Indonesia’s capital Jakarta rose to 14 women on Tuesday (28 April), with 84 people injured, after rescuers completed efforts to free passengers trapped in the wreckage, the state rail operator said.

Mexican forces arrest top cartel commander 'El Jardinero' after 19‑months of surveillance

12:25

Mexico Cartel Arrest

Mexican forces arrest top cartel commander 'El Jardinero' after 19‑months of surveillance

Mexican special forces arrested Audias Flores, known as “El Jardinero”, a senior commander of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during an operation in the western state of Nayarit, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said on Monday (27 April).

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

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).

Iran conflict slashes Middle East tourism, costing $600M daily

16:20

Middle East Conflict

Iran conflict slashes Middle East tourism, costing $600M daily

The escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran is already hitting the Middle East travel and tourism sector hard, with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimating losses of at least $600 million per day in international visitor spending.

Green

Green News Climate Nature

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.

European airlines likely beat 2% green jet fuel target last year

09:13

European Aviation

European airlines likely beat 2% green jet fuel target last year

Europe's aviation sector hit - and may well have surpassed - a 2% mandate for green jet fuel use in 2025, a regulatory official and a source told Reuters, bolstering airlines' green credentials as the region seeks to cut reliance on hydrocarbons.

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