Latest News and Breaking Stories

live Iran delegation arrives in Islamabad for conflict talk as U.S. and Lebanon push for Israeli ‘pause’ - Saturday, 11 April

An Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad for talks aimed at easing regional tensions, as Pakistan urged all sides to engage constructively. Meanwhile, the United States and Lebanon called on Israel to pause its attacks ahead of planned negotiations.

Trump’s Gaza peace plan faces doubts as Board of Peace rejects funding shortage claims

08:09

Gaza Board of Peace

Trump’s Gaza peace plan faces doubts as Board of Peace rejects funding shortage claims

Donald Trump’s flagship plan for post-war Gaza has come under scrutiny after reports that its financing is falling short of expectations, claims firmly rejected by the White House-backed Board of Peace.

Russia vows it will never abandon Cuba amid escalating U.S. pressure and energy crisis

13:22

Cuba Russia Relations

Russia vows it will never abandon Cuba amid escalating U.S. pressure and energy crisis

In a forceful rebuke to Washington’s foreign policy in the Americas, a senior Russian diplomat has declared that Moscow will never abandon Cuba, pledging ongoing support to help the Communist-run island overcome a severe energy crisis linked to the United States embargo.

07:14

Artemis II

Artemis II astronauts return safely to Earth after historic 10-day lunar flyby

NASA’s Artemis II crew has returned safely to Earth after completing a landmark journey around the Moon, marking the first crewed lunar mission in more than half a century.

20:53

Prince Harry

Prince Harry faces libel claim from Sentebale charity at High Court

A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, is suing him for libel at the High Court in London, according to a court record published on Friday (10 April).

Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

Kazakhstan to hold parliamentary election in August, president says

15:47

Kazakhstan elections

Kazakhstan to hold parliamentary election in August, president says

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the president of Kazakhstan, said on Friday (10 April) that a parliamentary election in the Central Asian country would take place in August but stopped short of naming an exact date.

CHP Ankara chair Ümit Erkol detained in İzmir corruption probe

13:35

Corruption Case

CHP Ankara chair Ümit Erkol detained in İzmir corruption probe

Ankara Provincial Chair of Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi (CHP), Ümit Erkol, has been detained as part of a corruption investigation linked to a cooperative in İzmir, Turkish media reported.

Uzbekistan expands privatisation drive and launches VAT refunds for foreign tourists

19:27

View from Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan expands privatisation drive and launches VAT refunds for foreign tourists

Uzbekistan is advancing plans to reduce the state’s role in the economy while introducing a VAT refund system for foreign visitors, as part of broader efforts to attract investment and boost tourism.

Kazakhstan says CPC oil exports stable after drone strikes near Novorossiysk

14:46

View from Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan says CPC oil exports stable after drone strikes near Novorossiysk

Kazakhstan says oil exports via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) remain stable after drone strikes on facilities near Novorossiysk, despite damage to key infrastructure and rising risks to a major export route.

Iran delegation arrives in Islamabad for conflict talk as U.S. and Lebanon push for Israeli ‘pause’ - Saturday, 11 April

2min ago

Middle East conflict

live Iran delegation arrives in Islamabad for conflict talk as U.S. and Lebanon push for Israeli ‘pause’ - Saturday, 11 April

An Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad for talks aimed at easing regional tensions, as Pakistan urged all sides to engage constructively. M...

Djibouti’s Guelleh secures sixth term with overwhelming election win

25min ago

Presidential Election

Djibouti’s Guelleh secures sixth term with overwhelming election win

Ismail Omar Guelleh has been re-elected for a sixth term with 97.8% of the vote, according to state media, extending his nearly three-...

Australia and Singapore boost energy security ties as Middle East tensions strain fuel supplies

2h ago

Middle east conflict

Australia and Singapore boost energy security ties as Middle East tensions strain fuel supplies

Australia and Singapore have agreed to deepen cooperation on energy security as global fuel markets come under strain from disruption linked to the...

4h ago

Explainer

Explainer: Why Israel and Lebanon are set for rare U.S. talks amid escalating conflict

Israeli and Lebanese envoys are set to meet in Washington on Tuesday in a rare U.S.-driven diplomatic effort to halt escalating violence between...

Myanmar’s new leader Min Aung Hlaing calls for unity as he seeks to end isolation

5h ago

South Asia

Myanmar’s new leader Min Aung Hlaing calls for unity as he seeks to end isolation

Myanmar’s newly installed president, Min Aung Hlaing, has said his government faces major challenges and must work to restore the country&rsq...

Lithuania and Azerbaijan ties grow amid EU strategic shift

15:07

Diplomacy

Lithuania and Azerbaijan ties grow amid EU strategic shift

Lithuania’s Prime Minister’s visit to Azerbaijan on 9 April signals a deepening strategic dialogue between Baku and European partners. Analysts say economic interests and geopolitical shifts are driving closer engagement.

World

World News

China's Xi meets Taiwan opposition leader in rare talks, urges closer ties but rejects independence

10:18

Diplomacy

China's Xi meets Taiwan opposition leader in rare talks, urges closer ties but rejects independence

Chinese President Xi Jinping has told Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun that “people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese” and that the future of cross-strait ties should be decided by “the Chinese people themselves”.

Republicans block Democrat's move to curb Trump’s Iran war powers

09:48

U.S. politics

Republicans block Democrat's move to curb Trump’s Iran war powers

U.S. President Donald Trump’s fellow Republicans in the House of Representatives have blocked an attempt led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to restrict presidential war powers over military action involving Iran.

Venezuela greenlights U.S.-backed mining law enabling foreign investment

10:06

Economy

Venezuela greenlights U.S.-backed mining law enabling foreign investment

Three months following the U.S. raid that captured socialist President Nicolas Maduro on 3 January, the Venezuelan National Assembly approved a new law on Thursday loosening the state’s grip on mining investments to open the sector for private and foreign companies.

Putin announces Orthodox Easter ceasefire as Russia and Ukraine exchange bodies of fallen soldiers

08:16

Russia-Ukraine war

Putin announces Orthodox Easter ceasefire as Russia and Ukraine exchange bodies of fallen soldiers

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday an Easter ceasefire with Ukraine lasting 32-hours and said that Kyiv has agreed to abide by the measure. The ceasefire is expected to begin at 16:00 (13:00 GMT) on Saturday 11 April and last until midnight Sunday 12 April, the Kremlin said.

Business

Business Economy Markets

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.

Japan, Indonesia step up energy ties as U.S.-Israeli Iran war strains supplies

14:16

Energy crisis

Japan, Indonesia step up energy ties as U.S.-Israeli Iran war strains supplies

Japan and Indonesia will deepen coordination on energy security, Tokyo said, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupts vital oil and gas flows to Asia.

Culture

Culture News Lifestyle Art

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion hospitalised after falling ill on Broadway during Moulin Rouge performance

08:18

Entertainment

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion hospitalised after falling ill on Broadway during Moulin Rouge performance

Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion was hospitalised in New York City after she fell ill mid-performance during a Broadway production of 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical'.

Eurovision expands to Asia with first contest set for 2026

14:07

Culture

Eurovision expands to Asia with first contest set for 2026

The European Broadcasting Union and global entertainment company Voxovation have announced that the first-ever Eurovision Song Contest Asia will take place in 2026, with Bangkok selected to host the inaugural edition.

Taylor Swift and 'Showgirl' dominate iHeartRadio Music Awards

07:56

Entertainment

Taylor Swift and 'Showgirl' dominate iHeartRadio Music Awards

Music superstar Taylor Swift scored a leading seven trophies at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Thursday including artist of the year and best pop album for the upbeat record "The Life of a Showgirl."

AI to recreate Val Kilmer's performance in film after actor’s death

15:40

Film Innovation

AI to recreate Val Kilmer's performance in film after actor’s death

Late Hollywood actor Val Kilmer will appear posthumously in the upcoming film "As Deep as the Grave" through the use of generative artificial intelligence, in what producers describe as a first-of-its-kind performance.

Most viewed

Netanyahu instructs cabinet to start peace talks with Lebanon 'as soon as possible' - Thursday 9 April