Latest News and Breaking Stories

live Iran not seeking war, wants permanent end to conflict, says Abbas Araghchi - Thursday 26 March

Iran is not seeking war but will only accept a settlement that ensures a permanent end to the conflict, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said, as tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States continue to fuel fears of a wider regional escalation - latest on the Middle East conflict.

Iran says it is reviewing U.S. proposal to end war, wants Lebanon included in any ceasefire

07:31

Middle East conflict

Iran says it is reviewing U.S. proposal to end war, wants Lebanon included in any ceasefire

Iran is reviewing a U.S. proposal to end the war in the Gulf but has no intention of holding talks to wind down the widening Middle East conflict, the country's foreign minister said on Wednesday

G7 allies meet against backdrop of wars in Ukraine and Iran

07:51

Diplomacy

G7 allies meet against backdrop of wars in Ukraine and Iran

Foreign ministers from the world's leading Western democracies meet in France this week against the backdrop of wars in Iran and Ukraine, economic uncertainty, and mounting unease over an increasingly unpredictable U.S. foreign policy.

Turkish crude oil tanker hit by drone near Bosphorus strait

11:38

Oil shortage

Turkish crude oil tanker hit by drone near Bosphorus strait

A marine drone struck a Turkish crude oil tanker that had departed Russia, causing an explosion in the Black Sea near Istanbul's Bosphorus strait on Thursday, Türkiye's transportation minister said.

U.S. and Iran stuck in strategic deadlock despite talk efforts, says analyst

11:01

Middle East conflict

U.S. and Iran stuck in strategic deadlock despite talk efforts, says analyst

There’s little indication that recent developments between the United States and Iran have shifted either side’s core positions, according to political analyst James Dorsey who spoke to AnewZ on the Daybreak programme.

Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

23:29

Middle East Conflict

Conflicting signals from Iran about response to U.S. peace proposal - Middle East conflict on 25 March

Conflicting messages emerged from Iran about its response to a U.S. peace offer reportedly delivered to it by Pakistan on Wednesday (25 March). Meanwhile, Tehran's government unveiled its own counterproposal to end the conflict.

At least 24 passengers killed after bus plunges into Bangladesh’s Padma River while boarding ferry

10:13

Bus accident

At least 24 passengers killed after bus plunges into Bangladesh’s Padma River while boarding ferry

At least 24 people have died after a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River while attempting to board a ferry in Bangladesh, officials confirmed on Thursday. The accident happened on Wednesday at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari district, around 100 km (62 miles) from Dhaka.

Afghanistan frees US citizen Dennis Coyle amid diplomatic engagement

20:56

Diplomacy

Afghanistan frees US citizen Dennis Coyle amid diplomatic engagement

U.S. citizen Dennis Coyle has been released after more than a year in detention in Afghanistan, with the United Arab Emirates facilitating his transfer. U.S. officials say he is now on his way home following diplomatic efforts involving multiple countries.

Uzbekistan’s first nuclear plant hits key milestone as construction of reactor foundations begins

17:06

Energy

Uzbekistan’s first nuclear plant hits key milestone as construction of reactor foundations begins

Uzbekistan has launched the next phase of its first nuclear power plant (NPP) project, with initial concrete works now under way at the construction site in the Farish district of the Jizzakh region, according to the national atomic energy agency, Uzatom.

Iran not seeking war, wants permanent end to conflict, says Abbas Araghchi - Thursday 26 March

11min ago

Middle East conflict

live Iran not seeking war, wants permanent end to conflict, says Abbas Araghchi - Thursday 26 March

Iran is not seeking war but will only accept a settlement that ensures a permanent end to the conflict, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi...

Central Asia faces rising energy risks from climate change and overreliance, analyst warns

58min ago

Climate crisis

Central Asia faces rising energy risks from climate change and overreliance, analyst warns

Central Asia’s energy systems are becoming increasingly vulnerable as countries depend heavily on single power sources while facing mounting ...

2h ago

Oil shortage

Turkish crude oil tanker hit by drone near Bosphorus strait

A marine drone struck a Turkish crude oil tanker that had departed Russia, causing an explosion in the Black Sea near I...

2h ago

Middle East conflict

U.S. and Iran stuck in strategic deadlock despite talk efforts, says analyst

There’s little indication that recent developments between the United States and Iran have shifted either side’s core positions, accord...

Ukrainian drones damage area near one of Russia's biggest oil refineries

3h ago

Russia-Ukraine war

Ukrainian drones damage area near one of Russia's biggest oil refineries

An industrial area near one of Russia's biggest oil refineries was damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack, a R...

Iran urges China, Russia to block U.S. from abusing UNSC and welcomes Germany’s anti-war stand

12:26

View from Iran

Iran urges China, Russia to block U.S. from abusing UNSC and welcomes Germany’s anti-war stand

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Beijing and Moscow to prevent Washington from continuing to abuse the United Nations Security Council. He made the comment during a phone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi according to state-owned IRNA news agency.

World

World News

10:17

Russia-Ukraine war

Ukrainian drones damage area near one of Russia's biggest oil refineries

An industrial area near one of Russia's biggest oil refineries was damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack, a Russian official said on Thursday.

Used EV sales jump in Europe as Iran war drives up petrol prices

09:18

Middle East conflict

Used EV sales jump in Europe as Iran war drives up petrol prices

Petrol price spikes triggered by the war in Iran are boosting used electric vehicle sales across Europe, online car platforms told Reuters, in an early sign that pain at the pump is pushing consumers away from combustion engines.

Taiwan says next U.S. arms purchase is on track after guarantee

08:22

Defence

Taiwan says next U.S. arms purchase is on track after guarantee

Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo on Thursday says the next arms sale package from the United States is on track after the government received a letter of guarantee from Washington, even as the U.S. and Chinese leaders prepare to meet in May.

Spanish PM Sánchez says it's 'unfair' for people around the world to bear cost of U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran

18:19

Middle East Conflict

Spanish PM Sánchez says it's 'unfair' for people around the world to bear cost of U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said it is unfair for people around the world to shoulder the cost of U.S.–Israeli attacks on Iran, warning that Spanish firms have already lost €100 billion ($116 billion) in less than a month as a result of the conflict.

Business

Business Economy Markets

09:28

Meta boosts top executives' pay with stock options as AI race heats up

Meta Platforms is increasing compensation for top executives, including its first-ever offer of stock options, as it tries to fend off competition in the artificial intelligence (AI) race and incentivize leaders to stay with the company for several years.

CIS business owners highlight UAE security amid Middle East conflict

11:29

Business News

CIS business owners highlight UAE security amid Middle East conflict

The prevailing security situation in the region has done little to deter entrepreneurs from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) who continue to view Dubai as a premier and safe location for business.

French court rules against government's appeal to shut down Chinese online retailer Shein

11:34

France Shein Court Case

French court rules against government's appeal to shut down Chinese online retailer Shein

The French government’s bid to suspend the marketplace of Chinese online retailer Shein in the country has been overruled by a Paris Court of Appeal.

China raises gasoline and diesel prices as it pushes greener transport

16:33

Fuel Prices

China raises gasoline and diesel prices as it pushes greener transport

China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.

11:28

Global markets

Global markets remain volatile as Middle East conflict drives energy surge

Global financial markets remained on edge on Friday as the escalating war involving the United States, Israel and Iran continued to rattle investors, fuelling volatility in stocks and sending energy prices sharply higher.

Culture

Culture News Lifestyle Art

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.

BTS documentary ‘THE RETURN’ to premiere on Netflix after hiatus

16:36

BTS Comeback

BTS documentary ‘THE RETURN’ to premiere on Netflix after hiatus

South Korean pop sensation BTS, one of the world’s biggest music acts known for their record-breaking albums, global tours and devoted fanbase ARMY, will return to the spotlight in a new documentary, BTS: THE RETURN, premiering globally on Netflix on 27 March.

Oscars 2026 Winners: 'One battle after another', 'Sinners' sweep awards

07:37

Academy Awards

Oscars 2026 Winners: 'One battle after another', 'Sinners' sweep awards

'One Battle After Another' tops the Oscars with 6 awards, followed by 'Sinners' which takes 4, 'Frankenstein' 3 and Netflix's most-watched film in its history, 'KPop Demon Hunters' winning 2. There was also the rare event of a tie.

Oscars 2026 nominations announced: 'Sinners' breaks record with 16 nods

20:36

Academy Awards

Oscars 2026 nominations announced: 'Sinners' breaks record with 16 nods

The Academy Awards nominations have been announced, with the crime drama Sinners leading the race securing a record 16 nominations ahead of the ceremony set for 15 March. The event, which honours the film industry’s top achievements over the past year, will be hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien.

Most viewed

Iran rebukes U.S. amid reports of peace plan handed to Tehran by Pakistan - Wednesday 25 March