Latest News and Breaking Stories

live Iran signals strategic edge as Hormuz closure complicates U.S. talks - Middle East conflict on 19 April

Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is open, lifting markets and sending oil lower. Meanwhile the U.S. blockade remains in place as President Donald Trump warns the ceasefire may not be extended. Talks continue as a fragile Israel-Lebanon truce holds, while the regional death toll has surpassed 5,000.

North Korea launches ballistic missiles in latest show of force

09:27

Missile Launch

North Korea launches ballistic missiles in latest show of force

North Korea fired ballistic missiles towards the sea off its eastern coast on Sunday (19 April), accelerating its weapons tests amid heightened regional tensions linked to the Iran war and renewed diplomatic signals toward the United States and South Korea.

14:13

Bulgaria

Bulgarians set to vote in eighth election since 2021 as anger over corruption grows

Bulgarians headed to the polls on Sunday (19 April) in their eighth election in five years, with early signs pointing to a potentially higher turnout as frontrunner Rumen Radev promised to restore stability and tackle corruption after years of political deadlock.

Strait of Hormuz tensions rise after tanker incidents, expert warns of oil shock and escalation

16:24

Expert View

Strait of Hormuz tensions rise after tanker incidents, expert warns of oil shock and escalation

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are rising as a ceasefire nears expiry with no agreement in place, amid reported attacks on vessels that have heightened fears of renewed conflict and disruption to global oil supplies.

Chinese humanoid robots outrun humans in Beijing half-marathon

09:42

Tech Showcase

Chinese humanoid robots outrun humans in Beijing half-marathon

Dozens of Chinese-made humanoid robots have demonstrated improvements in speed, balance and autonomous navigation after completing a half-marathon in Beijing on Sunday (19 April), in a showcase of the country’s fast-developing robotics sector.

Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

Vučić and Aliyev discuss ties, direct flights and Middle East conflict in phone call

17:42

Serbia Azerbaijan Ties

Vučić and Aliyev discuss ties, direct flights and Middle East conflict in phone call

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev held a phone call on Sunday (19 April), highlighting the rapid expansion of bilateral ties and confirming plans for further high-level engagement.

Global leaders gather in Türkiye for Antalya Diplomacy Forum

17:26

ADF 2026

Global leaders gather in Türkiye for Antalya Diplomacy Forum

Global leaders and diplomats gathered in southern Türkiye on 17 April for the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, focusing on uncertainty, conflict, and the future of global cooperation.

Armenia and Russia agree to continue implementing military-technical agreements

14:27

Politics

Armenia and Russia agree to continue implementing military-technical agreements

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia and Russia have agreed to continue implementing previously reached agreements in the military-technical sphere following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

15:02

Middle Corridor

Türkiye signs World Bank partnership for Middle Corridor Railway financing

Türkiye and the World Bank have signed a new partnership to strengthen Türkiye’s connectivity with Europe, Asia and the Middle East, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, including the creation of 100,000 more worldwide.

37min ago

Middle East Conflict

live Iran signals strategic edge as Hormuz closure complicates U.S. talks - Middle East conflict on 19 April

Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is open, lifting markets and sending oil lower. Meanwhile the U.S. blockade remains in place as President Donald Tru...

3h ago

Serbia Azerbaijan Ties

Vučić and Aliyev discuss ties, direct flights and Middle East conflict in phone call

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić and Azerbaijan’s Pr...

4h ago

Expert View

Strait of Hormuz tensions rise after tanker incidents, expert warns of oil shock and escalation

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are rising as a ceasefire nears expiry with no agreement in place, amid reported attacks on vessels that have heig...

6h ago

Bulgaria

Bulgarians set to vote in eighth election since 2021 as anger over corruption grows

Bulgarians headed to the polls on Sunday (19 April) in their eighth election in five years, with early signs pointing...

Leaked video exposes cruel animal testing practices in UK laboratories

8h ago

Ethics Debate

Leaked video exposes cruel animal testing practices in UK laboratories

Secretly filmed footage from two UK laboratories has reignited debate over animal testing in drug development, after a former worker alleged that m...

China seeks deeper, high-quality cooperation with Turkmenistan across key sectors

20:19

View from China

China seeks deeper, high-quality cooperation with Turkmenistan across key sectors

China is seeking to strengthen and upgrade its cooperation with Turkmenistan, focusing on what officials describe as “high-quality development” across a range of sectors.

World

World News

G7 ready to act on economic risks from Iran war, France's Lescure says

23:25

Middle East conflict

G7 ready to act on economic risks from Iran war, France's Lescure says

Finance leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) have indicated they are prepared to step in if needed, to shield the global economy from the fallout of the war involving Iran, as concerns grow over rising energy prices and supply disruptions.

10:48

Helicopter crash

Eight people killed in helicopter crash in Indonesia's West Kalimantan

Eight people have died after a helicopter crash in West Kalimantan province, Indonesia. Authorities said contact was lost five minutes after taking off from a plantation area in Melawi.

Huge crowds gather in Douala as Pope Leo visits Cameroon

16:22

Pope Leo XIV

Huge crowds gather in Douala as Pope Leo visits Cameroon

Tens of thousands of people filled a stadium in Douala on Friday, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo during what is expected to be the largest event of his African tour.

10:24

Morning Brief

AnewZ Morning Brief - 17 April, 2026

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 17th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.

Business

Business Economy Markets

Netflix shares slide as co-founder Reed Hastings steps down as chairman

16:21

Netflix shares slump

Netflix shares slide as co-founder Reed Hastings steps down as chairman

Netflix shares fell sharply on Friday after the streaming group issued a weaker-than-expected outlook and said chairman and co-founder Reed Hastings will step down from the board.

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.

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.

Most viewed