Latest News and Breaking Stories

live U.S. President Trump extends Iran ceasefire deadline but maintains naval blockade - Wednesday, 22 April

U.S. President Trump said Washington is extending its ceasefire with Iran until Tehran submits a proposal and talks conclude, while maintaining the blockade. An advisor to Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf dismissed the move as “a ploy to buy time” for a possible surprise strike.

Pakistan peace talks in doubt despite Trump declaring Iran ceasefire extension

07:42

Middle East conflict

Pakistan peace talks in doubt despite Trump declaring Iran ceasefire extension

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran to allow for further peace talks, although it was not clear on Wednesday (22 April) if Iran or Israel, the U.S. ally in the two-month war, would agree.

Fate of Iran peace talks uncertain as deadline approaches for end of ceasefire

08:06

Middle East conflict

Fate of Iran peace talks uncertain as deadline approaches for end of ceasefire

Iran is considering attending peace talks with the United States in Pakistan, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday, following moves by Islamabad to end a U.S. blockade of Iran's ports, a significant obstacle to Tehran rejoining peace efforts as the end of a two-week ceasefire approaches

Lebanon seeks French support before possible U.S.-hosted talks with Israel

21:18

Diplomacy

Lebanon seeks French support before possible U.S.-hosted talks with Israel

Lebanon’s prime minister met French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday to discuss strengthening Beirut’s position ahead of possible direct talks with Israel in the U.S. later this week.

IEA warns Iran–U.S.–Israel tensions could trigger worst-ever global energy crisis

12:27

IEA Energy Crisis

IEA warns Iran–U.S.–Israel tensions could trigger worst-ever global energy crisis

The escalating conflict involving Iran, the U.S. and Israel is fuelling what could become the most severe energy crisis the world has ever faced, according to the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

08:44

Gaza

Israeli strikes kill five people in Gaza as Israeli-backed militia clashes with Hamas grow

Israeli strikes killed at least five people across the Gaza Strip on Monday (20 April), Palestinian health officials said, as clashes were reported between Hamas fighters and an Israeli-backed militia.

Israeli security warning puts spotlight on Azerbaijan’s key energy infrastructure

15:23

South Caucacus security

Israeli security warning puts spotlight on Azerbaijan’s key energy infrastructure

A rare Israeli security statement warning of an alleged Iranian-linked plot targeting global sites, including a key Azerbaijani pipeline, has drawn renewed attention to regional security dynamics.

EU says connectivity with Central Asia 'impossible' without Georgia

17:21

EU Georgia connectivity

EU says connectivity with Central Asia 'impossible' without Georgia

Georgia has been described as unavoidable in Europe’s new connectivity plans linking the EU to Central Asia, but increasingly unpredictable at the same time.

Afghan power chief holds talks in Tajikistan to accelerate CASA-1000 project

15:39

Regional trade

Afghan power chief holds talks in Tajikistan to accelerate CASA-1000 project

Afghanistan’s power utility chief has held talks in Tajikistan with officials and contractors to speed up the CASA-1000 electricity project and tackle ongoing implementation challenges, according to official statements.

12min ago

Middle East conflict

Pakistan peace talks in doubt despite Trump declaring Iran ceasefire extension

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran to al...

U.S. President Trump extends Iran ceasefire deadline but maintains naval blockade - Wednesday, 22 April

42min ago

Middle East conflict

live U.S. President Trump extends Iran ceasefire deadline but maintains naval blockade - Wednesday, 22 April

U.S. President Trump said Washington is extending its ceasefire with Iran until Tehran submits a proposal and talks conclude...

Pakistan awaits Iran confirmation as Vance remains in U.S., officials say- Tuesday, 21 April

9h ago

Middle East conflict

Pakistan awaits Iran confirmation as Vance remains in U.S., officials say- Tuesday, 21 April

Pakistan is confident it can bring Iran to talks with the United States, a senior official said, citing “positive signals” from Tehran,...

Kyiv shooter had dispute with neighbour before attack, minister says

9h ago

Deadly Shooting

Kyiv shooter had dispute with neighbour before attack, minister says

A gunman who killed seven people in a mass shooting in...

Starmer under pressure as ex-official alleges push on U.S. ambassador appointment

10h ago

UK Politics

Starmer under pressure as ex-official alleges push on U.S. ambassador appointment

A former top foreign ministry official said on Tuesday he faced “constant pressure” from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office to ...

Lebanon receives Turkish aid as Israeli attacks continue to displace civilians

20:46

Türkiye Lebanon

Lebanon receives Turkish aid as Israeli attacks continue to displace civilians

Türkiye has delivered 360 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Lebanon’s Port of Beirut as ongoing Israeli attacks continue to displace civilians, particularly in the country’s south.

World

World News

Shooter kills Canadian woman at Mexico’s Teotihuacan pyramids, 13 injured

11:55

Mexico shooting

Shooter kills Canadian woman at Mexico’s Teotihuacan pyramids, 13 injured

A Canadian woman has been shot dead and 13 others injured in a shooting at the Teotihuacan pyramids on Monday, one of Mexico’s most visited tourist attractions.

Pope visits Equatorial Guinea after condemning authoritarian leaders

16:15

Papal visits to Africa

Pope visits Equatorial Guinea after condemning authoritarian leaders

Pope Leo arrived on Tuesday in Equatorial Guinea, led by the world’s longest-serving president, marking the final leg of a four-nation Africa tour during which he has issued sharp denunciations of despotism and inequality.

Britain pushes fixed contracts for renewables to cut high electricity bills

14:30

Energy

Britain pushes fixed contracts for renewables to cut high electricity bills

Britain’s government outlined plans on Tuesday (21 April) to reduce household energy bills by encouraging wind and solar producers to adopt long-term fixed contracts.

Suspected tornado tears through Illinois town leaving widespread damage

11:59

Storm Damage

Suspected tornado tears through Illinois town leaving widespread damage

Cleanup efforts are underway in Lena, Illinois, after a suspected tornado tore through the village on Friday (17 April), damaging homes, schools and infrastructure, leaving thousands without power. Residents and emergency crews spent Saturday clearing debris, and working around downed power lines.

Business

Business Economy Markets

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.

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.

Culture

Culture News Lifestyle Art

K-pop mogul Bang Si-hyuk faces arrest over HYBE stock allegations

12:35

South Korea

K-pop mogul Bang Si-hyuk faces arrest over HYBE stock allegations

The architect of the modern K-pop boom, Bang Si-hyuk, is facing arrest by South Korean police over claims he illegally gained millions in an investor fraud scheme.

Singer D4vd charged with murder of missing teen girl found in abandoned Tesla

22:48

Murder Case

Singer D4vd charged with murder of missing teen girl found in abandoned Tesla

Musician D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder over the death of a teenage girl whose dismembered remains were found inside a car linked to him, prosecutors in Los Angeles County have said.

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.

Most viewed

Iran accuses U.S. of breach, vows retaliation; Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid areas - Monday 20 April

22:36

Middle East conflict

Iran accuses U.S. of breach, vows retaliation; Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid areas - Monday 20 April

Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid restricted areas.

Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria wins election as EU leaders welcome result and coalition nears majority

20:21

Bulgaria Politics

Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria wins election as EU leaders welcome result and coalition nears majority

Progessive Bulgaria, led by pro-Russian Eurosceptic Rumen Radev is on track to form Bulgaria’s next government, after official results showed a runaway victory for the coalition in the Balkan nation's parliamentary elections on Monday (20 April).

22:55

Middle East conflict

Pakistan awaits Iran confirmation as Vance remains in U.S., officials say- Tuesday, 21 April

Pakistan is confident it can bring Iran to talks with the United States, a senior official said, citing “positive signals” from Tehran, as JD Vance is reportedly set to visit Islamabad on Tuesday for peace talks, according to Axios.

12:35

South Korea

K-pop mogul Bang Si-hyuk faces arrest over HYBE stock allegations

The architect of the modern K-pop boom, Bang Si-hyuk, is facing arrest by South Korean police over claims he illegally gained millions in an investor fraud scheme.

22:37

Deadly Shooting

Kyiv shooter had dispute with neighbour before attack, minister says

A gunman who killed seven people in a mass shooting in Kyiv on Saturday (18 April) had quarrelled with his neighbour before he opened fire on passersby, public broadcaster Suspilne cited Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko as saying on Tuesday.

Health

Health news Healthcare

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.

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.

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

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.

WMO warns Earth’s climate imbalance accelerating as key indicators hit record extremes

22:16

Climate Change

WMO warns Earth’s climate imbalance accelerating as key indicators hit record extremes

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that the Earth’s climate system is becoming increasingly unstable, with new evidence showing a growing imbalance in how the planet absorbs and releases energy.

China braces for severe floods and drought in 2026

18:51

China Floods and Drought

China braces for severe floods and drought in 2026

China is preparing for a year of extreme weather in 2026, with authorities warning the country could face both severe flooding and widespread drought, underscoring mounting climate pressures.

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News Politics Iran Pakistan Israel Trump Iran war Strait of Hormuz