Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

16:35

Zangezur Corridor

Azerbaijan's Aliyev outlines broader vision for Zangezur Corridor beyond transport links

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has outlined an expanded vision for the Zangezur Corridor, describing it not simply as a transport route connecting mainland Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan exclave, but as a future platform for energy, telecommunications and wider regional integration.

Iran says it will soon join BRICS development bank

17:57

Iran Economy

Iran says it will soon join BRICS development bank

Iran will soon join the New Development Bank (NDB), the lender established by BRICS nations, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati said in a state media report on Wednesday ahead of a BRICS finance meeting in India.

Georgia’s Kobakhidze explains why he will not call Russia an ‘enemy’

18:11

View from Georgia

Georgia’s Kobakhidze explains why he will not call Russia an ‘enemy’

As Russian officials praise Georgia’s “pragmatic” approach towards Moscow, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has explained why he will not describe Russia as an “enemy”.

Tehran to host top-level Caspian Sea conference in September

21:25

View from Iran

Tehran to host top-level Caspian Sea conference in September

Iran will host senior officials from the five Caspian Sea littoral states at a conference in Tehran on 23 September, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and addressing environmental challenges facing the sea.

Afghanistan, Turkmenistan sign gas deal for TAPI pipeline

21:18

View from Afghanistan

Afghanistan, Turkmenistan sign gas deal for TAPI pipeline

Afghanistan and Turkmenistan signed a gas-purchase memorandum for the TAPI pipeline in Herat on Monday, as the two sides pushed for agreement on pricing and faster progress on the regional energy project.

Kazakhstan begins new highway to cut China-Europe freight journeys

Kazakhstan has begun building the Beineu-Saksaulsk highway, a new Middle Corridor link expected to shorten freight journeys between China and Europe by around 1,000 kilometres and reduce delivery times by up to three days.

Pashinyan replaces Armenia security chief with former parliament speaker

15:48

Armenia politics

Pashinyan replaces Armenia security chief with former parliament speaker

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has dismissed Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan and appointed former parliament speaker Alen Simonyan as his replacement.

Central Asia economy tops $543 billion as Kazakhstan leads regional growth

20:26

View from Uzbekistan

Central Asia economy tops $543 billion as Kazakhstan leads regional growth

Central Asia’s economy has surpassed $543 billion, driven by Kazakhstan’s economic weight, strong exports and foreign investment, while growing trade across Asia points to an increasingly connected region.

UN refugee agency plans Kabul settlement and jobs project for Afghan returnees

20:09

View from Afghanistan

UN refugee agency plans Kabul settlement and jobs project for Afghan returnees

The United Nations refugee agency is planning a settlement and carpet-weaving workshop for Afghan returnees in Kabul as the country grapples with large-scale returns and growing pressure on housing, jobs and basic services.

Azerbaijan's Aliyev outlines broader vision for Zangezur Corridor beyond transport links

21:18

View from Afghanistan

Afghanistan, Turkmenistan sign gas deal for TAPI pipeline

18:11

View from Georgia

Georgia’s Kobakhidze explains why he will not call Russia an ‘enemy’

As Russian officials praise Georgia’s “pragmatic” approach towards Moscow, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has explained why he will not describe Russia as an “enemy”.

17:57

Iran Economy

Iran says it will soon join BRICS development bank

Bab al-Mandab emerges as second pressure point in Middle East energy crisis

Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.

Iran says no progress on reviving interim peace deal with U.S.

03:03

Middle East conflict

Iran says no progress on reviving interim peace deal with U.S.

Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.

Iran, U.S. make competing claims over control of Strait of Hormuz

16:57

Middle East conflict

live Iran, U.S. make competing claims over control of Strait of Hormuz

Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.

15:48

Solar Eclipse

Millions prepare to witness rare total solar eclipse in Spain and Iceland

Millions of people across Spain and Iceland are preparing on Wednesday to witness a rare total solar eclipse, when the moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, briefly turning daylight into darkness along a narrow path.

10:33

Morning Brief

Morning Brief - 12 August 2026

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 12th of August, covering the latest developments.