U.S. expands Iran diplomacy effort with envoy mission to Pakistan - Friday, 24 April
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war are intensifying, with the White House confirming that U.S. President Donald Trump will send special envoy S...
British Steel has secured a multi-million-pound order to supply rail for a major high-speed railway in Türkiye. Backed by UK Export Finance, the deal will see 36,000 tonnes of rail used on a 599km line between Ankara and İzmir, prompting the company to resume round-the-clock production.
The eight-figure contract has been awarded by ERG International Group, which is delivering the Ankara–İzmir High-Speed Rail Project on behalf of the Turkish government. Once completed, the line will be operated by Turkish State Railways.
The new high-speed railway is expected to reduce journey times between Ankara and İzmir by more than 10 hours. It will also help cut carbon emissions by providing a cleaner alternative to road and air travel.
For British Steel, the contract represents a significant commercial milestone. The scale of the order has led to the creation of 23 new roles and the resumption of 24/7 rail manufacturing operations at its Scunthorpe site for the first time in more than a decade.
Lisa Coulson, Chief Commercial Officer at British Steel, described the agreement as a prestigious win that underlines the company’s global competitiveness.
“The deal highlights British Steel’s capability to deliver sustainable track systems for major infrastructure projects and reinforces its importance as the UK’s only rail manufacturer,” Coulson said.
The new contract comes after the UK government took control of British Steel’s plant in Scunthorpe in April to prevent its closure.
Industry Minister Chris McDonald said the order was positive news for UK steelmaking and aligned with the government’s Steel Strategy.
“Every tonne of British-made steel used in projects at home and abroad helps sustain skilled employment and reinforces its quality for the world’s most ambitious engineering projects,” he said.
The U.S. military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged tankers in Asian waters and is redirecting them away from their positions near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday, exclusively to Reuters.
Two local trains collided head-on north of Copenhagen on Thursday (23 April), injuring 17 people, five of them critically, according to emergency services.
The U.S. military is redirecting at least three Iranian-flagged tankers after intercepting them in Asian waters near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tehran said U.S. breaches, blockades and threats are undermining “genuine negotiations.”
The European Union is preparing its 20th round of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine. The measures are close to being approved, after earlier delays linked to energy concerns in Slovakia and Hungary eased following repairs to the Druzhba oil pipeline.
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war are intensifying, with the White House confirming that U.S. President Donald Trump will send special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Iran under Pakistani mediation.
Around 14% of Central Asia’s population - about 12 million people - are facing food shortages, according to the United Nations. The issue was a central focus at the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana.
Türkiye sent six trucks carrying critical medical supplies to Iran on Thursday, reinforcing humanitarian assistance amid challenging cross-border conditions.
Afghanistan is exploring new business opportunities in cotton, tourism and minerals following trade and investment talks this week with officials from Uzbekistan and Türkiye.
Georgia is entering a pivotal economic and geopolitical phase, as talks with China to expand a free trade agreement coincide with renewed progress on the Anaklia Deep Sea Port.
The European Union has introduced new trade restrictions on Kyrgyzstan under its 20th sanctions package against Russia, marking the first time a Central Asian country has faced measures targeting an entire trade channel.
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