live Kuwait arrests IRGC-linked agents; Iran widens definition of Strait of Hormuz - Middle East conflict 12 May
Kuwait arrested four members of an IRGC-linked group as they tried to enter the country by sea, the Gulf s...
Russian grain is once again moving by rail to Armenia along a route that had been closed for decades. The latest freight train departed from Baku on 9 March carrying hundreds of tonnes of grain.
The train consisted of seven wagons carrying a total of 488 tonnes of grain.
To date, more than 21,000 tonnes of grain have been transported from Russia to Armenia in transit through Azerbaijani territory. This volume has been delivered to its destination in a total of 302 wagons.
In addition, 610 tonnes of fertiliser have been transported along the same route in nine wagons.
The previous shipment, on 4 February, consisted of eight wagons carrying 560 tonnes of Russian grain to Armenia via Azerbaijani territory.
After leaving Azerbaijan, the train will cross into Georgia through the Boyuk Kasik station before continuing onward to Armenia.
The move follows Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s decision in October 2025 to lift transit restrictions on cargo destined for Armenia, which had been in place during the period of Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories. Since then, both direct and transit rail shipments along the route have operated smoothly.
Kuwait arrested four members of an IRGC-linked group as they tried to enter the country by sea, the Gulf state's KUNA news agency reported on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a senior IRGC officer said Iran had expanded its definition of the Strait of Hormuz to include a far wider area.
Australia confirmed it will repatriate citizens from the MV Hondius cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, with quarantine on arrival. Spain, France are evacuating nationals as three deaths are confirmed. In the U.S., two passengers have been isolated after testing positive for the virus.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed Iran’s response to a U.S. peace proposal as a “stupid proposal,” saying Tehran failed to commit to abandoning its pursuit of a nuclear weapon, while warning the fragile ceasefire was on “massive life support”.
Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku has been elected the 142nd head of the Georgian Orthodox Church at a meeting of clergy in Tbilisi following the death of longtime Patriarch Ilia II.
Afghanistan has signed a five-year gold mining contract with Afghan and Azerbaijani companies in a deal worth more than $20m, the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has said.
AnewZ has premiered its new investigative documentary, Shadow of the Cross, examining the power, history and contested role of one of the world’s most recognised humanitarian symbols.
Uzbekistan Energy Week 2026 has opened in Tashkent, bringing together international energy companies, government officials and industry experts to discuss energy security, technological transformation and regional cooperation.
Japan’s first import of crude oil from Azerbaijan has highlighted the country’s energy vulnerability and renewed efforts to diversify supply chains beyond the Middle East, according to Professor Sejiro Takeshita of the University of Shizuoka.
A key border crossing between southeastern Türkiye and northern Syria reopened to limited civilian traffic on Tuesday after remaining closed since 2014 amid the Syrian conflict.
Three Afghan journalists have been detained by Afghan intelligence officials in Kabul, according to media support groups, raising fresh concerns about press freedom in Afghanistan.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment