Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 19th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Ukraine bans China's firms for helping Russia make missiles
Ukraine imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies on Friday claiming they were involved in production of advanced Iskander missiles, a day after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy alleged that China had been supplying weapons to Russia.
China's foreign ministry earlier on Friday dismissed Zelenskiy's accusation as groundless. While maintaining close economic ties with Russia during Moscow's three-year war in Ukraine, China has sought to project an image of neutrality and denies any involvement in the war.
2. US will abandon Ukraine peace push if no progress soon, Trump and Rubio say
United States will walk away from efforts to broker a Russia-Ukraine peace deal unless there are clear signs of progress soon, U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday.
"Quickly, we want to get it done," Trump told reporters at the White House. "Now if for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we're just going to say, 'you're foolish, you're fools, you're horrible people, and we're going to just take a pass. But hopefully we won't have to do that."
3. At least 148 people die after boat catches fire in Congo, media reports say
At least 148 people were found dead in Democratic Republic of Congo after a motorised wooden boat caught fire and capsized, media reports citing local officials said on Friday.
The boat was carrying as many as 500 passengers, including women and children, when it overturned in the Congo River located in the country’s northwest region on Tuesday, as per the reports.
4. Hamas formally rejects Israeli ceasefire offer
Hamas has formally rejected Israel's latest ceasefire offer, saying it is prepared to immediately negotiate a deal that would see the release of all remaining hostages in return for an end to the war and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
In a video statement, Hamas's chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, said: "We will not accept partial deals that serve [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's political agenda."
5. Iran and the US prepare for a second round of negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program in Rome
The talks in Italy over Easter weekend again will hinge on U.S. billionaire Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Mideast envoy of President Donald Trump, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Whether the two men find common ground in the high-stakes negotiations could mean success or failure in the talks.
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Finland has been selected as one of the countries implementing European Union measures to supply Ukraine with defence materials, using funds from frozen Russian assets.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur warns that Russia will likely shift its forces after the Ukraine war, posing a greater threat to NATO. He emphasizes Estonia's strong preparedness, including increased defense spending and rapid mobilization.
Kazakhstan is taking concrete steps toward the development of its first nuclear power plant, with the country now in the pre-project phase, according to Rinat Okasov, Deputy Director General of Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants LLP (KAEŞ).
The House Budget Committee passed a key tax and immigration bill late Sunday, overcoming opposition from fiscal conservatives. The bill, central to President Trump’s agenda, now moves to the full House, where GOP leaders face challenges balancing demands from both hard-liners and moderates.
As thousands of residents return to war-scarred neighborhoods in Khartoum, they are encountering a deadly new threat — unexploded munitions littering homes, schools, and streets — a grim legacy of Sudan’s ongoing civil war that de-mining teams say they are woefully under-resourced to address.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
EU approves 17th Russia sanctions, blacklisting almost 200 shadow‑fleet ships, 30 evasion firms and 75 defence figures, banning missile chemicals and arming Brussels to strike Kremlin hybrid and operations.
Armenia has proposed elevating its cooperation with Cyprus to the level of a strategic partnership, a move positively received by Cypriot officials.
Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London to discuss strengthening bilateral relations, covering trade, investment, culture, and global challenges. Both sides signed a Cooperation Program for 2025-2026 to deepen their partnership.
Iran will continue to enrich uranium regardless of whether a new nuclear agreement is reached with the United States, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday in a statement on social media platform X.
The Tazhen border checkpoint on the Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan border will remain closed for an additional four months, until September 1, 2025, according to Kazakhstan’s State Revenue Committee (KDG) of the Ministry of Finance.
Azerbaijan and Israel have reaffirmed their strong bilateral ties as Defense Ministers Zakir Hasanov and Israel Katz met in Tel Aviv to discuss enhanced security cooperation and mutual strategic interests.
Finland has been selected as one of the countries implementing European Union measures to supply Ukraine with defence materials, using funds from frozen Russian assets.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur warns that Russia will likely shift its forces after the Ukraine war, posing a greater threat to NATO. He emphasizes Estonia's strong preparedness, including increased defense spending and rapid mobilization.
Kazakhstan is taking concrete steps toward the development of its first nuclear power plant, with the country now in the pre-project phase, according to Rinat Okasov, Deputy Director General of Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants LLP (KAEŞ).
The House Budget Committee passed a key tax and immigration bill late Sunday, overcoming opposition from fiscal conservatives. The bill, central to President Trump’s agenda, now moves to the full House, where GOP leaders face challenges balancing demands from both hard-liners and moderates.
As thousands of residents return to war-scarred neighborhoods in Khartoum, they are encountering a deadly new threat — unexploded munitions littering homes, schools, and streets — a grim legacy of Sudan’s ongoing civil war that de-mining teams say they are woefully under-resourced to address.
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