15:08

Middle East Conflict

live U.S. and Iran trade threats as World focus' on reopening Strait of Hormuz - Middle East conflict on 3 April

Iran has rejected claims it has been weakened, vowing instead “more crushing” attacks against the United States and Israel. President Masoud Pezeshkian also warned that Israel is fabricating threats about Iran, as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed affecting the global energy market.

13:48

View from Iran

Iran condemns Trump’s ‘Stone Age’ threat as war crime incitement

Iran has strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb the country “back to the Stone Age”, calling his remarks an example of “war crimes and genocide.”

11:00

Middle East conflict

Global aluminium prices surge as Iranian strikes cripple Gulf production

The global commodities market is facing a severe structural supply shock after a series of coordinated military strikes in the Middle East devastated critical industrial infrastructure, threatening the manufacturing base of Western economies.

10:14

Morning Brief

AnewZ Morning Brief - 3 April, 2026

Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 3 April, covering the latest developments you need to know

09:51

Middle East conflict

UN: Humanitarian situation in Lebanon deteriorating 'at an alarming speed'

More than 1.1 million people have been forced from their homes in Lebanon, according to the United Nations, as the UN spokesman says the humanitarian situation is worsening. Israel recently announced it intends to annex part of Southern Lebanon.

09:25

Middle East conflict

U.S. vows to target more Iranian infrastructure as nations seek to open Hormuz

President Donald Trump said the U.S. "hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran", reiterating vows to increase the ferocity of attacks on its infrastructure, as dozens of countries sought ways to restart vital energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz

08:26

Middle East conflict

Fuel price hikes in Pakistan forces residents to 'go without food'

Residents in Pakistan say they are feeling "crushed" and have to put filling up the tank before putting food on the table. Diesel is set to rise by 55% and petrol 43% as the government hike prices for the second time in a month.

07:58

Space exploration

'Beautiful view' of Earth as crew of NASA's Artemis II historic mission heads towards the moon

The 4-person crew in the Orion capsule on NASA's Artemis II space shuttle carried out a key thruster firing on Thursday, sending the ship past the main orbit of the Earth towards the moon, in the hope of beating Apollo 13's distance in 1970, as they took pictures using phones and cameras.

07:54

Middle East conflict

Russia’s Lavrov discussed Strait of Hormuz with Iran’s foreign minister

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz by telephone with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday, the Russian foreign ministry said. A statement on the ministry website said the call had taken place at the initiative of Iran.

07:46

Middle East conflict

UN to vote on Hormuz resolution as China opposes allowing use of force

The United Nations Security Council is to vote on a Bahraini resolution to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, diplomats said on Friday, but veto-wielding China made clear its opposition to authorising any use of force.

07:34

EV Transition

EV transition slows as U.S.-China competition impacts regional markets

Major automakers showcased new electric vehicles at the New York Auto Show this week, under the slogan “electrification is the future." However, weakening demand in the United States and intense competition with China are raising questions for markets across the globe, including the South Caucasus.

00:02

Middle East Conflict

Iran: 'No enemy troops should survive if adversaries attempt a ground operation' - Middle East conflict on 2 April

Fears of wider escalation grow despite President Donald Trump saying U.S. strikes on Iran could end within weeks. Meanwhile missile attacks, tanker incidents and rising casualties across Israel, Lebanon and the Gulf heighten risks to regional stability and energy routes.

22:26

Sport

FIFA World Cup final ticket price $11,000: Is it still for fans?

The 2026 World Cup final is setting new records for sports ticketing costs, characterised by unprecedented price hikes and the debut of controversial sales models.

22:21

Politics

French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan to be tried in July over post on X

French police detained European Parliament member Rima Hassan in Paris for several hours on Thursday as part of an investigation into an alleged “apology for terrorism”, following a social media post linked to a deadly attack in Israel in the 1970s.

21:43

U.S. politics

Trump removes Pam Bondi as U.S. Attorney General amid Epstein case fallout

In a dramatic shake-up at the top of the U.S. Justice Department, President Donald Trump has removed Attorney General Pam Bondi from her post, a White House official confirmed on Thursday.

21:04

Strait of Hormuz

Britain leads 40-nation talks on reopening Strait of Hormuz amid Iran blockade

Britain said on Thursday that around 40 countries are exploring ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route effectively blocked by Iran amid ongoing conflict. The U.S. did not take part in the discussions.

19:42

NATO

Trump threatens to pull U.S. out of NATO over Hormuz dispute

American President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday to pull the United States out of NATO after European nations refused to join a U.S.-led naval mission to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.

19:22

View from Kyrgyzstan

Former Kyrgyz MP detained as oil corruption probe widens to powerful political family

Former Kyrgyz MP Shairbek Tashiev has been detained in a corruption investigation linked to state oil firm Kyrgyzneftegaz, as the case expands to include members of a powerful political family.

18:10

Renewable energy

France launches major renewable energy drive with ‘Made in Europe’ focus

France has unveiled a delayed wave of renewable energy tenders to boost energy independence and strengthen domestic and European industry.

17:08

View from Afghanistan

Afghanistan among worst-hit countries for unexploded ordnance, UN warns

Afghanistan remains the third most affected country globally for unexploded ordnance casualties, with more than 50 people killed or injured each month, a United Nations official has said.

16:51

Middle East conflict

Bahrain’s UN bid to secure Strait of Hormuz stalls amid global divisions

Bahrain’s bid to secure a UN resolution to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has stalled, highlighting deep divisions among global powers over how to respond to Iran’s effective closure of the key waterway.

16:37

Nuclear Weapons

Turkish official calls for 'elimination' of Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal

Leading Turkish official Fuat Oktay this week called for the dismantling of Israel’s alleged nuclear weapons stockpile. The head of parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee said Israel’s nuclear capability should be “eliminated as soon as possible”.

15:26

Middle East conflict

PM Starmer: 'a united front' needed to open Strait of Hormuz as UK hosts talks with 35 countries

Britain will explore ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by hosting talks on Thursday (2 April) with 35 countries after President Donald Trump said securing the vital waterway was a problem for other nations to resolve.

14:14

White House

'I'm such a king I can't get a ballroom approved', jokes Trump after judge orders halt to White House project

“He is not… the owner!” U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon wrote, temporarily halting construction of President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom, underscoring a cascade of legal, regulatory and public opposition that has engulfed the controversial expansion.