23:48

Middle East conflict

More peace talks likely 'this week' as U.S. completes first day of Iran blockade - Wednesday 15 April

The U.S. and Iran could resume peace talks over the next couple of days, U.S. President Donald Trump has said. Talks between Israel and Lebanon were held in Washington yesterday. Fuel prices have dropped below $100 a barrel. U.S. blockade on Iranian ports completes first day.

22:05

Journalist arrest

Kuwait detains U.S.-Kuwaiti journalist amid Gulf crackdown on war-related footage

Kuwaiti authorities have detained U.S.-Kuwaiti journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, who has not been seen for six weeks, according to a media watchdog, as Gulf states intensify a crackdown on war-related filming and online posts.

21:13

CICA conference

Baku hosts regional conference to boost women’s role in economic development

Baku has hosted a major regional conference focused on strengthening the role of women in economic development, leadership and sustainability across Asia.

20:50

View from Türkiye

Türkiye warns Iran–U.S. ceasefire ‘fragile’ as regional tensions risk escalation

Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler has warned that the ongoing regional conflict could escalate further, describing the Iran–U.S. ceasefire as “fragile.”

20:30

China-Russia Relations

China and Russia strengthen ties with naval visit and high-level talks

Relations between China and Russia are gaining fresh momentum, with recent developments highlighting closer military and diplomatic cooperation.

20:09

View from Uzbekistan

Afghanistan and Uzbekistan deepen research ties after Tashkent dialogue

Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to strengthen research and policy cooperation following a roundtable in Tashkent focused on trade, connectivity and regional ties, according to official statements from both sides.

19:34

Luxury hotels

Dubai’s Burj Al Arab to close for first-ever 18-month refurbishment amid tourism slowdown

Dubai’s most iconic hotel, the Burj Al Arab, is set to close for the first time since opening in 1999 as it begins an extensive 18-month refurbishment aimed at preserving its status as a global symbol of luxury.

18:43

South Caucasus

Armenia says Azerbaijan rail links shield economy from regional instability

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that the opening of railway transit routes through Azerbaijan has helped shield Armenia’s economy from the wider impact of regional instability linked to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

18:12

Explainer

French antisemitism bill: Why the ‘Yadan law’ is dividing opinions

France is set to vote on a controversial law targeting what it calls “new forms” of antisemitism, sparking sharp divisions and raising concerns over free speech, criticism of Israel and the protection of Jewish communities.

16:55

View from UK

Former NATO chief says UK 'not safe' amid defence rows

A former NATO chief and senior figure the UK's ruling Labour Party has launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing his government of failing to adequately fund defence.

16:27

Türkiye shooting

Second school shooting in Türkiye in two days leaves nine dead and nation in shock

Türkiye is reeling after a second school shooting in as many days, after a 14-year-old student killed nine people - eight pupils and one teacher - and wounded 13 others at a middle school in the south-eastern province of Kahramanmaraş on Wednesday, officials said.

16:26

View from Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s Islamic Civilisation Centre named world’s largest by Guinness

The Centre of Islamic Civilisation in Uzbekistan has been officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest museum dedicated to Islamic civilisation.

16:20

Agreement Reached

Russia and Azerbaijan reach settlement over 2024 AZAL crash

Azerbaijan and Russia have announced a formal settlement over the 2024 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer 190 near Aktau, confirming that all outstanding issues, including compensation, have been resolved.

16:15

Energy

Russia signals readiness to boost energy supplies to China ahead of Putin visit

Russia has signalled it is ready to increase energy supplies to China, underscoring deepening ties between the two powers ahead of an expected visit by President Vladimir Putin.

16:04

Artificial Intelligence

Azerbaijan signs AI deal with U.S. firm as digital strategy accelerates

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 10 March with Haimaker.AI Inc., a U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) technology company, to develop a next-generation digital platform and ecosystem.

15:57

Sudan conflict

Germany pledges €20m for Sudan as Berlin conference seeks $1bn to tackle deepening humanitarian crisis

Germany has announced an additional €20 million in humanitarian support for Sudan as Berlin hosts a major international conference aimed at raising more than $1 billion to address one of the world’s most severe and increasingly overlooked crises.

15:50

View from Georgia

Black Sea power cable gains momentum, boosting Georgia’s role as East–West energy bridge

A vast undersea power link across the Black Sea is gaining momentum, strengthening Georgia’s ambitions to become a key energy bridge between East and West.

15:25

Azerbaijan Russia

Azerbaijan and Russia hold high-level talks in Baku amid ongoing diplomatic strains

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has met Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin in Baku for bilateral talks, covering political, economic, humanitarian and regional security issues, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.

15:09

Nuclear weapons

North Korea makes “very serious” nuclear advances, IAEA chief warns

North Korea is making “very serious” advances in its nuclear weapons capabilities, with signs of a new uranium enrichment facility and increased activity at a key complex, the International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi has said.

13:15

World Bank

World Bank plans up to $100bn emergency funding over Middle East war fears

The World Bank is preparing a major financial support package to prevent the Middle East war from triggering a global economic crisis.

12:56

View from Iran

Iran accelerates its war diplomacy, claims $270 billion reparation in talks with U.S.

The two-week ceasefire between Iran, the U.S. and Israel entered its second and last week with Tehran stepping up diplomacy at home and abroad ahead of the pending renewed talks with Washington expected later this week.

12:43

Gig Cancelled

Kanye West postpones Marseille concert amid political backlash

Grammy-winning hip-hop artist Kanye West has postponed his upcoming concert in Marseille, France, “until further notice”, amid mounting political opposition and renewed controversy over his past remarks.

12:25

China Russia

Xi urges deeper China–Russia ties amid global uncertainty

Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and Russia must deepen trust and expand cooperation, reaffirming Beijing’s close ties with Moscow during talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Beijing.

12:07

Israel-Lebanon talks

U.S. hosts rare Israel–Lebanon talks amid deep divisions

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the first direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in decades on Tuesday (14 April), though no clear progress towards a peace framework was confirmed.