00:31

Middle East conflict

Trump says Hormuz under 'total control', closed until Iran agrees to deal - Thursday, 23 April

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.”

21:11

New World Order

Great recalibration: Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Emerging Europe and the New World Order

We are not witnessing another cyclical downturn or a temporary geopolitical disturbance. What we are living through is far more profound: a systemic recalibration of the global order. Three long-standing assumptions have quietly collapsed.

21:11

EU Sanctions

EU adopts 20th Russia sanctions package targeting energy, banks and military supply chains

The European Union adopted its 20th package of sanctions against Russia on Thursday (23 April), introducing sweeping new restrictions aimed at weakening Moscow’s war economy and limiting its capacity to sustain the war in Ukraine.

20:23

Hollywood Merger

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders back Paramount merger, creating Hollywood mega studio

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders have approved Paramount Skydance’s proposed takeover of the media group, advancing a deal valued at roughly $110 billion including debt in a move that could reshape Hollywood and the global entertainment industry.

18:31

Human Rights

UN experts urge Indian government to release Sikh blogger Jagtar Singh Johal

United Nations experts have urged the Indian authorities to release Jagtar Singh Johal, who was arrested in Punjab in late 2017 and has remained in prison since. Allegations have been made that he was tortured and threatened with death in custody.

16:40

View from Kazakhstan

Central Asian leaders warn water shortages threaten regional stability

Central Asian leaders have warned that worsening water shortages now pose a direct threat to regional stability, urging coordinated action and stronger international engagement.

15:58

Middle East Conflict

European logistics firms buoyed by Middle East disruption but demand risks loom

European logistics companies are set to report stronger first-quarter profits, benefiting from supply chain disruption linked to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, though analysts warn the conflict could weaken demand later this year.

15:58

South Korea

South Korea fines matchmaking firm Duo after major personal data breach

SoutSouth Korea’s national data protection agency said on Thursday it had imposed a significant fine on matchmaking service Duo following a cybersecurity failure that led to the leak of highly sensitive personal information.

15:53

China

China hints at nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in navy anniversary video

China has released a military propaganda video hinting at a possible fourth aircraft carrier - its first to be nuclear-powered.

15:43

Oil Exports

Russia halts Kazakh oil flows to Germany via Druzhba pipeline amid technical disruption

Russia has confirmed the suspension of Kazakh oil shipments to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline, citing technical reasons, in a move that could disrupt refinery supplies in eastern Germany.

15:25

View from Georgia

Georgia assumes OSCE security forum chair amid rising tensions

Georgia has assumed the rotating chairmanship of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC), formally taking over on 22 April in Vienna and placing it at the centre of key security discussions at a time of rising geopolitical tension and declining trust between states.

14:45

U.S. Senate

U.S. Senate Republicans advance $70bn ICE and border patrol funding plan

U.S. Senate Republicans voted early on Thursday to advance a $70 billion package to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol for three years.

14:27

Train crash

Two trains collide in Denmark, injuring 17 people, five critically

Two local trains collided head-on north of Copenhagen on Thursday (23 April), injuring 17 people, five of them critically, according to emergency services.

14:06

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV winds up Africa tour urging young people to lead with 'dignity'

Pope Leo urged young people and families to embrace reconciliation and lead with dignity as he spoke at Bata Stadium in Equatorial Guinea on the final day of his Africa tour.

12:30

Middle East conflict

Prolonged U.S.-Iran standoff likely as both sides avoid escalation

The current standoff between the U.S. and Iran is likely to continue in the near term, with both sides seeking to outlast the other rather than escalate into a wider conflict, according to political analyst Orkhan Nabiyev.

10:33

Morning Brief

AnewZ Morning Brief - 23 April, 2026

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 23rd of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.

10:15

Israel-Lebanon

Israeli strike kills journalist Amal Khalil in southern Lebanon

A Lebanese journalist has been killed and another wounded following Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese officials and local media.

09:02

Russia-Ukraine war

Türkiye trying to revive Russia-Ukraine negotiations, Erdoğan tells NATO chief

Türkiye is making efforts to revive negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and bring together the leaders of the warring sides, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in a meeting in Ankara, the Turkish presidency said on Wednesday.

08:36

Middle East conflict

Iran and U.S. remain divided on ceasefire, blockade, nuclear issues and control of strait

The status of a two-week-old ceasefire, due to expire earlier this week, remained unclear. In a sharp turn around hours after threatening renewed violence, President Donald Trump made what appeared to be a unilateral announcement on Tuesday that the U.S. would extend the Iran war ceasefire

07:55

Middle East conflict

Three Iranian oil tankers intercepted by U.S. in Asian waters, Iran seizes two container ships

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.

22:55

Middle East conflict

Iran targets three vessels, seizes two over maritime violations as U.S. ceasefire holds – Wednesday, 22 April

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards targeted three vessels, seizing two of them for alleged maritime violations and transferring them to Iranian shores, as U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington is extending its ceasefire with Iran until Tehran submits a proposal.

21:03

View from Georgia

European reports raise alarm over Georgia’s democratic trajectory

Georgia’s relationship with Europe is facing one of its most serious tests in years, as two major international reports warn of democratic backsliding and growing human rights concerns.

18:19

World News

IOM: Four million Sudan returnees facing 'destroyed services, damaged homes and new uncertainty'

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) warns that nearly four million people have returned to Sudan in recent months, hoping to rebuild their lives, but without urgent investment in basic services and infrastructure, these returns risk becoming unsustainable.

18:14

Lebanese

Lebanon PM says no confrontation sought with Hezbollah amid rising regional tensions

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Tuesday his government is not seeking a violent confrontation with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.