live Iran reopens Hormuz Strait, demands end to U.S. naval blockade- Saturday 18 April
Iran temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz on Friday (17 April) following a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, ra...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 22 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
HMS Anson, a British nuclear-powered submarine armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles, has reportedly taken up position in the Arabian Sea, giving the UK the capability to launch long-range strikes if regional conflict escalates. The deployment follows Downing Street’s authorisation for the U.S. to use British bases against Iranian targets threatening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran reported an attack on its Natanz nuclear enrichment site to the IAEA, with no increase in off-site radiation levels detected, and signalled it will allow Japan-linked vessels safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran would intensify.
The U.S. President’s Board of Peace has presented Hamas with a written proposal to disarm, sources say, as Washington presses ahead with its plan for Gaza’s future. The initiative, discussed in Cairo meetings last week, would see Israeli troops withdraw and reconstruction begin only after Hamas lays down its weapons, though the group has so far resisted any disarmament.
Cuba has firmly denied that President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s term or the country’s political system was discussed in talks with the United States, rejecting reports that Washington sought his removal. Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossio stressed that no Cuban official is up for negotiation, as Díaz-Canel warned of possible U.S. aggression amid ongoing tensions.
Robert Mueller, the former FBI director and special counsel whose 2017–2019 investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election defined much of Donald Trump’s presidency, has died at the age of 81. A decorated Vietnam War veteran and lifelong public servant, Mueller was widely respected for his integrity, discipline, and dedication to the rule of law.
The past 24 hours of the Russia-Ukraine war have seen a drastic escalation in both aerial bombardment and frontline losses.
Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping on Friday (17 April) for the first time since the U.S. and Israel killed Iran's ex-Supreme Leader in air strikes, triggering the Middle East conflict, at the end of February. A U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, however, remains in force.
Russia published addresses of manufacturers allegedly producing drones or components for Ukraine on Wednesday (15 April), warning European countries against plans to step up UAV supplies to Kyiv.
Netflix shares fell sharply on Friday after the streaming group issued a weaker-than-expected outlook and said chairman and co-founder Reed Hastings will step down from the board.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Israeli and Lebanese leaders have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that includes Hezbollah, raising cautious hopes of a pause in hostilities after weeks of escalating tensions.
Australia and Japan signed contracts on Saturday (18 April) launching their landmark A$10 billion ($7 billion) deal to supply Australia with warships, Tokyo's most consequential military sale since ending a military export ban in 2014.
European leaders have set out plans for a coordinated defensive mission to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, once security conditions allow, following talks involving more than 40 countries.
NeaNearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea off Myanmar in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record, the United Nations Refugee Agency said on Friday.
Tens of thousands of people filled a stadium in Douala on Friday, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo during what is expected to be the largest event of his African tour.
AmerAmerican businesses are preparing for a major moment next week as the U.S. government launches a long-awaited system to return billions in unlawfully collected tariffs.
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