Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 31 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
As the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran enters its second month, the White House is reportedly considering an early end to its military campaign, even as the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Washington is actively pursuing a diplomatic resolution ahead of a 6 April deadline. While the Pentagon continues to deploy thousands of troops to the Middle East to expand military options, domestic pressure is mounting on the Trump administration as global supply disruptions push U.S. petrol prices above $4 a gallon ahead of the crucial November midterm elections.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to "completely obliterate" Iran's energy plants and oil wells. At the same time, Iran attacked and set ablaze a fully loaded Kuwaiti crude oil tanker off Dubai on Monday. Crude oil prices briefly spiked sending global crude prices soaring past $101 a barrel, pushing U.S. petrol prices to a three-year high and creating a significant political headache for the Republicans ahead of November's midterm elections.
Three Indonesian UN peacekeepers killed in southern Lebanon
Three United Nations peacekeepers from Indonesia have been killed and several others critically injured in two separate explosions in southern Lebanon, marking the first time United Nations staff have been fatally targeted since the conflict erupted between Israel and Hezbollah. The deaths occurred near Bani Hayyan and Adchit al-Qusayr, and sparked international outrage; Indonesia has forcefully condemned the "heinous" attacks and demanded an emergency UN Security Council meeting, whilst UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that targeting peacekeeping personnel constitutes a grave violation of international law and a potential war crime.
Israeli parliament has passed new legislation making the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians convicted of carrying out deadly terrorist attacks. Championed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir as a "day of deterrence", the law uniquely denies Palestinians the avenues for appeal or clemency that remain available to Israeli citizens convicted of similar offences. The move has drawn fierce condemnation from the Palestinian Authority, human rights organisations, and the European Union, with the UK government warning that the "de facto discriminatory character" of the bill risks severely undermining Israel’s democratic commitments.
At least 70 people have been killed and nearly 6,000 displaced following a brutal gang massacre in Haiti’s Artibonite region, according to local rights organisations. Heavily armed members of the Gran Grif gang reportedly dug trenches to slow the response of Kenyan-led security forces before setting fire to more than 50 homes in the towns of Jean Denis and Pont Sondé.
Iran temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz on Friday (17 April) following a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, ra...
Australia and Japan signed contracts on Saturday (18 April) launching their landmark A$10 billion ($7 billion) dea...
Global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has shown signs of partial recovery after Iran announced it was open to commercial vessels during a li...
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-Su...
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has said his country could provide a “safe corridor” and “alternative route” for regional ...
An average of at least 47 women and girls were killed each day during the war in Gaza, according to new figures released by UN Women.
A remarkable discovery at the ancient ruins of Sanxingdui offers a glimpse into what appears to be otherworldly craftsmanship - an axe believed to have been made using material from a meteorite.
China is seeking to strengthen and upgrade its cooperation with Turkmenistan, focusing on what officials describe as “high-quality development” across a range of sectors.
Kazakhstan plans to boost trade with Afghanistan from $500 million to $3 billion, backed by infrastructure and transit projects designed to strengthen regional connectivity and improve access to global markets.
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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