Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 30th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader has warned that the ongoing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports will fail, asserting that Tehran possesses the means to bypass the restrictions and is prepared for direct confrontation if American pressure persists. The stark warning comes as a fragile, extended ceasefire remains in place following weeks of deadly fighting across the region. With the vital Strait of Hormuz still effectively closed, the standoff over the blockade continues to stall diplomatic negotiations, keeping global energy markets on edge.
U.S. President Donald Trump has met with oil executives to discuss strategies for mitigating the impact of a potential months-long naval blockade of Iranian ports. With diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict deadlocked and global oil prices spiking more than 6%, Washington is urging international allies to join a new naval coalition, dubbed the "Maritime Freedom Construct," to force the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Tehran warned of "unprecedented military action" if the blockade continues, rejecting U.S. demands to abandon its uranium enrichment programme.
A senior Pentagon official has confirmed that the ongoing U.S. military campaign in Iran has cost American taxpayers $25 billion so far. Delivering the first official estimate of the conflict's financial toll to lawmakers, the official noted that the vast majority of the expenditure has been allocated to munitions. The revelation comes just hours after President Donald Trump publicly claimed that the United States had successfully "militarily defeated" Tehran.
European airlines are facing their most severe crisis since the COVID-19 pandemic as the ongoing Iran war drives jet fuel prices up by nearly 84%, threatening the peak summer holiday season. Willie Walsh, Head of the International Air Transport Association, warned of potential fuel rationing across Europe and Asia, whilst airlines report a sharp decline in bookings as passengers fear severe disruption and exorbitant fares. The crisis has hit Gulf carriers particularly hard, with connecting flights through Middle Eastern hubs down more than 40%, exacerbating the divide between weaker and stronger players in the global aviation sector.
Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla have concluded their historic state visit to the U.S. by commemorating the victims of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Centre memorial in New York City. Accompanied by former mayor Michael Bloomberg, the King laid a bouquet of white spring flowers upon the bronze parapet before meeting with victims' families and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The bodies of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and members of his household killed in Israeli–U.S. air raids were laid to...
At least 28 people have died after a fire tore through a shoe factory in southeastern China, trapping hundreds of workers inside the multi-storey buil...
It has been a punishing week for large parts of China, and forecasters warn the worst may not be over. After Typhoon Maysak left a trail of destructio...
At least 28 people have died after a fire tore through a shoe factory in southeastern China, trapping hundreds of workers inside the multi-storey building. Authorities said more than 200 people escaped, while others were unable to get out before the blaze spread.
Hundreds of Palestinians gathered in Gaza to mourn Mohammad al-Waheidi, an aid worker remembered for bringing rare moments of happiness to families displaced by war by organising public screenings of World Cup matches.
Azerbaijan should unlock the full potential of its tourism sector to drive long-term economic growth, diversify its economy and create jobs as reliance on hydrocarbons declines, the World Bank has said.
The South Caucasus is increasingly being viewed not only through the lens of past conflicts but also as a strategic bridge linking Europe, the Caspian region and Central Asia. One analyst says this presents an opportunity for a new Euro-Atlantic approach focused on long-term regional cooperation.
The U.S. says it has launched strikes on Iran after alleged attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington described the action as a response to threats against civilian shipping and a breach of the ceasefire.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran to end the conflict was "over", adding he did not want to engage with Tehran, calling the Iranian leadership "sick people".
The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes has risen to 3,811, according to figures released by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez on Wednesday.
Typhoon Bavi churned southeast of Taiwan in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, its winds easing overnight to just shy of 200 kph (124 mph), as authorities urged residents to stock up on supplies and brace for what could be the most powerful typhoon since 2024.
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain in the latest escalation to derail efforts to end the war.
China's technology sector is producing billion-dollar startups at its fastest pace in nearly five years, with artificial intelligence and robotics driving a new wave of investment that is reshaping the country's innovation economy.
At least 28 people have died after a fire tore through a shoe factory in southeastern China, trapping hundreds of workers inside the multi-storey building. Authorities said more than 200 people escaped, while others were unable to get out before the blaze spread.
It has been a punishing week for large parts of China, and forecasters warn the worst may not be over. After Typhoon Maysak left a trail of destruction and at least 23 people dead, Super Typhoon Bavi is now threatening the country's eastern coast.
Western Europe experienced its hottest June since records began in 2026, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The record-breaking month brought extreme heat, widespread disruption and thousands of excess deaths across parts of the continent.
South Korea's Supreme Court has upheld former President Yoon Suk Yeol's seven-year prison sentence in a case linked to his 2024 attempt to impose martial law.
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