live Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again over U.S. blockade, state media says- Saturday 18 April
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said in a Saturday statement that the Strait of Hormuz has...
The United States on Tuesday formally congratulated Friedrich Merz on his election as Germany’s new chancellor, reaffirming its commitment to close transatlantic cooperation amid evolving global challenges.
“We congratulate Friedrich Merz on his election as chancellor in Germany,” said U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce during a press briefing. “We will continue to work with Germany and its next government to ensure the security of the United States and Europe.”
Merz, the leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), was elected chancellor by the Bundestag on Tuesday in a second round of voting, following weeks of coalition negotiations. His party secured a governing majority in alliance with the Social Democrats after snap elections held on February 23.
With his confirmation, Merz becomes Germany’s 10th chancellor since World War II, succeeding Olaf Scholz and marking a shift toward more conservative leadership in Berlin. His election is expected to influence Germany’s domestic economic policy as well as its approach to NATO, EU integration, and relations with Washington.
The White House has not yet issued a statement, but officials indicated that President Donald Trump is expected to speak with Chancellor Merz in the coming days to extend congratulations and discuss shared priorities.
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.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said in a Saturday statement that the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its "previous state" under the control of its "armed forces," citing the ongoing U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.
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.
The Trump administration extended a sanctions exemption on some Russian oil as prices continue to skyrocket in the wake of the U.S.- Israeli war against Iran on Friday (17 April).
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.
Leaders from across Europe and beyond gathered in Paris on Friday for a summit aimed at managing the global impact of the Middle East conflict.
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.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment