live Oil climbs past $119 a barrel as Iran crisis squeezes global supply - Monday 9 March
Global oil prices continue to rise, currently surpassing $119 a barrel this Monday, an almost four year high following fresh U.S.-Israeli...
Pakistan and China are expected to deepen cooperation under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with the two sides set to sign 11 new agreements aimed at workforce development and vocational training.
The accords, expected to be finalised during upcoming bilateral meetings, focus on expanding technical education programs, establishing training centres, and upgrading skill development initiatives in key sectors. Officials say the agreements will directly support CPEC Phase II’s emphasis on industrial growth, agricultural modernisation, and socio-economic cooperation.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning noted that the initiatives are designed to strengthen the country’s human resource base, equipping young people with advanced technical and vocational skills. This is seen as essential for supporting upcoming industrial parks and special economic zones being developed under CPEC.
Chinese officials have highlighted the agreements as a continuation of Beijing’s commitment to “shared development,” pointing out that investment in human capital will ensure that CPEC projects are sustainable and mutually beneficial.
Analysts view the training accords as a shift from Phase I of CPEC, which focused heavily on infrastructure and energy, to Phase II, which emphasises long-term capacity building. By targeting skills in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and digital technology, the agreements are expected to generate employment opportunities and enhance Pakistan’s competitiveness in regional supply chains.
The move comes as Pakistan seeks to address persistent challenges of unemployment and under-skilled labour, while China looks to secure reliable partners for industrial cooperation. Both governments say the partnerships mark another step toward strengthening the “all-weather strategic cooperative” ties between the two countries.
Trump says the United States "don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won," targeting his criticism at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Israel continues to fire missles at strategic sites in Iran and Gulf regions report more strikes from Iran.
Global oil prices continue to rise, currently surpassing $119 a barrel this Monday, an almost four year high following fresh U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting oil depots. Stock markets shares slumped on fears the conflict with Iran could disrupt shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a hardline cleric with strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise signals continuity in Tehran's anti-Western policies.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke by phone on Sunday as tensions between Washington and Westminster deepened over the conflict involving Iran. The call came less than a day after Trump criticised Britain’s response to U.S. strikes on Iranian targets.
Norwegian police are searching for a suspect after an explosion at the U.S. embassy in Oslo on 8 March caused minor damage but no injuries, in what authorities say may have been a deliberate attack linked to the Middle East crisis.
An explosion damaged a synagogue in the Belgian city of Liège early on Monday (9 March) in what authorities said was an antisemitic attack that caused damage but no injuries.
The Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers will meet on Monday to discuss a global rise in oil prices and a joint release of oil from emergency reserves coordinated by the International Energy Agency, the Financial Times reports.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 9th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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