Iran is 'open' to talks on Strait of Hormuz, Iranian FM says - Middle East conflict on 15 March
Iran says it is open to talks with countries seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz - disrupted by recent attacks - as Israel continues ...
A devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has killed more than 2,200 people and left at least 3,640 injured, according to Deputy Spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat.
Entire villages in Kunar Province have been flattened, with bodies still being pulled from the rubble in Mazar-e-Dara, Dewa Gul-e-Dara, Chapa Dara and Mano Gai districts.
Rescue teams say they are still racing against time to find survivors. “We have nothing left, not even water. My brother’s family is still under the ruins,” said Abdul Rahman, a resident of Noor Gul district, speaking to local media.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) confirmed that the first shipment of European Union aid - 130 tonnes of tents, medical equipment and clothing - arrived in Kabul on Thursday, with another shipment expected Friday.
The Afghan Red Crescent Society said Saudi Arabia has donated 210 tonnes of food, officially handed over by the Saudi Ambassador in Kabul. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced 105 tonnes of food, medicine, tents and blankets, while Turkey confirmed it had sent 25 tonnes of supplies to Kunar.
Japan also delivered tents and blankets through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). “These relief items will be distributed immediately to the affected communities,” the Japanese Embassy in Kabul said in a statement, adding that Tokyo will continue to support Afghans in need.
Ireland has allocated €500,000 through the IFRC to provide clean water, food and healthcare. Australia announced $1 million, channelled through the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Russia has sent 20 tonnes of food supplies, while Turkmenistan pledged food, shelter and medical aid during a call between Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
China’s International Development Cooperation Agency announced a 50 million yuan (around $7 million) aid package, including tents, blankets and food for survivors.
Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most fragile humanitarian contexts. According to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), more than 15 million Afghans face acute food insecurity, while the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that recurrent natural disasters have deepened public health risks in the country.
Afghanistan’s embassies in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye and Azerbaijan, along with its consulate in Mumbai, India, held condolence ceremonies attended by diplomats and Afghan communities abroad.
Fitrat emphasised that “rescue and search operations are still actively underway, with emergency teams working tirelessly to reach those in need.”
A long-running investigation has suggested that the street artist known as Banksy may be legally named David Jones. A report indicates that Jones was previously known as Robin Gunningham, a name long associated with Banksy, before legally changing his name several years ago.
A widening conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel has triggered escalating military strikes across the Middle East, disrupted shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz and raised concerns over global energy supplies. This live report tracks the latest developments.
Iran says it is open to talks with countries seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz - disrupted by recent attacks - as Israel continues to launch wide‑scale strikes on Iranian infrastructure in the west. This live report tracks the latest developments.
North Korea fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile on Saturday (14 March), Japanese and South Korean officials said. The development comes amid the joint annual U.S.-South Korea "Freedom Shield" military drills and South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok's visit to Washington.
Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery and a key port in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region overnight (13-14 March), local authorities said, causing injuries and damage. In separate action, Russian air attacks on Ukrainian territory killed and wounded civilians near Kyiv, officials reported.
Canada and the five Nordic countries have agreed to deepen cooperation in military procurement and other areas, in the latest push by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to build new global alliances.
Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials launched a new round of talks in Paris on Sunday (15 March) to resolve issues in their trade truce. The discussions aim to smooth the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March.
Ukraine wants money and technology in return for helping Middle Eastern nations that have sought its expertise as they defend against Iranian kamikaze drones, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, after Kyiv sent specialists to the region.
French voters head to the polls on Sunday (15 March) to elect their mayors in a closely watched ballot seen as a test of the strength of the far-right and the resilience of mainstream parties ahead of next year's presidential vote.
Tens of millions of Vietnamese were voting on Sunday (15 March) to elect members of parliament from a list of candidates almost exclusively fielded by the Communist Party, ensuring the party's continued overwhelming dominance.
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