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 ...
Canada has signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Indonesia, marking Ottawa’s first-ever bilateral trade deal with an ASEAN member.
Prime Minister Mark Carney hosted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Ottawa on Wednesday to announce the agreement, which aims to cut tariffs, remove non-tariff barriers and create a more transparent framework for trade and investment.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the deal will open new opportunities for Canadian industries including clean technology, agri-food, infrastructure, critical minerals and financial services. Once fully implemented in 2026, it will lift or reduce tariffs on more than 95% of Canada’s current exports to Indonesia, covering products such as wheat, potash, wood and soybeans.
To boost investment ties, Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) signed a Market Leader Partnership Agreement under which the EDC will provide up to $825 million in debt financing. Both sides said the deal will help attract investment in infrastructure, digital services, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.
Carney and Subianto also welcomed a cooperation agreement between the Business Council of Canada and Kadin, Indonesia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, aimed at expanding trade missions and strengthening business networks.
Alongside the trade pact, Canada and Indonesia signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement, building on a memorandum reached last month. The new deal will expand collaboration in military training, maritime security, cyber defence and peacekeeping.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the agreements are a key step in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and send ‘a strong signal’ of both countries’ commitment to peace and stability in the region.
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.
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.
All six U.S. service members aboard a plane that crashed in western on Iraq on Thursday have died, the U.S. military confirmed on Friday (13 March). Meanwhile, one French soldier was killed in a drone attack in the Erbil region of northern Iraq, President Emmanuel Macron announced.
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.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test-launch of 12 600mm-calibre multiple rocket launchers on Saturday (14 March), state media KCNA said, after the United States and South Korea this week launched their annual large-scale military drills in South Korea.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment