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 ...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 21 October, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Sanae Takaichi becomes Japan’s first female prime minister
Sanae Takaichi was voted in by parliament as Japan’s first female prime minister after winning the Liberal Democratic Party leadership on Tuesday,.
Takaichi is known for her nationalist positions, including visiting the Yasukuni shrine and favoring constitutional revision, while also planning to increase the number of female cabinet ministers.
A former interior and economic security minister, Takaichi is expected to host U.S. President Donald Trump next week.
2. Colombia recalls ambassador after Trump threatens tariffs and aid cuts
Colombia has recalled its ambassador from Washington on Monday, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to impose new tariffs and halt financial aid.
The tensions escalated after Trump called Colombian President Gustavo Petro an "illegal drug leader," a remark his government called offensive.
Petro criticised U.S. military strikes on Caribbean vessels, which have killed dozens, and vowed to protect Colombia’s sovereignty.
3. Trump and Albanese sign $8.5 billion critical minerals deal to counter China
U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a critical minerals agreement on Monday aimed at countering China and boosting Indo-Pacific security.
The deal includes a $1 billion investment from each country more than six months in mining and processing projects.
Trump also backed a strategic nuclear-powered submarine deal with Australia during the summit.
The agreement targets deposits of critical minerals valued at $53 billion, according to a White House statement.
4. Azerbaijan and Iran discuss current state of bilateral relations
Azerbaijani President’s Representative on special assignments, met with Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister, Deputy Foreign Minister, and Iranian Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs on 20 October.
The meetings focused on the current state of Azerbaijan-Iran relations and highlighted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visits to Azerbaijan.
Officials discussed prospects for further strengthening friendship and good neighborliness, building on recent agreements between the two countries’ leaders.
5. Iran’s Khamenei rejects Trump’s offer for renewed nuclear talks
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s offer for renewed nuclear negotiations, dismissing Trump’s claim that the U.S. has destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Khamenei called U.S. claims about bombing Iran’s nuclear industry “inappropriate, wrong and coercive.”
Western powers accuse Iran of secretly pursuing nuclear weapons, while Tehran maintains its program is for civilian energy purposes only.
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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