Afghanistan, Belarus agree to deepen industrial cooperation
Afghanistan and Belarus have agreed to advance joint industrial projects, investment and technical cooperation following talks in Minsk, as Kabul s...
Indonesia is aware of the repercussions of its decision to bar Israeli gymnasts from competing in a world championship event in Jakarta, Sports Minister Erick Thohir said on Thursday, stressing that the move aimed to preserve public order.
His remarks followed a statement from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which urged all international sports federations to avoid hosting events in Indonesia and announced it was halting talks over the country’s potential bid to host the 2036 Summer Games.
“We uphold the principle of ensuring security, public order, and the public interest when hosting any international event,” Thohir wrote on social media, noting that the approach reflects Indonesia’s constitutional duty to help maintain global peace.
The world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation denied visas to Israeli athletes after objections from both the government and the country’s council of Islamic clerics. Jakarta said the decision aligns with its longstanding policy of refusing relations with Israel until it recognises Palestinian statehood.
Thohir acknowledged that by excluding Israeli athletes, Indonesia would not be permitted to host Olympic, Youth Olympic, or other world championship events under the Olympic framework. Still, he said the country remains committed to actively participating in regional and international sports competitions.
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint military exercises with South Korea in an effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang.
Georgia’s foreign trade data for January-July 2026 shows Kyrgyzstan, China and Russia as its top three export markets, highlighting its Middle Corridor ambitions and complex economic ties with Moscow.
Kazakhstan will vote on 23 August in its first parliamentary election under the new Constitution, choosing 145 members of the new Kurultai under a fundamentally changed electoral system based entirely on party lists.
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