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 ...
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce a major new defence and security investment plan on Monday that will help Canada reach NATO's target of spending 2% of its GDP on the military this fiscal year, according to two senior government sources cited by The Globe and Mail.
The plan, which involves billions in additional spending, would not only meet NATO's 2% goal by March 2026 but is expected to surpass it in the following years.
Currently, 22 of NATO's 32 member countries meet the 2% defence spending goal. As of 2024, Canada was one of the lowest contributors, based on NATO's own data.
According to the report, the new plan will include better salaries for Canadian Armed Forces members, new aircraft, military vehicles, ammunition, drones, and improved surveillance technology for monitoring the Arctic and sea floor.
Reuters has not independently confirmed the report, and Canada’s Prime Minister's Office has not yet commented.
The announcement would come just ahead of a major NATO summit on June 24–25. Last month, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte proposed raising the spending target even higher, to 3.5% of GDP for defence and an additional 1.5% for broader security, responding to U.S. President Donald Trump's call for a total 5% commitment.
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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