A US-Iran deal to end Middle East conflict faces hurdles as Lebanon's role is unclear and Israel criticizes terms. While a ceasefire is in effect, details remain unknown, with conflicting reports on Strait of Hormuz tolls and Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.
US President Donald Trump announced ships are moving through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling progress in a deal with Iran to end a war. The initial agreement aims to open the strait, lift blockades, and halt fighting, with further negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions planned.
A 7.8-magnitude earthquake in the Philippines has raised the seabed by up to 2 meters, exposing coral reefs and seagrass beds, and killing marine life. At least 61 people died and 40 are missing.
An earthquake in the Philippines has caused coastal uplift, raising the seabed by up to two meters and exposing marine life. The phenomenon, reported by locals, has extended shorelines and affected areas near the Cotabato Trench.
A Taiwanese lawmaker, Chiu Yi-ying, has voiced strong opposition to potential tolls on cross-island highways, arguing it would disproportionately burden rural residents, farmers, and commuters. She emphasized the need to consider local living costs and transportation burdens over the National Freeway Fund's financial deficit.
Poland's Ministry of Infrastructure will suspend tolls on the A1 motorway between Gdansk and Torun during peak holiday weekends, including Corpus Christi and summer weekends, if average wait times exceed 25 minutes. The measure aims to improve traffic flow.
Osaka police arrested a 25-year-old man, a self-proclaimed cram school instructor, on suspicion of violating the Special Measures Law for Road Maintenance. He allegedly evaded tolls over 200 times on the Hanshin Expressway by breaking through ETC lanes on his motorcycle since October 2024.
The US has imposed sanctions on Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority, targeting its control over the Strait of Hormuz, amid ongoing war and economic pressure campaign.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson stated a deal with the US is not imminent, citing US "confusion" and Israeli "interference." Key sticking points include the Strait of Hormuz management, enriched uranium disposal, and the release of frozen assets.
Iran's foreign ministry stated it is collecting fees for navigational services in the Strait of Hormuz, clarifying they are not tolls. This follows Iran's claim of regulatory control over a zone extending into UAE and Oman waters, prompting a warning from five Gulf states via the IMO.
President Trump stated opposition to Iran imposing tolls on the Strait of Hormuz, calling it an international waterway. He also warned Iran against nuclear ambitions, threatening drastic action and asserting the US will seize enriched uranium.
US President Trump stated that the US does not accept tolls in the Strait of Hormuz and vowed to seize Iran's enriched uranium. Meanwhile, Tehran spoke of "narrowing gaps" in indirect negotiations but maintained its stance on not transferring uranium abroad.
Truckers report a significant reduction in illegal "Bhaipo tax" and "danda tax" at Bengal border crossings following a new government directive to dismantle extortion points. Harassment and delays have decreased, improving logistics.
Hong Kong will halve tolls for all commercial vehicles using public tunnels for two months from Sunday, in the government’s latest effort to ease business costs amid surging fuel prices driven by the war in the Middle East. Buses, goods vehicles, light buses and taxis registered with the Transport Department will benefit from the measure, while private cars and motorcycles are excluded, according to a government announcement on Wednesday. The temporary 50 per cent discount will apply at all...
Rebuilding national parks is a bipartisan priority and key for outdoor recreation companies such as REI and VF Corp.
National Highways Authority of India warns motorists about new barrier-less tolling systems in Rajasthan and Telangana. Vehicles passing without stopping are tracked via LiDAR and FASTag. Failure to pay within 72 hours of an e-Notice results in double the original toll. Users can check and settle dues on the official portal.
A proposed U.N. resolution threatens Iran with sanctions or other measures if it doesn’t halt attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, stop imposing “illegal tolls” and disclose the placement of all mines to allow freedom of navigation
The US has threatened sanctions against shipping companies paying Iran tolls to transit the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed following US and Israeli strikes on Iran starting in late February. Traffic is now restricted to an IRGC-controlled corridor where vessels pay $1 million to $2 million in fees, with at least two ships paying in yuan. As approximately 2,000 ships and 20,000 seafarers remain stranded, President Trump announced Project Freedom—a humanitarian initiative involving 15,000 personnel, guided-missile destroyers, and over 100 aircraft—to assist neutral vessels.
Indonesia's Finance Minister proposed imposing tolls on ships in the Strait of Malacca, aligning with President Prabowo's vision for Indonesia as a 'key player' globally. However, Indonesia's Foreign Minister quickly rejected the idea as inconsistent with international law, while Malaysia and Singapore insisted navigation must remain free. Analysts say tolls are unlikely due to strong Asean cooperation, though more can be done to ensure the strategic waterway stays open.
The Strait of Hormuz has become the hinge point between war and peace in the Gulf, with roughly a fifth of global oil and gas trade passing through it. Iran seeks to charge tolls to fund post-war reconstruction, while most of the world views it as international waters requiring open transit. The article argues that if no credible arrangement emerges, every future US-Iran dispute risks becoming a naval crisis, making Hormuz central to ending the current war.
Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono stated on Thursday that Indonesia supports freedom of navigation and expects open sea lanes, adding that Indonesia is not in a position to impose transit charges on vessels. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa had previously questioned whether it was right or wrong that Indonesia does not charge tolls on vessels transiting narrow waterways.
Singapore has not yet faced pressure from the United States or China to choose between the two superpowers, according to Minister Balakrishnan speaking at a CNBC forum at Jewel Changi Airport. He noted that when engaging with US President Trump, he highlighted Washington's significant foreign direct investment in Southeast Asia, which exceeds the combined FDI from India, China, Japan and South Korea.
Iran's government has accepted Bitcoin as a payment method for oil ship tolls crossing the Strait of Hormuz, citing Bitcoin's censorship-resistant qualities as a strategic asset. The tolls also accept Chinese yuan and US dollar-pegged stablecoins, though no on-chain evidence of BTC payments exists yet.
Iran's ambassador to India stated that Iran has "good contact" with India regarding ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz and denied charging tolls for Indian tankers, emphasizing shared interests between the two nations.
