Iran
Trump says US military blockaded Iranian ports to pressure Tehran
The US blockade comes in an attempt to economically pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic after its six-week closure caused global oil prices to surge. Roughly 40 vessels have passed through since the start of the ceasefire, down from 100 or more per day before the war.
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World News
Trump threatens Strait of Hormuz blockade after US-Iran talks fail
Trump said in a social media post he has “instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas”.
Europe News
Italian arms dealer arrested in US for selling ammunition to Russia
A sales manager at a large Italian weapons distributor was arrested in the US for selling arms to Russia. He pleaded guilty in court to having created a network of companies to circumvent restrictions imposed by US law, according to US authorities.
Vatican
Pentagon denies threatening Vatican over pope's remarks on Iran war
Pentagon and Vatican envoys have both denied reports that US officials gave the Holy See's ambassador to the US a "bitter lecture," demanding the Church align with the Trump administration over Pope Leo XIV's criticism of the Iran war.
Culture news
Controversial US hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa dies aged 68
"His vision transformed the Bronx into the birthplace of a culture that now reaches every corner of the world," said American rapper and producer Kurtis Walker (aka Kurtis Blow), who heads labor advocacy group The Hip Hop Alliance.
