U.S. begins blockade in Strait of Hormuz; Trump warns Iran 'attack ships' to stay away
President Donald Trump issued a new threat to Tehran this morning, saying the US will sink any Iranian ships that come near the US military blockade of Iran’s ports. The blockade started at 10 a.m. ET after peace talks faltered this weekend. The ports impacted include those in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman.
Two Iran-linked Ships Passed Through Strait of Hormuz Ahead of U.S. Blockade
Pope Leo XIV said Monday he has “no fear of the Trump administration’ President Donald Trump again denounced Pope Leo XIV for his stance on the Iran war. A post that depicted Trump as Jesus has been deleted from the president’s social media. The US and Iran are still communicating, a US official told CNN.
Rory McIlroy made golf history by becoming one of just four golfers to win back-to-back Masters. Heading into the Masters, Amanda Balionis was among the analysts who expressed concerns about McIlory’s chances at Augusta. Balioni and McIl Troy shared a viral moment during the Masters.
Asha's last rites were performed at Shivaji Park Crematorium by her son, Anand Bhosle. Several celebrities, musicians, and politicians gathered to bid her an emotional farewell. She was cremated with full state honours in Mumbai on Monday. The iconic Indian singer died at the age of 92.
Orbán era swept away by Péter Magyar's Hungary election landslide
Orbán has been a close partner of both US President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Orbán has become a big thorn in the side of the EU and Ukraine. His justification of cheap Russian oil and petrol has made him a highly unpopular leader in the EU, which has tried to shake its reliance on Russian imports.
Trump blasts Pope Leo for criticism of U.S. foreign policy
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised Pope Leo XIV in an unprecedented tirade. Donald Trump Blasts Pope Leo Amid Criticism, Calls Him ‘Weak’ & ‘Terrible’ President Trump on Sunday blasted Pope Leo over the Catholic pontiff's criticism of the U.S.-born Catholic.
In Canada, Elections and Defections Likely to Help Carney’s Liberals Gain Majority
Canadian PM Mark Carney's Liberals could soon have a slim majority in the House of Commons. The party is expected to make gains in three by-elections being held on Monday. The likely power shift comes a year after Carney became prime minister and follows a series of defections by opposition members of parliament.
Leading candidate quits California governor race amid sexual misconduct claims
The leading candidate in the race, Steve Hilton, recently received President Donald Trump's endorsement and expects Democrat "consolidation" Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., suspended his campaign as he faces sexual misconduct allegations. Hilton said he was ahead in polling even before receiving Trump’s endorsement.
Iran Blockade Sets Up a Test of Which Side Can Endure More Pain
The US military Central Command announced that the naval blockade would stop all ships travelling to or from Iranian ports. The two-week cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran is holding, and it’s still possible both sides could reach a deal. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, and there is still no end in sight for the global energy crisis. The price of oil is back up over $100 a barrel.
To Open the Strait of Hormuz, Trump Wants to Blockade Iran. Experts Are Skeptical.
The president’s controversial post came shortly after Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV in their ongoing feud over the Iran war. “I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo” and calling the pope in a Truth Social “terrible for Foreign Policy.”
Many Popes Before Leo Have Been Entangled in Politics. Here Are 5 of Them.
Pope Leo XIV said he is undeterred by criticism from President Trump. The pope emphasized peace, dialogue and cooperation between nations. Trump also took issue with the pope's criticism of U.S. policy. The trip is set to be dominated by the deepening rift between the Vatican and Washington.
Trump administration agrees to keep flying Pride flag at Stonewall monument
The Pride flag had become a flashpoint for arguments over President Donald Trump ’s approach to the Stonewall site. The decision to remove the flag sparked protests, sharp criticism from Democratic officials, and a lawsuit from LGBTQ+ and historic preservation groups. The Trump administration will now allow the Pride flag to be flown at the historic site.
At that point, Magyar's party had a majority in the Hungarian parliament. He is now in a position to make changes to the country's constitution, which he says is in need of reform. He says the EU has spent a lot of time and money trying to get him out of office.
Orban Loss May Ease Hungary’s Tensions with European Union
A large part of the Hungarian population is still deeply skeptical of Ukraine, with polls showing a majority of respondents being against both Ukrainian EU membership and more financial aid being sent to the country. Magyar is, however, expected to allow Ukraine (and Moldova) to at least start accession talks as early as this year.
Swalwell’s Fall Punctuates Woes of Democrats in California, of All Places
The leading candidate in the race, Steve Hilton, recently received President Donald Trump's endorsement and expects Democrat "consolidation" Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., suspended his campaign as he faces sexual misconduct allegations. Hilton said he was ahead in polling even before receiving Trump’s endorsement.
How Pakistan secured ‘biggest diplomatic win in years’ with Iran ceasefire
US President Donald Trump said the temporary two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran is ‘holding well’ following the weekend’s failed marathon negotiations in Pakistan. The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia held a critical phone conversation to discuss the fallout from the failed high-level negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
Trump assails Pope Leo as ‘weak’ and ‘terrible’ after pontiff’s Iran war criticism. Pope Leo XIV vowed to keep speaking out and said he had no fear of the Trump administration after the president assailed the first American pontiff as "weak" and "terrible"
How JD Vance Tried and Failed to End the War in Iran That He Opposed
Vice President Vance led the U.S. delegation to the talks, which also included special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The outcome of the talks is expected to carry implications for Vance’s political future, including a potential presidential run in 2028. Vance said Iran had "chosen not to accept our terms"
Intel's stock is on track for a historic 9-day winning streak, up 56% over that run
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) shares are advancing 5% on Monday, continuing one of the most remarkable turnarounds. The Intel stock bulls see a company finally executing on a long-delayed manufacturing comeback, backed by powerful new partnerships and government support.Beyond the Google deal, Intel is benefiting from a broader geopolitical shift in how governments and corporations think about chip supply chains.
OpenAI touts Amazon alliance in memo, says Microsoft has 'limited our ability' to reach clients
Oracle's stock surged 11% as software shares clawed back some year-to-date losses. Adobe jumped about 6%, while Salesforce rallied 5%. The rally came as investors saw hope in a future peace deal between Iran and the U.S. Software stocks hit selloff mode this year on concerns that new AI tools from the likes of Anthropic and OpenAI will displace their business models.
Iran carried out highest number of executions in decades
Most of those hanged were convicted of drug-related offences or murder, NGOs say. Almost all hangings were carried out inside prisons, but public hangings more than tripled to 11 in 2025. Just over half of the executions were based on sentences handed down by Revolutionary Courts after "grossly unfair trials and without due process"
The Dutch government has already postponed a decision on Moerdijk's future. It is now expected later this year. Residents face the real threat of seeing their homes demolished at some point in the next decade, and the village potentially vanishing. "Are they really saying that you have to go with your village?" asks Geerten Boogaard.
Pope Leo visits Algeria in sign of Africa’s growing importance to Catholic church
Pope Leo on Monday visited the Great Mosque of Algiers, often referred to as the “Mosque of Algeria’ Pope Leo is on an 11-day tour of Africa. Pope Leo’s apostolic visit to Algeria is primarily "to meet the Algerian people and to support his Church"
How Would a Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz Work? Here Are Some Possibilities.
The U.S. Navy will block any ships that have visited Iranian ports or plan to, effectively cutting off the flow of Iran’s oil. The Iranians are almost certain to respond with aggressive moves against regional shipping if their own ships are waylaid or their ports blockaded. ‘The blockade will be enforced impartially,’ the Pentagon said.
Judge dismisses Trump $10B defamation lawsuit against Murdoch, WSJ about Epstein letter
Judge dismisses Trump's $10B lawsuit against WSJ, Murdoch over reporting on Epstein ties. Trump filed the lawsuit in July, following up on a promise to sue the paper almost immediately. The article described a sexually suggestive letter that the newspaper said bore Trump's signature. The letter was subsequently released publicly by Congress.
Still in shock, Beirut tries to heal after deadly Israeli attacks
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Trump Takes Down Post Depicting Himself as a Jesus-Like Figure
Pope Leo has directly criticized Trump's harsh language, like last week's threat that "a whole civilization will die tonight" "He was very much against what I’m doing with regard to Iran, and you cannot have a nuclear Iran," Trump said of the pope. "We don’t like a pope that’s going to say that it's OK to have anuclear weapon," he added.
Trump’s Erratic Behavior and Extreme Comments Revive Mental Health Debate
The New York Times published a story on Monday about President Donald Trump's mental acuity. The story was written by John Sutter, who has written numerous articles on the subject. Sutter says that in his second term, Trump has become “less restrained and more incoherent at times”
Hungary May No Longer Be Putin’s Ally, but It Can’t Afford a Full Break
The prospect of a nimbler, faster-acting Europe drove widespread praise for Magyar. He is expected to allow Ukraine (and Moldova) to at least start accession talks as early as this year. A large part of the Hungarian population is still deeply skeptical of Ukraine, with polls showing a majority of respondents being against both Ukrainian EU membership.
One in five gray whales who enter San Francisco Bay die there. Many of them killed by passing boats, new research shows. Study identified 114 whales that entered the bay, but at least 21 of them died between 2018 and 2025. At least 18% of gray whales entering the bay since 2018 have died.
Southport attack blamed on ‘catastrophic’ failures by agencies and killer’s ‘irresponsible’ parents
Rudakubana was referred to a counter-terrorism "deradicalization" program three times. He told police he wanted to stab or poison someone after he was found on a bus armed with a knife. His actions were wrongly attributed to autism due to "misunderstanding" of the condition.
UK Will Not Join U.S. Blockade of Strait of Hormuz, Starmer Says
The U.S. military said it nL6N40V09S would begin a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas on Monday. The move comes after weekend talks failed to reach a deal to end the war with Iran. The Iranians are almost certain to respond with aggressive moves against regional shipping if their own ships are waylaid or their ports blockaded.
Clearing naval mines is painstaking, dangerous work.
Two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers have entered the Strait of Hormuz. The move is part of a larger effort to clear Iranian mines from the waterway. Iran has a large arsenal of anti-ship missiles, which could be used against the U.N.-backed forces.
Israeli strikes kill 97 people in Lebanon yesterday. More than 1,400 Hezbollah members have been killed since March 2. 69 per cent of Israelis said they supported continued fighting in Lebanon regardless of what happens in Iran.Iran wants the ceasefire to include the Lebanon front, where Israel has continued a brutal campaign, killing more than 2,000.
The Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s Uranium Stockpiles Were Sticking Points in U.S.-Iran Peace Talks
Iran executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, most since 1989, NGOs say. That's an increase of 68 percent from the 975 people Iran put to death in 2024. The number of executions was by far the highest since IHR began tracking it in 2008, it says.
US President Donald Trump said the his country's Navy would immediately start blockading the Strait of Hormuz and would also interdict every vessel in international waters that had paid a toll to Iran. The strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world's crude oil passes. Trump slammed Iran for promising to open the Strait and "knowingly" failing to deliver.
