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US seizes Iranian flagged cargo ship, Trump claims52 minutes agoKathryn A ArmstrongEPAThe US has intercepted a cargo ship with Iranian flag in the Gulf, as part of its Naval Blockade, Donald Trump said. The US president wrote on the Truth Social platform that Touska was seized after the US Navy failed to respond to an order to stop. Iran has yet to comment on the incident. The announcement came after White House confirmed US Vice President JD Vance will lead another delegation for the second round of talks about ending the war with Iran. Iranian state media reported that officials would not participate as long as the US blockade is in place. “Today, a cargo ship with Iranian flag, named TOUSKA, weighing nearly as much as a carrier aircraft, tried to get through our Naval Blockade and it didn’t go well for them,” Trump said. He said that the US had warned the vessel to stop but it was ignored. “Our Navy ship stopped them in their tracks by blowing out a hole in their engineroom.” “The TOUSKA has been placed under US Treasury Sanctions due to their previous history of illegal activities. We have full control of the ship and are examining what’s inside! US Central Command released footage that it claimed showed a navy vessel intercepting cargo ship. Trump says US navy seizes Iranian-flagged ship after first round of talks failed earlier this month. Trump announced the naval blocade following the failure of the first round of talks. Trump announced the naval blockade after a first round of negotiations earlier this month ended without an agreement. The ceasefire will expire on Tuesday. According to a White House official, Vance will be joined by Trump advisers Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Jared Witkoff, who were also present at previous talks. Iran’s official news agency IRNA has denied reports of a second round with the US. It added that the US blockade, along with “excessive” demands and threatening rhetoric from Washington, had “so far hindered the progress of the negotiations”.Nevertheless, preparations for further discussions have begun in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. US Central Command/XGuests were told to leave the hotel where talks between the US delegation and Iranian delegation took place last weekend, the BBC’s Pakistan reporter reported. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz sharif spoke with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian Sunday evening, according a statement issued by his office. The statement did not mention any further talks between Iran, and the US. The Strait of Hormuz remained shut on Sunday after the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps announced that it would end a temporary reopening to the US naval blockade. Iran said that it would remain closed until the US ended their naval blockade. The strait is used to transport about 20% of the world’s oil and LNG. Trump has said that Iran cannot “blackmail the US” with threats about the waterway. He threatened to knock down every bridge and power station in Iran if Tehran refused to agree to a peaceful deal. “If they don’t take the DEAL… it will be my honour to do what needs to be done,” Trump wrote on Sunday in another Truth Social posting. The US president also accused Iran of violating a ceasefire on Saturday by attacking ships in Strait of Hormuz. He said that a French ship as well as a UK freighter were among the targets. CMA CGM, a French shipping company, confirmed that one vessel was fired upon. They told AFP that the vessel “was the victim of warning shots”. According to the UK’s transport and defence ministries, there were no reports on Saturday of attacks on UK-linked vessels. However, two reports were made of a cargo ship and a tanker being attacked in strait. According to tracking site MarineTraffic, traffic in the Strait of Hormuz was at a standstill Sunday. The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency reported that two tankers “sailing on the flags of Botswana, and Angola”, wanted to travel through Hormuz, but were “forced by the timely action of Iran’s armed forces to change course and withdraw”.

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A senior Iranian politician told BBC that Tehran would never cede the Strait of Hormuz. 12 hours ago, Lyse DoucetChief International Correspondent, TehranBBC “Never.” A senior Iranian legislator says that’s the time when they’ll be willing to give up control of the Strait of Hormuz. Ebrahim Azizi is a former commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. He told the BBC in Tehran that “it’s our inalienable rights.” “Iran will decide on the right of passage including permissions for ships to pass through Strait. “And he said that’s about become enshrined into law. Azizi, a member of a hardline-dominated parliament, is a key player. He described the strategic strait Iran weaponised during this conflict as one of its assets to face the enemies. Azizi reflects the thinking of some of the top decision-makers in the new order that has emerged from this war. The new order is militarised and dominated by hardliners. Most notably, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Mohammad Eslami explains that Iran’s first priority after the war was to restore deterrence. The Strait of Hormuz was one of Iran’s main strategic leverages. “Tehran will discuss how other nations could benefit from Iran’s framework for the Strait of Hormuz, but control is what matters most.” “But this is a future that some of Iran’s neighbors reject, who are already furious over its attacks against their countries during the five-week war. The war has now been put on hold in a fragile interim ceasefire. In a recent interview, Dr Anwar Gargash described it as “an act of hostile piratery”. He warned that if Iran did not relinquish control of these waters, it would set “a dangerous precedent” for other strategic waterways around the world. Azizi’s response was a reference to US military bases in the Middle East, which were regularly targeted by Iran’s missiles and drones. He added that the US was “the largest pirate in the entire world”. Azizi said that “we have always said that we need to work together in order to secure our region”. That vision has been shattered by most Gulf states except for Oman which is one of Iran’s closest friends and controls the southern coast. It was involved in discussions with Tehran this month to ensure smooth and safe passage of vessels. There have also been signs of disagreements – it’s unclear how deep – within Iran’s political and military elite. This was displayed in recent rare and strongly-worded criticism of Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi who posted a statement to social media on Friday stating that the Strait of Hormuz is “completely opened”. US President Donald Trump responded with a capitalised “THANK YOU” in The state-run Mehr news agency said the foreign minister’s post had “provided the best opportunity for Trump to go beyond reality, declare himself the winner of war and celebrate victory”. Another news agency, Tasnim, described it as a “bad and incomplete tweet that created misleading ambiguity about reopening of Strait of Hormuz”. Araghchi stressed that only ships authorised by IRGC navy were allowed through designated routes which required payment. Azizi dismissed any impressions regarding rifts within regime The fate of this strait is decided by the highest levels of government. The Iranian government has not yet confirmed whether its own team led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will return to Pakistan. Local media reports that Iran will not attend as long as the US blockade on Iranian ports is in place. Trump has repeatedly ordered Iran open this maritime route, including in a social media post with expletives on 5 April where he warned Iran it would “live in hell” if they didn’t comply. He’s now accused Tehran trying to “blackmail’ the US. Azizi mocks, “I don’t think I can expect much from someone who lies.” “We are defending our rights against American blackmail. “Like other high-level Iranians he mocks Trump on social media. The ban will be lifted when it is safe, but Azizi, who has a parliamentary portfolio that includes national security, refused to say when. He only said, “When it is safe and secure, we will lift the restriction so that the enemy won’t take advantage”. I also asked him about the recent arrests and what Amnesty International and other human rights groups claim are dozens death sentences given to protesters arrested during the January nationwide protests which were crushed by lethal force and killed thousands. Azizi reiterated the government’s claim claiming that the US and Israeli spy services (the CIA, Mossad) were involved in the unrest. He dismissed the rising concern among some Iranians about internal security tightening further. “Even in a ceasefire there are rules,” he said. The BBC’s chief foreign correspondent, Lyse Doucet, is reporting from Tehran under the condition that her material not be used on BBC’s Persian Service. These restrictions are applicable to all international media organizations operating in Iran. Iran: ‘No sign of peace deal but mediators are still communicating.’ Strait of Hormuz is closed again after ships attacked.

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford agrees with outcry to sell $21m Private Jet17 minutes agoAna FaguyGetty imagesThe Canadian province Ontario is now selling the jet it recently purchased for Premier Doug Ford. Ford’s office had stated that he would use the jet for official travel including to the US in order to advocate against Trump’s tariffs. Ford’s office confirmed the purchase on Friday. However, political opponents criticized him for buying a “gravy” plane and calling it “out of touch”. On Sunday, Ford announced that he would sell it “as soon as possible”. Ford said that despite his best intentions, he agreed with those who have said the time is not right to purchase a government aircraft. Ford said that the province worked with Bombardier, and other partners, on the sale. The plane is a Bombardier Challenger 650 Executive Jet, built in Canada in 2016 “I will continue to build relationships with business and government leaders in Canada and the United States to fight tariffs, create jobs and attract investments for Ontario workers,” said he. NurPhoto via Getty ImagesCritics were quick to call the purchase unnecessary. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is a taxpayers’ group that said Ford should “stick with flying commercial”. Marit Stiles, leader the left-leaning Ontario New Democratic Party claimed Ford changed his mind only after “the temperature [got] too high”. She said that Ford was turning the plane in mid-air to make an emergency landing after he was caught living like a “rockstar” on “your money”. Interim Ontario Liberal Leader John Fraser accused Ford for wanting to “live as a billionaire” using “your money”. Fraser said on Facebook that Ford’s attempt to purchase a private jet when families are struggling is a good indicator of his character. According to an Angus Reid poll from earlier this summer, Ford’s polling hovers at 31%. It is one of the lowest polling numbers in Canada for a premier who won his rare third consecutive majority government last year. Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized for $21m in private jet purchaseThe blunt Canadian taking his fight against Trump to WashingtonCanada

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Ukraine police chief resigns following officers’ alleged fleeing of deadly shooting14 hours agoKathryn ArmstrongReutersThe head of Ukraine’s patrol police, Yevhen Zukov, resigned on Monday after two of his officers were criticized for allegedly running from a deadly mass-shooting in the capital Kyiv. Six people died and fourteen others were injured after a gunman opened fire in the street of Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi District before taking other hostage inside a supermarket He was killed in a shootout with police. Footage has been shared online that appears to show officers running away from the scene and leaving civilians. Ukraine’s Interior Minister Igor Klymenko confirmed the suspension of the officers and said an investigation was underway. “‘Serve and Protect’ is not a slogan. It must be backed up by appropriate professional action. He wrote on Telegram: “Especially in critical moments, where people’s lives are at stake, it is essential to be professional. “Zhukov said at a Sunday news conference that the officers “failed to evaluate the situation properly and put civilians in danger”. He also said that they acted “unprofessionally” and “unworthily”. Klymenko described the man’s mental state as “clearly unstable”. Eight people remain in hospital, of whom one adult was in an “extremely serious condition” and three were in a serious condition, officials said. Klymenko described the man’s mental state as “clearly unstable”.Eight people remain in hospital, of whom one adult was in an “extremely serious condition” and three were in a serious condition, officials said.ReutersUkraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an update on Sunday that the two officers had been “at the scene of the crime, but did not stop the murderer, and fled on their own”.He accused them of “inaction” and said a criminal case into the matter – which will also check their previous work – was being handled by Ukraine’s national investigations bureau. Zelensky said that “we are in a war, and unfortunately, every day there are human casualties from Russian strikes.” “It’s especially painful to lose someone like this in a normal city, just walking down the street. “More information is emerging about the victims. Kravchenko revealed that one of the victims was the father. The boy’s aunt was also believed to be among the dead. The shooter was identified as a 58 year-old man originally from Moscow who lived in Holosiivskyi in the days leading up to the shooting. The authorities are now investigating the circumstances in which he obtained documents to renew his license. Kyiv is frequently attacked during the ongoing war against Russia, but shootings of this type are rare. Klymenko said that there would not be mass checks of gun owners after the shooting. “I think people should be able to defend themselves with guns,” he said. “Especially after the experience of when, at first, the full-scale invasion began, civilians were given weapons for national resistance. “Ukrainian Citizens are allowed to own non-automatic weapons provided they meet licence requirements, such as having no criminal record or mental illness.

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Police in Austria say that rat poison was found in a HiPP baby-food jar. This happened 16 hours ago. Andre Rhoden PaulGetty ImagesPolice have warned people in Austria to be vigilant following the discovery of rat poison in a sample. Police in Austria have warned that at least one other poisoned jar may be in circulation. They have also issued guidelines on how to identify tampered jars. But the police statement said the warning had come from German investigators and tampered jars had also been seized in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.On Saturday, HiPP recalled its entire range of jarred purees sold in Spar supermarkets in Austria, saying consuming them may be potentially “life-threatening”.The German-based company said the recall of baby food jars at Spar Austria was “not due to a product or quality defect on our part” – and that jars had left its factory in “perfect condition”. The company said that the recall was related to a criminal incident, which is currently being investigated by authorities. As part of ongoing criminal investigation, isolated cases of tampered HiPP Baby Food jars were seized. This was previously reported in Austria and now in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovakia. “The authorities found that these jars contained rat poison after examining them. Spar has also removed baby food from stores in other countries, as a precaution. Austrian authorities warned consumers to be on the lookout for damaged or opened lids, a missing seal, an unusual odour or a white sticker that has a red circle at the bottom of a glass jar. Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety has warned parents to consult their doctor if they notice signs of bleeding or extreme weakness in their babies after consuming the brand’s products. Customers were also asked to return the HiPP jars they purchased at Eurospar Interspar Maximarkt and not consume them. Spar has more than 1,500 shops in Austria. The recall did not affect baby formula sold by HiPP. Retailers in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and other countries have already removed all HiPP baby jars. In January and February, Nestle, Danone, and other brands of baby formula were forced to recall their products in more than 60 countries including the UK after babies became ill. Specific batches of baby formula were believed to be contaminated with a toxin called cereulide which can cause nausea and vomiting. The toxin does not disappear when cooking or making baby milk. In February, the UK’s Health and Security Agency said that at least 36 British infants had been poisoned by contaminated formula. The UKHSA stated that none of the infants’ illnesses were life-threatening.