​  ​

Oil prices rise after Trump claims Iranian ship seized5 Minutes agoPeter HoskinsBusiness reporterAFP through Getty ImagesGlobal oil price jumped on Monday morning trade in Asia, after President Donald Trump announced that the US had intercepted and seized an Iran-flagged ship. Trump had earlier said that his representatives would be in Pakistan for negotiations on Monday. A White House official confirmed that Vice-President JDVance would be leading the US delegation. Iran’s state-run media, however, said Tehran has “no plans to participate in the talks for the time being”, although Iranian officials haven’t clarified their position yet. The oil markets continue to fluctuate in response to the social media posts of the US and Iran. This is more than the realities on ground, which are still challenging for oil flow to resume quickly”, analyst Saul Kavonic told the BBC. This is part of the negotiations, which are physically taking place in real time at the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz remained shut on Sunday after the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps announced it was ending a temporarily reopening due to the US blockade. It said that the US blockade violated their ceasefire agreement. Iran said that it would remain closed until the US ended their naval blockade. Trump had said on Friday that the naval blocade would continue till a deal is agreed by both countries. Energy prices have been volatile since the start the Iran war. Brent crude, the benchmark for oil futures, was trading under $70 a barrel before the conflict. Futures contracts are agreements to buy or sell assets for a specific price at a future date. Brent futures contracts are currently quoted for crude oil that will be delivered in June.

​  ​

Eight children killed by Louisiana shooting, police report 2 hours agoGrace GoodwinEight children aged between one and 14 years have been killed during a shooting that occurred in Shreveport in Louisiana. Police are calling it a “domestic disorder”. Officers reported that the incident started around 05:00 local (10:00 GMT). A single gunman fired 10 shots before fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle. The police chased the suspect and killed him. Shreveport mayor Tom Arceneaux said: “We have hurt families, we’ve hurt police officers, and coroners personnel.” “This is a tragedy that affects everyone in the community. We all mourn with these families.” “Police did identify the suspected shooter or the victims but said that some of the children are related to the deceased. The mayor said that this was a tragic event, perhaps the worst tragedy to ever occur in Shreveport. He asked for prayers for both the families and city. Shreveport Police DepartmentPolice reported that there were multiple crime scenes including two homes in the same block of West 79th Street, and a third home in the neighbourhood at Harrison Street. Bordelon stated that “all of the deceased are juveniles” in this case. He said officers determined that the call was of a “domestic nature”, and added one of the victims had fled to another residence. Police said that after the shooting, the suspected gunman stole a car and fled. Bordelon claimed that officers chased the suspect gunman into another neighbourhood and fired at him. The suspected gunman is now dead. Police did not identify either the shooter nor the victims because they wanted to notify the family. Smith said, “I cannot imagine how such a thing could happen.” He added that the investigation was conducted in coordination with Louisiana State Police with assistance from other agencies. “We will work diligently for as long as it takes to find out what happened,” he said.Louisiana governor Jeff Landry said that he and his spouse are “heartbroken” over the “horrible situation”, and they are praying for all those affected. Landry said, “We are deeply grateful to law enforcement officers and first-responders who worked tirelessly on the incident.” House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana’s Fourth District has also commented on this “heartbreaking” tragedy. “We are holding the victims and their loved ones close in our prayers and thoughts during this incredibly hard time,” he said. He also expressed gratitude for the prompt response of the local police. According to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit organization that tracks US gun violence, the incident is the deadliest US mass shooting since January 2024 when eight victims died in Joliet. GVA defines mass shootings as incidents where four or more victims are shot, excluding the suspect.

​  ​

Tehran will never cede control of Strait of Hormuz, senior Iranian politician tells BBC24 minutes agoLyse DoucetChief international correspondentBBC”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. These protests were crushed with deadly force and killed thousands. Recently, several executions have taken place, including those of young people. Azizi reiterated the government’s claim claiming that the US and Israeli spy services (the CIA, and Mossad respectively) were involved in the unrest. He dismissed the growing concern among some Iranians about the tightening of internal security. “Even in a ceasefire there are rules,” he said. No sign of a deal but mediators are still communicating. Iran claims that the Strait of Hormuz is closed again after ships attacked.

​  ​

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

​  ​

Ukraine police chief resigns following officers’ alleged fleeing of deadly shooting8 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 in an a a 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. “Especially in critical moments, where people’s lives are at stake,” he wrote on Telegram. However, Klymenko cautioned that it is not correct to generalise about the entire police force based on the actions of just two employees. “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.