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Tankers Avoid Hormuz as U.S. Blockade Looms

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Oil tanker movements slowed sharply near the Strait of Hormuz as vessels began steering clear of the key shipping route ahead of a planned U.S. blockade targeting Iranian ports. Shipping data showed two Iranian-linked tankers exiting the Gulf just before the restrictions were due to take effect, while others hesitated or altered course amid rising uncertainty.

The U.S. move follows the collapse of talks with Iran, with Washington set to enforce the blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, though it said transit through the strait itself would remain open. Despite this assurance, the announcement has unsettled global shipping markets, disrupting normal oil trade flows that typically supply countries such as China and India.

Several vessels have already changed plans, including a Malta-flagged supertanker that turned back near the strait, while others entered cautiously or remained in holding patterns. The developments highlight growing risks to one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, even as a fragile ceasefire remains under strain.

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Iran Threatens Gulf Ports as U.S. Begins Naval Blockade

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Tensions escalated sharply as Iran warned it would retaliate against Gulf ports following the U.S. military’s decision to impose a naval blockade on vessels linked to Iranian ports. The move comes after talks failed to secure a lasting ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, raising fears of renewed escalation. Tehran called the blockade illegal and warned that if its ports were targeted, no port in the Gulf region would remain safe.

The blockade, enforced across Iranian ports along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, has already disrupted global oil flows. Iran has restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only controlled transit, while the U.S. has vowed to block ships paying Iranian tolls. Two Iranian-linked tankers departed just before the blockade began, underscoring the urgency among traders and operators.

Global markets reacted swiftly, with oil prices surging above $100 a barrel amid fears of prolonged supply disruption. With the fragile ceasefire at risk and negotiations stalled, both sides remain entrenched, raising concerns of further economic fallout and instability in global energy markets.

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Cameroon Separatists Announce Ceasefire for Papal Visit

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Separatist groups in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions have declared a three-day ceasefire to coincide with the visit of Pope Leo XIV, aiming to ensure safe movement for civilians and visitors. The temporary truce, described as a “safe travel passage,” will run from April 15 to April 17, covering areas controlled by separatist forces as the pope visits the region during his Africa tour.

The gesture comes amid a long-running conflict between separatist militias and government forces in western Cameroon, which has claimed thousands of lives since 2017. The alliance, including groups such as the Ambazonia Governing Council, said its fighters have been instructed to maintain security for civilians, pilgrims, and dignitaries, emphasizing the humanitarian nature of the move.

Separatist leaders framed the ceasefire as a sign of responsibility and respect for human dignity, urging all parties to honor the truce. However, past ceasefire efforts in the region have seen limited success, with not all armed factions adhering to such agreements, raising uncertainty over full compliance during the papal visit.

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GSK Sees Breakthrough Potential in Cancer Drug

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GSK says its experimental targeted cancer therapy “Mo-rez” could become a blockbuster after early trial data showed strong results in hard-to-treat cancers. The drug demonstrated significant tumor shrinkage in patients with advanced ovarian and endometrial cancers, with over 60% of participants achieving at least a 30% reduction in tumor size.

The promising data provide a boost to GSK’s growing oncology division, with research head Hesham Abdullah highlighting confidence in the drug’s potential. Under new CEO Luke Miels, the company is accelerating development efforts, reflecting a faster pace and stronger commitment to advancing new treatments.

GSK is currently running late-stage trials for the drug and plans to launch additional studies soon. The therapy, an antibody-drug conjugate targeting cancer-specific proteins, was licensed from Hansoh Pharma in 2023 and could tap into a rapidly expanding global market for advanced cancer treatments.

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Hungary Opposition Wins Big, Signals EU Reset

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Peter Magyar secured a sweeping victory in Hungary’s parliamentary election, handing his Tisza party a powerful two-thirds majority. The result gives the new government broad authority to push reforms, strengthen the rule of law, and potentially unlock billions in frozen European Union funds. Analysts say the outcome, once seen as unlikely, is the most market-friendly scenario and could boost investor confidence.

The win marks a major shift after years of tensions under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose government frequently clashed with the EU. Magyar has pledged to rebuild ties with Brussels and position Hungary as a strong ally within both the EU and NATO. He also promised constitutional changes to restore checks and balances and tackle corruption, aiming to reverse what critics described as institutional control under the previous administration.

While markets have reacted positively, uncertainty remains over how quickly Hungary can access EU funding. Diplomats and analysts caution that the government must first deliver concrete reforms before funds are released. Despite comparisons with Poland’s recent experience, experts say Hungary may face stricter conditions, making the pace of economic recovery dependent on the government’s ability to follow through on its promises.

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French Man Charged After Child Found Locked in Van

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A 43-year-old man in Hagenbach has been charged after his nine-year-old son was discovered locked inside a van for over a year. The child was found by authorities after neighbours reported hearing unusual sounds coming from the vehicle parked near their apartment block. Police said the boy was severely malnourished, unable to walk, and living in extremely unhygienic conditions.

According to prosecutors, the father admitted to confining the child since November 2024, claiming he was trying to protect him from his partner, who he alleged wanted to place the boy in psychiatric care. The child reportedly received limited food and water and had no access to basic sanitation, relying on bottles and bags for waste. Neighbours had earlier been told the boy was in care, despite occasionally hearing noises from the van.

The father has been charged with unlawful detention and neglect, and remains in custody. His partner faces charges of failing to assist a child in danger and not reporting abuse, though she has been released on conditional bail. All three children in the family have been placed in temporary care, with a court set to decide their future.

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Czech PM Babis Backs Orban Ahead of Key Vote

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Andrej Babiš has voiced strong support for Viktor Orbán ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary election, calling him the best choice for stability and national interests during uncertain times. Babiš praised Orbán’s stance on sovereignty and competitiveness, emphasizing the importance of experienced leadership amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Opinion polls suggest Orbán, who has led Hungary for over 16 years, faces a serious challenge from opposition leader Péter Magyar. Orbán’s tenure has been marked by frequent clashes with the European Union and relatively closer ties with Russia, making the upcoming election a significant political moment for the region.

Since returning to power, Babiš has aligned more closely with Orbán in European politics, including within their shared parliamentary grouping. His government has reduced support for Ukraine and taken positions that diverge from broader EU policies, while proposing reforms critics say could mirror Hungary’s approach to governance. Despite this, the Czech Republic continues to maintain a comparatively moderate stance on Russia.

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UK Backs Ukraine Role in Strait of Hormuz Security

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Al Carns has said Ukraine could play a significant role in securing the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, highlighting Kyiv’s advanced drone capabilities developed during its ongoing war. The UK has been leading talks with over 30 nations to address disruptions caused by tensions involving Iran, which have impacted global oil supplies.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine has already contributed expertise to international consultations and deployed more than 200 specialists to the Middle East. These teams have reportedly helped counter long-range drone threats, showcasing Ukraine’s battlefield innovations. Carns emphasized that such capabilities could be valuable not just regionally but also in safeguarding key global shipping routes.

While reaffirming that Ukraine remains a top defence priority for the UK and its allies, Carns urged Kyiv to expand exports of its military technology to capitalize on rising global demand. He noted that Ukraine’s advancements in drones, AI, and data-driven warfare represent a major shift in modern combat, though delays in export approvals could risk losing momentum as other nations begin catching up.

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Zelenskiy Warns of Tough Months Ahead as Ukraine Faces Military and Diplomatic Pressure

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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned that the coming spring and summer months will be challenging as the country faces growing pressure both on the battlefield and in diplomatic negotiations to end the war with Russia. He said international partners have urged Kyiv to scale back strikes on Russia’s oil sector due to rising global energy prices linked to the Iran conflict and Middle East tensions, while also noting that the United States is currently less focused on advancing Ukraine peace talks.

Zelenskiy stressed that Russia must halt its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure if it wants de-escalation and resume trilateral peace negotiations mediated by Washington. He expects the political and military situation to remain difficult until at least September and called for stronger international pressure and sanctions on Russian oil, especially after temporary easing of restrictions during the Iran crisis.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian oil facilities, including major Baltic ports such as Ust-Luga and Primorsk, aiming to reduce Moscow’s energy revenues. Despite requests from partners to slow these strikes, Zelenskiy argued that Russia’s oil exports do not significantly impact global markets and insisted that meaningful diplomatic progress will only happen if Russia stops demanding control over Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region while fighting continues along the 1,200-km front line.

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Greenland Rejects Trump’s Arctic Remarks, Urges NATO Unity

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Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has strongly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks describing Greenland as a “big, poorly run piece of ice,” calling the comments disrespectful and emphasizing the island’s sovereignty and global responsibility. Nielsen said Greenland is a proud nation of 57,000 people that respects international law and works closely with global allies, urging NATO members to stand together to protect the international order.

The comments came after Trump criticized NATO’s role in the Iran war and revived tensions over Greenland, which the U.S. has previously expressed interest in controlling due to its strategic Arctic location. Earlier this year, European nations including Germany and France sent troops to Greenland in a show of solidarity after concerns that the U.S. might consider military action, before diplomatic talks shifted the issue to negotiations.

Despite ongoing discussions between Greenland, Denmark, and the United States on defence cooperation, Nielsen warned that Trump’s ambitions regarding the island remain a concern. He stressed that Greenland supports dialogue and cooperation but remains cautious, noting that existing agreements already allow U.S. military presence on the island while maintaining Greenland’s autonomy and sovereignty.

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