Contradictions in Washington statements on Iran as Trump says no talks planned, Tehran says Strait of Hormuz still shut

Contradictions in Washington statements on Iran as Trump says no talks planned, Tehran says Strait of Hormuz still shut

A temporary ceasefire agreement expired on Monday and a senior Iranian official said that his country was moving to a “fully offensive” military posture due to the diplomatic stalemate, though there were no reports of fresh strikes by either side on Tuesday.

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Iran warns that it will go on offensive in Strait of Hormuz if diplomacy with US fails

Iran warns that it will go on offensive in Strait of Hormuz if diplomacy with US fails

There was no immediate response to those comments from Washington, but U.S. President Donald Trump said in a phone interview with Fox News on Monday that Iran “should put up the white flag of surrender”.

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Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency kills nine al-Shaabab Middle Shabelle region

Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency kills nine al-Shaabab Middle Shabelle region

Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) backed by international partners, killed nine al-Shaabab militants, including two commanders, during a targeted operation near Jowhar town in south-central Somalia. “Among those killed were senior al-Shaabab leaders Ahmed Ali Jimale, top commander for Jowhar district and Gedi Mohamed Nur Adde, head of...

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Trump tells Americans to brace for higher fuel prices after unrepentant Iran told Washington to accept defeat

Trump tells Americans to brace for higher fuel prices after unrepentant Iran told Washington to accept defeat

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran had not decided to resume talks with the US. He told Iranian news outlet Shahrara News in an interview published on Saturday that Washington must meet conditions on the strait in order for shipping to resume in the waterway that handled one-fifth of the world’s oil ⁠before the war.

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US president grants military permission to start foreign shipbuilding for Navy for first time in decades

US president grants military permission to start foreign shipbuilding for Navy for first time in decades

When the Navy selected ‌EMALS ⁠in 2009, it said it would lower overall lifecycle costs, require less maintenance than steam catapults and generate less physical stress on carrier-based aircraft. The system, also selected by France’s navy, had initial troubles but has since completed thousands of launches.

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How US Secret Service sneaked Trump out of Turkey after  Iran’s assassination plot leaked at NATO summit

How US Secret Service sneaked Trump out of Turkey after Iran’s assassination plot leaked at NATO summit

Trump had flown to the annual gathering of NATO country leaders in Ankara, Turkey, in a new Qatari-gifted and retrofitted red, white and navy blue jet. But ahead of departing Turkey, he said he would fly partway home on an older-model baby blue Air Force One plane instead.

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Iran questions US President Trump’s commitment to permanent peace in Middle East as ‘all talk and no action’ persists

Iran questions US President Trump’s commitment to permanent peace in Middle East as ‘all talk and no action’ persists

The US accuses Iran of failing to honour an agreement under the deal to reopen the ⁠vital Strait of Hormuz shipping route. Tehran says Washington has reneged on its commitments, including lifting a blockade of Iranian ports and releasing frozen Iranian assets.

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Dead president in mortuary, successor seeks re-election: Why US, China are keeping an eye on Zambia’s presidential election

Dead president in mortuary, successor seeks re-election: Why US, China are keeping an eye on Zambia’s presidential election

China has heavily invested in Zambia’s copper sector, while the US has shown new interest in the country as part of President Donald Trump’s focus on critical minerals to ease China’s dominance in that area.

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Zambians vote is presidential election billed as a referendum on President Hichilema’s handling of economy

Zambians vote is presidential election billed as a referendum on President Hichilema’s handling of economy

Many Zambians say they don’t feel the benefits as unemployment, food prices and an unstable electricity supply continue to strain household budgets. Hichilema says he needs another five years to create jobs, improve infrastructure and expand public services.

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Medical organisations and public health experts question US President Trump’s childhood vaccine policy

The 11 vaccines to remain recommended for all children include those against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus and varicella. Vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal disease and dengue will instead be recommended for certain high-risk groups or populations.

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