Oil prices surge past $103 a barrel after US announces blockade of Iran
Asian stocks fall as naval blockade threat injects new turmoil into financial markets. Published On 13 Apr 202613 Apr 2026 Oil prices have risen sharply following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a naval blockade of Iran. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose more than 8 percent on Sunday to top $103 a barrel. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list It was the first time the benchmark rose above the psychologically important threshold of $100 since Tuesday, when prices surpassed $111 a barrel. Trump announced on Sunday that the US Navy would block all ships from entering or exiting the Strait of Hormuz, following the collapse of ceasefire talks between US and Iranian officials over the weekend. US Central Command said in a later statement that it would only block vessels travelling to and from Iran and that other traffic would not be impeded, in an apparent scaling back of Trump’s threat to impose a full blockade. The command said the blockade would take effect on Monday at 10am Eastern Time (14:00 GMT). Oil prices have been a rollercoaster since US-Israeli strikes on Iran prompted Tehran to impose a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for about one-fifth of global oil and natural gas supplies. After topping $119 last month, Brent fell below $92 a barrel last week after the US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire following more than six weeks of war. While Iran has allowed a limited number of ships to transit the waterway, subject to prior vetting and authorisation, traffic has been reduced to a trickle compared with peacetime levels. Despite Washington and Tehran’s fragile truce officially remaining in place until April 22, only 17 vessels crossed the strait on Saturday, according to maritime intelligence firm Windward, down from roughly 130 daily transits before the war. Advertisement Major stock markets in Asia opened lower on Monday as Trump’s blockade threat stoked uncertainty on trading floors. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.9 percent in morning trading, while South Korea’s KOSPI dropped more than 1 percent. US stock futures, which are traded outside of regular market hours, also fell, with those tied to the benchmark S&P 500 down about 0.8 percent. Adblock test (Why?)
US military threatens to blockade all Iranian ports starting on Monday
Vessels will still be able to transit Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports, says CENTCOM; Iran warns any approaching military vessels will be breaching ceasefire. Published On 13 Apr 202613 Apr 2026 The United States military has announced it will begin blockading all Iranian ports on Monday, its latest move to exert pressure on Tehran after marathon peace talks in Pakistan concluded without a deal. In a statement on Sunday evening, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the blockade would apply to “all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports” from 10am Eastern Time (14:00 GMT) on April 13. That includes “vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas”, including those on the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list However, US forces “will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,” CENTCOM said, in an apparent scaling back from President Donald Trump’s earlier threat to blockade the entire strait and pursue ships paying tolls to Iran. “There are a lot of questions here,” said Al Jazeera’s Heidi Zhou-Castro from Washington, DC, pointing to “conflicting information” coming out of the US side. “Trump said the blockade would target any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz. But CENTCOM is saying this would only target ships going to or from Iranian ports.” The price of US crude oil jumped 8 percent to $104.24 a barrel after the US blockade threat. Brent crude oil, the international standard, increased 7 percent to $102.29. Iran has essentially taken control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for the global energy market, since the US and Israel launched a war against the country on February 28. Traffic through the waterway has since slowed to a trickle, nearly paralysing about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Advertisement Iran has continued to move its own vessels through the strait, while allowing limited passage of ships from other countries. Iranian officials have discussed setting up a toll system after the fighting ends. In a statement responding to Trump’s blockade threat, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said any approaching military vessels would be in breach of a US-Iran ceasefire – meant to be in effect until April 22 – and “will be dealt with severely”. The US-declared blockade appears to be triggered by the failure of the talks in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, raising fears of renewed fighting. Iranian officials blamed the US side for failing to reach a deal, with Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi saying US negotiators shifted the “goalposts” and obstructed efforts when a memorandum of understanding was “just inches away”. Zohreh Kharazmi, an associate professor at the University of Tehran, said the US “is not in a position to dictate” to Iranians how to behave, or “to choose which vessels may pass”. “If this blockade becomes a contest between the resilience of the Islamic Republic and the resilience of global markets, it will not take long to see who is losing,” she said, adding that Iran “is ready for a prolonged war”. “Technically, they [the US] cannot control the situation. With Hollywood-style strategies, they cannot prevail in this battleground.” Adblock test (Why?)
Rory McIlroy wins Masters to become fourth back-to-back champion
The Northern Irishman becomes the first player to repeat at Augusta National since Tiger Woods back in 2001-2002. By Reuters Published On 13 Apr 202613 Apr 2026 Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Tiger Woods, and now, Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman emerged from a tight pack of contenders to win the 90th Masters Tournament on Sunday, joining the trio of golf icons as the only players in history to conquer Augusta National in back-to-back years. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list McIlroy said earlier this week that winning one Masters would make it easier to win a second, and he dug deep into that belief on Sunday to rally from a three-shot deficit on the front nine to post a one-under-par round of 71 for the winning score of 12-under 276 – one better than Scottie Scheffler. “I can’t believe that I waited 17 years to get one green jacket, and I get two in a row,” McIlroy told CBS in Butler Cabin. “I think that all of my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has really started to pay off.” McIlroy’s sixth career major also tied him with Faldo for the most by a European player in the modern era, and they are tied for 12th-most all-time by any player. Cameron Young, Russell Henley, England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Justin Rose finished another shot back at 10 under. McIlroy putts on the 18th hole to win The Masters [Mike Segar/Reuters] McIlroy rallies McIlroy began the final round tied for the 54-hole lead at 11 under with Young, who birdied the second hole to reach 12 under and take the outright lead. It appeared that McIlroy’s repeat quest might unravel when he went three over on the two par-threes on the front nine to fall to 9 under for the tournament. Suddenly, McIlroy’s name was looking up on the leaderboard at Young and Rose, who reached 12 under with four birdies in a five-hole stretch through No 9. Scheffler was also making a run several holes ahead, and Henley reached 10 under through eight holes. Advertisement This is when McIlroy kicked it back into gear for the first time since closing with six birdies over his final seven holes on Friday. A birdie on the seventh hole got McIlroy back to double digits under par, and he pulled within one shot of the lead with another on the par-five eighth. While Scheffler’s rally stalled for a long stretch with 11 consecutive pars, and Rose and Young struggled to hole putts on the back nine, McIlroy kept ratcheting up the pressure. He birdied the 12th and 13th holes to go 2 under through “Amen Corner” and build a two-shot lead. Scheffler kept it interesting with birdies on numbers 15 and 16 to get to 11 under. Another birdie attempt on 17 stayed on the lip of the cup, and Scheffler parred out to post a 4-under round of 68, with McIlroy on the course with three holes to play. The two-shot cushion proved helpful for McIlroy when he pushed his drive on the 18th hole well right into the trees. He was able to punch the ball forward into a greenside bunker and put it on the putting surface with his third shot. From there, McIlroy easily converted the two-putt bogey, and became the fourth player in history to successfully defend at the Masters. “It’s nice to have that two-shot cushion instead of the one [shot] like I had last year,” McIlroy said. “I looked at the [leader]board after I made the bogey on six, and I went back to 9 under at that point. And I said, ‘If I can get to 14 under, I think I’ve got a really good chance of winning this tournament.’ “I didn’t quite get there, I got to 13, but 13 was good enough standing on the 18th tee.” After setting a Masters record with a six-shot lead after 36 holes, McIlroy played the final 36 holes in even par. That brought a host of players back into the mix, with at least four different players leading at some point during the final round. McIlroy admitted that he kept a close eye on the leaderboard after falling back to 9 under to know where he stood in the tournament. “It was a tough weekend,” he said. “I did the bulk of my work on Thursday and Friday, but just so happy to hang in there and get the job done.” McIlroy holds the Masters championship trophy during the green jacket ceremony after the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club [Kyle Terada/Imagn Images via Reuters] Adblock test (Why?)
‘Dividing communities for vote bank’: Netaji’s great-grandson Chandra Kumar Bose slams BJP to join TMC
In a major political development in West Bengal, Chandra Kumar Bose – the great-grandson of Netaji – has quit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to join Trinamool Congress (TMC).
India to face fuel crisis after failed US-Iran peace talks? Modi govt clears the air
Following stalled US-Iran ceasefire talks, will Indian consumers finally take the hit of increased petrol and diesel prices? Here’s what the government said.
PM Modi slams Mamata Banerjee’s TMC ahead of West Bengal election: ‘Nothing but ruin in 15 years’
PM Modi described the TMC as “anti-North Bengal”, “anti-tribal”, and against women and youth development. “This is a crucial moment to evaluate the work and conduct of any administration; however, the TMC has not performed any constructive work,” he said.
Faridabad’s Budhaina village set for major overhaul with Rs 14 crore development plan, sewer, road worse to be fixed
Residents of Budhaina had high hopes when their village was included in the municipal corporation, expecting an improvement in their quality of life.
Trump voices frustration with NATO, says Iranian navy ‘destroyed’ as US preps for blockade
President Donald Trump addressed several pressing international conflicts after stepping off Air Force One in Maryland on Sunday, declaring that Iranian naval forces had been destroyed ahead of a planned energy blockade and expressing sharp disapproval of NATO for its perceived lack of support. “Their military is destroyed,” Trump said. “Their whole Navy is underwater. You know that 158 ships are gone. Their navy is gone. Most of their mine droppers are gone.” “At 10 tomorrow, we have a blockade going into effect,” Trump added. “Other nations are working so that Iran will not be able to sell oil.” Trump further underscored the United States’ energy independence, asserting that international vessels are bypassing traditional routes in favor of purchasing American oil. TRUMP, RUBIO FACE NATO CHIEF AS U.S. MOVES TO “REEXAMINE” ALLIANCE AFTER IRAN CLASH “There are many boats heading toward our country to fill up with oil and then go and take it,” he said. The president then expressed sharp disapproval of NATO countries, indicating that America’s financial commitment to support the alliance, particularly against Russia, is going to be under “very serious examination.” “But I’m very disappointed in NATO,” he said. “They weren’t there for us. We pay trillions of dollars for NATO, and they weren’t there for us.” While NATO countries are now stepping up to assist the U.S., Trump described the effort as too late. “Now they want to come up, but there’s no real threat anymore,” he said. “When you think of it, we’re guarding against Russia,” he added. “And I’ve long thought it was a little ridiculous, but we spent trillions of dollars doing it. And I think that’s going to be under very serious examination.” TRUMP PRESSES NATO PARTNERS ON SUPPORT AS HEGSETH BLASTS HESITATION Trump has repeatedly threatened to withdraw the United States from NATO, accusing the alliance of providing limited assistance during the Iran offensive, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” and refusing to offer naval support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. “You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us,” he said to the alliance in a Truth Social post on March 31. Trump’s recent remarks also followed a meeting last week with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, where the president again criticized the alliance for what he described as a failure to adequately support the American people. “It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the course of the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previously said, referring to the meeting. Among the European countries accused of withholding support amid escalating tensions, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reportedly shut down Spanish airspace to aircraft participating in strikes against Iran, including U.S. bombers, and denied Washington access to military bases located within the country. In France, President Emmanuel Macron blocked Israeli aircraft from traversing French airspace to transport U.S.-made munitions intended for the conflict with Iran. Meanwhile, Finnish President Alexander Stubb told Trump during a phone call that a “more European NATO” is beginning to take shape, signaling a potential shift in the alliance’s strategic direction. Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
Trump accuses Pope Leo of being ‘terrible’ on foreign policy over pontiff’s anti-war comments
President Donald Trump on Sunday accused Pope Leo XIV of being “terrible” on foreign policy as the pontiff continues to criticize the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and call for peace. In a Truth Social post, Trump said Leo is “weak on crime” and “terrible” for foreign policy over his anti-war comments in recent weeks following the start of the war in the Middle East. “He talks about ‘fear’ of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian Organizations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services, even when going outside, and being ten and even twenty feet apart,” Trump wrote. “I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t!” “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” he continued. “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States and, even worse, emptying their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our Country. And I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History.” The president went on to say that the pope “should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise.” “He wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump,” he wrote. “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.” “Unfortunately, Leo’s Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons, does not sit well with me, nor does the fact that he meets with Obama Sympathizers like David Axelrod, a LOSER from the Left, who is one of those who wanted churchgoers and clerics to be arrested. Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!” he added.
Eric Swalwell exits California governor race apologizing for past judgment while denying claims
Rep. Eric Swalwell said he is suspending his campaign for California governor, citing personal issues and ongoing allegations in a statement posted on X. “I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” Swalwell wrote. “To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s,” he added. The decision comes as pressure mounted over sexual assault allegations published in a bombshell report from the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday, with lawmakers from both parties calling on him to drop out of the race and resign from Congress. HOUSE REPUBLICAN PLANS MOTION TO OUST SWALWELL FROM CONGRESS AMID SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS Figures calling on Swalwell to step aside included former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Pelosi urged that consideration of the accusations against Swalwell take place outside the context of his campaign. “The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard. This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability. As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that this is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign,” Pelosi said in a statement given to NBC. MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS DOG SWALWELL AS DEM RIVALS SEIZE OPENING IN CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S RACE A number of other Democrats soon joined the former speaker’s calls, with a handful rescinding previous endorsements of the campaign. “I’ve read the San Francisco Chronicle’s reporting, and I take it seriously,” Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said in a post to X. “What is described is indefensible. Women who come forward with accounts like this deserve to be heard with respect, not questioned or dismissed,” he added. Rep. Ted Lieu, who sits on the House Judiciary Committee, also said he would pull his endorsement. SWALWELL’S ‘I SHOULD BE WORKING’ GYM, POOL VIDEOS RESURFACE AS DEM RIVAL HAMMERS HIS MISSED HOUSE VOTES “In light of the recent allegations against Representative Eric Swalwell, I am withdrawing my endorsement of his campaign for Governor,” Lieu said in his own post. In its Friday report, the San Francisco Chronicle detailed graphic accounts from a woman accusing Swalwell of pursuing intoxicated women, pressuring employees into intimate situations and asking for explicit images from female contacts. Rumblings of misconduct from Swalwell first emerged earlier this month when Cheyenne Hunt, a former Capitol Hill staffer and a political media personality, began circulating testimony from women who said they had been sexually assaulted by the congressman. “The Democratic candidate currently leading in the California governor’s race has a known history of being predatory towards women,” Hunt claimed in a post to social media. Despite initially remaining moot on the allegations, Swalwell’s office broke its silence on the matter in comments made to the New York Post earlier this week. “This false, outrageous rumor is being spread 27 days before an election begins by flailing opponents who have sadly teamed up with MAGA conspiracy theorists because they know Eric Swalwell is the frontrunner in this race,” Micah Beasley, a spokesperson for Swalwell, said. With Swalwell exiting the race, the battle to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom becomes even more uncertain and turbulent ahead of the June 2 primary. Early voting will begin on May 4. Public opinion surveys indicated that Swalwell was the top polling Democrat in the race, ahead of former Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire Tom Steyer, who’s flooded the airwaves with ads since declaring his candidacy in November. Both Porter and Steyer on Friday had called on Swalwell to suspend his gubernatorial campaign and resign from Congress. The crowded field of Democrats also includes former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. There are two major Republicans in the race: conservative commentator and former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.