Iran closes Strait of Hormuz a day after declaring it open

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have escalated as Iranian forces restrict maritime traffic in response to ongoing United States blockades, forcing vessels to divert and threatening global oil prices. Meanwhile, the fragile ceasefire in southern Lebanon remains under scrutiny following the death of a French UN peacekeeper, an incident currently under investigation despite Hezbollah’s denial of involvement. Inside Iran, citizens face severe information isolation due to a prolonged, government-imposed internet blackout that has reduced connectivity to less than 1% of normal levels. In other developments, Pope Leo is navigating diplomatic friction during his African tour, while Kyiv authorities have neutralized a gunman responsible for a rare and deadly shooting in the Ukrainian capital. Finally, the global rise of snooker, particularly its surge in popularity across China, highlights a shift in the sport's traditional dominance by British players.