News 17/04/26

Iran’s foreign minister has indicated the Strait of Hormuz is completely open during the remaining period of a ceasefire.

Seyed Abbas Aragchi said all commercial vessels would be able to pass through the route. The US president also repeated a number of claims linked to the Iran war during remarks at a Turning Point event, including criticism of NATO, references to US military strength and assertions about winning the conflict.

Irish national Daniel Kinahan has been arrested in Dubai over alleged links to an international organised crime network.

Authorities said he was detained after an Irish court issued a warrant. Officials in Dubai confirmed they received a judicial file and launched search and surveillance operations, leading to his capture within forty eight hours. They said the Irish fugitive was arrested on the fifteenth of April over his alleged role.

Police say they have not found evidence to support a woman’s claim she was raped outside a church in Epsom in Surrey.

Protests took place in the town following rumours that asylum seekers or immigrants were involved. Officers said there is no evidence to support those claims and also confirmed there is no evidence the reported offence took place.

Extra policing measures will be in place for the Reading against Cardiff City match to prevent disorder.

Thames Valley Police say officers on horseback, bicycles, along with dogs and drones, will be deployed. A Section thirty five dispersal order will run from eight in the morning until eight in the evening, covering areas around the stadium, the town centre and Reading railway station.

A man has been found guilty of rape after another man wrongly spent seventeen years in prison for the crime.

In 2003, a young mother was attacked near the M61 in Greater Manchester. Andrew Malkinson was convicted and jailed, but a jury at Manchester Crown Court has now found Paul Quinn, 51, guilty of rape following the case.

Sir Keir Starmer says it is unforgivable and staggering he was not told Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting.

The prime minister said he was absolutely furious, adding no minister or Number 10 official had been informed before the decision was overturned by the Foreign Office. He criticised officials, saying it is completely unacceptable for a prime minister to make an appointment without being told security clearance had been denied. [Pause(1)]

A major airline has become the first to ground planes as the fuel crisis linked to the Iran war deepens.

Lufthansa says it will ground up to twenty seven aircraft from its CityLine fleet. The airline says kerosene prices have more than doubled since before the conflict, alongside other pressures including labour disputes. It plans to reduce flights across short, medium and long haul routes and accelerate fleet changes. [Pause(1)]

A series of smash and grab robberies has targeted Pokemon card shops across the UK as the collectibles rise in value.

Stores including one in Warrington have been hit following similar incidents in several towns and cities. Tens of thousands of pounds worth of stock has been stolen. Police say they are working with forces across the country. Interest in the cards has grown significantly since the pandemic, with some rare items selling for large sums.

Three people have been charged over an arson attack at a Persian language media group in northwest London.

Oisin McGuinness, twenty one, Nathan Dunn, nineteen, and a sixteen year old boy are accused of arson with intent to endanger life. McGuinness also faces a charge of dangerous driving. Police say a lit container was thrown at a premises in Park Royal on Wednesday evening. The suspects are due before Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday.

The Lebanese military says it has recorded several Israeli attacks and intermittent shelling in southern Lebanon, just hours after a ten day ceasefire came into effect.

In a statement, it urged residents to exercise caution when returning to villages and towns, citing violations of the agreement. Earlier, people had been warned to avoid returning to parts of the south despite the ceasefire with Israel.

Nearly one hundred and sixty thousand uninsured cars were seized on UK roads last year, the highest figure for seventeen years.

The Motor Insurers Bureau says the cost of cover is a key factor, with an estimated three hundred thousand vehicles driven daily without insurance. Birmingham is among hotspot areas, and in one recent operation West Midlands Police removed sixteen uninsured vehicles, including a Lamborghini.

Kemi Badenoch should go on an apology tour for mistakes made by the Conservatives in government, according to a former leader of the Scottish Tories.

Ruth Davidson told the Electoral Dysfunction podcast there is a sense the party has not yet shown contrition and will struggle to be heard until it does. She also said headquarters has not recognised the urgency needed to return to power after one term, warning Reform UK is splitting the right wing vote.