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President Donald Trump on Sunday ordered a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iran’s “unyielding” refusal to give up its nuclear ambitions during peace talks in Islamabad.

While acknowledging that the marathon negotiations in Pakistan had gone “well” and “most points were agreed to,” Trump said Tehran had refused to concede on the issue of its nuclear program.

“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

“Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”

US Vice President JD Vance left Pakistan without a deal after weekend talks with a team led by Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf — the highest-level meeting between the two sides since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Tehran’s delegation also included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

“We leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our final and best offer. We’ll see if the Iranians accept it,” Vance told reporters.

In two lengthy posts on Truth Social, Trump slammed Iran for promising to open the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world’s crude oil passes, and “knowingly” failing to deliver.

“They say they put mines in the water, even though all of their Navy, and most of their ‘mine droppers,’ have been completely blown up. They may have done so, but what ship owner would want to take the chance?” Trump said.

Iran had effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz for weeks, since the United States and Israel launched a bombing campaign against the Islamic republic more than six weeks ago.

On Saturday, the US military announced that two US warships had transited the strait at the start of a mine clearance operation.

Vanguard News

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The last three winners of the European Golden Shoe; superstar names from Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, are unsurprisingly leading the way once again in Europe top goal scorers chart.

But beyond the usual elite names, a new wave of goalscorers is making serious noise across Europe.

With the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominating scoring charts now fading, a fresh generation is stepping up to fill the void.

Here’s a look at the top 10 goalscorers across Europe’s five major leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1) this season so far.

10. Mason Greenwood – 15 goals
Greenwood sits 10th after scoring 15 goals in 26 appearances for Marseille this season.

The former Manchester United forward edges out Luis Díaz and Ante Budimir, who have also scored 15, thanks to a superior minutes-per-goal ratio.

9. Lamine Yamal – 15 goals
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal continues to rewrite the record books at Barcelona.

He netted his 15th La Liga goal against Espanyol as Barcelona cruised to a 4-1 win in the Catalan derby. With that appearance, Yamal also became the youngest player ever to reach 100 games in La Liga – another remarkable milestone in what is already a historic rise.

8. Joaquin Panichelli – 16 goals
Argentinian forward Joaquin Panichelli has emerged as one of the season’s breakout stars.

After impressing in Spain, he has taken his form to Strasbourg, where his goal return has continued to surge. His recent scoring streak has marked him out as a player to watch.

7. Lautaro Martinez – 16 goals
Lautaro Martínez endured a slow start but quickly found his rhythm, firing himself up the scoring charts in Italy.

The Inter Milan striker has been central to his side’s title push, rediscovering his clinical edge after a brief dip.

6. Deniz Undav – 18 goals
Deniz Undav has been in lethal form for VfB Stuttgart.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion forward has racked up 18 goals in just 22 matches, boasting one of the best strike rates in Europe.

5. Igor Thiago – 19 goals
Igor Thiago has been one of the Premier League’s surprise packages this season.

Outscoring many established stars, he has emerged as a genuine contender among Europe’s elite forwards with a standout campaign.

4. Vedat Muriqi – 19 goals
Despite Mallorca battling near the bottom of La Liga, Vedat Muriqi has been a consistent bright spot.

His importance to the team cannot be overstated, regularly delivering crucial goals in tight matches.

3. Erling Haaland – 22 goals
Erling Haaland looked set to dominate once again after a blistering start to the campaign.

The Manchester City striker reached 100 Premier League goals at record speed, although a slight dip in form has opened the door for challengers.

2. Kylian Mbappe – 23 goals
Kylian Mbappé continues to lead the charge at Real Madrid.

With 23 goals in 25 La Liga appearances, he remains firmly in contention for both the Pichichi and the European Golden Shoe, despite a brief scoring drought.

1. Harry Kane – 31 goals
At the top of the pile is Harry Kane, who has been relentless for Bayern Munich.

With 31 goals and counting, Kane has built a commanding lead in the race. His remarkable consistency and efficiency in front of goal have put him firmly on course to secure the European Golden Shoe.

Vanguard News

The post Full list: Yamal breaks into top 10 goalscorers in Europe’s major leagues appeared first on Vanguard News.

Senior officials at Arsenal have identified Como head coach, Cesc Fabregas, as the ideal candidate to replace Mikel Arteta.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Arteta could be in his last days as manager at the Emirates.

The Gunners began 2026 on a great note and in the running for four trophies.

But Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and lost to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final.

Arteta’s men had the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points on Saturday, but ended up losing 2-1 to Bournemouth at home.

The result saw a lot of supporters walk out of the stadium before the full-time whistle, as the fanbase becomes apprehensive of the team bottling the title again.

The poor run of form is also being discussed in the boardroom and the hierarchy believes there might be need to change the manager if the team fails to win any silverware.

Former Arsenal captain, Fabregas, who is leading Como’s charge to qualify for Europe, is a heavy favourite for the role if Arteta leaves.

EPL: Fabregas to replace Arteta as Arsenal manager

The Kogi State Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening medical education and healthcare services by pledging full support for the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) Teaching Hospital…

The Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual award, often reflects performances across both club and international competitions.

In FIFA World Cup years, the race for the prize becomes even more intense, as players have the global stage to cement their legacy.

Over the decades, several winners have used the World Cup as a springboard to claim the Ballon d’Or, while others have triumphed largely on the strength of their club performances.

The trend dates back to 1958, when Raymond Kopa won the award after helping France to a strong World Cup showing. Four years later, Josef Masopust followed a similar path, impressing at the tournament.

England’s 1966 World Cup triumph saw Bobby Charlton crowned the best player in the world, while Gerd Müller took the prize in 1970 after his prolific scoring exploits.

The 1970s also featured Dutch icon Johan Cruyff, who won in 1974, and England’s Kevin Keegan, who claimed the award in 1978.

One of the clearest examples of World Cup influence came in 1982, when Italy’s Paolo Rossi fired his country to glory and secured the Ballon d’Or. However, in 1986, despite the brilliance of Diego Maradona at the World Cup, it was Igor Belanov who won the award.

By 1990, Lothar Matthäus combined international success with consistent performances to take the crown, while Hristo Stoichkov followed in 1994 after leading Bulgaria to a historic semi-final run.

France’s 1998 World Cup victory was capped by Zinedine Zidane winning the Ballon d’Or, and Brazil’s triumph in 2002 saw Ronaldo Nazário reclaim the top individual honour.

Italy’s defensive rock Fabio Cannavaro became a rare defender to win in 2006 after captaining his nation to World Cup glory.

In more recent years, the pattern has been less predictable. Lionel Messi won in 2010 despite Argentina’s modest World Cup campaign, while Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the 2014 award largely on the back of his club dominance.

However, Luka Modrić restored the World Cup’s influence in 2018, leading Croatia to the final and ending the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly. In 2022, Karim Benzema won the award, though injuries ruled him out of the tournament itself.

Ballon d’Or winners in World Cup years

• 1958 – Raymond Kopa
• 1962 – Josef Masopust
• 1966 – Bobby Charlton
• 1970 – Gerd Müller
• 1974 – Johan Cruyff
• 1978 – Kevin Keegan
• 1982 – Paolo Rossi
• 1986 – Igor Belanov
• 1990 – Lothar Matthäus
• 1994 – Hristo Stoichkov
• 1998 – Zinedine Zidane
• 2002 – Ronaldo Nazário
• 2006 – Fabio Cannavaro
• 2010 – Lionel Messi
• 2014 – Cristiano Ronaldo
• 2018 – Luka Modrić
• 2022 – Karim Benzema

The post Full list of Ballon d’Or winners in World Cup years appeared first on Vanguard News.

Iranians expressed a blend of disappointment and defiance on Sunday following the unsuccessful peace talks with the US, as reported by AP.

Outside a newsstand in Tehran, Farhad Simia conveyed his hopes for fruitful negotiations and an end to hostilities, yet he affirmed his support for Iran despite the talks’ failure.

“I oppose war. I believe negotiation is the preferable route,” stated Simia, 43. He attributed the inability to reach an agreement to the US’s “inappropriate demands”.

Mehdi Hosseini, also 43, concurred: “The fact that the Iranian negotiating team was able to maintain what it secured during the war, while refusing to capitulate, provides grounds for optimism.”

Tehran’s streets were adorned with large Iranian flags and massive billboards celebrating the nation’s leaders and military accomplishments.

One prominent mural illustrated Iranian soldiers pulling a fishing net from the sea, capturing miniature US military aircraft and warships.

The billboard proclaimed, “The Strait Remains Closed.”

Hamid Haghi, 55, asserted that “America’s overreach” was the cause of the talks’ failure.

He remarked that the US aims “to access the Strait of Hormuz, which is a legacy from our ancestors. We are capable of overseeing it ourselves.”

Like many Iranians, 60-year-old Mohammad Bagher believes that Iran must persist in its strong stance against the US, which he perceives as instigating the conflict.

“We are a nation that values dialogue and negotiation as long as our interests are honored. We have never pursued war,” he stated.

“We will remain resolute until the end, prepared to sacrifice our lives, and will not concede an inch of our territory.”

War: How Iranians reacted to failed peace talks with US

A former Iranian foreign minister, Javad Zarif, has stated that it is not too late for the United States to understand that they cannot impose conditions on Iran.

Both parties have confirmed that the peace negotiations initiated by Pakistan to achieve a lasting resolution to the conflict in the Gulf have not produced any results.

Zarif mentioned in a post on X on Sunday morning that the talks in Pakistan were unsuccessful because Iran will not accept terms imposed by the United States.

He remarked, “No negotiations – at least with Iran – will be successful based on ‘our/your terms.’ The United States must understand: you cannot dictate terms to Iran. It is not too late to learn this lesson. Yet.”

Zarif, who served as Iran’s chief diplomat from 2013 to 2021 under the administration of the ‘moderate’ president Hassan Rouhani, was in office when the United States entered into a nuclear agreement with Iran in 2015 during Barack Obama’s presidency.

President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement three years later, claiming that Iran was developing a nuclear program, without providing any evidence to substantiate this assertion at that time.

In a call this morning, the UK’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and the Sultan of Oman concurred that all parties should refrain from “any further escalation” in the US-Israel conflict concerning Iran.

A spokesperson from Downing Street stated, “They discussed the peace talks that took place in Pakistan over the weekend and urged both parties to seek a resolution.

“It is crucial that the ceasefire continues, and that all parties avoid any further escalation, as agreed by the leaders.

“His Majesty provided an update on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for Oman’s efforts to assist sailors from distressed vessels in the region.”

Reflecting on international initiatives to coordinate safe passage for shipping in the area, the Prime Minister noted that following meetings organized by the Foreign Secretary and British military planners, partners are continuing to work towards restoring long-term freedom of navigation.

Failed peace talks: You can’t dictate terms to Iran – Javad Zarif to US

Parliamentary Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has stated that the United States was unable to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation during the peace talks in Pakistan.

In a detailed post on X, the Speaker emphasized prior to the discussions yesterday that Iran held no “trust in the opposing side” due to “the experiences of the two previous wars”.

Ghalibaf, who headed the Iranian delegation for the talks in Islamabad, remarked that his country’s representatives engaged in good faith negotiations and proposed “forward-looking initiatives”, although he did not specify what these initiatives entailed.

“America has comprehended our logic and principles, and now it is time for it to determine whether it can earn our trust or not?” He wriote on social media, while also expressing gratitude to Pakistan for its mediation efforts.

Earlier reports from Iranian state media indicated that significant points of contention included Iran’s nuclear program and transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

In the meantime, the internet blackout in Iran has now reached its 44th day, as reported by the internet monitoring organization NetBlocks. They stated in a social media update:

Network data indicates that Iran’s internet blackout has now persisted for 44 days, extending into its seventh week and surpassing the 1032-hour mark.

The human and economic repercussions of this prolonged censorship measure continue to accumulate, setting global records for shutdowns in a connected society.

Individuals lacking access to Starlink or other costly communication alternatives are isolated, not only from the outside world but also from each other, significantly hindering mobilization efforts, for instance.

A limited number of officials still have the ability to access the internet and regularly post on social media regarding the war. An earlier internet shutdown occurred in January during nationwide protests, which obscured the extreme violence inflicted upon Iran’s population.

War: Why peace talks with US failed – Iran

Elon Musk, the South African-born billionaire and founder of SpaceX and Starlink, has publicly accused the South African government of racism for blocking his satellite internet service from obtaining an operating licence in his country of birth.

In a strongly worded post on X on Sunday, Musk wrote: “South Africa won’t allow Starlink to be licensed, even though I was BORN THERE, simply because I am not Black.”

He added that Starlink had been offered a path to approval through what he described as bribery, involving the fronting of a Black executive to meet ownership requirements, but that he refused on principle.

Musk called the country’s politicians “unashamedly racist” and said they should be shunned globally, adding that “racism should not be rewarded no matter to which race it is applied.”

The dispute centres on South Africa’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment rules, which require companies in certain sectors, including telecoms, to meet racial ownership targets typically 30% Black ownership — as a mechanism to address inequalities rooted in the apartheid era.

Starlink has repeatedly been denied a licence for failing to comply with these equity requirements.

This is not the first time Musk has levelled such accusations. In earlier posts, he described South Africa as having what he called extremely racist laws, arguing they betray the legacy of Nelson Mandela.

He has previously claimed there are over 140 laws on the books that are explicitly discriminatory against non-Black citizens.

Starlink currently operates in nearly two dozen African countries, providing high-speed internet connectivity to remote areas, schools, and hospitals.

In South Africa, however, regulatory hurdles have prevented any rollout despite Musk’s repeated offers to donate internet connectivity to thousands of rural schools across the country.

The South African government has consistently defended its B-BBEE policy as essential to correcting deep historical injustices.

Officials have previously insisted the rules apply equally to all companies and are not directed at any specific individual, pushing back firmly against Musk’s characterisation of the policy as racially targeted.

As of Sunday, no official response had been issued by the South African government or the country’s communications regulator, ICASA, to Musk’s latest remarks. Starlink remains unavailable to South African consumers and businesses.

The development underscores the continuing tension between post-apartheid transformation policies and global business interests in Africa’s most industrialised economy.

Elon Musk Calls South Africa Racist Over Starlink License Block is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Carlos Ulberg shocked Jiri Prochazka in the first round to win the vacant light-heavyweight title at UFC 327 in Miami, Florida, despite injuring his knee.

New Zealand’s Ulberg stumbled multiple times during the opening five minutes after hurting his right knee following an awkward landing.

But as Prochazka stepped in to take advantage, with Ulberg struggling to put his weight on his right leg, the 35-year-old caught the Czech fighter with a stunning left hook to end the fight.

As he celebrated his first world title and 10th straight victory in the UFC, Ulberg discussed the extent of the injury.

“I blew out my knee, but I knew all I needed was that one shot and I ended up getting it,” said Ulberg.

“I knew Jiri would come forward and as soon as I landed my left hand, he’s gone. Now I’ve gotta sort this knee out.

“It about getting those moments. He said he’d hunt me but you can’t hunt what you can’t kill.”

Former champion Prochazka, 33, closed his eyes in dejection after the contest, before revealing he dropped his guard after feeling “mercy” for Ulberg when he realised his knee was injured.

“It happened. I felt mercy. I felt sorry for him in that fight.” said Prochazka.

“This is one of the biggest lesson in my life. I still can’t understand. That fight was won. I had it. It was in my hand but I left him because I saw his injury.”

US President Donald Trump chose to attend the event, watching from octagon-side, at a time when Vice-President JD Vance was in Pakistan for what turned out to be unsuccessful peace talks with Iran.

The UFC is set to host an event at the White House on 14 June to celebrate 250 years of American independence.

The fight was set up between second-ranked Prochazka and third-ranked Ulberg after former champion Alex Pereira vacated the title to move up to heavyweight.

With 31 finishes from 39 fights, Prochazka is regarded as one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC and went into the contest as the favourite.

Ulberg, meanwhile, who grew up in foster homes before transitioning to martial arts after a spell in rugby league, earned the opportunity after knocking out former title challenger Dominick Reyes in September.

Fan favourite Prochazka was serenaded by “let’s go Jiri” chants in the early stages, as Ulberg attacked with leg kicks.

But Ulberg was soon in difficulties with his knee following an awkward landing while falling backwards.

Prochazka appeared to invite Ulberg to stand and trade blows, with the New Zealander ignoring the offer.

With Ulberg backing up against the cage, Prochazka stepped in while throwing punches but was caught by a flush counter left hook.

With fans at octagon-side on their feet in shock and excitement, Ulberg then pounced on the fallen Prochazka to reign down punches as the referee stopped the fight.

UFC president Dana White said in his post-fight news conference that the injury could be Ulberg’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), while commentator Daniel Cormier said Prochazka would have won had the fight gone past the first round.

“If he went to his corner, this fight would have been done. His knee is blown out, he can’t even stand,” said Cormier.

The UFC will be hoping Ulberg’s injury is not serious, with ACL tears usually taking more than nine months to heal fully following surgery.

Ulberg Stuns Prochazka Despite Knee Injury As Trump Watches is first published on The Whistler Newspaper