President Trump has said the US is to help free up ships out of the Persian Gulf, through the strait of Hormuz. It’s understood that the plan is for US warships to escort commercial shipping through the strait.

The US has been carrying out a naval blockade of the strait of Hormuz following the ceasefire in its war with Iran. The Iranians has closed the strait with attacks on shipping. The sea lane is critical to international trade because around a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies pass through it.

In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time. I am fully aware that my representatives are having very positive discussions with the country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all.”

He described the planned operation as a “humanitarian process” to help the crews of ships stuck in the Gulf by Iran’s closure of the strait and a US naval blockade.

Trump said that “If, in any way, this process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”

Earlier, President Trump said he had reviewed and rejected Iran’s latest peace proposal, saying it was “not acceptable”.

Human rights groups inside Iran have accused the regime of carrying out widespread torture and execution. The BBC has been able to speak to some of those inside Iran.

Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Peter Bowes and Fergal Keane.
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Iran’s military has said it will close the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US maintaining its blockade, Iranian state media reports.

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Police are continuing to investigate allegations of sexual abuse, forced marriage and modern slavery connected to a religious community in Cheshire, England.

Ten people were arrested since Wednesday as 500 police officers were involved in raids on properties connected to members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (Arpol). The allegations are related to a woman who was previously part of the community.

About 150 people are understood to live at its base at Webb House, which was targeted by police, as well as raids on two other properties owned by Arpol.

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What happens when the sperm or egg donor you choose isn’t the one you get?

Northern Cyprus is a sun-soaked haven for affordable IVF. But behind the glossy clinic websites, parents are discovering their chosen sperm or egg donors might not have been used.

A BBC investigation follows parents searching for answers and children wondering where they have come from.

Details of organisations offering information and support with infertility are available on the Pregnancy related issues page at bbc.co.uk/actionline

In the UK, see more from BBC News on the BBC iPlayer: https://bbc.in/4uHp0ht

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As the US-Israel war with Iran reaches a diplomatic stalemate – one idea seems to be taking hold: that China is the real winner.

Some have argued that the US’s biggest rival is quietly boosting its international standing, leverage and reputation as a reliable partner.

Yet beneath the surface the economic situation in China looks far less triumphant.

We speak to the BBC China Correspondent Laura Bicker who has been reporting from inside China’s factories and trading hubs to explore whether the potential political gains China may be accruing from the Iran war are being offset by the acute economic cost – and what this means for China’s long-term geopolitical ambitions.

New episodes of The Global Story are released daily. If you’re in the UK, listen on BBC Sounds. If you live outside the UK, listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the podcast here: https://app.magellan.ai/listen_links/the-global-story-ytl

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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:39 Is China an ally of Iran?
03:51 ‘The Axis of upheaval’
05:31 Is the US-Israel war with Iran an opportunity for China?
09:31 China’s reliance on exports
12:30 The world’s largest trade fair
18:12 What do Chinese people think about Donald Trump?
19:56 Has the Iran war been bad news for China?
21:40 What will happen when Donald Trump visits China?

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