- Taiwan conducts war games amid concerns over Chinese aggression and Trump’s support
- Drill rapper Aderahman Boumzough sentenced to 35 years for murder of 15-year-old
- Daniel Kinahan extradited from Dubai and remanded in custody in Ireland
- Kinahan faces charges for trafficking drugs in ireland, the uk and spain
- Oil prices rise as Iranian demands hinder outlook for Strait of Hormuz
- What Iran’s new demands for reopening Strait of Hormuz mean for the US?
- First Nations chiefs in B.C. call on federal and Alberta governments to halt pipeline progress
- Full transcript of Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, 9 August 2026
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Taiwan conducts war games amid concerns over Chinese aggression and Trump’s support
Get you up to speed: Taiwan practices war games as it fears increasing Chinese aggression, questions Trump's support
Taiwan is engaged in a 10-day military exercise aimed at preparing for a potential invasion by China. The drills come amid China’s ongoing claims over the territory and threats of forceful seizure.
Taiwan’s military exercises are set to conclude later this week, with a focus on enhancing defensive capabilities in the face of regional tensions. There has been no indication from Taiwanese officials regarding whether they will extend the current drills or hold additional exercises in the near future.
Taiwan’s military exercises come amid escalating tensions with China, which has reiterated its intent to reclaim the territory. Officials have indicated that further drills are planned to enhance readiness in response to perceived threats.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain what specific military strategies Taiwan is employing during the war games.
Taiwan conducts war games amid concerns over Chinese aggression and Trump’s support
Taiwan continued its 10-day war games this weekend, preparing for a potential invasion by China, which claims the territory as its own and has threatened to seize it by force. Anna Coren has more details from Taiwan.
Drill rapper Aderahman Boumzough sentenced to 35 years for murder of 15-year-old
Get you up to speed: Drill rapper jailed after boasting about murder in music video | News UK
Aderahman Boumzough shot 15-year-old Rene Graham at a family festival in Ladbroke Grove, resulting in the boy’s death. Boumzough was subsequently sentenced to 35 years in prison at Woolwich Crown Court after detectives located him using phone data and CCTV footage.
Aderahman Boumzough was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison at Woolwich Crown Court following a murder trial, with evidence including phone data and CCTV footage. The murder squad detectives conducted a thorough investigation, utilising various types of evidence such as mobile phone records and forensic analysis.
WTXpolitan Police have defended the use of drill rap as evidence, asserting it plays a critical role in cases involving serious crimes and is gathered in connection with specific incidents. The group Art Not Evidence has called for restrictions on such evidence to avoid misrepresentation, highlighting ongoing debates about its role in criminal proceedings.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how many incidents involving drill music as evidence have been contested or how often such evidence is applied in cases.
Drill rapper Aderahman Boumzough sentenced to 35 years for murder of 15-year-old
Aderahman Boumzough shot Rene Graham, 15, with a pistol at a family festival in Ladbroke Grove.
The 25-year-old ‘cold-blooded’ killer murdered the boy before pointing the gun at a second person, but it jammed and he fled the scene.
He was hunted down by murder squad detectives and jailed for 35 years by a judge at Woolwich Crown Court.
Evidence used in the case included phone data and CCTV footage placing him at the scene of the murder in July 2024.
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The jury was shown the clip, which shows Boumzough clearly revelling in the retelling of his crime.
Addressing the killer, the sentencing judge Simon James said: ‘You robbed Rene’s family of seeing him grow into a man by your callous and cold-blooded conduct in gunning down and killing a defenceless teenager in what amounted to a premeditated public execution.’
The teenager’s mother, Janay John Francis, said: ‘I cannot begin to describe the depth of my pain after losing my precious angel.’
However, the use of such evidence has become contentious, with campaigners claiming drill rap is wrongly being vilified and is overused as evidence in the courtroom.
The group Art Not Evidence has called for a restriction on the use of music, particularly rap, to implicate people in crimes. However, police insist it can be a vital tool and is only gathered as evidence in connection with specific, serious crimes which have already been committed.
Leonardo Reid, 15, and Klevi Shekaj, 23, were killed after a gang wielding machetes ambushed a music shoot in Islington, north London, in 2023. A third victim, Abdullah Abdullahi, was badly injured in the attack.
Adel Chunda, Loriq Lupqi, Eden Clark, Jason Furtado and Xavier Poponne were given two life sentences for the murder.
The court heard how police had found lyrics on Poponne’s phone relating to the attack and three stabbings boasting ‘Got me a trio’.
The Met said the lyrics found ‘made references to elements of the attack which could only be known to those involved.’
Leonardo’s mother, Valentina Locci, told WTX of her devastation after the lyrics boasting of the killings emerged.
She said: ‘I felt my heart was getting ripped out.
‘The lyrics are very descriptive. What they wrote was cruel, it’s insensitive – that’s a hard pill to swallow because that’s my little boy. That’s my 15-year-old boy, and they robbed him of everything.
‘They robbed me, they robbed my other children. We got robbed. There is no excuse for what they did.’
She added: ‘He wasn’t a boy who was in the streets; he wasn’t involved in any form of gang affiliation at all, whatsoever, and he definitely had nothing to do with drill music.
‘He was murdered by adults who had nothing better to do. My son had to witness his little brother die.’
In another case, drill rapper Emmanuel Popoola was jailed for life over the murder of Keanu Harker, 18, in Enfield, north London, following a social media dispute.
Tayvon Etefia, 18, who used a high-powered electric bike to deliver Popoola to the crime scene, was also jailed.
Keanu was shot dead in June last year just days after Etefia warned in a rap posted online: ‘Any green boy gets chinged (stabbed) on sight,’ referring to his GMG gang targeting the 3×3 crew to which Keanu allegedly had connections.
He said: ‘Why would you not put this evidence to a jury?
He said suspects sometimes posted lyrics or drill rap about their crimes to enhance their ‘status’ among their peers, even though it may lead to them being brought to justice.
DS Corbin said: ‘They care about their status; that’s why they often do it.’
He added: ‘Evidence from drill rap is just part of the case. There is ANPR (number plate recognition), forensics, CCTV, mobile phone records. The jury needs to be given the full picture.’
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Daniel Kinahan extradited from Dubai and remanded in custody in Ireland
Get you up to speed: Suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan taken to jail after Dubai extradition | News World
Daniel Kinahan, an alleged gang figure, was extradited from Dubai to Ireland and arrested upon landing near Dublin on an Irish government jet. He has been charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation and is currently remanded in custody.
Daniel Kinahan was remanded in custody after being charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation from October 18, 2025, to April 7, 2017. He is set to appear before Dublin’s Special Criminal Court later today following his extradition from Dubai, which was part of an operation coordinated with UAE officials.
Daniel Kinahan, extradited from Dubai on an Irish government jet, has been charged and remanded in custody for directing the activities of a criminal organisation. Irish officials, including Jim O’Callaghan, hailed the extradition as a landmark instance of international judicial cooperation, emphasising the commitment to bringing serious offenders to justice.
What remains unclear — It is not specified when Daniel Kinahan’s next court appearance will occur following his arraignment.
Daniel Kinahan extradited from Dubai and remanded in custody in Ireland

Daniel Kinahan, who has been living in Dubai for years, was picked up on a government jet after his extradition from the United Arab Emirates in a high-profile operation
An alleged gang figure, Daniel Kinahan, was charged and sent to jail after his extradition from Dubai on an Irish government.
The boxing promoter, 49, was apprehended on an arrest warrant in Dubai, where he has lived for years.
He was picked up on an Irish government jet which took off from the United Arab Emirates shortly after 10am yesterday, and he was arrested on Irish soil when the plane touched down outside Dublin at about 6.30pm.
Mr Kinahan is accused of being a leading figure in the Kinahan organised crime group, and being involved in international drug trafficking and firearm offences.
He was charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 18, 2025 and April 7, 2017.
The 49-year-old was remanded in custody.
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The operation to bring him back to Ireland was orchestrated together with the UAE officials.
Jim O’Callaghan and Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi said the Irish national being extradited was ‘regarded as one of the most high-profile individuals sought for prosecution in connection with transnational organised crime.’
They confirmed the extradition after a formal request submitted by Irish authorities, and the final decision was issued following a judgment by the Dubai Court of Cassation, in accordance with the extradition treaty between the two countries.
They said the decision ‘sends a clear message that suspected perpetrators of serious and organised crime will find no safe haven from justice, reaffirming the shared determination of both countries to ensure that such individuals are brought before the courts.’
The ministers added that the final extradition decision ‘reflects the steadfast commitment of both countries to the rule of law and reinforces international judicial co-operation.’
Mr O’Callaghan expressed Ireland’s ‘deep appreciation for the support of the United Arab Emirates in handling the extradition request,’ and commended the ‘professionalism, efficiency and diligence demonstrated by the UAE judicial authorities throughout the extradition proceedings.’
‘This decision is another landmark of judicial co-operation between the two countries and reflects the strength of our partnership to address transnational organised crime,’ he added.
The Kinahan cartel was involved in a feud with rival Hutch gang in Ireland, with the rift dating back to 2015.
An attempt was made on Mr Kinahan’s life in 2016.
He is said to have gotten married in 2017 in the luxury Burj Al Arab hotel, dubbed the world’s only seven-star hotel.
Mr Kinahan is scheduled to appear before Dublin’s Special Criminal Court later today to face a charge of directing an organised crime group.
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Kinahan faces charges for trafficking drugs in ireland, the uk and spain
Kinahan faces charges for trafficking drugs in ireland, the uk and spain
Daniel Kinahan is believed to have led the Kinahan organised crime group, involved in narcotics trafficking across Ireland, the UK, and Spain.
Kinahan’s operations reportedly involve extensive narcotics trafficking across multiple countries, highlighting a significant transnational crime network with serious implications for regional security and law enforcement.
“Kinahan is believed to have run the Kinahan organised crime group, suspected of trafficking narcotics and involved in serious criminal activities.”
Suspected Irish crime boss Daniel Kinahan extradited from Dubai to Dublin

Kinahan is believed to have run the Kinahan organised crime group, which is suspected of trafficking narcotics into Ireland, the UK and Spain, as well as a slew of other charges, including money laundering and murder.
Oil prices rise as Iranian demands hinder outlook for Strait of Hormuz
Get you up to speed: Oil prices climb as Iranian demands cloud outlook for Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices increased as Iran‘s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen without significant concessions from the United States. Shipping through the strait remains critically disrupted, with only eight to 15 vessels crossing from August 4 to 6, compared to approximately 130 before the conflict began.
Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abbas Araghchi, indicated that an agreement with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz is near but remains contingent on significant concessions from the United States. Since the conflict began in late February, vessel transits through the strait have drastically declined, with only eight to 15 vessels crossing on recent days compared to approximately 130 before the war.
Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi stated that the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the United States meets conditions, including easing sanctions and paying war reparations, while the United Arab Emirates condemned Tehran for a recent missile attack on a vessel. Market analysts express scepticism regarding the swift resolution of these tensions, noting that any potential diplomatic breakthrough may not significantly lower oil prices due to ongoing risks.
What remains unclear — The exact conditions Iran requires from the United States for reopening the Strait of Hormuz have not been disclosed.
Oil prices rise as Iranian demands hinder outlook for Strait of Hormuz
Economy|US-Israel war on IranOil prices climb as Iranian demands cloud outlook for Strait of Hormuz
Brent crude prices rise as Tehran says critical waterway will not reopen without major US concessions.
Published On 10 Aug 202610 Aug 2026
Oil prices are climbing higher as Iran’s latest demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz dampen hopes for a return to stability in global energy markets.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose more than 1 percent on Monday as Tehran’s insistence that the critical waterway will not reopen without major concessions from the United States stoked market anxiety.
Brent futures for October stood at $83.77 a barrel at 2:30 GMT, up about 16 percent compared with before the start of the US and Israel’s war on Iran.
“The lack of concrete movement, together with lingering questions about the practical details of any agreement, is keeping a risk premium in the price,” Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at Sydney, Australia-based KCM Trade, told WTX News.
“Each day that passes without a breakthrough is making traders a little more cautious.”
Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that while Iran and Oman were close to an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway would not reopen until Washington met certain conditions, including easing sanctions and paying war reparations.
Shipping in the strait, a conduit for about one-fifth of global oil supplies before the war, has effectively collapsed since the conflict began in late February, prompting the largest energy disruption in recorded history.
Between eight and 15 vessels crossed the strait on August 4, August 5 and August 6, according to ship-tracking platform MarineTraffic, a fraction of the roughly 130 transits before the conflict.
Iran has repeatedly insisted on the right to control shipping in the strait despite freedom of navigation being a cornerstone of international maritime law, threatening to attack commercial vessels that attempt passage on unapproved routes.
On Saturday, the United Arab Emirates condemned Tehran over what it said was an Iranian missile attack on a vessel owned by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
At least 64 violent incidents and 17 deaths involving commercial vessels have occurred in the region since the war began, according to the International Maritime Organization, most of which have been blamed on Iran.
Despite renewed volatility in energy markets, Asian stocks rose on Monday morning, with benchmark indices in Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong all making substantial gains.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s Kospi were up 2.1 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively, while the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong was 0.6 percent higher.
Waterer, the KCM Trade analyst, said there is considerable market scepticism about how quickly a workable deal to reopen the strait can be reached.
“Even if an agreement is eventually announced, history suggests these understandings can prove fragile,” Waterer said.
“That residual risk of reversal would likely limit how far oil prices could fall in the event of a diplomatic breakthrough.”
What Iran’s new demands for reopening Strait of Hormuz mean for the US?
Get you up to speed: Iran sets tough terms to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s national security chief has presented demands to the US, including the lifting of the naval blockade of Iranian ports, compensation for war damages, and the release of frozen Iranian assets, before the Strait of Hormuz can be reopened. Simultaneously, Iran and Oman have indicated that they are nearing an agreement on managing the strategic waterway.
Iran’s national security chief has specified that the US must lift its naval blockade and release frozen assets as preconditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, discussions between Iran and Oman on managing the waterway are reported to be nearing a conclusion.
Iran’s national security chief has specified conditions for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, including the lifting of the US naval blockade and the release of frozen assets. Meanwhile, Iran and Oman are reportedly nearing a deal on governance of the waterway.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how Iran plans to respond if the US does not meet its demands.
What Iran’s new demands for reopening Strait of Hormuz mean for the US?

Iran’s latest demands
Iran’s security chief Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, a commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), later issued a more detailed list of demands.
Speaking to the semi-official news agency Tasnim, he declared the Strait of Hormuz would not reopen until the US “corrects its behaviour”.
Zolqadr said the US must never threaten Iran again; permanently end the war with Tehran and its proxies; lift its blockade and remove all forces from the region; “completely compensate” the Iranian regime for war damage; lift sanctions; and “unconditionally” release frozen assets.
Separately, Iran and Oman say they are close to reaching a deal on managing the strategic waterway.
So how will the US react to Iran’s new demands for reopening Strait of Hormuz?
The first thing to recognise is the US will have to make concessions, in order to make a deal. They deal points centre around the Iranian Republic being able to control the waterways without interference from the United states or Israel.
But these concessions will impact Israels strategy more than it will the United States. If the strait is blocked Israel has the potential of providing an alternate solution to the Gulf countries, a pipeline, which goes through Israel, ultimately Israel needs the parts of Southern Lebanon that Israel has already captured.
Read more – Israel destroys Iran-US peace plan by bombing 19 Lebanese civilians
Read more – Israel will scupper Hamas peace agreement – As Trump hold emergency meetings
The proposed Israeli controlled Oil pipeline route, known as the Trans-Israel Pipeline, would avoid the Hormuz & Suez waterways, but although papers like the Times are labelling it as solution, in reality it can’t handle the capacity needed and travels through multiple choke points in Jordan and Syria.
Another stumbling block, it will be controlled by the Israeli’s who are ruthless, not only to its enemies, but also its allies. It has engineered this entire conflict, with toppling Iraq first, with fake memo’s in Washington, dismantling Syria, and then taking the areas in Lebanon and Gaza strip that will be needed to make this feasible, also know as the Greater Israel project.
The irony of routing it through Israel, where they apply a levy, is quite palpable. Create a problem, then offer a solution and hold the Europe’s oil supply ransom.
Israel however, is preparing for life after the United States, which is on the horizon. As soon as the ‘US pulls out from the middle east’, Israel needs to be able to fund itself, be the most dominant and control the resources with all the Gulf nations.

Trump insists a deal could be announced ‘soon’
The US is yet to respond formally to Iran’s latest demands, but Trump has insisted several times that the announcement of a deal “could be soon”.
However, he has made similar claims repeatedly throughout the months-long conflict and has often supplemented them with threats of further violence.
Trump he needs this war to end
A Middle East peace agreement would offer him perhaps the biggest political prize of his presidency: the ability to declare that he had delivered a settlement his predecessors could not.
It would also fit neatly into the political legacy Trump appears determined to construct around himself.
That makes concessions to Tehran far less unimaginable than Washington’s rhetoric might suggest.
Saudi Arabia are the deal makers
If Riyadh ultimately joins the Abraham Accords, Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC would move significantly closer to normalised economic relations with Israel. That would transform the regional paradox, and potentially give Trump the political cover required to accept concessions to Iran while presenting the wider agreement as an historic American victory.
Behind the scenes, there’s a political battle going on and the real negotiation, therefore, may be much bigger than the Strait of Hormuz.
It is about who controls the region’s energy routes; Saudi Arabia is also playing preparing for life after the US, by signing up to the ‘Muslim Nato’ with Pakistan and Turkey, before it formally normalises relations with Israel, to ensure it maintains its clout as the leader in the GCC.
Perhaps, now it makes sense why Iran is making such demands, as it knows once this conflict is over opens the Strait it must be in a position to profit and maintain some form of power.
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