Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
Starmer to visit Middle East after US and Iran reach ceasefire deal
Reuters Keir Starmer welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the US as he travelled to meet with leaders of countries in the Gulf on Wednesday. The prime minister is expected to “discuss diplomatic efforts to support and uphold the ceasefire”, according to No 10. He will return to the UK on Friday. The ceasefire comes after Donald Trump threatened “a whole civilisation will die” if Iran did not agree to end the war and unblock the Strait of Hormuz – comments that led Downing Street to call again forRead more
Trump and Iran agreed to a ceasefire. What happens now?
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media Tuesday that he will hold off for two weeks on his threat to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges, in exchange for Iran agreeing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic. (Mark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press) Now that U.S. President Donald Trump has backed off his escalating threats to bomb Iran’s power plants, bridges and even destroy its civilization, attention turns to whether the warring sides can reach a full-fledged peace deal that lasts. Trump’s announcement of a two-week ceasefire cameRead more
Trump agrees to 2-week ceasefire as Iran says it will allow passage through Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said early Tuesday evening that he has agreed “to suspend the bombing and attack on Iran for a period of two weeks” subject to Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz. “This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!,” he wrote on social media, adding that he agreed to it “subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz.” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be allowed for the nextRead more
House prices dropping in Canada’s most expensive cities, but still out of reach for many
Carpenters build a home in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que. in October. Average housing prices are softening in Canada, but experts say it’s not enough for most prospective first-time buyers. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press) Housing prices are dipping in Canada’s priciest markets, but real estate experts say it’s not necessarily the break for which potential first-time homebuyers have been waiting — and that break may never come. TD Economics said in a report last week that it expects home prices to slide 0.3 per cent across Canada this year, after a weak performanceRead more