Tehran Declares Hormuz Closed, But Ships Are Still Transiting

UK Bans Pretend "Stepsister" Porn Months After Actual Muslim Incest Protections Authored by Steve Watson via modernity.news, The British government has banned “step” porn, where the porn stars pretend to be related in a scripted format. Meanwhile, a bill earlier this year to ban first cousin marriage was rejected. The crackdown targets consenting adults role-playing taboo family scenarios, including step-family tropes.  Offenders face prison time, and platforms must block UK access or face Ofcom fines. It’s sold as “protecting children” and aligning online rules with offline laws. Ban on step incest porn and 'barely...

US Warns Ally Oman That It Better Pick The 'Right' Side In Hormuz Standoff The saga of rare Washington pressure on its longtime regional ally Oman continues, with on Tuesday The Wall Street Journal reporting that US officials are growing "increasingly frustrated" with Muscat's neutral stance, which they now view as hostile to US interests. Oman has stood accused of cooperating with Iran on a proposed toll collection scheme which would benefit Tehran and circumvent America's aims for the region. Via container-news "In recent days, the Trump administration has threatened to sanction and even bomb Oman,...

"Critical Inflection Point" Reached As USA Rare Earth Expands With $2.8 Billion Serra Verde Buyout USA Rare Earth Inc. is acquiring Brazil’s Serra Verde Group in a roughly $2.8 billion cash-and-stock deal, part of a broader push by the U.S. and its allies to secure independent supplies of critical minerals, according to CNBC and Bloomberg.  The agreement includes $300 million in cash and a large share issuance, with the transaction expected to close in the third quarter. The deal comes amid rising concern over China’s dominance in rare earths—a group of 17...