First Thing: Trump threatens to impose US tolls on Hormuz shipping as strikes on Iran continue

US Considers Tolls on Strait of Hormuz Shipping as Conflict with Iran Continues; Senate Appointment, ICC Policy, and Other Developments Reported

Good morning. Reports indicate that US forces conducted strikes on Iran for a third consecutive night, hours after President Donald Trump stated that Washington would reinstate measures affecting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and require payments for passage. The United Arab Emirates reported that two national tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in the southern lane of the strait within Omani territorial waters, resulting in one Indian crew member killed and eight others wounded, four seriously.

Iran and the United States are in the middle of a 60-day period established under an interim agreement intended to lead to negotiations for a permanent end to the conflict that began in February following the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. The agreement has instead been followed by exchanges of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz area, with the interim ceasefire largely not holding and raising concerns among governments about possible resumption of broader fighting.

The interim deal included a provision that explicitly prohibited Iran from imposing charges on commercial ships transiting the strait. Trump’s proposal for a 20 percent tariff on cargoes through the strait, announced Monday, marks a shift from the prior US position that the waterway should remain open without fees, consistent with the situation before the February attacks by the United States and Israel. Proposals by either the United States or Iran to impose such fees would depart from established international practices regarding freedom of navigation and carry the potential for wider effects on global shipping and trade.

South Carolina Governor Appoints Lindsey Graham’s Sister to Senate Seat

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone to complete the Senate term of her brother, Lindsey Graham, following his death on Saturday. The appointment followed a recommendation from President Trump. Nordone, 64, was described by lawmakers from both parties as a suitable successor, noting that Graham had raised her after the deaths of their parents during her teenage years.

In brief remarks after the appointment, Nordone said: “Lindsey has always been there for me, and now I will be there for him. I promise to work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States. I think this is what Lindsey would have wanted, and I plan to honor him in this way. I miss you more than I can even put into words, but I’m going to do this. I got it.”

Secretary of State Rubio Announces Steps Targeting International Criminal Court

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Monday an initiative aimed at the International Criminal Court, stating that the tribunal was affecting US military and law enforcement activities and raising questions about American sovereignty. Rubio referred to the possibility of US border patrol agents and elected officials facing proceedings before judges from other countries.

“If we stand idle, all of them will be at the mercy of foreign judges, thousands of miles away – facing the constant risk of prosecution and even imprisonment for the so-called ‘crime’ of defending their own country,” Rubio said in a video statement.

The International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, operates under the Rome Statute of 2002 and has jurisdiction only over crimes in states that are parties to the treaty. The United States has not ratified the statute, and the court has not opened investigations into alleged crimes on US territory.

Additional Reported Developments

Minnesota prosecutors received previously withheld evidence concerning the shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti earlier this year during protests over federal immigration enforcement actions. State officials had previously noted that the FBI had not shared materials from its investigation.

Mexico announced plans to file criminal complaints regarding the deaths of migrants involving US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, with President Claudia Sheinbaum stating that Mexicans expressed strong reactions to the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by agents in Houston the previous week.

A federal judge vacated an agreement intended to settle a lawsuit by Trump against the Internal Revenue Service, describing the $10 billion action as filed for an improper purpose.

Idaho officials will place a measure on the ballot concerning a reproductive freedom statute that would alter the state’s existing restrictions on abortion procedures at all stages of pregnancy.

Relations between Poland and Ukraine regarding security issues along their borders with Russia have encountered difficulties stemming from disagreements over a World War II-era massacre.

Tariff Refund Figures Released Following Court Ruling

The US government has issued refunds totaling $81 billion for tariffs collected prior to a Supreme Court decision that found the tariffs unlawful, according to budget data released Monday.

Television Series Gains Viewers on Streaming Platform

The South African drama series “The Polygamist” has attracted substantial audiences on Netflix. The program centers on a central character and includes multiple plot developments that have contributed to its viewership.

T. rex Skeleton Scheduled for Auction

Sotheby’s will auction one of the larger and more complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons found to date in New York, with an estimated sale range of $20 million to $30 million. Vertebrate paleontologist Prof. Richard Butler of the University of Birmingham stated that marketing dinosaur fossils through auction houses at high prices raises concerns for research access, as specimens outside recognized museum collections are generally unavailable for scientific study.

Tributes Paid to Actor Sam Neill

Following the death of actor Sam Neill, colleagues including Lindsay Duncan, Charles Dance, and director Peter Webber issued statements. Residents in communities on New Zealand’s South Island where he lived described him as a local resident. His final interview, conducted with Guardian readers, has also been noted.

Changes Approved to Utah National Monuments

President Trump approved reductions in the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah. The areas contain archaeological sites including cliff dwellings and petroglyphs, as well as scenic features and mineral deposits. State officials have sought access to coal and uranium resources for development purposes.

Podcast Examines Male Infertility Trends

A podcast hosted by Helen Pidd features Prof. Michael Carroll discussing worldwide reports of declining sperm counts and testosterone levels, along with associated social perceptions. The episode addresses information relevant to men regarding fertility.

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