US military lifts naval blockade in Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman

The US has lifted naval blockades in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, with reports showing that shipping vessels have departed the region through the Strait of Hormuz.

The US Central Command said in a series of posts on X that, following direction from President Donald Trump, blockades on maritime traffic along the coasts of Iran have ended.

However, the US Navy will stay in the "general area" to be sure that "all aspects" of the peace agreement signed by the United States and Iran "are adhered to, obeyed and in full force and effect." The signing of the deal by President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian set in motion 60 days for talks on wider issues between the two foes, including the Iranian nuclear programme.

The signing ceremony was expected to take place in Switzerland, but the parties decided to implement the agreement more quickly. Oil prices tumbled after the agreement was inked, though activity was still muted in the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic bottleneck for energy shipments that Iran blocked during the conflict and which should reopen immediately under the deal. US military forces will no longer interfere with the transit of any civilian or cargo vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports through the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Reference Sources

1. washingtontimes - Trump, Vance defend U.S.-Iran pact as 60-day negotiation period starts
2. upi - U.S. military lifts naval blockade in Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman
3. france24 - US forces lift Iran ports blockade as uncertainty clouds planned Switzerland talks
4. newsukraine - Trump fully lifts naval blockade on Iran

Federal regulators back Trump’s plan to speed power to energy-hungry AI data centers

Federal regulators have agreed to allow large energy users to connect more quickly to the nation's inefficient electric transmission system to accommodate surging demand from power-hungry artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright had urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to act in an effort to help the United States better compete with China for superiority in the fast-growing AI sector.

Tech companies and data center developers have welcomed the chances for faster connections to the country's power supply.

However, utilities, States, and regional grid operators worry that the Republican administration's plan would remove their authority to manage the process. Clean energy advocates want the agency to advance, rather than undermine, state-level efforts to require the use of renewable energies.

The Commission's actions come as a backlash grows against data centers over fears about rising electricity prices and concerns about the massive amounts of energy and water they use, Polluting communities across the country and straining water resources and the electric grid.

FERC members voted unanimously to direct that AI data centers and other large power users can connect to the transmission system in a timely and orderly manner.

Reference Sources

1. usnews - Federal Regulators Back Trump's Plan to Speed Power to Energy-Hungry AI Data Centers
2. apnews - Federal regulators back Trump’s plan to speed power to energy-hungry AI data centers

Apple allows alternative app stores, payments in Brazil after deal with regulator

Apple has announced that it will allow developers in Brazil to distribute their iOS apps through alternative Marketplaces and process payments outside of its system, following an agreement with the country's antitrust watchdog, Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE).

The changes, which are part of Apple's agreement with CADE, loosen Apple's rules in yet another market, following similar revisions in the EU and Japan.

The move marks another crack in Apple's long-held control over the iOS app ecosystem, which has been forced to open up by regulators and, in some cases, via legal battles. In the US, for example, Apple now permits developers to direct users to external payment options as a result of the court's decision in the Epic Games lawsuit against the iPhone maker.

The updates in Brazil's market will include the introduction of new protections, including a Notarization process for iOS apps distributed outside the App Store, authorization requirements for alternative App Marketplaces, and other rules designed to protect children from inappropriate content and scams, Apple said.

The company also updated attachment 12 of its Apple Developer Program license agreement to specify terms for iOS apps in Brazil, which will use the Core Technology Commission (CTC) fee structure.

Reference Sources

1. thestarmy - Apple allows alternative app stores, payments in Brazil after deal with regulator
2. techcrunch - Apple opens up App Store to new competition in Brazil

The CommonWealth English daily news digest is a service curated by CommonWealth English team with the help of AI tools.  

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