Britain and France will this week co-host talks aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, including discussions on what President Emmanuel Macron described as a possible strictly defensive naval mission.

The talks are intended to bring together Britain, France and other countries willing to join a peaceful multinational mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait.

"This strictly defensive mission, which will be separate from the warring parties, is intended to be deployed as soon as the situation allows," Macron said in a post on X.

Tensions in the Gulf have intensified after the United States said it would begin a blockade of maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, while Iran has effectively shut the Strait, a route that carries about a fifth of the world's oil consumption.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz was deeply damaging global shipping and was adding to cost‑of‑living pressures.

"This week the UK and France will co-host a summit to advance work on a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping when the conflict ends," Starmer posted on X.

Britain has previously convened representatives of more than 40 countries that share the aim of restoring freedom of navigation. The United States was not involved in those talks.

Oil prices resumed their climb and global markets mostly declined Monday as the U.S. military prepared to blockade traffic to and from Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz, where most shipping has been stalled by Iran since the start of the war.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the planned blockade after U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks in Pakistan ended without an agreement, and the U.S. military said the blockade involving all Iranian ports would begin Monday at 10 a.m. EDT, or 5:30 p.m. in Iran.

Read more at The Associated Press:

Britney Stars has voluntarily checked herself into a treatment facility over a month after she was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol in California, a representative for the pop star confirmed to multiple news outlets.

At the time of her March 4 arrest, a spokesperson for the artist called the incident "completely inexcusable."

"Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney's life," the statement said. "Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time."

Pope Leo XIV on Monday said he "will continue to speak out loudly against war" despite President Donald Trump's recent attack against him.

"I don't want to get into a debate with him," the pope said of Trump, according to Reuters. "I don't think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing."

"I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems," he added.

Trump called the pope "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy" in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday.

"I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do," Trump said.

"Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician," he continued.

The pontiff appeared to brush off Trump's comments, noting that "too many innocent people were being killed around the world."

"I think someone has to stand up and say there's a better way," he said.

"The message of the church, my message, the message of the Gospel: Blessed are the Peacemakers. I do not look at my role as being political, a politician," he added.

Former President Barack Obama welcomed the defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in a parliamentary election Sunday, calling it "a victory for democracy, not just in Europe but around the world."

"Most of all, it’s a testament to the resilience and determination of the Hungarian people – and a reminder to all of us to keep striving for fairness, equality and the rule of law," Obama wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Obama's statement did not mention Orbán by name.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also reacted to the result, writing that "the end of Viktor Orbán’s autocratic regime is a victory not just for Hungary, but for people who value democracy around the world."

The victory of the opposition in Hungary yesterday, like the Polish election in 2023, is a victory for democracy, not just in Europe but around the world. Most of all, it’s a testament to the resilience and determination of the Hungarian people – and a reminder to all of us to…

The U.S. military announced it will begin a blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas on Monday, a step down from President Donald Trump’s earlier vow to entirely block the strategic Strait of Hormuz as early reports indicated that ships had stopped crossing the waterway.

The move came after marathon U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks in Pakistan ended without an agreement, and it set the stage for a showdown as Iran responded with threats on ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Read more at The Associated Press:

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor on Sunday following sexual assault allegations that he continues to deny.

"I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign's," Swalwell said in a social media post.

Democrats quickly abandoned him after allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him, were published Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle and later by CNN. The reports came as Swalwell began to emerge as a leader contender in the crowded race.

Read more at The Associated Press:

Hungarian voters on Sunday ousted long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power, rejecting the authoritarian policies and global far-right movement that he embodied in favor of a pro-European challenger in a bombshell election result with global repercussions.

It was a stunning blow for Orbán — a close ally of both U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin — who quickly conceded defeat after what he called a "painful" election result. U.S. Vice President JD Vance had made a visit to Hungary just days earlier, meant to help push Orbán over the finish line.

Read more at The Associated Press:

In press statements on Sunday, multiple House lawmakers said they’d vote to expel both Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Tony Gonzales (R-Tex.) from Congress in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations that the two men have faced.

“I would,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said when asked if she’d support Swalwell’s expulsion during an appearance on NBC News’s “Meet the Press.” Jayapal said that she’d back the same action for Gonzales and stressed that Congress needed to send a message with its response to the allegations.

“This is also important for staffers across the Capitol to see that their bosses don't get to do this to them,” Jayapal said.

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fl.) similarly said he’d back expulsion for both lawmakers during an interview on “Meet the Press.”

“That vote comes to the floor, I will be voting yes on both measures,” he said. “As far as I'm concerned, both gentlemen need to go home.”

Multiple women have accused Swalwell of sexual assault and misconduct, allegations he’s denied. A second former staffer has also accused Gonzales of sending her sexually explicit text messages after he reportedly had an affair with another former staffer who later died by suicide. Gonzales’s office did not provide comment to the San Antonio Express-News or NBC News, both of which reported on the second allegation.

Spokespeople for Swalwell and Gonzales did not immediately respond to a HuffPost request for comment.

There have been a growing number of calls for both Swalwell's and Gonzales’s resignations and expulsions.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fl.) said this weekend that she plans to file a motion to expel Swalwell and that she’ll try to pair it with one on Gonzales.

“Reps. Gonzales and Swalwell are not fit to serve. They must resign. If they do not, I will vote to expel them,” Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) also wrote in a statement shared to social media on Sunday.

President Donald Trump posted a lengthy Truth Social post attacking Pope Leo XIV on Sunday after the religious leader previously condemned a threat he made against Iran.

“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump wrote in a meandering rant that took aim at the Pope for his willingness to critique the president’s positions.

“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela,” Trump said. “I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do.”

Last week, Leo decried Trump's threat to destroy a “whole civilization” in Iran.

“Today, as we all know, there has also been this threat against the entire people of Iran. And this is truly unacceptable,” Leo told reporters last Tuesday evening.

He’s also called for Trump to look for an off-ramp to the U.S. war on Iran and criticized war more broadly.

"Enough of the idolatry of self and money!" Leo said in remarks on Saturday. "Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!"

Trump repeated aspects of his post when reporters asked why he went after Leo during a gaggle on Sunday.

"I don’t think he’s doing a very good job," Trump said. "He's a very liberal person...I'm not a fan of Pope Leo."

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.