The Daily Populous

Trump pauses day-old Hormuz operation in latest push for Iran deal

In brief US President Donald Trump has paused a new military operation in the Strait of Hormuz.

United States President Donald Trump says he is halting the US military operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after just one day, in a bid to reach a deal with Iran to end the Middle East war.

Tensions had been soaring over the Hormuz operation, with the United States saying it had sunk seven Iranian boats, and several civilian vessels coming under attack, allegedly from Iran.

US secretary of state Marco Rubio said earlier on Tuesday that the United States has completed its offensive operations against Iran, which it dubbed "Operation Epic Fury".

"This is not an offensive operation; this is a defensive operation," Rubio said.

Trump on 8 April declared a ceasefire with Iran that he has since extended even though negotiations with Iran have been at a standstill.

"These guys are facing, they are facing real, catastrophic destruction to their economy," he said, while adding that Trump still preferred a negotiated deal with Iran. »

FedEx driver sentenced to death by lethal injection for murder of seven-year-old in Texas

Authored by the-independent.com

A FedEx driver who admitted last month to the 2022 kidnapping and murder of seven-year-old Athena Strand has been sentenced to death by lethal injection.

Prosecutors sought the death penalty, pointing to key evidence that included a chilling, hour-long audio recording captured inside Horner’s delivery van during the attack.

open image in gallery Tanner Lynn Horner was sentenced to death on Tuesday for the 2022 murder of Athena Strand ( AP ). »

Third sloth, Dumpling, dies after rescue from Sloth World

Authored by orlandoweekly.com

One day after the Central Florida Zoo lost its second former Sloth World sloth, Habanero, the zoo has said yet another goodbye.

A total of 13 rescued sloths were donated from unopened attraction Sloth World to the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford last week.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission first uncovered the deaths of 31 sloths under Sloth World’s care back in August 2025. »

Former Elder Scrolls Online boss describes Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin closing as a turning point at Xbox: 'I know where this is going'

Authored by pcgamer.com

To hear Firor tell it, the closure of Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks on the same day was recognized as a sign of things to come inside Xbox.

Firor said that the presence of industry veterans at ZeniMax Online primed them to recognize this likely meant more hardship to come.

"[The Elder Scrolls Online team] was hundreds and hundreds of people by that point," said Firor. »

Iowa shares sensitive voter data with the Department of Justice

Authored by iowapublicradio.org

Iowa has shared voter registration data — including sensitive personal information — with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Secretary of State Paul Pate announced Tuesday.

“The Department of Justice has assured us that the data will be protected appropriately under federal law, and we expect them to uphold that promise.”.

Madeleine Charis King / Iowa Public Radio Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said he provided the U.S. Department of Justice with voter data because the state has to comply with federal law. »