The United States and Iran reached an initial agreement early this morning to open the Strait of Hormuz and further extend their shaky ceasefire, potentially allowing desperately needed oil to reach the global market. Details of the deal were not immediately released and Iran signaled implementation would not start until the signing, which key mediator Pakistan said would occur Friday in Switzerland. The deal gives just 60 days to resolve what to do about Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and its atomic program. That took years to resolve in Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal, from which U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from in his first term. Trump took to social media to announce the deal, which was confirmed by Iran on state television. Israel didn’t immediately comment and it’s uncertain if they will continue their offensive against Lebanon, which has been a key sticking point with Iran. In some positive economic news, oil futures are down in early morning trading on the back of the announcement.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he does not expect talk with President Trump about trade issues between Canada and the United States during this week’s G7 summit in France. Both leaders will be at the meeting in the town of Evian, which runs from today through Wednesday. During a news conference in Ireland yesterday, Carney said he expects the principal talks on the issue will continue between key people in the teams now working on the file. The Prime Minister said he expects the G7 meeting to have a heavy geopolitical element to it, given the conflict in the Middle East as well as in Ukraine and other issues. Mr. Carney’s remarks come as trade talks are escalating between Canada, the United States and Mexico ahead of the July 1 review date for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The U.S. President signed the deal in his first term, but has mused recently about not renewing it.
Hundreds of first responders gathered along the streets of Toronto yesterday afternoon for a procession honouring the Toronto police officer who was killed in a gunfire exchange in the city’s northwest end Thursday. Constable Marc Pinizzotto died after he was shot while executing a search warrant tied to several shootings in the GTA, including one at the U.S. consulate. The 19-year-old suspect behind the shooting, remains in hospital in critical condition. Police said he will be charged with first-degree murder.
And finally, voters in Switzerland have rejected an unprecedented proposal to cap the country’s population at 10 million in a divisive referendum dubbed “the Swiss Brexit”. Some 54.79% of voters were against the proposal by the Swiss People’s party and 45.21% were in favour. Turnout was 58.86%. A different outcome would have obliged the Swiss government to limit the population, currently 9.1 million, to 10 million by 2050, enacting tough restrictions on family reunification, residency permits and asylum if the number had reached 9.5 million before that date. Switzerland’s population has grown far faster than that of surrounding EU states, rising by 23% since 2002. Economic output has risen by about 24% over the same period according to government figures.
Sports
Let’s start with the Stanley Cup playoffs. Taylor Hall scored for Carolina at 3.47 of the first period and that’s all the Hurricanes needed to win their second Stanley Cup, 3-0 over the Vegas Golden Knights. This is the second Cup win for the Canes, who won their first title in 2006.
Ben Rice hit a tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning, José Caballero added a three-run blast and the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-3 on Sunday for their sixth win in seven games. Blue Jays manager John Schneider was ejected for arguing with the home plate umpire after a balk call against Jeff Hoffman put Jazz Chisholm at third base with one out in the eighth. After the argument, Hoffman struck out Max Schuemann and Anthony Volpe to leave Chisholm stranded.
Five games in the World Cup group stage yesterday and your winners included Germany, Australia, Sweden and Cote d’Ivoire. Four games ahead today and the marquee matchup is Belgium versus Egypt. That kickoff is at 3pm
And, in Formula One action from Barcelona, Spain, Lewis Hamilton finally benefited from a good pit strategy and a well-timed safety car to take his first victory driving for Ferrari. Mercedes’ George Russell took second and reigning World Champion Lando Norris took third for McLaren.
