Author: Verified News Online

'Floating armoury' ship reportedly seized by Iran5 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleThomas CopelandBBC VerifyGetty ImagesA vessel reportedly operating as a “floating armoury” in the Gulf of Oman has been seized by Iranian military personnel, according to the maritime risk management company Vanguard.
The ship is now “bound for Iranian territorial waters”, the UK's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organisation said.
BBC Verify has checked ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic which shows the vessel – identified by Vanguard as the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan – last broadcast its location 70km (40 miles) north-east of Fujairah in the UAE on Wednesday.
Hui Chuan's operators told Vanguard it was operating as a floating armoury which stores weapons for security firms who protect ships at sea from attack by pirates.
BBC Verify cannot confirm what was on the ship or who it was used by.
The BBC has previously reported how these vessels are based in the Red Sea, Gu..

Flattery and fanfare as Trump welcomed to China – but thorny issues remain6 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleLaura BickerChina correspondentReutersDonald Trump last visited China nine years ago, during his first term in officeXi Jinping threw a grand welcome for Donald Trump on the first day of a visit that could reset ties between the rival superpowers.
The military honour guard lined up outside the Great Hall of the People to welcome Trump, complete with a gun salute and a band playing the US national anthem. The president paused twice to say hello to schoolchildren cheering with Chinese and American flags.
As he shook hands with Xi, he leaned in to pat him on the arm in what appeared to be a gesture of warmth. And he lavished praise on his host.
“You're a great leader. I say it to everybody,” he declared in what appeared to be unscripted remarks. Later, on his tour of the 15th Century Temple of Heaven, he remarked to reporters that China was beautiful. At the banquet..

Trade, Iran and Taiwan on the agenda as Trump arrives in China for high-stakes talks with Xi 2 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleBrandon DrenonTrump vs Xi Jinping: Who has the upper hand?US President Donald Trump descended the steps of Air Force One in Beijing on Wednesday evening, greeted with pomp and pageantry ahead of a high-stakes summit with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.
During his two-day visit, the global superpowers are expected to discuss tariffs, competition over technology, the war in Iran, and America's relationship with Taiwan.
Trump returns to a more assertive China than the one he visited in 2017, as he faces mounting scrutiny over his military campaign in the Middle East.
The trip had originally been scheduled for March but was postponed because of the US and Israel's war in Iran, a conflict that continues to unsettle the global economy.
Trump was greeted on the red carpet by Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng, one of China's top leaders…

Court overturns Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions and orders new trial3 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMadeline HalpertandBrandon DrenonGetty ImagesA South Carolina court has overturned the 2023 murder convictions of Alex Murdaugh, a disgraced lawyer who was convicted of killing his wife and son.
The state's supreme court on Wednesday ordered a new trial for Murdaugh over the June 2021 killings.
Murdaugh has been in prison serving two life sentences for the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. He is also serving two additional 27- and 40-year sentences for state and federal financial crimes.
Once a powerful lawyer, the 56-year-old and his legal troubles captivated a global audience and inspired documentaries, podcasts and book deals. The trial itself was also televised.
Watch: The moment Murdaugh sentenced to life in prisonIn a 5-0 ruling, the South Carolina Supreme Court said Murdaugh deserved a new trial because the local county clerk had unfairly biased a jur..