live Iran, U.S. make competing claims over control of Strait of Hormuz
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over t...
Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell and his wife Susan Dell announced on Tuesday that they will donate $6.25 billion to the investment accounts of 25 million U.S. children aged 10 and under.
The funds will be directed to Trump-branded investment accounts, authorised by Congress earlier this year, aimed at encouraging families to save for retirement. Each child will receive $250, and babies born between 2026 and 2028 will also be eligible for a $1,000 government contribution.
The Dells said the donation targets children born before 1 January 2025 who live in areas with a median income below $150,000. They expect the gift to reach almost 80% of children in this age group, making it one of the largest private donations directly benefiting Americans.
Michael Dell highlighted the impact of a small financial head start, “We’ve seen what happens when a child gets even a small financial headstart — their world expands,” he said in a video announcement.
He also encouraged other philanthropists and employers to make similar contributions.
Trump-branded accounts must be invested in an index fund reflecting the wider stock market. Parents can contribute up to $5,000 in after-tax funds, with employers, charitable organisations, and others also able to donate. The account converts into a retirement account when the child turns 18, growing tax-free, although withdrawals before age 59½ may be subject to taxes and penalties.
The White House Council of Economic Advisers estimates that a $1,000 initial deposit could grow to more than $5,800 in 18 years at a 10.3% rate of return. While some critics argue that the accounts primarily benefit wealthier families and add complexity to the U.S. savings system, supporters hail the scheme as a major step to expand financial literacy and security for children.
President Donald Trump praised the initiative on social media, calling the Dells “two great people.”
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
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One person has been killed and six others injured after an explosion at a petroleum storage facility at the Port of Rotterdam, prompting an investigation into the cause.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday for talks focused on Gaza, Palestinian statehood and regional security.
Taiwan staged military defence drills on Wednesday as China concluded joint naval exercises with Indonesia in waters east of the island.
Washington’s counter-narcotics push is expanding as Colombia’s new conservative government backs deeper security cooperation.
Meta said it had removed more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts suspected of belonging to Australians under 16, as the country’s internet regulator weighs enforcement action over its teen social media ban.
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