yes. the u.s. has formally asked germany france and britain to help protect shipping in the strait of hormuz controlled by iran the strait is a strategic route for much of the world's oil relations between tehran and the west have deteriorated since washington pulled out of a landmark deal designed to limit iran's nuclear program last year. police and protesters have clashed again in hong kong the latest in a series of demonstrations sparked by the government's attempt to introduce a controversial extradition law protesters gathered at