Archaeologists in Nieuwpoort have uncovered around 500 medieval cannonballs during construction work, dating from 1350 to 1600 AD. The discovery highlights the town’s historic military significance, with evidence also appearing in a 1641 map by Antonius Sanderus showing artillery near the excavation site

Many of those leaders have deflected entreaties by US President Donald Trump to send military assets to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the global flow of oil, gas and fertiliser