Trump warns a 'whole civilization will die tonight' if a deal with Iran isn't reached
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An Iranian envoy says Tehran will “take immediate and proportionate” action if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through on his threats to attack the country’s “whole civilization.” Tehran’s United Nations representative, Amir-Saeid Iravani, said Tuesday that Trump’s threats to attack if Iran does not make a deal “constitute incitement to war crimes and potentially genocide.” During a Security Council session on the Strait of Hormuz, Iravani urged the international community to call out Trump’s rhetoric before it’s too late.
Trump has delayed several deadlines for Iran, but Tuesday's nears with his most menacing threat
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed back deadlines for Iran to cut a deal or open the Strait of Hormuz. But his latest deadline for Tuesday came with his most perilous threat yet. Trump wrote on Truth Social that “a whole civilization will die tonight." The Republican president initially set a deadline for March 23 but postponed it several times, now suggesting Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern will be final. Iran's state-run news agency reported Monday that it rejected a ceasefire proposal. Trump has threatened to attack bridges, electrical plants and oil wells if a deal isn't struck.
Russia and China veto watered-down UN resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia and China have vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The resolution, sponsored by Bahrain, had been repeatedly watered down because of opposition from Russia and China. The vote took place just hours before an 8 p.m. Eastern time deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran to open the strategic waterway or face attacks on its power plants and bridges. One-fifth of the world’s oil typically passes through the strait, and Iran’s stranglehold during the war has sent energy prices soaring.
Gunmen attack police near building housing Israeli Consulate in Istanbul
ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish officials say that gunmen attacked police outside a building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul. The gunbattle left one assailant dead and two police officers wounded. Two other assailants were captured on Tuesday. The attackers carried long-barreled weapons. The area surrounding the building was quickly sealed off. Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said that at least one of the attackers was linked to a group he said was “exploiting religion” without naming the organization. Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said that an investigation has been launched. The consulate is located in a high-rise building.
On Hungary visit, Vance urges voters to support Orbán days before pivotal election
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance says he is in Hungary to support Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's reelection bid. Vance's visit to Budapest on Tuesday marks a clear endorsement from President Donald Trump's administration for Orbán, who is trailing in the polls ahead of Sunday's election. Orbán, a close Trump ally, is running for his fifth term against a strong center-right challenger. Despite Vance's support, he criticized the EU for interfering in Hungary's election. Orbán has been a controversial figure, known for his nationalist policies and opposition to immigration.
Oil prices waver and US stocks fall ahead of Trump's deadline for Iran
NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices are wavering, and U.S. stocks are falling as the countdown ticks toward the latest deadline set by President Donald Trump to destroy Iranian power plants and bridges. The S&P 500 fell 0.3% Tuesday ahead of Trump's 8 p.m. Eastern time deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 197 points, and the Nasdaq composite slid 0.5%. The moves were tentative, much like they’ve been since the start of the war with Iran, because of deep uncertainty about when the fighting may end. Stock indexes fell in Europe following better showings in Asia. Treasury yields ticked higher.
American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been released, an Iraqi official tells the AP
BAGHDAD (AP) — American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Baghdad last week, has been released. That's according to an Iraqi official with direct knowledge of the situation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity on Tuesday because he was not authorized to comment publicly. He says Kittleson was freed in the afternoon. He did not share her current whereabouts but said that prior to her release, she had been held in Baghdad. The powerful Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah said in a statement earlier in the day that it had decided to free the journalist.
Wireless Festival canceled after UK bars rapper Ye over antisemitic remarks
LONDON (AP) — The British government has blocked the rapper formerly known as Kanye West from entering the U.K. as the controversy over his antisemitic statements led to calls for planned headline performances at a major music festival to be canceled. Ye had been expected to perform in front of around 150,000 revelers July 10-12 at the open-air Wireless Festival in London. Following the government ban on his entry to the country, the event organizers said it had been canceled. The ban on Ye comes after U.K. officials and Jewish leaders condemned his history of antisemitic remarks.
Environmental groups urge appeals court panel to lift halt on closing Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz'
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Environmental groups have asked a federal appellate court panel to lift its temporary halt on closing an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades. Known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” the center remains open due to arguments by Florida and the Trump administration. They claimed the state hadn't gotten federal reimbursement, so it wasn’t required to follow federal environmental law. On Tuesday, during a hearing in Miami, the judges questioned how much control the federal government had over the state-built facility. Florida was notified in late September of $608 million in federal funding approval. The environmental lawsuit was one of three federal challenges to the facility since it opened.
Artemis II breaks Apollo 13’s distance record with daring moon flyby that included a solar eclipse
HOUSTON (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts have completed their record-breaking trip around the moon. Monday’s lunar journey comes after Artemis II surpassed Apollo 13’s distance record. During the flyby, the three Americans and one Canadian were treated to never-before-seen views of the moon’s far side by eye and also a solar eclipse. The crew temporarily lost contact with Mission Control as they swung behind the moon without stopping. They’re now on a path back toward Earth with a splashdown return set for Friday. More activities are planned before then including a phone call with the International Space Station.
