Trump's call for countries to send warships to protect the Strait of Hormuz brings no promises
CAIRO (AP) — Governments are responding with caution after U.S. President Donald Trump asked countries including China and Britain to send warships to help protect vessels in the Strait of Hormuz off Iran. Global oil prices have soared as one-fifth of the world's supply normally transits the strait. Iran's foreign minister says the strait is open to all but the U.S. and its allies and that some countries have already approached Tehran for help in getting safe passage for their vessels. Abbas Araghchi also rejects the idea of talking with the U.S. about finding a way to end the war.
The US hit Iran's Kharg Island, key to its economy and security. What to know about Iran's islands
JERUSALEM (AP) — The islands off Iran have become the latest focus of the war after a U.S strike destroyed military sites last week on Kharg Island. The string of islands in the Persian Gulf, west of the Strait of Hormuz, are critical to Iran's oil industry and its national security. Composed mainly of coral and limestone, they vary in size and are home to oil terminals, desalination plants and tens of thousands of people. In addition, some of them are at the core of a territorial dispute with the United Arab Emirates.
After attacks on Iran's oil facilities, toxic black rain endangers the public
Black rain fell in Iran's capital after airstrikes on oil facilities sent up dark clouds of toxic smoke. Health officials warned of serious risks to anyone who breathes or comes into contact with it. Soot, toxic chemicals and acidic gases combined with water droplets in the atmosphere, then fell back to Earth when it rained. Experts say microscopic soot particles can lodge deep in the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing breathing and heart problems that can lead to premature death. Some toxic substances can increase cancer risk.
As Trump pushes deportations, immigration data becomes harder to find
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown is expanding, but the public data that tracks it is drying up. Researchers and advocates say they can't hold the administration to account for one of its most contentious policies. The Department of Homeland Security has stopped or slowed updates on major dashboards and monthly reports. Those tools used to show arrests, detentions, removals and nationalities. The numbers that are available have come from lawsuits or are mandated by Congress. Researchers are having to piece together the immigration landscape based on what they say are incomplete and unverifiable figures from the Republican administration.
Hospital officials say Israeli strikes killed 12 in Gaza, including 2 children and a pregnant woman
CAIRO (AP) — Palestinian hospital officials say Israeli airstrikes hit a home and a police vehicle in central Gaza and killed at least 12 Palestinians, including two boys, a woman pregnant with twins and eight police officers. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reported the first strike hit a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp killed a couple and their 10-year-old son, as well as a 15-year-old neighbor whose body went to Awda hospital in Nuseirat. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital also reported a separate strike hit a police vehicle in central Gaza and killed eight police officers. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. There has officially been a ceasefire since October but Israeli fire is still frequent, Gaza officials say.
AP finds an Israeli group discreetly organized the mystery flights evacuating Palestinians from Gaza
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An AP investigation has found that an Israeli group whose founder strongly supported U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to resettle Palestinians from Gaza is behind several flights that transferred hundreds of people out of the war-torn enclave. AP’s finding is based on a contract, passenger lists, text messages, financial statements, and interviews with more than two dozen Israelis, Palestinians and other people involved with the trips. Founder Gilad Ach declined to be interviewed but said via text message in response to AP questions that he was proud to lead organizations voicing support for the rights of Palestinians who want to leave Gaza. Ach and Israeli officials didn’t address questions about whether Palestinians who took the flights would be allowed to return.
Zelenskyy says Ukraine is waiting on US and Russia to set the next round of talks
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is ready for the next trilateral peace talks with the U.S. and Russia, but the meeting depends on Washington and Moscow. He says the U.S. offered to host talks, but Russia refused to send a delegation. Zelenskyy warned the new conflict in the Middle East, which led to the postponement of the talks, could drain air defense supplies Ukraine needs. He says he is discussing alternatives to Patriot missile systems with France. He has also disputed President Donald Trump’s claim that the U.S. does not need Ukrainian drone technology.
US-China trade talks open in Paris, paving the way for Trump-Xi summit
BEIJING (AP) — China's official news agency Xinhua reports that representatives from Beijing and Washington have begun their economic and trade talks in Paris. Sunday's meetings, led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, are expected to pave the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit to Beijing to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in about two weeks. The White House has said that Trump will travel to China from March 31 to April 2, though Beijing has not officially confirmed it. Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said it would be a “big year” for China-U.S. relations.
A media-rating company says a Trump agency is threatening its livelihood
A company that evaluates news outlets and websites to see which produce reliable journalism says it's under attack by the Trump administration. NewsGuard has sued the Federal Trade Commission over an agency investigation that the company says is threatening its livelihood. NewsGuard's ratings system is used to help advertisers and artificial intelligence companies decide which news sites they can trust with their business. Conservative groups and the television network Newsmax says the ratings system is trying to censor conservative thought. The FTC says its investigation of NewsGuard is part of a broader effort to see whether advertiser boycotts violate antitrust laws.
Kimi Antonelli takes his first F1 win with victory in China to extend Mercedes' dominant start
SHANGHAI (AP) — Kimi Antonelli became Formula 1’s second-youngest race winner with a composed drive to victory for Mercedes at the Chinese Grand Prix. The 19-year-old Italian was the youngest pole position starter and briefly lost the lead to Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari at the start but retook it soon after and was in control from there. Antonelli’s teammate George Russell weathered a battle with both Ferraris to finish second. Lewis Hamilton was third for his long-awaited first Grand Prix podium finish for Ferrari.
