A cargo ship near Strait of Hormuz says it's attacked as Iran makes new peace proposal
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz has reported an attack by multiple small craft, according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. All crew members are safe, but vessels are warned to transit with caution. Iranian officials continue to claim control of the strait, allowing passage for non-U.S. or Israeli ships if they pay a toll. Meanwhile, Iran has proposed a plan to the U.S. to resolve issues within 30 days and end the war. U.S. President Donald Trump remains skeptical. Iran's currency continues to weaken after hitting record lows, creating more economic pain.
2 US service members missing after military exercises in Morocco
CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — Two U.S. service members are missing in southwestern Morocco after participating in military exercises, according to the United States Africa Command. The soldiers went missing during a recreational hike, not during training. The incident happened Saturday near the Cap Draa Training Area. A search and rescue operation involving the U.S., Morocco, and other countries is underway. The search team includes helicopters, ships, and mountain rescue units. The ongoing African Lion exercise, which began in April, involves over 7,000 personnel from more than 30 nations. This annual event is the largest U.S. joint military exercise in Africa.
Ukraine hits key Russian oil-loading port and 3 'shadow fleet' tankers
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine has launched a wave of strikes against Russia’s oil export infrastructure, hitting a key loading port on the Baltic Sea and three tankers that Ukraine alleges were illegally used to transport Russian crude. A nighttime drone strike sparked a blaze at Russia’s largest oil exporting port on the Baltic Sea, according to Russian regional Gov. Alexander Drozdenko. The port of Primorsk lies over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from Ukraine. Elsewhere, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had hit two tankers in the Black Sea that had been used to transport Russian oil in violation of Western sanctions.
Trump keeps us up in the air with his hints of what’s coming in a new batch of UFO files
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is promising to release new UFO records that he says will be “very interesting.” He says the files will be coming “very soon” after he directed the Pentagon to share documents related to UFOs and extraterrestrial life. That directive came even with the Pentagon already years into a process to declassify materials related to UFOs. Congress ordered the effort in 2022. The president's interest has been embraced by a small group of Republicans in Congress who say the Pentagon has failed to provide transparency around mysterious aircraft reported near U.S. military installations.
Did the founders create a Christian nation? No, but religion did shape their thinking
There’s long been debate over the intentions of America’s founders about the role of religion. That’s been turbocharged with the approaching 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July Fourth. Some Christian activists are redoubling claims that the United States had a Christian founding. But scholars note that there’s no established religion in the Constitution and some of the most influential founders weren't Christian. But most of them also weren’t deists or anti-religious skeptics. The founders believed in prayer and that God was helping the revolutionary cause. Scholars say they created a sort of free market in which American religion has thrived to this day.
Landlords want to be paid for pandemic losses and hope to reach a deal with the Trump administration
BOSTON (AP) — A group of landlords are hoping to settle with the federal government over what they say are billions of dollars in losses due to the federal eviction moratorium in place for nearly a year during the pandemic. More than 1,500 landlords across the country are part of a federal lawsuit that argues the eviction policy enacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention violated the Fifth Amendment by unlawfully using their property without compensation. Lawyers for the plaintiffs are hoping to recoup as much as $1.5 billion — a fraction of the estimated tens of billions of dollars that the industry lost.
Israeli raid in the West Bank leaves 1 Palestinian dead and 4 wounded
NABLUS, West Bank (AP) — A Palestinian man was killed and four others were seriously wounded during an Israeli military raid in Nablus on Sunday. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the man as Nayef Firas Ziad Samaro. His wife was in labor at a local hospital when she learned of his death. The Palestinian Red Crescent said a 12-year-old was among the wounded. The raid occurred as schools were letting out, in an area crowded with civilians. The United Nations says at least 42 Palestinians have been killed since the year began. There has been worsening violence near Jewish settlements and outposts in the West Bank.
Austrian police detain suspect in case of rat poison found in baby food jars on supermarket shelves
VIENNA (AP) — Police in eastern Austria say a 39-year-old suspect has been arrested after rat poison turned up in some HiPP baby food jars on supermarket shelves in central Europe. The company recalled some of its baby food in Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia after the case came to light last month. It said in a statement Saturday it was “greatly relieved” by the arrest. Authorities said previously they believe the tampering occurred in 6.7-ounce jars of baby food made with carrots and potatoes for 5-month-olds that were sold from SPAR supermarkets in Austria.
Milly Alcock’s ‘punk rock’ Supergirl takes flight as DC bets big on the Woman of Tomorrow
Australian actor Milly Alcock stars as Supergirl in this summer's new DC Studios movie bearing her name. Heading to theaters on June 26, the film finds her character on an intergalactic odyssey of revenge. DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran first noticed Alcock on the “Game of Thrones” prequel series “House of the Dragon.” Since she filmed her cameo for “Superman,” it's been a non-stop ride. Alcock says her character reminded her a lot of herself. She's finding the experience of sudden fame somewhat disorienting and laughs about anyone wanting a toy with her face.
76ers eyeing much more as they move on to second round after Game 7 win over Celtics
BOSTON (AP) — After debuting in Game 4 following appendectomy surgery last month, Joel Embiid played some of the best playoff basketball of his career over the final four games of the series to lead the 76ers to a 109-100 Game 7 victory over a Celtics team that had looked like a potential NBA title contender. The No. 7 seed’s reward is an Eastern Conference semifinals matchup with the No. 3 seed New York Knicks. The 76ers will need everything Embiid gave and more to compete with a Knicks team that plays much more physical game than Boston.
